FORT KNOX, Ky. – Following an unprecedented year due to the pandemic, Fort Knox Community Schools has made a number of adjustments going into the 2021-22 academic year that are geared toward success.
Department of Defense Education Activity-Kentucky Schools Community Superintendent Josh Adams said while he and his staff members are looking forward to the coming year, he also felt thankful for the extraordinary efforts everyone made during the preceding school year.
“We can’t express enough gratitude to parents, teachers, administrators and students for how well everyone handled last year,” said Adams. “We are excited and expecting the same from everyone this year.”
With the first day of classes scheduled for Aug. 9, Adams said the staff is happy that school is starting 100% in person this time. After having such an abnormal schedule last year, he recommends that parents regularly monitor the DoDEA school pages for key and updated information.
“People really need to go to their school’s website and look at the calendar so they can see important dates that are coming,” Adams said. “We have a regular calendar for the school year this year; a regular amount of days, normal amount of holidays.
“We didn’t have to abbreviate anything with the calendar like we had to last year.”
Adams noted one of the schedule changes from last year is the switch to having early release days once a month rather than once a week. He asked parents to watch for information about this and any other changes to come directly from the schools.
“This year we have our full, regular calendar, and what that means is some things such as fall break are back on the schedule,” said Adams. “I know parents and kids will be excited for that.”
One of the biggest changes compared to last year is one Adams said older students will be most enthusiastic about.
“We’ll have the full slate of fall sports for high school and middle school students,” said Adams. “We worked really hard with the Department of Defense Education Activity headquarters and with the Garrison Command and Public Health on that, and we got full approval.”
With sports back on the schedule, Adams expressed a need for participants.
“We really need people signing up,” said Adams. “Right now our participation sign-up numbers are a little low, so returning families and new families: Get out and get signed up for sports! We’re just so excited to have those back because they’re just such a huge part of our culture in the schools.”
Adams said it isn’t just the sports program that’s short of student participation. Even with the start date just a week away, he said the schools are also waiting on registrations.
“We still have returning families that haven’t registered for school yet, so it is critical that if families have not registered, they do that immediately,” said Adams. “They can just go to the DoDEA website to find the link to register.
“We really need people to get in and get their kids registered for school.”
Parents wanting a full understanding of the 2021-22 COVID protocols can find the information online. Adams said DoDEA has its operational guide, which is updated regularly in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.
“The critical thing that parents are probably going to want to know is that we are starting the year wearing masks, and that’s for students and staff,” said Adams. He explained other mitigations include limiting large events and nonessential visitors.
Adams pointed out there is one restriction that has been lessened, which is also a plus.
“A little adjustment from last year … is the distance for [social] distancing is three feet instead of six feet, which will be a little bit better for the schools logistically,” said Adams. “I also think it’ll be good for the kids.”
There’s one key action that will most help keep students safe and healthy, according to Adams.
“The most important thing families can do to keep our schools open and operating is pre-screen their kids every day,” said Adams. “Check kids’ temperatures, check symptoms, make sure they didn’t have close contact [or exposure], and if you have any doubt, keep your kid home.”
Adams explained the majority of times schools or classrooms had to close last year was when a families weren’t sure if their children were sick or not, sent them to school, and they later tested positive for COVID. He said if there’s any suspicion, keep them home because the schools are ready to support students if they can’t attend for a few days.
“They’re not going to be in trouble if absences are due to COVID,” said Adams. “We’ll still get them their work; they’ll stay caught up.”
This week, Fort Knox Community Schools will host open houses virtually. Adams said information about them is posted directly to each school’s Facebook page and also will be sent by email. If parents need help with anything regarding the upcoming school year, they need to ask.
“If you have any questions in terms of the school year, just call. They’re staffed right now, and they can help you out,” said Adams. “Call directly to your child’s school.”
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Editor’s note: FKCS is asking anyone interested in substitute teaching to contact the school or visit the USAJOBS website.
| Date Taken: | 08.02.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 08.02.2021 13:41 |
| Story ID: | 402243 |
| Location: | FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 127 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fort Knox Community Schools prepares for 2021-22 year, implements new changes, by Jenn DeHaan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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