Dear Parents and Guardians – there is SO much going on right now and we understand parents have tough choices to make about what learning environment is best for each of your children. We realize there are a variety of differing perspectives and comfort level with the District’s Reopen Plan and the Yellow Level of Operation the Board voted to begin our school year in.  What remains unchanged is the love and care we have for each of our students.  I can promise you that our staff has worked countless hours preparing for the students to return – they are excited and anxious to start the year.  Our plan is to provide a quality learning environment, no matter the color level.  Please know that we support your right to make the best decision for your child’s learning and we hope we can be part of that team this year.  Thank you for your continued support and encouragement – we are EXTREMELY excited to welcome our students back, whether in person or online, on September 8, Dr. Meyer, Superintendent

Have you Registered Yet?

If you have not already completed registration for either In-Person schooling or the Lakeland Online Academy, we ask that you please do so as soon as possible.  This will help our schools with scheduling and planning for the quickly approaching school year.

 

 

 

Opening in Yellow

The first day of school is Tuesday, September 8, 2020.  In the Yellow Level of Operation, LJSD students will attend school 5 days/week in-person (Monday through Friday) with a 1-hour early release schedule daily.  In order to allow for greater social distancing, there will be no prep periods during the student contact time and all staff preparation time is built into the end of each day.  Face coverings (masks/shields) will be recommended where social distancing cannot be maintained.  We truly heard how difficult remote learning was for families last spring, so our goal is to keep schools open in Yellow Level for as long as possible.  We need parents’ help –  please read and assist us with the guidelines in “Keeping our Students Healthy” below.  Together, we can keep kids in school! 

Keeping our Students Healthy

Lakeland Joint School District school health services are looking forward to students returning to school.   This year in addition to the general illness guidelines,  we will be addressing COVID-19.   This virus shows no boundaries.  It will take all of us working together to get our schools back to “normal” for you, your children, and the school district staff.   

What you can do to help: 

• Please do a simple health screening of your child daily before school: How-To  At this time the Center  for Disease Control does not currently recommend that schools conduct universal symptom screening (screening all students as they arrive at school). 
• Please keep your child home from school if you answer yes to any symptoms in Section 1. 
• Please do not send your child to school and notify us if your child has a positive COVID-19 test, symptoms of COVID-19, or they were exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days.

What the school district will do to help:

• If your child has symptoms of COVID-19 at school, your child will be isolated and you will be notified to pick your child up from school.  (per CDC guidelines).  It is very important that the school has up to date contact information for all parent/guardians.  In addition, the school needs at least one other contact person to call in the event that you are not available (this will be the emergency contact in Skyward when you register).   
• We will advise sick staff or students not to return until they have met CDC criteria to discontinue home isolation. 
• When the District learns of a student or staff who has tested positive for COVID-19, has had contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, or is showing symptoms of COVID-19, the school district health services team will: 

1. Respond and determine an appropriate course of action
2. Isolate and send ill students or staff home 
3. Communicate with all affected individuals and initiate contact tracing  
4. Contact Panhandle Health District and coordinate necessary steps to protect the school population  

Judy Gerstenberger R.N., B.S.N., School Nurse Lead 

jgerstenberger@lakeland272.org  208-691-2648

Resources: CDC and Panhandle Health District

Internet Options

We realize that for some families, internet connectivity is a challenge.  There are several options available to work through this obstacle:

 

• Home Internet Options and Resources
• A limited number of hotspots will be available
• Families will have access to internet in the parking lot of every school
• We have 3 buses with mobile hotspots that will be staged in rural areas of our district for families to access wifi by parking next to the bus
• Google Classroom platform allows students to work offline while at home and then the student will be able to download all work and capture new assignments when they hook up to wifi at the school or a mobile hotspot
• Local restaurants and libraries have free wifi – check out your local area

Nutrition Services Plan

With Lakeland schools opening in the Yellow Level on September 8, we want families to be able to plan for what breakfast and lunch services will look like.  Our Nutrition Services Team has a detailed plan to help students prepare for the upcoming start of school.

Student Transportation

Our Lakeland Transportation Team is gearing up for a new school year.  If your family will be using our bus transportation, we ask that you please complete the Lakeland Schools – Request for Transportation 2020-21 School Year Form.

• Student bus route information can be found on Skyward Family Access under the Bus Transportation section
• If your students bus transportation information is missing or incorrect, please contact our Transportation Department at 208-687-0221

BASE (Before and After School Enrichment) Program

CLICK HERE for more information.

 

Thank you Parents and How You Can Help Start the Year off Right 🙂

Free Developmental Screening Coming Up

Parent Resources

LJSD 272 Fall Reopen Plan

Need Skyward Assistance? helpdesk2@lakeland272.org

LJSD 272 Fall Reopen Plan

2020-2021 Free and Reduced Lunch Application

Free and Reduced FAQ’s

Zone Transfer/Open Enrollment Form 

LJSD Technology Resources for Parents Website – CLICK HERE

Food Bank locations in Kootenai County – CLICK HERE

IdahoPTV’s Youtube Channel

LJSD Website

Idaho Stages of reopening – Governor Brad Little

Dear Parents and Guardians – to ensure your child(ren) continue with us as part of the Lakeland family, please register by Friday in one of the two programs below: in-person school or in an online learning program.  Tomorrow, Principals will be sending you the School Reopen Plan and information regarding Cohort A and Cohort B groups utilized for the Orange Level of Operation.  On Friday, we will be sending parents the items listed below.  Our goal is to send parents information as soon as it is released.  Thank you for your patience and understanding, Dr. Meyer, Superintendent 

• Chromebook checkout system for Lakeland Online Academy students and In-Person students
• Internet resources for families
• Scheduling information for families
• Nutrition Services updates (Breakfast and Lunch Plans)
• BASE (Before and After School Enrichment) Program Updates
• Keeping students safe for fall reopening
• Bus Transportation information

Pick ONE Below: 

• Lakeland Online Academy Brochure

Parent Resources

Need Skyward Assistance? helpdesk2@lakeland272.org

LJSD 272 Fall Reopen Plan

2020-2021 Free and Reduced Lunch Application

Free and Reduced FAQ’s

Zone Transfer/Open Enrollment Form 

LJSD Technology Resources for Parents Website – CLICK HERE

Food Bank locations in Kootenai County – CLICK HERE

IdahoPTV’s Youtube Channel

LJSD Website

Idaho Stages of reopening – Governor Brad Little

As the beginning of our new school year draws closer, please know that we are sharing information about our reopening plan as quickly as we can based on decisions our Board is making.  We understand that our families need a clear understanding of what school will look like in order to make the best decisions about the education of their children.  In that same vein, we are in need of some information from our families that will assist us with appropriately preparing for our fall reopening.  We need to get a better sense of how many parents will choose for their child(ren) to start the year at school with in-person learning and how many will start in Lakeland Online Academy.  Below, we have included both ways to register your child(ren) for school: 

Please choose one option below

1. Register your child(ren) for in-person school (even if you have previously completed pre-registration,  you will need to review your registration & answer a few questions in order to complete the registration process to ensure we have the most up to date information).  

• • Link to new and returning registration  
    • New Registration Getting Started
    • Returning Registration Getting Started
  • Register your child(ren) in your home school – any ?’s, call Rebekah at 208-687-0431
  • If you would like to request a Zone Transfer to another school in our district, fill out this form.

        2. Enroll your child(ren) for online school in the newly created Lakeland Online Academy (This is a new option for those not wishing to have their child(ren) attend in person schooling.  You do not need to register for the Online Academy if your child(ren) will attend in person this year)

• • Receive a Lakeland education with Lakeland teachers 
  • District provides student Chromebooks 
  • Information Flyer
  • Enrollment Form  

We understand circumstances are fluctuating and may change before school begins. Based on your family’s circumstances, parents will have the option to change student placement as the year progresses.  The 2020-21 school year will require all of us to be flexible as we navigate this pandemic.  Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete one of the two registration processes above so we can ensure we are prepared for the fall reopen.  We know this is a difficult time for parents as you decide what is best for your child(ren).  Your child’s academic, social-emotional, and behavioral growth and development is our highest priority and it will take all of us working together to ensure that we provide a safe and healthy learning environment for our staff and students this year.  Thank you for your partnership in your child’s education!  Together, we are a strong team.  In partnership, Dr. Meyer, Superintendent 

Parent Resources

Need Skyward Assistance? helpdesk2@lakeland272.org

LJSD 272 Fall Reopen Plan

2020-2021 Free and Reduced Lunch Application

LJSD Technology Resources for Parents Website – CLICK HERE

Food Bank locations in Kootenai County – CLICK HERE

IdahoPTV’s Youtube Channel

LJSD Website

Idaho Stages of reopening – Governor Brad Little

 

Understandably, there have been a lot of questions and concerns about reopening schools in the fall.  I have received several emails about information posted on social media as parents attempt to distinguish truth from rumors.  It is vital for you to have the facts when making decisions surrounding the education of your child(ren) and the only way to do that is to go to the source.  Please reach out to us at: 208-687-0431 or info@lakeland272.org — We are happy to answer any questions and often can clear up misunderstandings with one phone call.  I have addressed the most frequently asked questions below, but please contact us for additional clarifications.  

• Can the school district remove a student from school without contacting parents? 
  • Absolutely not –  we will never move or relocate students without notifying parents.  Even in the event of a school evacuation, our protocol requires the Superintendent notify parents of the location where the students are being transported and how the reunification plan will proceed. 
• If a student is feeling ill, will they automatically be quarantined? 
  • No – School Nurses will take the students temperature and ask them questions about symptoms, just like we normally do when a student shares that they feel ill.  Parents will be called if the student needs to be picked up to go home because they are not feeling well.  
• If a student within your son/daughter’s classroom tests positive for Covid, can someone come into the classroom and administer a Covid test without parent permission?
  • Absolutely not. ONLY parents can give permission to test their child(ren) and the district will NOT be administering tests at schools. 
• I heard masks WILL be mandatory. 
  • Masks are NOT mandatory in our district.  The Board approved Reopen Plan states, “Face coverings (masks/shields) will be recommended where social distancing cannot be maintained.” 
• Will students have their temperature taken daily and reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Panhandle Health District (PHD)? 
  • NO.  We are asking parents to take the temperature of their child(ren) at home and keep them home if it is elevated.  School Nurses will only be taking the temperature of kids who state they are feeling ill and reporting that to the parents.  We will not be sharing student temperatures with either the CDC or PHD. 
• If a student is diagnosed with Covid in your child’s class, can siblings be removed and taken into quarantine away from their family for two weeks?
  • Absolutely not – ONLY parents, or their pre-approved emergency contacts in Skyward, will be allowed to remove their child(ren) from school.   

We are here to protect and provide education for your child(ren) while they are at school.  We cannot successfully do this without a parent-school partnership.  Consistent communication will be even more important than ever in these ever changing circumstances. We pledge to keep parents well informed; we know and honor that the ultimate responsibility for all students rests with the parents.  Please take the time to reach out with any additional questions or concerns you may have as we move closer to the beginning of school.  The Board will be reviewing the LJSD Fall 2020 Reopen Plan at the August 11 and August 25 Board meeting to determine if any portion needs to be updated due to our community’s circumstances.  The Board values parent input and I encourage you to contact them (contact info is on the website) with any feedback you wish to provide. Thank you for being a partner in your child(ren)’s education and for taking the time to learn the facts – we appreciate your support, Dr. Meyer, Superintendent

Lakeland Online Academy

We know that families are anxious to plan for the start of school and we are excited to see our students again!  Beginning this year, we are introducing the Lakeland Online Academy to give our families more flexibility in our busy world.  We would like to get a sense of how many of our parents are interested in this educational option for their child(ren).  Please take a moment to answer the short survey found HERE. The information gathered will enable us to be fully prepared for the fall.

What Color Are We In?

One of the top questions on parent’s minds is which color of our LJSD Reopen Plan are we in?  On August 5, Panhandle Health District released their community spread categories, which will be updated each week.  The press release can be found below.

Panhandle Health District provides community spread categories for school districts in response to COVID-19 

This week, Panhandle Health District (PHD) began its official weekly assessment and reporting of categories of community spread for use by school districts in Kootenai, Bonner, Benewah, Boundary, and Shoshone Counties in their decision-making processes and operations for COVID-19. The categories are defined in the Idaho Back to School Framework, as approved by the State Board of Education in early July, and indicate what level of in-person learning and response is recommended.

The categories referenced below are only recommendations for the week indicated; final decisions are made by local school boards. Private and charter schools are recommended to use the category based on the address of their facility and associated school district boundary.

The metrics used to make the category determinations are based off of the Levels of Community Spread for Idaho Back-to-School Framework.

[For the week of August 3, 2020]

Category 1: No Community TransmissionWeekly assessments of community spread will be updated on Thursdays at www.panhandlehealthdistrict.org/COVID-19. If category designations are adjusted, then schools and families should expect transition time as changes may or may not be immediate.

• Category 2: Mild to Moderate Community Transmission
• Category 3: Substantial Community Transmission

If you have questions regarding COVID-19 in our area, call the Panhandle Health District hotline at 877-415-5225. The hotline is open Monday-Friday, 8am – 5pm. For up-to-date data on COVID-19 in our area, visit www.panhandlehealthdistrict.org/COVID-19. For data on COVID-19 in Idaho, visit coronavirus.idaho.gov.

BASE Registration Now Open!

Our BASE (Before and After School Enrichment) Program has opened fall registration for our families.  To enroll your child(ren), please follow THIS LINK to guide you through the enrollment process.  Our BASE program days, hours, and fees have been adjusted to support our LJSD Reopen Plan

LJSD Fall Athletics and Extracurricular Activities Plan

Our fall athletics and extracurricular activities will align with our LJSD 272 Fall Reopen Plan in terms of the color stage the District falls in.  CLICK HERE to view the plan.