Dear Parents and Guardians, 

As we shift into Thanksgiving break, I am reminded just how much we have to be grateful for.  Despite this being the most challenging year I can remember in education, our District’s families have coalesced to face this overwhelming pandemic together.  People in our District have been respectful of the LJSD Reopen Plan and have done their best to follow the guidelines.  This has allowed us to stay in a consistent Yellow Level of Operation, with students being able to attend five days a week in-person, if parents desired.  This is not true with other districts throughout the state.  The consistency and support for our students has truly been a blessing.  Although we have had several hurdles to overcome and an uptick in cases recently, our families continue to reach out to staff to offer support and appreciation for their dedication and continued compassion.  This is truly a special place to be.  Next week, please take the opportunity to look back on our year so far and acknowledge just how many positive blessings we have in this District, even in the most difficult of times.  I hope you take the time to really enjoy your family and take a break from the daily demands of our lives.  This is the perfect time to model rest and rejuvenation for our kids so they know how important it is to unwind for the week.  Thank you for supporting the District and working together to provide the best education for each and every one of our students.  Much gratitude for the LJSD family, Dr. Meyer, Superintendent

1-1 Chromebook Rollout — Completion This Year!

In order to best meet the needs of all students in the district, whether that is in-person, blended learning, or completely online, we have stepped up the 1-to-1 Chromebook program started three years ago.  Initially funded by Instructional Levy dollars, we have used the CARES funds to expedite the 1-1 Chromebooks for students.  We made this decision based on the possibility of having to move to the Orange Level of Operation, which would require our students to have Chromebooks in order to participate in their classroom from home every other day.  Although we have been able to stay in the Yellow Level of Operation, 5 days a week in-person, we continue to utilize the Chromebooks as a tool in the classroom, as well as at home, with online learning, homework assignments, or in self-quarantine.  Thankfully, this proactive planning will ensure our students are prepared for whatever educational circumstances this year may bring.  The delivery date continues to be moved back due to Covid issues with the manufacturers, but you will hear more specific information from your building principals once the Chromebooks arrive.

CHANGE to Transportation Guidelines

Due to a shortage of both bus drivers and buses to transport our student riders, we are unable to maintain the two students per seat limit we hoped to maintain during the pandemic.  As outlined in the parent permission to ride waiver, bus transportation is on a voluntary basis and we will always attempt to do the best we can with the number of drivers and bus routes to maintain social distancing.  Parents who are not comfortable with the number of students on the bus are able to transport their children instead.  Due to the new circumstances, I am recommending a change to the transportation section of the LJSD Reopen Plan at the next Board meeting, Tuesday, December 8. If you would like to ask about your child’s bus route, please call the Transportation Department at:  (208) 687-0221

If you want to review the transportation waiver from the beginning of the year, I have included it here: Transportation Waiver   

PAUSE on Grab and Go Meals

Reminder to families that during the upcoming holiday breaks (November 23-27 & December 21 – January 1) there will be no Grab & Go Meals services for children in our District.  For more information, visit our Nutrition Services Website.

 Free Testing Available for COVID -19

There are free COVID-19 tests available for students whose parent/guardian may be uninsured.  If this is the case for your family, you may contact our head nurse, Judy Gerstenberger @ jgerstenberger@lakeland272.org. She will assist you in accessing testing.

Resources for Parents

Modified Stage 2 (Current State Level) – Governor Brad Little

LJSD 272 Fall Reopen Plan

LJSD Employment Opportunities

Need Skyward Assistance? helpdesk2@lakeland272.org

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

 

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

I am writing today to ask for your help.  The number of student COVID cases, as well as the number of students who are required to self-quarantine from close contact, has suddenly spiked in the last week (16 confirmed student cases).  I know we all share the same goal – keeping students in school with their teachers in a safe and healthy environment.  In order to sustain the learning environment in the Yellow Level of Operation, we need to work together to encourage our students to follow precautionary measures to keep our schools open.  While we certainly ask students to adhere to the expectations outlined in the LJSD Reopen Plan (maintain social distance of 6 feet or follow the recommendation to wear a mask if you are unable to do so and wash your hands often), kids listen and trust their parents and we would really appreciate your help in reinforcing the “why” with your kids.  We want all students to have the option of daily in-person learning (staying in Yellow), as well as participation in athletic events, graduation, prom, etc.  Thank you for helping us remind students of the expectations which will help keep our schools safe.  We know this will take all of us working together and we appreciate your support and understanding. 

Dr. Meyer, Superintendent 

Would you like a COVID Test and cost is a problem?  We have vouchers for students and staff who are uninsured or underinsured – contact Nurse Judy at jgerstenberger@lakeland272.org or 208-683-2231

What is Contact Tracing and How Does it Work? 

With the recent surge in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19, there have been several questions surrounding contact tracing. What does contact tracing really mean? 

Contact tracing is the process used to understand how an infectious disease is spreading in our community. The purpose of contact tracing is threefold: to find out how an individual became sick, find out who else might have been exposed, and protect others from being infected.

In order to keep our students and staff safe, our School Nurse team works tirelessly to conduct effective contact tracing.  When we have individuals who have tested positive or have been in close contact with anyone who tested positive within our schools, the nurses notify these individuals and advise them on how to move forward. 

Schools cannot and will not release information regarding positive students if that individual could be identified through an announcement.  

Per Idaho laws, the Health District is required to notify schools of positive cases among students or staff. Health Districts are also required to notify the school of close contacts of confirmed positive cases if those close contacts attend that school. 

Updated Definition of “Close Contact” from CDC  

Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.

CDC Website for more information 

New PHD Press Release Today:  Case Surges Overwhelm Public Health Efforts Across Idaho