Salem Grade School Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe says they are ready to start the school year with all students attending a full-day five days a week.
She is pleased with the additional latitude being given to each school district by the State Board of Education to set COVID-19 guidelines. Foppe explains their guidance for the start of school.
“We are recommending that the students and adults that aren’t vaccinated follow the CDC guidelines. They are saying that they recommend that those not vaccinated should wear them. But the one place it’s mandated for sure is on the busses. That’s public transportation so drivers and students will need to wear masks. That is mandated.”
Foppe notes that guidance could change if local cases go up. She says they will work to maintain social distancing of three to six feet as much as possible. As a result, classes at Hawthorn and Franklin Park will continue to start at 8:30 with students not allowed to arrive until eight am.
Hawthorn Kindergarten students will dismiss at 1:50 and 1st through 3rd grades at 2:50. Franklin Park grades fourth through eighth will dismiss at 3:15 pm. Transitional kindergarten will start at eight and dismiss at 10:30 am. Early child education morning classes will be from 8 to 10:30 and afternoon classes
from noon to 2:30.
Foppe says they will continue to fog all rooms nightly and sanitizer will be available in all settings. She says parents and visitors in the buildings will still be limited.
Foppe says they will be offering a complete return to school plan at registration.
