Back to classrooms

CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. — The Grants/Cibola County School District board announced that elementary schools will start operating on the 50 percent plan for students’ re-entry into classrooms. Members approved the start of the 50/50 re-entry phase at their Oct. 6 meeting

District officials confirmed on Sept. 15 that 70.7 percent of families had completed surveys about their preferences for re-entry. Fifty-five percent of parents/guardians said they would feel comfortable having their children return to classes using the 50/50 model, which includes half time in the school building and relying on distance learning for the remaining instructional periods. Fortyfive percent said they were uncomfortable with the 50/50 re-entry option.

Superintendent Max Perez commented last month that the district can bring Pre-K through sixth grade students back as part of this plan; he stressed that parents/guardians always have the option to continue distance-learning. Secondary level students will not be able to participate in the 50-percent plan until G/CCSD receives approval from state officials, according to the superintendent.

The six elementary schools, which include Bluewater, Cubero, Mesa View, Milan, Mt. Taylor, San Rafael, and Seboyeta, begin the new phase on Monday, Oct. 19 - the first day of the second quarter of fall semester. The district website, www.gcc s.k12.nm. us, provides links to each elementary school’s re-entry plan; each includes detailed explanations.

Keeping everyone safe is the top priority along with emphasizing academic goals in addition to maintaining high academic standards and behavioral expectations for all students.

“We will adjust our expectations as we move throughout the phases of the district’s reentry plan. Above all, our students’ safety is crucial and guidelines from the CDC [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] will be followed throughout any of our phases,” said Milan school officials in their re-entry announcement.

The district is focused on creating a plan for students to safely re-enter the school with the 50 percent hybrid model, according to Mesa View Elementary officials.

“We know that the process and structure may look a little different when students do return, but our school’s overall focus will remain consistent,” said school officials.

Changes include designated entry doors along with daily tem-perature checks for all staff and students before they enter the building.

Mesa View students who record an elevated a temperature or exhibit signs of ill health will be sent to a quarantine room until arrangements can be made for safe transport home. Only pre-approved visitors will be admitted to the school. Students must bring refillable water bottles; each classroom has a faucet for refilling bottles because all hallway drinking fountains will be inoperable as of Oct. 19.

The district acknowledged that returning to classroom settings poses new challenges such as implementing mitigation measures including social distancing, disinfecting practices and cleaning procedures, practicing hand hygiene, and wearing facial masks in addition to addressing the emotional, social, and mental health of each individual student while responding to the potential for loss of learning.

Visit www.gccs.k12.nm.us/home for more information.