At this time, Linn R-2 is planning to hold summer school from June 3-June 30, and will do so with additional safeguards to protect against exposure to the coronavirus.

“Our goal is to provide a high quality summer school program while also protecting the health of our students, staff and community,” said Superintendent Dena Smith in a letter sent to patrons.

Smith added it is essential for the school and community to work together to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 while still providing a quality education program. To hold summer school this year, the additional safeguards are based on guidelines from the CDC, the Osage County Health Department, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Missouri School Boards’ Association and the Missouri Association of Rural Education.

Students and employees will be excluded from school if they test positive for COVID-19 or exhibit one or more of the symptoms of COVID-19 based on CDC guidance that is not otherwise explained, including a fever of 100 degrees or greater, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell.

Smith reminded parents to screen their children before sending them to school. “If they are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 without other obvious explanations, please do not send them to school,” she said.

* If at any time, R-2 staff feels a student may be contagious or may be exhibiting signs of an illness, the student will be immediately sent home.

* Employees and students are encouraged to wear masks if they are concerned about disease transmission. Masks must be provided by the individual and will not be provided by the district.

* If a student or employee has recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19 symptoms or diagnosed with COVID-19 or has recently traveled from somewhere considered to be a “hot spot” by the CDC, the student or employee may be excluded from the school building and recommend they self-quarantine for 14 calendar days.

* If the district becomes aware of a student or employee that may have COVID-19 or that has been excluded from school or recommended to self-quarantine, the custodial staff will thoroughly disinfect any areas the person has been in contact with prior to anyone re-entering the building.

* There will be a separate space available to assess students or staff members who may have COVID-19 or another communicable disease. Only essential staff will be allowed to enter and must wear a mask.

Throughout the school day, the following guidelines will be regularly followed:

* No more than one grade level at a time will be allowed on the playground.

* Playground equipment will be sanitized after each recess.

* Students will be placed at 6’ intervals in the cafeteria during mealtimes.

* Napkins and utensils will be distributed by staff.

* Students will not rotate classrooms. If rotation needs to occur, the teacher will rotate.

* There will be no large assemblies or gatherings.

* Students will go directly to their classrooms upon arriving at school.

* Hand sanitizer will be available in all public locations and classrooms.

* Proper hand washing will be emphasized and taught regularly.

* Students will need to bring a labeled water bottle. These will be filled at the water bottle filling stations to limit the use of the water fountain.

Smith asks that all parents who are able to drop off and pick up their child from summer school to please do so.

“In order to make busing work, we need as many parent drop-offs and pick-ups as possible,” she noted. “This will allow us to seat families together on buses with everyone else sitting one to a seat. The only way this will be possible is for only those who absolutely cannot transport their child to ride the bus.”

Class sizes will be kept to a minimum to allow social distancing, and public entry into the building will be limited to the elementary office only.

Anyone with questions or concerns, is encouraged to contact the school at 573-897-4200.