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New Franklin school board says masks will be optional in fall

Josie Senevey
Posted 7/21/20

The New Franklin Board of Education decided to make masks optional when students return to school in the fall. The decision came during the board’s meeting July 15. Board members sat six feet …

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New Franklin school board says masks will be optional in fall

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The New Franklin Board of Education decided to make masks optional when students return to school in the fall. The decision came during the board’s meeting July 15. Board members sat six feet apart as they discussed how COVID-19 will change the upcoming school year.

Masks will be optional to the students, but not mandatory. The school ordered 1,000 masks to be available to students and staff who want them. The school also purchased thermometers, but when and how student’s temperatures will be checked is still in discussion. The Missouri State High School Activities Associations (MSHSAA) still plans to allow fall sports for schools holding in-person classes, but ultimately it will be up to the parents whether their children can participate.

The school plans to install more water bottle fillers and ban the use of regular water fountains. An issue the school foresees is groups of students gathering too closely at lockers, so there will be no use of lockers in between classes. Instead students will bring backpacks to classes with their supplies inside. Students in grades 2 through 5 will eat breakfast and lunch in their classrooms, and older students will eat in the gyms in order to spread out. Recesses for the elementary students will be staggered to allow for distancing.

The school hopes to isolate each grade, to cut down on the chances of students contracting the virus.

Should a student display symptoms of the virus, he or she will be asked to stay in an isolated waiting room and to wear a mask.

The teachers will be encouraged to complete online training addressing mental health. Another problem students will face is low morale and anxiety. Teachers will be encouraged to ask students about their mental health and to do things in the classroom to boost morale. There was also a discussion about recording lessons and posting them, so if a student does have to quarantine at home, he or she can stay caught up. 

A large portion of the meeting was the discussion of how busses will run in the most efficient and safe way. The school wants to avoid crowded busses, so another route may be added. Bus drivers will set up seating charts so students don’t sit too closely or share seats. The seats will be wiped down after the students are dropped off.

In other business, the board voted MFA as its gas supplier and chose Central Prairie Farms to supply milk. The board voted secretary Beverly Parr to serve her 57th year on the Board.

There are many changes coming this year, and lots of decisions for board members and school administration to make. With medical information on the virus and state regulations frequently changing, it is difficult at best to make rules and guidelines for schools to follow. The ultimate goal for the school and community is to keep everyone safe.

The New Franklin school board meets the third Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the high school. Meetings are open and the public is invited to attend.

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