Newton’s ‘Return to Learn’ plan unaffected by Reynolds’ proclamation

Shortly after the Newton Community School District unveiled its Return to Learn strategy to allow four days of on-site learning across all campuses, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced schools would be required to provide mostly in-person learning this fall. Unlike some other districts, Newton’s plan will not change.

According to a July 17 article by Associated Press’ David Pitt, Reynolds’ proclamation will “invalidate plans implemented by some other districts, including the state’s largest, Des Moines, which planned to limit in-person classes to one day a week for most students.” Online learning would fill the remaining days.

Newton proposed the exact opposite: four days a week of in-person classes and one day reserved for remote learning opportunities. NCSD Superintendent Tom Messinger said he was “relieved” Newton’s current Return to Learn plan was unaffected by Reynolds’ order, though he wished guidance was offered earlier.

“I think it would have helped solidify the importance of the plan we’ve been working on,” Messinger said. “The big piece to it is our four-day week does meet the requirements. I feel like, by following some of the comments (state officials) were making early on, we’re ahead of where some people are at.”

The main point of Reynolds’ Friday morning press conference — to plan to be back in school more than 50 percent of the time — will not impact Newton schools, Messinger added. According to the governor’s website, the proclamation also provided more clarity regarding remote learning.

Schools may authorize primarily remote learning methods when parents select it as the best option for their family or during cases of severe weather. Following consultation with state health and education officials, schools also can move to online learning for a building or district in response to public health conditions.

Districts also may determine individual students or classrooms must be temporarily moved to online learning when given the OK by state and local public health officials. For a number of high schoolers and teachers, remote learning should feel like familiar territory, Messinger said.

Others might see it as a brand new tool, and a challenging one at that. Messinger said online learning “cannot just be a teacher lecturing or a teacher talking to the kids over the computer.” Remote lessons still have to be engaging, which he said is the biggest reason why administrators chose one day of off-site learning.

“Because our teachers need time to collaborate and to learn themselves of what best practices there are to be able to put together a quality program for our kids,” Messinger said. “We’re also are going to use those Mondays to train our kids in online learning. This is a way that’s kind of routine.”

Knowing there will be more questions surrounding the Newton school district’s Return to Learn plan, administrators have organized a virtual town hall meeting starting 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23, via Zoom.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com