SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION NOTICE

FEEDING SD INFO 

3/24/2020

Hello New Underwood School District Families:

Governor Noem announced today that South Dakota schools will be closed until May 1, 2020.  This means that we will continue to deliver education to students through distance learning and all activities previously scheduled to take place between now and that date are postponed or canceled.   

This situation is new territory for all of us, and it is important that we continue to keep an open mind and open line of communication as we muddle through together.  We understand all families are being impacted by this situation, and we recognize that there are vast differences in the degrees of impact.   Our desire as a school is to be able to provide education and additional supports within our capabilities during this time. 

The staff met virtually today to talk about some of the challenges facing the delivery of educational services. This process will require some adjustment as we go through it.  Please understand that not all classes will deliver materials in the same manner.  Abruptly changing the delivery of a class is as taxing for teachers as it for parents to step into the teaching role while trying to balance the strain of working outside the home, from home or the stress of the sudden loss of employment. Here are some topics we covered today and wish to share in order to help with the process.

• Completion of school work during this time is expected to ensure that we are meeting the recommendations of the state to count this closure as educational time spent. There are still families that teachers have not been able to make contact with.  If you have not heard from your child’s teacher(s) please contact the teacher(s) or the school immediately.
• Education will continue to be delivered through alternative means. This requires diligence from staff, students and parents to minimize gaps in education and the potential to make time up in the future.  It is not the intent of the school district to overload parents and students with endless hours of work during this time; please do what you can. In a classroom situation, there are a lot of adjustments made for individual students.  What takes one student ten minutes may take another thirty minutes to complete.  PLEASE communicate with your teachers if you have concerns with assignments.  
• Variance in class delivery is to be expected. What is appropriate for one level or subject area may not be appropriate for another. Please know that much thought has been applied by each teacher to determine the mode of delivery depending on their understanding of student access to technology and skill level.
• Our intent is to deliver as much digitally as possible, though we understand that may be impossible for some families. We ask that if you have the capability to receive information online that you do so. We can provide Chromebooks for elementary students who need them.  Please communicate your needs with your teacher(s). 
• Consistent office hours will not be kept at this time, but the phones are being answered remotely during normal business hours of M-Th 7:30am-4:15pm and Friday 8:00am-12:00pm. Calls/messages outside of these hours will be answered the next business day.

Thank you for your continued patience and grace during this time.  We will continue to keep you updated as information comes available.  Together we will conquer this temporary situation.

Due to COVID-19 and state recommendations New Underwood School is closed until May 1st, 2020. 

Students and teachers are working through digital platforms to continue education. 

Consistent office hours will not be kept.  Though, you may call the school office at (605)754-6485 as calls are being answered remotely.

Please see our webpage: www.newunderwood.k12.sd.us or out Facebook page for up to date information regarding school closures and event cancellations.

Teachers and staff members are best reached via email (you can find email addresses on our webpage). 

The New Underwood School District 51-3 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

504 Coordinator: Katie Albers
Address: PO Box 128, New Underwood, SD 57761
Telephone No. 605-754-6485

Title IX Coordinator: Katie Albers
Address: PO Box 128, New Underwood, SD 57761
Telephone No. 605-754-6485

South Dakota Regional US Office for Civil Rights:

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
One Petticoat Lane
1010 Walnut Street, 3rd floor, Suite 320
Kansas City, MO 64106

Telephone: 816-268-0550
FAX: 816-268-0599; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov