By Dr. John Sample, Proud Superintendent
The first day of the 2021-2022 school year is right around the corner. This summer has been exceptionally busy as we prepare our buildings for the new configuration and many classrooms for their new teachers and support staff. I deeply appreciate the patience of our parents and students as we have worked tirelessly to open our buildings in the safest way possible.
Please see the important information below and contact your child’s principal if you have any questions.
Starting/Ending Times
The times below represent the times our instruction will begin and end:
PRSYL (Morning): 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and (Afternoon): 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Kate Goodrich Elementary School (K-2): 7:55 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Washington Elementary School (3-4): 7:55 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Prairie River Middle School (5-8): 7:50 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Merrill High School: 7:55 a.m. – 3:25 p.m.
Bussing Schedules
Schedules are still being finalized as the online registration process is still happening. We will be sending letters out next week outlining the morning pickup and afternoon drop off schedules for families eligible for bussing. Elementary students living greater than one mile, middle school students living greater than one and a half miles and high school students living greater than two miles from their respective schools will be eligible for transportation. We are increasing services to families to provide a safer opportunity for our younger students even though state statutes indicate aidable allowances for students transported over a two mile distance. We are dedicated to making every effort to transport as many students as possible, given available seats.
Late Start Wednesdays
Late Start Wednesdays will begin in October for all buildings Kindergarten through twelfth grade. PRSYL will not participate in the Late Start Wednesdays. These days are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month and are designed to allow time for our teachers to maximize learning and achievement levels for their students.
Morning bus routes will maintain their regular schedule and breakfast will be served at the usual time. Students arriving at their buildings at normal times will be supervised until instruction begins exactly two hours later than normal times. It is certainly allowable for students to arrive just prior to the beginning of instruction on these days if your schedule allows such flexibility.
Jefferson Elementary Building
You may have seen a number of vehicles at Jefferson Elementary during the past two weeks. The building has been used for classroom furniture and supplies storage as we transition to the current configuration. We have also utilized the space to provide professional development opportunities to our current teachers, new teachers and administrators. We are committed to maintaining the appearance and condition of this building until its purpose has been established on a more permanent basis.
Breakfast and Lunch Information
Taher Food Service will provide free breakfast and lunch to students physically attending classes at MAPS buildings from September 1, 2021 through May 25, 2022. This will be for complete meals only. If a student only wants milk they will be charged 40 cents per carton. Students will also be charged for additional ala carte food items. One complete meal per student would need to be selected for the free meal.
It is imperative that parents complete the highly confidential Free/Reduced Application forms for students as this directly impacts MAPS ability to qualify for grant opportunities for students.
Optional Face Coverings
Our Board of Education will maintain face coverings as optional for the 2021-2022 school year. This decision was made by the full Board in May and no opposing action has been taken since that time. We will continue to sanitize our classrooms and buildings. We will also social distance students to the greatest extent possible. Building visitors will be limited to essential and local visitors to begin the year. We will also continue to closely monitor the health status of our county and the state on a weekly basis and safety is our highest priority.
Face coverings on school busses and school sponsored vehicles remain federally required. CDC’s order applies to all public transportation conveyances including school buses. Regardless of the mask policy at school, passengers and drivers must wear a mask on school buses, including on buses operated by public and private school systems, subject to the exclusions and exemptions in CDC’s Order. If a student attends a school where mask use is not required, the student is still required to wear a mask on the school bus.
And finally, I look forward to having our students in our buildings and for the school year to begin. We value the partnership we have with our parents and our community. Our children reap the rewards when common goals and priorities provide the foundation for relationships built on trust. Thank you in advance for your support!