Covid-19 Response - Updated 9/18/20, 10:00 AM

Stakeholders, Parents, and Community Members,

Our leadership team met yesterday afternoon (09/17/20) to discuss the next step as outlined in the plan adopted by our Board on August 11th. The leadership team examined the most recent COVID facts, analyzed the data provided through the district health websites, CDC, and consultation with Medical professionals, statewide, to come to our conclusion to proceed with the next step in the plan. We have agreed as a leadership team to proceed with the following schedule to open up the ISDB campus:

  • September 28th - D/HH preschool-elementary (up to 5th graders) will return to in person education.
  • October 5th - All BVI students will return to in person education. (Cottage Students will travel October 4th)
  • October 12th - The rest of our D/HH students will return (Middle School/High School)

All students and staff (those who can put on and take off masks unassisted) will be required to wear PPE within the CDC recommendations

Because we serve the entire state, we recognize the responsibility of transporting kids from areas that may have higher COVID rates than others. We take very seriously the recommendations outlined by the Governor, State Board of Education, State Board of Education, and the Department of Health and Welfare. As a result, we are proceeding cautiously through our reopening plan.

Lastly, we have many parents, students, staff, and teachers who have wanted us open and in person for a while. I, personally, really miss those little faces on campus, but I still feel that we have made the right decision in progressing the way that we are. I welcome any input or feedback you might have. Thank you again for all of your support.

Be Well, Be Safe, We got this!!!

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Costumes Coming To Life

cash cab costume with passenger, driver and two helpers

If you had stopped by ISDB on October 31, you would have seen the Elementary and Special Needs students thrilled to be dressed up in all sorts of creative costumes. Their teachers use the opportunity of this day to make the traditional Trick or Treat custom come alive in the school building, which includes teachers having goals for their students to stretch their skills to communicate with multiple adults in the school as they stop in offices to ask for “treats”. (None of them were really planning for any “tricks”!)

Before heading out from their own classrooms, the teachers intentionally practice the expectations for the communication needed for the typical Trick or Treat interaction-- with their students, some of whom are learning to use alternative modes of communication. The staff around the school gain great joy in supporting the students in these communication opportunities, as the students come in to show off their costumes and ask for that treat! This photo features a young preschooler whose desire was to be “a fish” for Halloween. His teacher, Jodie Hamilton, obliged him preparing a variety of details for the full costume--- she was the fisherwoman and he was the fish! Wherever they went in the school, staff and other students were treated to see them “act out” Fisherwoman Jodie swooshing her fish net to “catch” her student. He was delighted every time!