There is no denying the past few months have been trying ones – from the on-going challenges related to COVID-19, to the destructive storms that devastated parts of our community.
Through it all, we look for moments of hope.
For months, it has been our hope to welcome our students back to face-to-face instruction here in Montezuma. We are extremely excited that we finally have our students and staff back on campus today.
As you know, a large part of the richness of the school experience is built on those opportunities for engagement, discovery, and connection with others.
As a school community, we are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment. This means as a staff are all committed to wearing face coverings, physically distancing, staying home when sick, and keeping our hands clean.
These are small sacrifices that will help protect our health, and to preserve our on-site learning experience. With this being said, the importance of following these safety protocols extends beyond our time here at school.
Parents, we ask that you help remind, and teach your children regular routines when possible. Additionally, we must be just as thoughtful in our free time, when out in the community, and spending time with others.
To get to this point of being together back at school, our faculty and staff members have spent countless hours preparing for this day. Among many others, a few of the key things they accomplished include:
– Preparing classrooms and common spaces to ensure physical distancing.
– Developing procedures to ensure effective communication internally, and to the community.
– Set-up of practical guidelines for using school transportation, along with new arrival and drop-off expectations.
– Creating protocols and illness guidelines to increase consistencies in decision-making.
– Preparing the best educational experiences for our students.
As we begin this semester, please know that as a unified staff, we are committed to making on-going improvement to our schedules and protocols in place.
In addition, if the public health situation in our community worsens, we will quickly take action. Remember, our impact extends far beyond our school building, so we urge everyone to help keep the Montezuma community safe. We have a responsibility to protect ourselves, as well as those around us.
We will face new challenges; but with our preparation and spirit of community, I have no doubt we can have a positive, and successful school year. Thank you for your support and partnership as we move forward in providing a safe, yet effective learning environment for our students.
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to your children’s teacher(s), building principal(s), or myself directly at 641-623-5121 or nwood@montezuma.k12.ia.us
Nathan Wood
Superintendent