March 17 Update
Dear River Valley Families, I wanted to provide you an update with some necessary information on where things are at with the district given the COVID-19 Pandemic. As you know, this situation has been changing rapidly since it was recommended that schools close for four weeks. The health, safety, and well-being of our students, staff, and community is our top priority. It's times like these where the true spirit of our community is evident. Please note the information is based on guidance from Governor and the Department of Education.
Educational Activities = Optional
We are making a good faith effort to provide our students with educational activities while they are home due to the school closing. The Department of Education makes it clear we cannot require these activities to be completed, therefor there is no grading and are optional. They are simply for student learning and practice. Our PK families are receiving assistance through their Seesaw application. The K-5 students were provided some learning packets. Our 6-12 students have Google Classrooms set up where they can access information. All of these are optional. If you have some questions regarding any of these please reach out to the teachers and/or principals. Students in college classes will need to stay in contact with WITCC and continue to work towards completion as they are being taken for college credit.
Personal Items
We will be closing the buildings to all visitors starting Thursday morning. Please come in on Wednesday between 8:00am and 4:00pm to pick up your needed items. If you cannot make it in by that time please call the office to make arrangements to get done some other time Wednesday.
Food Drive-Thru Pickup
Thanks to some dedicated staff we are providing food to 0-18 year-olds two days a week. This will start tomorrow (Wednesday, March 18) from 11:30 - 12:30. After that we will provide meals again on Friday, March 20 at same time. Then will provide every Tuesday and Friday until school is back open. You can pick up in Correctionville and Washta at the buildings outside the kitchen entrances. If you live in Quimby or Cushing and cannot get to those locations please call the office (712) 372-4656 and we will try and line up a delivery.
We are providing one hot meal for the day of pickup and then cold meals for breakfast and lunches for a couple of days.
Activities/Practices
All activities, practices, and events have been cancelled through April 12. No youth practices. No use of gym or weight room during this time. We will keep you informed of any activities or events which get rescheduled.
Fobs
Fobs which have been checked out to majority of staff, coaches, parents, and community members will be shut off on Thursday morning. Only central office, custodians, food workers, and administration will be allowed in the buildings.
Relief from Required Instructional Hours or Days
The state has passed legislation excusing the school hours missed due to the Coronavirus. This means we will not add days on at the end of the year.
Graduation
The Department of Education is recommending we use local discretion to determine if seniors have completed sufficient course content to consider the units complete. We will follow the departments recommendation in regard to our seniors.
Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
We will only have central office staff in the buildings starting Friday. When you call the school hit three at the prompt and that will take you to that office.
We thank you for your patience during this time. This is not what any of us envisioned for the spring of 2020. This is certainly a time to pull together and follow the advice of the Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Behave in a way as if you are a carrier of the virus and practice social distancing. There are many questions on future events and activities. We will keep you posted with new details as they come to us.