By Eric Valentine
Editor’s Note: While the Blaine County School District complies with state orders to keep schools closed until at least April 20, Wood River Weekly will use the section formerly called “Student Spotlight” to assist the district in relaying information to our readers.
COVID Closure
Already last week, school district officials shut down schools into early April. By this week, the State of Idaho declared even that was too soon when its Board of Education said school sites would be closed until at least April 20.
On Tuesday, Blaine County School District released an official statement on the matter. Here are the key takeaways:
March 30 Meeting
Trustees will meet on Monday, March 30, at 5:30 p.m. to consider the extension of school closures in light of the order from the State Board of Education that a “soft closure” be adopted until at least April 20. All interested persons are invited to attend the March 30 meeting through an Internet platform that is being tested at the present time. There will be no physical gathering of either the board or the public. The district said its website will have specific instructions on how to access the meeting using electronic devices soon.
Class of 2020 Graduation
Also to be discussed are plans for distance learning during the closure. “We remain confident that our seniors who were on track to graduate at the time our initial closure began on March 16 will still be able to graduate this spring pursuant to the guidelines and waivers from the State Board of Education, yet to be finalized,” the district said.
Other District Matters
BCSD’s food distribution effort called Grab-N-Go is still operating. Children 18 and under can pick up lunches Monday through Friday at several locations around the Valley.
Parents and students are being asked to fill out a technology survey that can be accessed at blaineschools.org/Domain/1219. It will help the district plan for and execute instruction online.
Cox Communiocations is offering low-cost Internet service, free for one month to families who don’t have an Internet connection. The service is free for the first 30 days until May 15; those free days begin on day one of service. Cox is working to quickly connect as many families as possible with two options. Families can directly apply for Connect2Compete service at cox.com/connect2compete. Separate from Connect2Compete, families can subscribe to Starter Internet at a reduced rate of $19.99 with one month free and no need to provide documentation.