Online instruction planned in Warden schools

WARDEN — The first four weeks of instruction in the Warden School District will be online, but district officials hope to provide instruction at school for some students.

District superintendent Dave LaBounty said some details have been worked out.

“What we know for sure – we’re starting on Sept. 2, we’re starting with a commitment of four weeks virtual for most students,” LaBounty said.

Schools were closed statewide in March, one action among many to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. Schools remained closed for the rest of the school year. LaBounty said Grant County Health District recommends against in-person instruction for Warden, at least at the start of the school year.

“We will be petitioning for some high-need exceptions to come in,” LaBounty said. “How the guidance for the state frames it, if virtual learning is not going to work, we have to look and consider how we are going to serve those needs,” he said. “Some kids will be coming in.”

In addition, state and federal requirements are still in place for assessment tests, and for kindergartners the test would be administered in person.

LaBounty said Warden teachers will be asked to keep using the technology supplied for the online classes even after in-person classes resume.

“We want to use this opportunity to bring more technology into our delivery method. So we went to a device (computer) to every kid,” he said.

Students also will be provided with mobile hot spots.

“We surveyed every family in the district to make sure that we were able to support our kids, that they had (online) access,” said Michele Cram, director of support services.

Warden High School will go to a new schedule, which will stay in effect for the entire school year, even when in-person classes are resumed in part or in full. High school students will have three classes one day, three different classes the next day, each about an hour and a half. One class is scheduled every day and will be an hour long.

LaBounty said district officials don’t know yet how many students will enroll.

“It’s day to day. But we could have a hit – the question is how big a hit. But we may not,” he said. “It’s throughout our whole region. Every district is saying there could be a fluctuation.”

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].