R-6 superintendent says new year off to great start

SIKESTON — Sikeston R-6 School District reopened Tuesday, and so far the new year is off to a great start, according to Superintendent Dr. Tony Robinson.

“The teachers are so happy to see their kids,” Robinson said early Thursday. “The kids are so happy to see their teachers and their peers. It brings some sense of normalcy to our lives to be back in school, and that’s what feels good.”

Student attendance began with a full day on Tuesday, and districtwide enrollment is estimated at 3,400, which Robinson called strong, especially with the ongoing pandemic. He noted the district ended the school year with an enrollment of 3,500.

“Our staff, administrators and teachers have worked extremely hard to get their classrooms ready to prepare for students, trying to make sure we have enough PPE (personal protection equipment), desk dividers and a supply for not only staff but students with hand sanitizer and all the things you need to do now at this time to keep staff and students as safe as possible,” Robinson said.

Currently, the district is on Plan B of its COVID-19 plan, which is available on the district’s website at www.sikestonr6.org. Plan B is to social distance, wear masks when unable to social distance and sanitizing. However, parents will be notified if the district changes plans, Robinson said.

“With all of the good and great things going on, you still have to do the things that are necessary to keep the students, staff and family as safe as possible,” Robinson said, adding district officials aren’t making these decisions alone.

The superintendent said district officials have done their due diligence with the district’s opening plan, following it and adjusting it when necessary based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines and collaboration with the Scott County Health Department and district’s medical director Dr. Kevin Blanton.

“We feel good about that work and that we have confidence in our plan and the people we work with to help us make decisions – and it’s hard,” Robinson said. “This is tough. We don’t like having students and staff and families impacted by this pandemic, but we’re doing the best possible job that we can in trying to communicate and work with families through these situations.

On Monday – the day before the first day of school — parents of the high school volleyball team and junior high football team — were notified players from each team been had been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case at practices and could not attend school until Sept. 4.

Naturally, some parents and students were upset by this news, Robinson said he understands their concerns, and it is difficult.

“I have a son who is playing college football. They’re dealing with the same thing. If there’s an exposure, they have to shut down they’ve been told,” Robinson said. “The thing parents need to know is their students will be provided with access and their education will continue.

He continued: “We are doing most of that work through Google Classroom and we want teachers to be accessible to parents and reach out to parents and students to make sure they’re on pace and getting the school work they need. It’s not different work; it’s the same so when they return, they’re at the same place and pace as their peers.”

Robinson said school officials want those students and parents to reach out to their teachers or administrators if they have concerns or struggling with a lesson and need help.

“We’re going to take the time to help them,” Robinson said.

Also, the district is starting a partnership starting with Southeast Missouri State University so some of their students can assist Sikeston’s students.

“We want to have sports,” the superintendent said. “We want our kids to have all those experiences that come with going to school, but we realize that some of those experiences aren’t going to look the way they have traditionally — but we’re going to do our best to provide that great experience in the midst of all this.”

On Wednesday the district marked the beginning of its early-release Wednesdays for teacher collaboration. Every Wednesday students are dismissed to buses, parent/guardian pick-up and walking  at the following times: 2:15 p.m. prekindergarten to kindergarten; 2 p.m. elementary; 1:20 p.m. Fifth and Sixth Grade Center, Senior High and Sikeston Career and Technology Center; 1:40 p.m. Junior High; and 12:15 p.m. Alternative Center.

Robinson said the district’s first 90-minute weekly collaboration period went well.

“I was able to visit buildings and I got to see our teachers doing exactly what that time is for — for them to collaborate, to plan, to work together,” Robinson said. “It was good work and it was exciting to see them making use of the time and doing what we want them to do, which is provide planning and put together great instruction for our students. We’re looking forward to continuing it.”

On early-release Wednesdays, students participating in extra-curricular or co-curricular activities who need to stay after school are supervised by school staff until the conclusion of collaborative time. At that time, the students are released to participate in their activities.

The district provides extended learning options for grades preK-6 and also partners with the YMCA to provide after school care for students on Wednesdays.

In the first couple days of school, Robinson said common questions from parents have dealt with masks and the length of time children are wearing masks.

“Students are wearing masks if they are unable to socially distance, but we’re asking teachers to provide opportunities for mask breaks for students, but we do want everyone to get into the habit of having them on in these closed spaces where there’s not enough room to social distance.”

The district is also providing water bottles and water for students since water fountains were shut down.

“There has been a mass rush on bottle filler stations from schools. Ours came in Wednesday so we’re starting to install them. We thank our parents for their flexibility and patience as we deal with some of these new changes in place.”

When parents have questions and information that’s not provided in the opening plan or on the district’s website, Robinson said they should reach out to their building principal or the assistant superintendents and him at Central Office.

“We’re accessible,” Robinson said. “We want to answer their questions. We want them to feel comfortable with their students being in school and the environments their children are in. Comfortable and confident – that’s where we want them.”

Robinson said the community has been great with contacting district officials, asking questions and offering support.

“We appreciate that immensely. So, in turn, we need to give them our best,” he said.

One big change this school year has been the transition of Lee Hunter students who are being housed in the former Matthews Elementary building while their new school is constructed.

“We’re gearing up to build two buildings (Lee Hunter and C Building) so we’re in a planning/design phase and will move toward demolition in the fall for Lee Hunter,” Robinson said. “We’re going to provide an opportunity for people to take pictures and have a chance to get inside the building once more before all that is finalized.”

Another challenge for school districts, especially during the pandemic, is finding substitute teachers.

“We’ve been fortunate that we’ve had a decent pool of substitutes,” Robinson said.

However, anyone who is interested in being a substitute teacher should contact the Human Resources Director Connie Dement at Central Office, he said.

As the end of the first school week approached, Robinson said it’s been awesome.

“We’re just excited to be able to be back when so many schools aren’t back in session,” Robinson said. “We’re excited to be providing a great learning environment and the best experience possible for our students — and they’re enjoying it.”