Aug. 17 is the date

Caution, communication and environmental awareness appear to be the keywords for Sidney Public Schools bringing students back to the classroom.

District Superintendent Jay Ehler released a statement Monday morning on how the District plans to move toward reopening schools this fall.

"We know that there is no way to please everyone in this situation.  We gathered as much information as we could and attempted to put together a plan good for kids and staff," Ehler said.

The anticipated date for students returning to class is Aug. 17. Athletic teams are expected to return to their respective courts and fields on Aug. 10. Ehler stresses the plans are contingent on Directed Health Measures and reported coronavirus cases in the area.

The plan is based on the Panhandle Public Health District's “dial,” a scale that defines the coronavirus impact. The four level-dial starts at Mild (Green or low to mid-Yellow on the PPHD dial), Mild-Moderate (Orange on the PPHD Level) and High-Severe (Red on the PPHD Dial). Each level is defined by the impact of the coronavirus.

The Mild or green stage protocols is for normal school with enhanced physical distancing in the classrooms and all of the students in school. Elementary students will have hand-washing time twice a day, and secondary students will get daily announcements reminding them to wash their hands.

In the yellow, or Mild-Moderate stage, Pre-kindergarten to sixth grade: homeroom will be self-contained or teacher rotation; grades seven through 12 will resume as normal due to space with enhanced distancing protocols. Hand washing will be the same as the Mild level. In the Moderate-High level, Pre-kindergarten to sixth grade will continue with the same plan as the Mild-Moderate level. Junior high and high school classes will apply the A/B/ Schedule with half of the students in the building each day and the other half learning from home. If the High-Severe (red) level is announced, all students will learn from home.

Each building will be disinfected every night using the EvaClean Infection Prevention System. Hand sanitizer will be available in each classroom, various places through out the schools and in the offices. Parents are encouraged to check their child's physical condition before sending them to school. Students are encouraged to bring personal water bottles to school. Students will not be allowed to drink from water fountains but they will be able to refill their water bottles.

Visitors are restricted unless absolutely necessary. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead for a time and will be required to wear a mask. Families are restricted from visiting the school to only activities required by policy or law. For all students, all cases (i.e. a student has an appointment, is ill, or needs to leave early) parents are to call when they arrive at the building and the student will be released. These protocols include discipline issues, meetings.

In the Mild level, masks are highly recommended, but not required. In the second level, masks are required when entering the school and anytime when moving from one class to another. Masks may be removed in the classroom. In the case of a third level of caution, masks will be required. There will be mask break times when students are physically distanced from each other.

Bussing will be limited to students who live outside of the city and by law the District is required to transport. There will be no school to school bussing.

"We are in a time of uncertainty and plans regarding Covid-19 change frequently so please continue to be flexible," Ehler said.