Letter to the Editor: Flexibility
To the Editor:
The absolute and undisputable key factor for this upcoming school year is flexibility. Students, parents, staff and the entire Eastern Allamakee Community will need to exercise a degree of “flow” in all aspects of the return to school this August.
Black and white may be the preferred norm for many, but it cannot and will not work in this time. It is important to safely open schools this fall, and we have been preparing for that. The navigation of the school year during a pandemic means that we will need to be flexible and be able to change on a dime when necessary.
During these times it is important to keep our focus on those things we can change and effect, and not be taken captive to anxiety over those things we cannot change. In my own gathering of information, I use a variety of fact-based sources to the highest degree possible that I can find. I also try to use sources that have the least amount of political bias, and those that are recommended on a scholarly level. This helps me to stay focused on best practice, and science rather than fiction, rumor and inuendo.
Doing all of this is, of course, a lot easier said than done. We will continue to work together with the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and the Allamakee County Department of Health as we move forward into the school year. Our Return to Learn Plan is on the website, and on the Eastern Allamakee Facebook page, and it is also subject to change, as the facts we know about the pandemic also change.
Our plan, to have one day-per-week virtual, will allow us the ability to be ready for a completely virtual system if necessary. We also will have extra time for cleaning, and time to meet those students who need extra help in a virtual environment. We have been planning for a varied degree of situations, so that we can be as ready as we can.
I am convinced that our staff, students and parents have the best interests in mind, and we are all passionate about doing what is best for our students. This is a time when we need to work together with intelligence, grace and flexibility.
Dr. Dale Crozier
Superintendent
Eastern Allamakee
Community School District
