Dear River Valley Families:
I wanted to give you an update on our plan going forward after Governor Reynold's announcement on Friday, which closed schools for the remainder of the year. It's important to remember the announcement simply closed the buildings but it didn't cancel providing educational services through the time of the closure.
I think most of us expected the decision but it didn't make it any easier hearing the news on Friday. My heart goes out to our students and staff and especially our seniors and their parents for going through this at this time of their life. The cancellation also ended dreams for many of our students for their spring activities, which adds to the grief. We remain hopeful for the opportunity to gather to share in the commencement of our seniors, have summer activities, and cheer on our Wolverines together. If we cannot do these things personally then we will work on ways to do it virtually. It is encouraging to see people supporting one another so much during this difficult time.
The number one thing is taking care of yourselves and your well-being. Please let us know if you need help with something. We don't want to add to stress to anyone. Our teachers are trying. Please understand they are not trained for the new things we are asking them to do. We will work at it and get better. Thank you for helping us with teachers phone calls as we gathered some important information for us.
So what's our plan? Below you will see information on some important items and this can be also found on our website page River Valley Coronavirus Updates, which we will continue to update with new information.
EDUCATIONAL PLAN
The state allows each school to select between providing a required or voluntary educational plan. We have chosen to provide a voluntary plan while we are closed for grades PK-5. We have decided on a hybrid plan for 6th-11th graders.
PK - 5 - VOLUNTARY
- We will continue to provide learning packets.
- More information will be sent to you from Mrs. Holtz.
6TH - 11TH - VOLUNTARY THEN REQUIRED
- We need to be prepared in the future for moving to a required format for learning for our students. We need to try a week of required learning with our 6th - 11th graders to see how we do and where we need to improve. This will also give our students an opportunity to raise their grade/standing for the third quarter, which will become their second semester grade.
- May 4th - May 8th will be required. Please understand the work completed can only help you.
- Students will need to have homework back to teachers by May 15.
- More Information will follow from Mr. Bisenius.
- Book/Materials Return and Checkout Date - May 15 - May 21 -we will need to follow social distance and gathering rules so more information on this will be forthcoming.
SENIORS - VOLUNTARY
- Seniors continue with voluntary plan
GRADUATION - JUNE 28
We are planning on a traditional ceremony on June 28 at 1:30pm. If the State's rules and expectations in regards to larger gatherings and social distancing are still in place then we will switch to a virtual graduation on the same date.
PROM - JUNE 20
Prom has been moved to June 20th. We will not have a makeup day for Prom.
SPRING SPORTS
Spring sports have been canceled for the remainder of the year.
SUMMER SPORTS
Summer sports have been suspended until June 1.
Phone extensions
Mrs. Taunia Pry- Food Director - (712) 372-4656 Ext. 1234
Mrs. Melissa Holtz - Elementary Principal - (712) 372-4656 Ext. 2223
Mr. Adam Bisenius - High School Principal/AD - (712) 372-4656 Ext.1222
Mr. Kenneth Slater - Superintendent - (712) 372-4656 Ext. 1238
Office Hours
We have people in the offices from 11:00am to 1:00pm everyday. The principals may work from home but they also go to their offices regularly. They are available through email and they are checking voice mails so they can return calls. I am in the office regularly but also will work from home during this time. I typically get to the office by 9:00am.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Press On!
Ken Slater, Superintendent