May 22 last day for Prairie du Chien assignments
By Ted Pennekamp
The last day for new assignments for Prairie du Chien School District students will be May 22. During a public hearing/special meeting Monday evening, held both virtually and in person in the high school cafeteria, the school board unanimously approved of applying for a waiver of state requirements for instructional hours for the 2019-2020 school year.
“The waiver gives us some flexibility and it’s a protection against being deficient in instructional hours, if we should be deficient,” said interim District Administrator Bryce Bird. The school year will end on May 29.
Prior to the vote, Bird read comments sent to the district by parents regarding having a cutoff date for virtual learning. The parents said virtual learning had become overwhelming and an end date was needed. Also, some parents said they did not want the next school year to start early.
“Give the kids a normal (length) summer to regroup,” said Darcy Knapp in part of her letter.
The district has not made a decision as to when the next school year will begin.
B.A. Kennedy end-of-the-year plan
B.A. Kennedy will continue providing learning opportunities and connections with students through May 29. Parents should look for further information in regard to picking up materials, returning library books, etc. There are not materials to pick up for all grades, but the district will communicate the details as they are finalized.
Bluff View end-of-the-year-plan
As of May 22, Bluff View Intermediate School will not be assigning any new work. Teachers should have final assignments and materials posted by May 18. If any parent or their student are in need of any support or clarification, please continue to reach out to their teachers. May 26 through June 4 will be used to assist those who are still struggling with completion and grades.
Additional information about the returning of school materials and collection of personal items still in the building will be coming soon.
High school end-of-the-year plan
•Wednesday, May 20 - Virtual Senior Night - 7 p.m. (details to follow)
•Friday, May 22 - Last day for assigning new work to 9-11 students
•May 11-22 - Virtual AP (Advanced Placement) exams
•Wednesday, May 20 - Last day for seniors in good academic standing and/or with no remaining AP exams
•May 26-June 4 - Required virtual one-on-one and/or small group intervention with struggling students
•Thursday, June 4 - end of Term 4
•To be announced - Return of high school books and Chromebooks
•To be announced - summer school
•Sunday, July 12 - Class of 2020 graduation (traditional face-to-face if quarantine is lifted)
•Sunday, Aug. 9 - Backup Class of 2020 graduation (details to follow - traditional if quarantine is lifted or drive-through)
•Saturday, Nov. 14 - Prom at the Waterfront Hotel. There will also be a spring prom.
In other business, the board:
•approved of normal “letter” grading for high school students and students in grades 5 through 8. Students in grades 2-4 will be graded as pass-fail. Students in 3K-first grade will not be graded. The grading system is for this school year only.
•approved of hiring Amanda Wagner for special education director, Hillary Day for 2-4 elementary principal, and Paul Weisse for high school principal.
•It was noted that individual posters honoring seniors will be placed on light poles in downtown Prairie du Chien.
