Pod System FAQs

How will my child get to their POD each day if they are off site?

Bus transportation will be provided for all students in the Central Lee Community School District. In some cases, students will ride the bus to school and then be transferred to their POD via a shuttle bus. Students living in Donnellson or Montrose will have the option to walk, ride their bike, or be dropped off/picked up at their POD each day.

If possible, we encourage all families to explore alternative transportation to school busing. We cannot guarantee social distancing and masks are required when six foot of distance cannot be maintained.

Will someone with the district have direct contact with a person in charge of these venues so that there is open communication if the school reports a case and/or the venue reports a case?

Donnellson and Montrose will each have a designated POD leader to assist with communication between the school district and POD locations. These POD leaders will also help ensure staff and student needs are being met and learning remains uninterrupted.

How will my child’s POD location be determined?

We will do our best to determine POD locations based on the geographic location of each child. For example, Donnellson students will be in Donnellson PODS and Montrose students will be in Montrose PODS. For students outside these areas, we will limit travel and attempt to coordinate POD locations so that siblings are in the same town.

Will POD locations that are normally public spaces become restricted and/or limited?

Yes. POD locations will have limited to no access to the general public. Our POD leaders will work with community organizations to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

Will my child receive lunch and/or breakfast at their off-site POD?

Yes. Students may receive both lunch and breakfast each day through our school lunch program. Meals for students requesting them will be delivered to each POD.

Will my child be required to wear a mask?

As of August 19, 2020, the Central Lee Board of Education requires all staff, students, and guests to wear a mask when social distancing cannot be maintained.

Fully Online Learning Option FAQs

What is the difference between homeschooling and online learning?

If you are enrolled in online learning through Central Lee, you are eligible for high school credit and may participate in curricular and instructional services provided by the district.

If you are engaged in homeschooling, it is your responsibility as a parent/student to determine your curriculum and instruction during the school year.

When is the deadline to register for online learning only?

The deadline is Friday, July 24.

Can students take courses online, but participate in band/choir at school?

Yes. Middle and high school students can decide to participate in extracurricular-based classes and still participate in the fully online option.

What if a student is not successful in the online learning program?

We will offer support to ensure each child is successful with online learning. If there are significant issues that hinder a student’s ability for success, the building principal will determine, in conjunction with the student and family, how to alter the course schedule as needed.

Is internet access required to participate in the online learning option?

Yes. You must have access to high-speed internet to participate.

Will students need to be online during the day, or can they complete coursework any time?

Students will need to be available during the day for instruction and/or class participation. While it may not be required every day, all students will be expected to be present when a teacher holds a live Zoom.

What will my student’s course schedule look like for online learning?

Students’ course schedules will depend on their grade level.

For grades K-6, students’ core subject instruction will be the priority. These subjects include reading/language arts, math, science, and social studies. All “specials” instruction (e.g., art, music, physical education) will be supplemental.

For grades 7-8, students’ core subject instruction will also be the priority. These subjects include reading/language arts, math, science, and social studies. All “specials” instruction (e.g., art, music, physical education) will be supplemental. Exploratory classes will be optional.

We may also use an independent online learning platform for grades 7-8 instruction. Progress will be monitored by a Central Lee staff member.

For grades 9-12, online learning will be offered through a combination of Edgenuity courses and Central Lee courses made available online. Edgenuity is an online learning platform that has been used to meet a variety of student instructional needs over the past few years at Central Lee High School. They are not taught directly by Central Lee teachers, but learning will be facilitated and supported by support staff weekly.

Students’ online courses will be closely monitored to ensure they receive appropriate credit requirements for graduation.

What if my child receives special services?

For our Special Education students, Individualized Education Programs will continue to be implemented. Teachers will work with the student and families to meet IEP service needs. Instruction may be offered face to face, via Zoom, or a combination of the two. How this looks will be determined on an individual basis.

Speech, occupational therapy and physical therapy services are provided by Great Prairie AEA. We will collaborate with Great Prairie to ensure students can access these services in some capacity.

Additionally, each year, our elementary screens all students and determines Title Reading services for individual students. If your child qualifies for services, we will explore a solution to meet your child’s needs.

Can my child participate in extracurricular activities?

There are no K-6 youth sports that are affiliated with the Central Lee Community School District. Therefore, your child may still be able to participate in these activities. Any school-affiliated club or activity will be available to students enrolled in the district’s online platform.

For students in grades 7-12, all IGHSAU- and IHSAA-affiliated sports allow students to participate if they are enrolled in a school district’s online platform. Online students may also participate in clubs, fine arts, and other student activities.

Will online students be required to come to school?

Yes. There may be times when students will need to come to school to take state-required assessments, meet with teachers, gather materials, and complete other tasks. We will make every effort to minimize contact and exposure during these times.

High School FAQs

What will lunch look like?

We have increased our lunch sections from two to three. Students will be able to use other areas of the building to eat lunch so that they can continue social distancing.

What would student passing times look like between classes?

We have created alternate pathways for students that will alleviate hallway congestion. Masks are required in the hallway during passing time.

What is the high school doing to decrease capacity in the building?

We will operate from a temporary, board-approved open-campus concept, allowing us to have fewer students in the building at any given time. We will schedule students enrolled in any online classes, whether concurrent enrollment classes through SCC or online Central Lee classes, to work on online courses in an off-campus setting (preferably at their home).

Do students need permission to be off-campus during school hours?

Students with a school permit or driver's license will only need to be in the building during required class periods. Parents will need to give permission for their student(s) to be off-campus during online classes.

What will physical education look like?

Physical education classes will be held outdoors as much as possible. An online option will also be made available. Students who are currently involved in athletics may opt out of PE for one semester.

Transportation FAQs

Will the school district have normal bus routes this year?

We are attempting to maintain our normal bus routes. Based on student ridership, we may have to modify routes, however. We will keep our parents and guardians informed if the need for any changes arises.

What COVID 19 mitigation strategies will be in place on district buses and vehicles?

Masks are required when social distancing cannot be maintained, as we cannot maintain social distancing on the bus. Mask guidance is subject to change based on current conditions in our state and region and/or requirements from the Iowa Department of Education.

When possible, we will maximize social distancing on buses. This will be determined by the number of students on a bus at any given time. Assigned seating will also be implemented to minimize exposure and to allow more precise contract tracing if a student is diagnosed with COVID-19.

Should my student ride the bus this year?

Families that can transport their students to school in alternative ways are highly encouraged to do so. This will help alleviate and mitigate exposure for students and staff on school buses.

How often will buses be cleaned?

Buses will be thoroughly cleaned after every route. High-touch areas will be wiped down during this time and disinfection will occur at least once per week.

Lunch FAQs

What protocols will be implemented during lunch to mitigate exposure?

The Multi-Purpose Room at the K-8 dividing wall will open for tables to be spread out.

In grades K-8, each classroom will eat together and distance from other sections. Based on conditions, students may be able to eat in their classrooms. We are also establishing procedures to minimize contact exposure.

At our high school, we will limit the number of students in the lunchroom at any one time. Students may also be able to eat in other areas of the building. We are establishing procedures to minimize contact exposure.

Finally, it’s important to note that students will still be able to bring their own lunch. Doing so will allow them to avoid the lunch line.

What will breakfast and lunch look like at the PODS?

Breakfast will be provided on a “grab-and-go” basis. Meals will consist of milk, pop tarts, cereal, muffins, fruit, or other pre-packaged items.

Lunch will be delivered daily to each POD for participating students. We are currently planning the lunch menus.

Additionally, students will still be able to bring their own lunch.

Middle School FAQ

What will a typical day look like for 7th and 8th grade students?

Students will be assigned in pods. They will travel with their pod for most of each day and will have limited contact with other students outside their pod to reduce possible exposure. Students will still rotate to their various classes.

How will the band and vocal programs work at the middle school?

Band and vocal classes will be conducted outside as much as possible. When inside, the number of students in each room will be reduced to increase social distancing.

What will passing time look like?

Our seventh- and eighth-grade students will pass at different times to reduce the number of students moving through the hallways at any given time.

How will physical education work?

Physical education classes will be held outside as much as possible. When inside, the classes will be split between the gym and a classroom to increase social distancing.

Elementary FAQs

What will a typical day look like for grades PK-2?

Students will go to lunch, recess and specials. Passing times and pathways will be established to reduce possible exposure.

Music and physical education classes will be held outside as much as possible. To start the year, music class will focus on the non-singing aspects of music instruction.

During recess, classroom sections will be separated on the playground.

Health & Safety FAQs

What cleaning protocols will be implemented?

Custodians will increase the cleaning of public spaces. Teachers and staff will increase the individual cleaning of classrooms and high-touch areas on a regular basis.

Will hand sanitizer be available or should we bring our own?

Yes, hand sanitizer will be available in our buildings. We encourage all students, staff and guests to bring their own, as well.

Will guests be allowed in the building?

To start the school year, we will limit guests for essential purposes (e.g., IEP meetings, disciplinary issues or severe health needs) and by administrative approval only. Guests will be required to wear a mask upon entering the building.

What mitigation protocols will be put into place to start the year?

We will implement a number of mitigation protocols to protect the health and safety of everyone in our buildings. This includes the following:

• Student and staff temperatures will be taken at the beginning of each day.

• Students will be placed in “pods,” limiting their exposure to others.

• We will establish routines to limit movement and contact throughout our buildings.

• We will encourage increased handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer before changing locations in the building, as well as before and after eating.

Additional routines and procedures will be in place to support student hygiene and safety. Our number one goal is to minimize risks for our students, staff and families.

If my child has a fever greater than 100.3 at the beginning of the school day, what procedures will be enacted?

Your student will be placed in isolation and their temperature will be re-screened after 15 minutes. If they still have an elevated temperature, they will be sent home.