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Many PdC parents request 5 days of face-to-face learning

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By Ted Pennekamp

 

Approximately 55 people attended the Prairie du Chien School Board meeting Monday night, with many asking the board to allow the district to have the option of face-to-face, in-school instruction five days a week.

District Administrator Andy Banasik gave a brief presentation at the outset of the meeting explaining the district’s plan for starting school. Banasik said the top priority is for the safety of the students and staff. Most students will be part of the hybrid option which will be a combination of some live virtual classes (taught by teachers out of their classrooms to students at home), some face-to-face classes in the building, and intervention/assistance for students who need to work with their teachers.

“This gives us the chance to go virtual if the state closes down,” said Banasik. “We can swing the pendulum either way.” 

Banasik said the re-opening plan can evolve and is a work in progress depending upon what happens with the COVID pandemic.  

“We weren’t prepared for virtual in March. We are prepared now,” said Banasik who also noted that in-school instruction could also increase if conditions get better.

Several parents in the audience went up to the microphone to voice their opinions and concerns. Keri Achenbach said she wants the option of face-to-face, in-school instruction five days per week. She asked the board to re-vote on its re-opening plan to allow for such an option. Achenbach also said having students three feet apart with masks might be something to consider, as well as using the fieldhouse, the performing arts center and other areas in order to gain more space. Achenbach asked whether the district will have fall sports, and said it would be hypocritical to have fall sports and not have five days of face-to-face instruction.

Achenbach said that if Prairie du Chien doesn’t offer five days a week of in-school instruction she will enroll her five children at River Ridge.

Banasik said it is not yet known if there will be fall sports at Prairie du Chien. The Southwest Wisconsin Conference will be meeting on Aug. 14 regarding fall sports. The school board will be meeting on Aug. 18.

Carrie Kramer said she would very much like to resume in-person instruction five days per week if safely possible.

“It is a detriment if we don’t have face-to-face,” said Kramer. She said she is considering Prairie Catholic with her younger children. She also said the district should look into four feet of distancing rather than six feet.

Several parents brought up concerns about their students who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) which help students who are struggling. Banasik said special conditions may be an option whereby students with IEPs could get face-to-face instruction five days per week.

The mental health of young children and older students was also a concern of many parents.

Most students in the district will be using the hybrid option. Some will be using the 100 percent virtual option. Other students will be receiving five days of face-to-face instruction if certain criteria are met. One example would be if the household has no internet or very slow internet.

“I’m begging and pleading (for five days per week),” said an emotional Melissa DuCharme who is a single parent working full time. DuCharme said her children went through a gut wrenching and heartbreaking time when their father passed away and they need to see their friends and teachers.

Bambi Miller voiced similar concerns, and said she would have to take off of work for three days per week with the hybrid plan. She also said daycare is very hard to find.

“We need the school. We need the kids in the classroom,” said Miller.

Numerous parents said there is virtually no daycare available in the Prairie du Chien area.

Adam Stout, a teacher for the past seven years and a father of five, said the teachers want the kids back and a normal school year. He also said, however, that he is concerned about jumping into five days per week too soon.

“The community as a whole needs to get together to address the issues,” said Prairie du Chien resident Cheryl Mader. Mader and others brought up the possibility of working with employers to help parents have flexible hours in order to get time off when needed so they can help with their children’s education.

Banasik said that a meeting has been set up with business leaders in the district to discuss the various issues. He also said it is not possible to have face-to-face learning five days a week for everyone and still maintain six feet of social distancing.

Earlier in the meeting, Dr. David DeHart told the board that masks do not replace six feet of distancing.

Mandy Pettit said that the district should look into using Hoffman Hall and other facilities as alternate learning sites.

The school board approved of the school re-opening plan at its July meeting. Monday night, School Board President Lonnie Achenbach said the plan will move forward as is. It is possible that changes can occur, however, depending upon changing conditions with the pandemic.

In other business, the board approved of moving the district’s business office to the “red house” the district owns near the practice football field. The move will open up four rooms for COVID protocol if a student or staff member tests positive. The move is short term and will be reviewed later. There is a possibility of a cost refund for the move through a COVID grant.

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