Fatima R-3 will continue to monitor the COVID pandemic and has already taken steps to ensure the safety of students and staff.
One of the big changes students will notice this year is that no assemblies will be held during the first semester of the year.
“We’re not going to cram all those kids in the gym like that,” said Superintendent Chuck Woody at the board’s Aug. 19 meeting.
Homecoming, which is scheduled in December will likewise be suspended. “I just don’t think we’ll be able to do it,” said Woody. “At least not right now.”
Woody added he is referring to the assembly portion of the homecoming celebration, at which contestants vie for votes. Instead, students can watch from classrooms. The dance itself is a different matter, but Woody said that will be determined later.
Field trips will not be allowed during the first semester. “We’ll reevaluate that but for now, it’s just not prudent,” said Woody.
Parent-teacher conferences will be held as usual.
“This is one of the last things I want to cancel,” said Woody. “Open house went very well. Everyone wore a mask and we did well because everyone worked together.”
Curriculum Coordinator Janah Massman said she was pleased with the cooperation she saw at the open house. “Kids were wearing masks, adults were wearing them,” she said. “I was pleasantly surprised.”
“I think we can get it done without a problem,” Woody added.
Anyone wishing to conduct a conference with a teacher via Zoom may do so.
At this time, conference and district band performances are still in question. Conference cross country will be hosted at Fatima, and the school may limit the number of spectators or require a mask.
Traveling may be an issue.
“I don’t know how I feel about sending (students) to other schools,” said Woody. “But I don’t want to take those away from the kids either.”
Regarding sports, Woody said there has been a wide-ranging discussion among conference schools about how each intends to handle attendance.
“There’s a big difference between the way a small facility and bigger ones like ours,” Woody said.
Athletic Director Mitch Gier said many schools are requiring masks for indoor events and some are requiring face-coverings for outdoor activities.
Limited seating may also be an issue, particularly for smaller gyms and stadiums.
For those who choose to attend, Gier said fans from each level are encouraged to leave after the game or match involving their student. At Fatima, students who wish to attend a game or match will be required to wear a mask.
Woody said taking temperatures at the door is an option to prevent those with symptoms from entering.
Maintaining separation between home and visiting fans is another option, though that may not be popular. “You’re going to upset some people no matter what you do,” said Woody.
Board President Doug Luebbering acknowledged that enforcing these precautions will require a lot of administration, noting that checking temperatures at the door will be easier than making people wear masks.
“I don’t know if it’s effective or not,” he added.
Massman agreed but noted that would be labor-intensive to manage.
“I have heard comments from people saying it’s their choice to go to Wal-Mart or not, and it’s my choice whether or not to go to a game,” said Woody.
“If we require masks, what is your expectation on how to enforce it?” Massman asked.
“I think you can calmly request they put it on,” said Huhn. “But we’re not going to put an administrator in a position where they have to discipline someone.”
“I agree,” said Luebbering. “We don’t need to go there.”
It was determined that Fatima’s position will be to strongly encourage and request that everyone wear a mask when attending indoor events. Social-distancing will also be requested to the extent possible.
“The bottom line is we want to protect our kids,” said High School Principal Sharyl Kelsch.
Activity and athletic banquets, the first of which is usually held in November, will not be held.
“If you’re not allowing other events, you shouldn’t allow that either,” said board member Keith Huhn.
“I’m good with that,” Woody replied.
However, the board agreed that if each group wants to celebrate accomplishments independently, that is up to the individuals involved.
It was also noted that outside groups will not be allowed on campus for the time being.
This would include the archery team, and youth volleyball and wrestling clubs.
Board member Andy Samson noted that wrestling mats are not available outside of Fatima, which makes it tough for kids to practice. He asked if the multi-purpose room could be used by only district students, and not open to others.
Technically, in a non-COVID world, anyone could attend an open-mat practice session.
Gier suggested using an older mat at a different location, but other schools have already indicated they will not allow open sessions.
Board member Matt Robertson suggested someone from the school tell these groups of the board’s decision.
Woody said all of these precautions will be reevaluated in December before a decision regarding the second semester is made.
In other business, Fatima approved a levy of $3.6029, the maximum allowed by law, which will allow the district to generate the same level of revenue as last year. Woody noted the district’s valuation dropped by $2.3 million from last year, and a new construction piece of that equation was anticipated to have generated an additional $35,000 this year.
* Board members accepted the resignation of baseball coach Brian Bax, effective Aug. 14, citing a need for more time with his family.
* A conflict-of-interest policy adopted in 2018 was approved again allowing the school to file the paperwork on behalf of board members.
* Bills were approved totaling $150,793.68.
REPORTS
Woody said the school received a request from Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin, and Rep. Chuck Basye, who chair their respective education committees. They were asking for confirmation that Fatima allows interested students to participate in virtual education.
“We promptly process those requests, and staff understands that students have the right to enroll in any MOCAP course,” said Woody.
* DESE has adopted new guidelines for substitute teachers. Any person with a high school diploma or equivalent can complete a 20-hour state-approved online training course and become eligible for a substitute certificate. Training includes topics such as professionalism, honoring diversity, engaging students, classroom management techniques, instructional strategies, and supporting students with special needs.
The Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) Conference will be virtual this year. It would have been held in Kansas City. Currently, the MARE Conference is still scheduled for mid-late October in person at the Lake of the Ozarks.
* Woody told the board that Missouri First Lady Teresa Parson and Second Lady Claudia Kehoe, as well as several members of their team recently visited Fatima. Along with well wishes for a wonderful year and a thank-you for the work being done to prepare schools for students to return, they brought backpacks filled with supplies for students in need. Parson shared that her team wanted to find a way to support local schools during this difficult time. As a result, they began collecting supplies and backpacks, and visited schools to deliver them.
In her report, Massman told the board there are two components to testing this year, one being Evaluate and the other is called USA Test Prep. Both are part of the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) and End Of Course (EOC) exams.
“We are just finishing up the process of enrolling our kids,” said Massman.
Both tests are standards-driven and Massman said teachers are excited about using them to make sure curriculum is covered, and that students are being taught what they need to know between grade levels. This also will help with the Annual Performance Report (APR).
Kelsch reported the school had an excellent turnout at the open house, and students were able to get their Chromebooks and parents were able to complete the forms that normally go home on the first day.
“There were some bugs in the system, but we have taken the feedback from staff and have plans to improve it for next year,” she added.
* Kelsch is currently taking applications for the high school secretary position and hopes to have a candidate soon.
* Students and staff are excited to be back and look forward to activities and events starting soon, Kelsch said. “It seems that everyone is glad to be back into a routine and the students and staff were glad to see each other again,” she said.
* Enrollment in grades 7-12 was reported at 529 students.
Elementary Principal Melissa Wright welcomed new second-grade teacher Amy Rush, who is in her first year of teaching. “She is very excited and eager to jump right in with the program,” said Wright.
Rush is Fatima’s only new teacher, but there are a few changes. Tina Paschal has moved to the library position and Renee Ellingsworth has moved to sixth grade.
* The school plans to continue its positive behavior plan of Comets with Character. Students will still have the ability to earn “Comet Cash,” which they may then spend on Friday each week. “We have been practicing classroom expectations and routines,” said Wright.
* The school is looking for a time to hold Bus Safety Day. This training will look a little different this year due to COVID so discussions will be held on how the school wants to get the information to the students.
* Events canceled due to COVID include Grandparents Day and the school carnival.
* Fatima had a 90% parent turnout for the open house. This is about 5% less than last year but considering the circumstances, Wright said she is pleased with the turnout.
* Enrollment in grades K-6 was reported at 252 students.