This is the first of three stories regarding back to school in the Jamestown Public School District

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Students will once again fill the halls of the Jamestown Public School District on Thursday, August 19th.

While schools will resume for the 2021-2022 school year in a mostly normal way, Superintendent Dr. Rob Lech says the pandemic has helped shape new developments in their school environment and impacts operations.

Dr. Lech added they’ve prioritized health and safety with the academic, social-emotional, and custodial needs of the students and staff.

The Jamestown Public School Board completed their “return to learning plan”, using that as a reference for the upcoming year. Earlier this month, it was reported that school districts would be responsible for their own guidance regarding COVID-19.

Dr. Lech says they will be operating their regular schedule at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels while encouraging best safety practices.

The school district will continue to review and analyze data on a day-to-day basis to determine if changes to practice or protocol is necessary.

Students and families will once again see free school lunches this year after the federal program was extended. Dr. Lech says even though the program returns, he encourages you to fill out the application for reduced or free lunch, pointing out that the district relies on that information for future growth.

He added that the after school programming and state funding are also tied to the application process.

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