The Iowa Department of Education (IDOE) required public school districts to create a Return-to-Learn plan for the 2023-24 school year. This plan must be approved by the Belmond-Klemme Board of Education and reviewed every six months. Revised plans require Board approval, but if the plans do not change, then Board approval is not required.

BKCSD considers federal, state, and local health authorities’ COVID-19 guidance when updating our Return-to-Learn plan.

This plan was last reviewed by the Board of Education on November 10, 2023.

Belmond Klemme Return to Learn Plan Document

Return to Learn Plans 

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund requires school districts to review and/or update their Return to Learn Plan every six months until September 2024, pending there are no federal extensions for the funds. This document serves as the required update for the Belmond-Klemme Community School District as of November 13, 2023. 

Overview 

For the 2023-2024 school year, the Belmond Klemme Community School District will continue in-person, traditional learning. The district will also continue to reference guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Wright County Public Health (WCPH), and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) regarding COVID-19 safety protocols. 

Visitors and Volunteers 

Visitors and volunteers are welcome in all of the district facilities. 

Social Distancing 

No social distancing measures will be implemented at the start of the school year but will be put in place as deemed necessary in the future. 

Online Learning 

Online learning is not available at Belmond Klemme School District at this time. 

Technology 

Every student is assigned a district-owned learning device. PreK-6 students are assigned an iPad. Students in grades 7-12 are assigned a laptop. Additional information regarding device pick up is provided to families by the individual schools. If a family needs support to access internet services at home, they are encouraged to contact the building principal at their student’s school to check out a hot spot. 

Transportation 

The district no longer requires face masks to be worn on district transportation. Protocols include the disinfecting of buses, windows and vents opened to allow for air circulation whenever possible. 

Extracurricular Activities 

All extracurricular activities will operate with no limitations on attendance. 

Hand Washing 

Frequent hand washing and/or hand sanitizing is encouraged. Hand sanitizer stations will be available in all district facilities. 

Facility Cleaning

Increased emphasis regarding cleaning and disinfecting district facilities on a daily and weekly basis will occur. Additional cleaning and sanitizing procedures will be followed throughout the school year. Examples include, but are not limited to, hand sanitizing stations, disinfecting wipes, and increased time for student handwashing. 

Facility Rentals 

The district will continue the practice of opening facilities for use by outside groups. Contact Mr. Severson for more information. 

COVID-19 Reporting and Information 

The district will continue to reference guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Wright County Public Health (WCPH), and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) regarding COVID-19 safety protocols and/or reporting. 

Students who are exhibiting COVID symptoms, awaiting COVID test results, or are diagnosed positive should notify the school nurse and/or health assistant immediately. 

Students and staff members waiting on results from a COVID-19 test should remain home until the results are received to assist in limiting exposure to healthy individuals. 

COVID in PK-6th grade classrooms will be communicated through a letter to families per the same guidelines as other communicable diseases and according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. 

For questions, students/staff should contact their individual building’s health office. 

Stay Home When Feeling Ill 

Even though attendance is a priority for students and staff, we do encourage everyone to stay home if they are not feeling well: 

● Fever of 100.0 degrees or above with signs and symptoms such as sore throat, rash, vomiting or diarrhea; 

● The illness prevents the student from participating comfortably in activities and/or academics as observed by the school staff; and 

● Exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms: 

○ High risk symptoms including fever/chills, new cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or a loss of taste or smell; and 

○ Other symptoms include sore throat, headache, body aches, fatigue, runny nose, congestion, rash, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

Students with COVID-19 symptoms should contact their healthcare provider for further evaluation and testing. 

Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction

● Acceleration - As we continue to address learning loss due to Covid-19, our focus remains on the pursuit of accelerated strategies that will enhance learning and promote optimal growth in all academic areas. Focusing on acceleration is researched-based and will strategically prepare students for success for the present. Teachers collaboratively and thoroughly select the specific prior knowledge that will best help students grasp the upcoming standard. Accelerated learning requires students to consistently receive grade-level materials, tasks and assignments, along with appropriate scaffolds that make work accessible. Teachers are focused on filling in only the most critical gaps and at the moment they are needed. 

● Strength-Based Approach - As we focus on accelerating student learning, our teachers utilize a strength-based approach. We emphasize a student’s existing strengths, capabilities, and resources. We focus on what a student can do rather than what he or she cannot. 

● Students with Disabilities - The Department of Education requires a continuous learning plan as part of the Individualized Learning Program (IEPs). This continuous learning plan will be discussed as an IEP team at initial IEP, annual review or reevaluation meetings. 

Continuity of Services 

The Belmond-Klemme Community School District will also ensure continuity of services for academics, social-emotional health, and other needs, including through: 

● Multi-Tiered System of Supports for academic and behavioral learning ● Classroom Teachers, School Counselors, Support Staff, At-Risk Staff, Social Workers ● School Nurse 

● Partnership with Employee and Family Resources