The Salina USD 305 Board of Education unanimously approved August 31 as kindergarten-grade 12 students’ first day of school. The district will begin in a hybrid model which allows buildings to operate at 50% capacity with students alternating between on-site and off-site learning. The reopening document is posted on the district website.

The reopening plan, Connect2Learn, details two learning options, on-site learning and remote learning. The on-site option will be responsive to the community health status, providing three models that range from less to more restrictive.

• On-site: face-to-face learning (when community restrictions for COVID-19 are low)
• Hybrid: face-to-face and online learning (when community restrictions for COVID-19 are moderate)
• Off-site: online learning (when community restrictions for COVID-19 are high)

Students enrolled in the remote option will not attend school buildings but the learning requirements and expectations match those of the on-site option.

“We worked to understand the context of our community, build on the strengths of our staff, and develop a plan that provides high quality education,” explained Linn Exline, superintendent. “While no environment is risk free, we are eliminating risk where we can to protect students, staff and public health in Salina.” Since March, the district has been working with state and local health and education officials.

Building upon the reopening guidance issued by the Kansas State Department of Education, the district has enhanced cleaning protocols, will require masks (face coverings) in schools, frequent handwashing or sanitizing and daily symptom and temperature checks. The district is creating a family kit with screening information and a thermometer. Other measures include minimizing the congregation of large groups and complying with social distancing guidelines. Detailed information is available on the Connect2Learn website.

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ORIGINAL: Salina USD 305 has delayed the start of fall classes by about three weeks.

The board of education Friday morning voted 7 – 0 to begin the new school year on August 31st, the Monday before Labor Day. Classes had originally been scheduled to begin on August 11th.

The school year will end on May 27th, the Thursday of Memorial Day weekend.

Teachers will begin August 12th.

The school year will begin under the district’s hybrid model.

The district is implementing numerous safety measures as well, including temperature checks before anyone can enter a building, social distancing, and a mandatory mask policy.

Here is the new schedule which was approved: