MPCSD to make decision on online instruction

MT. PLEASANT - The Mt. Pleasant Community School District announced on Thursday it would be canceling all school activities through May 2 in accordance with Gov. Reynold's extension of school closures. This includes athletics, practices, extra curricular activities and competitions.

In a letter to the community, superintendent John Henriksen explained the district still is determining whether it will 'require online learning, or provide voluntary learning.”

At their board meeting on March 18, Henriksen noted the Iowa Department of Education had not yet given districts the option to require online learning for credit, a stipulation that has since changed. Requiring online learning 'includes grading assignments and final course grades,” and voluntary learning will 'focus on review, practice, mastery and enrichment.”

Henriksen said at the previous board meeting as well as in his update to the community that there would be 'significant” concerns surrounding equity in a move to online learning, including 'access to the resources needed to ensure a high quality digital education.” In the letter, Henriksen said the district conducted an Internet Availability survey, which included 800 responses.

'Based on the responses, we know that nearly 25% of our students don't have access to high speed internet,” Henriksen wrote.

The superintendent added the district would make a decision early the following week on how instruction would continue following a review of the Department of Education's guidelines.

The letter also informed parents and students that staff and teachers would continue to provide supplementary materials to help make up lost instruction time. Other resources included access to school counselors as well as a reminder the district would continue providing and delivering sack lunches to students through the closure.

Currently the district is distributing lunches from the City of Rome and Green Valley Trailer Court beginning at 11 a.m. Distribution from Mardan Trailer Court will begin at 11:15 a.m., and from Mt. Pleasant Middle School, Salem Elementary, the Wapello Drive area and Countryside Trailer Court at 11:30 a.m. Students can also pick up lunches from the housing addition behind the Faith Christian Outreach Church at 11:45 a.m.

'In closing, we are missing our students and cannot wait to see them back in our school buildings. At the same time, we want to ensure the safety of our students, families and all community members,” Henriksen wrote.