Registration for the Jackson R-2 School District’s summer school is now open, with high school and junior high students able to sign up for virtual classes, and in-person summer learning for elementary and middle school students scheduled to take place in June or July.
High school and junior high virtual classes will go from May 28 through June 18. High school students will also have the opportunity to take classes virtually or in person from June 25 to July 17.
Elementary and middle school students can sign up for full-day, on-site summer learning on June 8-26, with back-up dates of July 6-24 already scheduled if needed. Incoming kindergarten students can choose either a morning or afternoon session for the entire 15 days of summer school.
Director of Communication Merideth Pobst said the District plans to limit student interaction as much as possible and will enforce proper hand washing and hand sanitizing to ensure the safety of students.
“We will utilize more of our elementary schools this year,” Pobst said. “In the past we have used primarily two elementary schools, but based on need and registration, we will open up multiple elementary sites, if necessary, to make class sizes smaller and to provide more social distance when possible.”
In addition, the District will increase its cleaning procedures and encourage students and teachers to stay home if they are sick.
Pobst added that the District is staying in contact with both local and state officials to monitor the situation and see if their plans need to be adjusted. “We are really becoming good at being flexible as a District,” she said.
The virtual sessions for secondary students will be able to occur even if there are national changes due to the coronavirus disease. Pobst said they were able to move these summer school classes online due to the older student’s ability to utilize various online learning platforms.
Transportation will not be provided during summer school, but meals will be served and After School Kids’ Club will be offered. If the District can proceed with the June on-site session, July Kids Camp would also take place.
“We know how important it is for our students to have that interaction with their teachers and also with their peers,” Pobst said. “If there is any way we can make that happen, then we want to, but also we have heard from a lot of our parents that this is a huge need for them. Many businesses are trying to open up and parents need a safe and educational place for students to go.”
Students can be registered on the district’s Web site or by calling the District office at 573-243-9501 or the respective school where the student would attend summer school. More information on registration and the classes offered is available at www.jacksonr2schools.com/Summer-School-Information-2020.
