On Wednesday, July 1, Hackett School District Superintendent Edward Ray released the following regarding the upcoming school year:
Dear Hackett School District,
Current information coming to schools are we will start school in August as planned. Any decisions regarding closure of facilities, methods of delivering instruction through “blended learning” or “remote learning” will be local decisions. Policies regarding the use of masks that are stronger than what is specified by the Arkansas Department of Health will also be local decisions. Many districts have surveyed their parents about decisions for this coming school year. We are intentionally waiting until later in the month to survey our parents, but we will do so later in July. Our decision to wait is because guidance is fluid and people’s intentions change frequently. Any survey results we get today could likely be much different as we get closer to school starting in August and we want our data to be more accurate.
As I stated in the previous letter, we take the quality of education and the safety of our students and staff very seriously. I provided more details about this fall in the previous letter, but I wanted to review some important items regarding current or upcoming events and a few things we are doing to help keep our students safe when we return to school.
REVIEW OF IMPORTANT ITEMS
Announcements
If you haven’t done the 2020 census yet, please do so at “https://2020census.gov”
Our summer food program stopped June 26th, but our school is helping with a food bank service on Wednesdays. We are providing this as a public service but, it is NOT affiliated with the school.
Per survey results, we have planned our 2020 graduation on August 8th. Details coming soon.
If and how sports will occur this fall, if they occur, is still filled with questions. We do not know anything we can tell you at this time other than we are preparing to have fall sports. Any decisions regarding cancellation or restrictions will be made above the school’s level.
Safety
We will be placing hand sanitizer in practical areas of campus.
We have placed at least one water bottle filling stations in most buildings around our campus.
When possible, we will be disinfecting areas after groups of students leave an area.
We will follow guidelines by the Department of Health for schools regarding the use of masks.
It is unlikely that 7th through 12th grade students will use lockers this year based on guidance.
We know you have many questions. Rest assured we are planning and preparing to offer each student a quality education and lower the risk of exposure to Covid-19 for students and staff. Feel free to contact your principals or my office with questions. Whatever school looks like this August, I know Hackett School District will be providing a great education opportunity to our students.
Sincerely,
Edward E. Ray, Superintendent
