Contributed photo South Tama school district has announced plans to go to all virtual learning starting Monday, Nov. 16.

South Tama will move to all virtual learning starting Monday, Nov. 16. Classes will be resumed if possible Monday, Nov. 30. The Veterans Day parade scheduled for tomorrow Wednesday, Nov. 11 will continue as planned

A letter to the South Tama community was sent by Superintendent Jared Smith Tuesday afternoon. It reads:

Good Afternoon Trojan Community,

The STC School District is in the process of submitting a waiver to the Iowa Department of Education requesting approval to move all students to a remote learning instructional model starting on Monday, November 16th through Tuesday, November 24th. Our hope is to have students back in our buildings starting on Monday, November 30th.

Our request is based on Tama County now having reached the “Substantial Uncontrolled” threshold established by the Iowa DE & Iowa Department of Public Health by exceeding a 20 percent, 14-day positivity rate. Furthermore, we have been unable to effectively staff our classrooms and buildings due to employee absenteeism.

This move will require all STC students (Grades Pre-K through 12th grade) to attend full-virtual remote learning.

Key Dates:

Wednesday, November 11th is the last day for in-person classes for “A Day” Students

Thursday, November 12th is the last day for in-person classes for “B Day” Students

Friday, November 13th will be an asynchronous learning day

On this day, teachers will be given time to prepare for full-time remote learning

Monday, November 16th – Remote learning will begin for all Pre-K through 12th grade students

Monday, November 30th – Students scheduled to return to 50 percent capacity “A/B Day” in-person learning

Other Important Items for Parents:

All activities are cancelled starting Monday, November 16th and will resume on Monday, November 30th

Facility rentals and weight rooms are also closed until further notice

Off-Site learning labs are cancelled during this two week period of time

Meals will be served on the following days at STC Elementary School:

Monday, November 16th (2 meals),

Wednesday, November 18th (3 meals)

Monday, November 23rd (2 meals)

The Veteran’s Day event for Wednesday, November 11th will be held as scheduled

Hotspots are still available. Make sure to apply using this application.

Other Important Items for Staff:

All staff will be required to work (either remotely or in buildings) during this time

Staff should ask direct supervisor with questions

Staff are allowed to come into their buildings to use their own classrooms

No staff children are allowed to come into buildings

All staff will be paid their normal scheduled hours through Friday, November 27th

Staff who are unable to work must report absences by following the steps outlined in this document.

Building administrators will meet with their respective staffs this afternoon to review remote learning expectations. These plans will also be clearly communicated with students and parents within the next couple of days.

Thank you to everyone in the STC community for your patience and understanding during these challenging times.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jared Smith

STC Superintendent