How Starke County’s mask mandate will impact students returning to class next month was discussed during Tuesday’s North Judson-San Pierre School Board meeting. Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin told board members that schools will be using a “settled and spaced” approach.
“That means, then, that once the students are settled and spaced in the classroom using the seating chart, those masks may be removed, but if they are in places where they aren’t settled and spaced appropriately, they do need to use them,” Zupin explained. “For the junior/senior high, that’s passing periods. For the elementary school, that would be moving to and from lunch or to specials class or when they’re working in small groups. It would be when the science class is doing a lab and they have six people at the table.”
Zupin said the Knox and Oregon-Davis school superintendents are planning similar approaches.
N.J.-S.P. is also offering a virtual learning option for families who aren’t comfortable sending their kids to school. Zupin told board members it will be very different from the eLearning offered in the spring. “There will be lots more engagement,” Zupin said. “There will be videos. There will be interaction.”
Certain teachers will focus solely on the virtual learning, while classroom teachers will focus solely on the classroom. However, Zupin said all teachers will get virtual learning training, in case the school buildings have to be closed again.
She encourages families planning on using the virtual option to let her know by this Friday, but they’ll be accommodated right up until the start of school on August 12. Zupin said families won’t be committed to one particular learning method for the entire year, although high school students starting the year virtually may not be able to switch until the second semester.
“I want the kids back,” Zupin added. “I want them back here, just interacting – if they are comfortable doing that. So we’ll keep our fingers crossed.”
Zupin said 60 to 70 students have already opted for virtual learning, with about 20 signing up on Tuesday alone.
