Our Bolivar Liberator students, staff, and families are facing some unchartered waters right now in our health/wellness environment and they may need to make some difficult decisions to best meet the needs of our students and families. These are uncertain times and there are no perfect answers.
To read the full Return to Learn plan, go here. For an even more in-depth plan, read to the Comprehensive Re-Entry Plan. This plan outlines two learning options for families to choose from when registering their students:
- In-Person Learning (traditional classroom setting)
- Virtual/Distance Learning or AIM (Alternative Instructional Methods)
Our AIM enrollment is currently averaging 13% for elementary and 16% for secondary. With these averages, we believe the following reopening plan allows us to provide the best possible education for both seated and AIM students.
Elementary Level Plan: Bolivar Early Childhood Learning Center, Bolivar Primary School, and Bolivar Intermediate School will begin the 2020-2021 school year in Setting 1 with all students, seated and AIM, attending five days each week.
Secondary Level Plan: Bolivar Middle School and Bolivar High School will begin the 2020-2021 school year in Setting 2. Both in-person and AIM students will be required to participate five days each week. In-person students will be required to report to their buildings on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday will be an “AIM Day” with all students participating online.
Should the District need to close a school or the entire District temporarily due to a significant increase of confirmed COVID-19 cases within our learning community, a blend of in-person and AIM instruction will be utilized. The District will consult with our local health department to determine the need to move to Settings 3-5.
As a District, we are working diligently to provide the safest learning environment. Please understand we may need to make changes in the future to further protect students and staff. We encourage flexibility among our entire learning community. If we need to pivot to different settings, we will notify our learning community immediately. we are committed to complete transparency and will provide up-to-date information via email, a school-reach call, our district website, and/or social media.
For the past several weeks, district and building administration and our Board of Education have collaborated with staff, parents, Bolivar health professionals, the Polk County Health Center, regional educators and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Collaboration and input has been extremely valuable. These united efforts to safeguard our Bolivar R-1 Community is deeply appreciated.
Where can I turn for more information?
Any calls for basic COVID-19 information should be directed to the Polk County Health Center at 417-326-7250 or Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) activated a statewide public hotline (877-435-8411) for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.