JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – In July, the Jamestown Public School District was given state guidelines to follow for making their own back to school plans.

Less than a month later, after many studies, surveys, and discussion, a Health & Safety plan was approved by the Jamestown Public School Board. JPS Superintendent Dr. Rob Lech says looking at these guidelines, they had adjust for them for their own district.

Dr. Lech says on the district’s Health & Safety plan, it was up to the different buildings for elementary, Middle School, and High School to create their own system.

As those meetings happen across the district, Dr. Lech reminds parents, guardians, students, faculty, and staff that these guidelines they’ve implemented are just a starting point and the district will need to adjust accordingly.

Dr. Lech says their guidelines will follow the state’s COVID-19 scale as they determine what “phase” of their plan they will be in. To start the school year in Jamestown, they will begin in Instructional Plan II because the state is in the Green phase.

For those students and families who do not want to be in the schools during this time, Dr. Lech says they will be offering the virtual academy. This will also be offered to home schooled students within the district.

As time goes on, Dr. Lech says there may be different shifts between instructional plans. If that occurs, he says there will be plenty of notification for families and students to adjust.

Dr. Lech gave an example of that.

Those who have questions as the school prepares for their first day back August 27th are encouraged to reach out to their respective schools or visit www.jamestown.k12.nd.us/ The website will be full of information regarding the schools and their COVID-19 plans.

Listen to a full Let’s Talk About It with Dr. Rob Lech below: