Acting on a demand from parents for before and after school programs, the West Liberty School Board of Education voted Monday evening to approve a program titled "Little Comets Wrap-Around Care" at the West Liberty Early Learning Center.
The program is hoped to begin next week as the school year begins for ELC students only, doors opening on Tuesday for the first time throughout the district because of a two-week delay in the start of the school year - the district allowing time for teachers, administration and parents to prepare for the unprecedented school year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The board not only approved the care program but also set an official face-covering policy for the district and heard about policies set by the district for anyone attending school sporting events or other extra curricular activities.
Dr. Lindsay Meeker, the new ELC Director, informed the board about the new program which will operate between 6:30-7:30 a, m. and from 2-5 p.m. on school days. She said space is limited to 20 students in the morning and 37 in the afternoon, pointing out the lower number in the morning is to help maintenance personnel disinfect areas in preparation for the school day. She said a minimum of 10 students is required for each session, but didn't anticipate any problem, knowing there is a real need within the community among families seeking help.
The program will cost parents, although Meeker did say there might be families that will qualify for childcare assistance through Childcare Resource and Referral.
The director said the child care program could start as early as Sept. 8, depending on obtaining staffing as the district will have to hire a CAD certified site supervisor as well as one to three assistants depending on the number of students signing up for the program.
Dr. Meeker explained to the board there will always be at least two staff members on duty and students will be staffed on a one to 10 ratio.
Board President Emily Geertz praised the fortitude of the new director in meeting the demands of parents, noting the program was organized in a short time period.
Dr. Meeker, who will assume the administrative responsibilities for the program, said each child would be provided gym or outdoor activities during the sessions and said there would also be time for crafts and art projects. She said students will use play centers, outdoor play areas, may be taught yoga and will take part in socially distant group games, arts and crafts as well as STEM activities. A snack will also be provided.
She said the program is different from in the past because of COVID-19, noting students used to be transported to the elementary school to participate in it's before and after school program, which is being offered separately from the district by a private provider like previous years.
Dr. Meeker also said there will be certain procedures in dropping children off before school and picking them up at the end of the day.
Face
covering
policy
The board also set a face covering policy for students and staff members. It states the district will require all students, staff and visitors to wear appropriate face coverings throughout the school day in district buildings as well as on district transportation.
The district will make available to students and visitors disposable face masks and will make available to staff member’s disposable face-masks and face shields. Students, staff and visitors may choose to use their own reusable cloth face-masks, disposable face-masks or face shields. The district will provide information on the proper use of coverings.
The district acknowledges that there may be certain situations where the requirement will not be appropriate including while students are eating, drinking or engaging in activities that require physical exertion or playing music. Students having special health needs or other circumstances should contact the administrators at the school the child is attending.
Activities
Director
update
Adam Loria, the new activities director for the West Liberty High School and Middle School, updated the board on policies regarding extra curricular activities in the safety of students, staff and fans against the virus.
He said the district is fortunate because their first home sporting event will actually take place this Friday when West Branch comes to town for an evening football game beginning at 7 p.m. He said junior varsity games are being played on a whole different day.
He said there will be two entrances into the stadium for fans to enter from the north and south and said the district is working on setting up advance ticket sales as well as the use of credit card machines to combat the virus. He said additional bleachers are also being moved into the stadium to allow more social distancing.
He said those attending will be "strongly encouraged" to wear face-masks, but said it is not a requirement. Families and fans should adapt to social distancing regulations.
Loria did say this Friday's game will be senior night and all the high school Comet seniors and their parents will be honored at halftime of the game. He said that was set because it's unknown if the season will continue through the year with rising Iowa virus case numbers.
Loria said the same will take place for the first home volleyball game, set for Sept. 10 against Mid-Prairie.
The AD said setting up the regulations for football was much more difficult than volleyball, where just one net will be used at a time. He said the fact the first football game is a big rivalry is likely to draw more fans, which could cause problems.
He said the district will not limit a
attendance at any event and said all the middle school volleyball games will be played at the elementary school, one game at a time.
He said the West Liberty Booster Club will have concessions at the first home football game, but said the choices will be limited to bottled beverages, chips, candy and popcorn. He said there is hope of a pep band at the game Friday and there may even be a performance by the dance team.