One way or another, WSD will continue to operate

WALLACE –– The Wallace School District is currently devising an educational plan that will allow them to continue instruction while maintaining their students’ safety in the coming days.

Despite official closures from neighboring school districts as well as every other school in the State due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wallace School District has remained resolute in keeping their students inside their schools.

Following a brief meeting with school administrators Thursday afternoon, the decision was made by WSD Superintendent Dr. Bob Ranells to close the district’s schools on Friday, March 20 and use the day as a work day for teachers to prepare.

What are they preparing for?

The Wallace School District is working on a plan that would allow them to continue to operate, business as usual, but with the possibility that most of the learning would be done in a hybrid format consisting of either virtual classes, take home packets, or a combination of both.

“We are going to step back, take a breath and then use tomorrow (Friday) as a time to have all our teachers and staff come in to do a deep cleaning of our facilities,” Ranells said, “as well as begin the process of preparing to do virtual schooling for our secondary students. We think we’re further along with those secondary students and more students at the secondary level have the virtual capabilities at home.”

According to Ranells, Teachers would still be in their offices each day with the ability to help students via email, telephone, and even by video if the technology allows. At the lower grade levels, the process won’t be as advanced.

“Elementary-wise, we are not as adept,” Ranells said. “Especially in grades three, two, one, and kindergarten. So we’re going to do packet preparation stuff tomorrow for that level. We might fiddle with some virtual stuff in time for the fifth and sixth grades down the road.”

This plan, while not finalized, would go into effect beginning next week. It is a possibility that administrators decide to continue school on March 23 normally without any digital component.

The WSD is also exploring potential partnerships with local internet providers who may be able to help students who otherwise don't have an active internet connection at home, get connected.

Unlike the Kellogg and Mullan School Districts, who closed their schools earlier this week, Ranells doesn’t want this to be thought of as a closure because his teachers will still be teaching and his students will still be learning.

“It’s not a school closure per se,” Ranells said, “because we are still functioning as a school system.”

With Spring Break effectively beginning on Friday, March 27, for the students at Wallace Jr./Sr. High School, the district only needs to be able to digitally instruct students for the next five school days before getting the next nine days off.

Ranells and the Wallace School District are also looking into possibly providing day care services for their younger students and would utilize their classified employees (secretaries, para-professionals, and even bus drivers) to assist in watching them.

All three Shoshone County school districts have tentatively scheduled to resume class on Monday, April 6, when they were scheduled to return from Spring Break (if the districts are comfortable doing so with the current conditions).

For more information, or to inquire about any of the district’s plans or potential services contact either Wallace Jr./Sr. High School at (208) 753-5315 or Silver Hills Elementary School at (208) 556-1556.