Planning Process

As the district has now moved to executing the Return to Learn Plan, this page will house the process that was used in determining the Muskie Return to Learn Plan.

Introduction to the Planning Process

The Muscatine Community School District actively evaluated the necessary measures to safely welcome students and staff back into our buildings. The development of our Return-to-Learn Plan was based on the preparation of multiple scenarios for the start of the 2020-21 school year. Our goal was to develop a plan in order to be ready to help our students succeed academically while ensuring their health and safety are not compromised.

The Return to Learn Plan for the Muscatine Community School District focused on three components: curriculum and assessment, special populations’ needs, and operations. Each of these areas were assigned chairpersons who worked with a representation of district staff. A general outline of each committee's tasks is provided below.

PK-12 Curriculum and Assessment

Co-Chairs: Stephanie Zillig and Staci Orr

Committee makeup: instructional coaches, selected building principals, classroom teachers, SPED teachers. Additional membership as needed.

Membership includes: Liz Panther, Tristan Tolle, Leslie Bennett, Gretchen Price, Mark Groteluschen., Terry Hogenson, Joelle McConnaha, Jill Church, Randy Guerra.

  1. Incoming assessments to be used to gauge current individual student gaps.

  2. Modification of curriculum to blend the missing 4th quarter of the 2019-20 school year with the 1st quarter of the 2020-21 school year.

  3. Develop a model for remediation/enrichment for individual students as determined by the start of the year assessments.

  4. Determine a model, if feasible, for online learning as viable required learning in the event of future schooling disruptions caused by the pandemic.

  5. Other issues and concerns that may arise within the scope of this committee.

PK-12 Special Populations

Chair: Becky Wichers

Committee makeup: SPED teachers, Title 1 teachers, ELL teachers, At-Risk teachers, counselor representation, nurses, family navigators, and selected building principals. Additional membership as needed.

Committee Members: Jessi Freers, Corry Spies, Tanise Colvin, Andy Werling, Kandy Steel, Sheila Kinyon-Johnson, Karey Hawkins, Julie Kundel, Sarah Greim, Annette Hovland, Scott Comstock.

  1. Develop a model and protocols for SPED student needs from IEP requirements, classroom modifications, classroom support, and assessment of current learning status (academic and behavior).

  2. Develop a model of support for at-risk students. This group of students would include students with poor attendance, social-emotional needs, health needs, and family difficulties (including, but not limited to homelessness and food security).

  3. Develop a model to provide appropriate mental health supports and access.

  4. Other issues and concerns that may arise within the scope of this committee.

Operations

Chair: Clint Christopher (Mike McGrory originally chaired this subgroup prior to leaving the district 7/3/2020)

Committee makeup: Directors of Finance, Human Resources, and Food Service, Transportation, and Building and Grounds, selected building principals, HS activities director, a school board representative, classroom teachers, and nurses. Additional membership as needed.

Committee Members: Stacy Olson, Julie Stoneking, Chris Nienhaus, Tom Ulses, Ryan Castle, Wendy Donald, Jeff Miller, Alisha Eggers, Jill Bourquin, Tom Anderson, Lisa Bunn, Tammi Drawbaugh.

  1. Develop a revised school calendar for the 2020-21 school year. Possible revisions could include an earlier start date and floating break schedules in response to possible future school disruptions. The calendar would not require additional teacher contract days.

  2. Develop cleaning and other safety protocols for a re-opening and continued operation.

  3. Develop a procedure for food service, if an early start date and gradual re-entry were to occur.

  4. Develop a model to onboard new staff and health safety training (in particular COVID-19) for all staff.

  5. Develop a model for the safe transportation of students considering social distancing and bus capacity.

  6. Develop a protocol, procedures, and plan for resumption of activity and athletic programs.

  7. Other issues and concerns that may arise within the scope of this committee.


Other Planning Process Information