Smart Start program to open schools

On March 13, 2020, Governor Mark Gordon first signed executive orders declaring a State of Emergency in Wyoming due to the nationwide COVID-19 pandemic.

Since then, the orders have been extended nine times with slight variations to the orders each time. The ninth continuation of orders went into effect Aug. 1 and will be until Aug. 15.

With school about to start statewide, a Smart Start program for opening schools was released by State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jillian Balow, allowing for a three-tiered plan to be developed by each school.

Hot Springs County School District #1 presented their plan during their July Board of Trustees meeting, which included the three tiers suggested by the state.

Tier I is known as “open”, meaning in-person classes and activities will resume as normally as possible with social distancing and face coverings being used to the greatest extent possible.

Tier II, or “hybrid”, would be a combination of in-person and adapted learning. That would mean having the school open to some students, while others who may be infected or suspected of having COVID-19, or are in an immunosuppressed situation, would be learning from home.

Tier III would be “closed”, with school buildings closed to students and learning being done from home via a variety of methods, including electronically or virtually.

As for athletics, the Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA) is allowing fall sports to begin as usual with several conditions in place such as screening of athletes, sanitation practices and even instruction on who will be allowed at events such as games.

Tier I is the start of athletics and activities the same as usual with some added requirements such as social distancing, health screenings (temperature), sanitation measures and the utilization of locker rooms without congregation of athletes in one spot.

If we must move to Tier II, the continuation of school activities will be determined by local health professionals. A positive COVID-19 student on a team or in an activity will also mean review by health professionals along with the activity department.

That would mean a move to Tier III, complete closure of school, would also mean the end of athletics and activities through that time period.

Full plans for fall sports can be found on the WHSAA website, whsaa.org.

First practice for golf at Hot Springs County High School will be on Aug. 10 with volleyball, football and cross country starting on Aug. 17.

As far as the statewide orders are concerned, Governor Gordon made no changes other than extending the orders through Aug. 15. A complete list of those orders may be found on Hot Springs County’s website at hscounty.com.