For the latest information regarding Covid cases known to GCSD, visit the:

Covid Dashboard

This page outlines our tentative plan for returning to school in August with students on site and in compliance with the most current Iowa law (HF 847). Parents of students with existing health plans on file with the district will be contacted prior to school starting with considerations for the school year. Please understand that the situation is fluid and our plan could change as we move closer to the first day. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to plan for our return. The plan below will be considered by the Board of Education at their regular scheduled meeting on August 9, 2021.

Thanks,
Devin Embray
Glenwood Superintendent

Safety

The Glenwood Community School District in conjunction with Mills County Department of Public Health has drafted important safety considerations as we transition back in August to an on site in person setting. Please review this information below:

Parents will be required to provide schools with at least one emergency contact person with a working phone number that is accessible locally. If you do not have this in Powerschool our technology department will be in contact with you. Please do not call unless you KNOW your contact is not current or accessible locally.

• Nurses will take appropriate actions to evaluate students/staff exhibiting symptoms. Nurse/health aides will follow appropriate guidelines for students/staff exhibiting symptoms.
• All staff will review Covid-19 i.e. disease information, personal protective equipment, hand washing/sanitizing and cleaning techniques.
• Teachers will teach and review proper handwashing guidelines, using hand sanitizer and other mitigation strategies with students that might prevent the spread of the virus.
• Classroom arrangements will return to normal seating patterns with consideration of 3 feet social distancing where possible.
• We encourage and support all who make the decision to wear a mask.
• District will provide continuous communication with teachers, staff and parents regarding any procedural changes or updates regarding Covid-19.
• High traffic areas and classrooms will continue to be cleaned per recommended guidelines
• Nurse will maintain contact with Mills County Dept. of Public Health regarding cases of Covid-19, contact information, recommendations for closure, and changing guidelines recommended for Covid-19.
• Students will be encouraged to bring and use water bottles instead of using a water fountain. All fountains will be shut off except water bottle filling stations.
• All students and staff will be encouraged to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer prior to meals and after meals, using restrooms, and after coughing or sneezing.
• The Iowa Department of Public Health is no longer recommending routine contact tracing by local health departments.
• Public health continues to recommend the use of other mitigation approaches including staying home when you're sick, washing your hands, and using facemasks and social distancing as a layered approach to make virus spread less likely.

Visitors

We are allowing visitors to the offices and buildings, i.e. Watch-Dog Dads, mentors, parents dropping off items. Parents will be allowed to eat with their child at a separate table in the lunchroom. Birthday treats will be allowed per the handbook and a decision about including guests at Holiday parties will be evaluated and communicated as the dates draw near. Outside groups that were not allowed to use the facilities this past year may do so again with coordination with the building’s administration in advance, i.e. ACES, K-Kids, RAM Bank, Men's Basketball league, etc.