ELDRED — The Otto-Eldred School board met Tuesday evening to hear a various of updates.
Otto-Eldred students will be participating is “Spirit Week” activities instead of traditional homecoming events. The students will have a spirit week court in which they will crown a 2020 king and queen of spirit week during a pep rally on Friday. This event was questioned by a board member as to why the traditional crowning wasn’t taking place on the football field at half time. It was explained that the students voted on these activities in earlier planning this school year, and with Covid limitations this was the alternative plan they decided upon.
Local athletic updates were given by Superintendent Matthew Splain, who said the district will continue to adhere to the limits set by the governor. The board gave approval to allow a limited number of visiting spectators to home volleyball events while adding more home spectators.
The capacity of the gym means it can hold 70 spectators with meeting limitations. The district will be able to add about 40 spectators to home varsity football games in addition to the current number permitted. The administration will work with coaches to determine how that is allocated.
In administrative reporting, the success of hybrid practice week was echoed by all administrators. During the week of Sept. 21-25 all high school students stayed home while participating in online classes, while all elementary students reported to school with 5th and 6th grades utilizing the high school. This week allowed for students and teachers to readily prepare for hybrid learning.
Principal of Elementary and Special Education Lindsay Burns noted that benchmark testing is complete, and interventions have started for students. This month the elementary will be recognizing and educating fire safety and bus safety, in addition to celebrating red ribbon week. A Halloween parade will still be held but will not be open to public. Planning is in place to livestream the parade for viewing.
High school principal, Kaci Daniels, announced the district will host a spring SAT testing day, and preparations for October’s PSAT are underway.
Both the elementary and high school collected money to donate to Childhood Cancer to honor the memory of Gracie Ebert and recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
In staffing and personnel, letters of resignations were accepted from paraeducators Stacy Lamberton and Theresa Howard-Clark. Cole Palmer was approved as a substitute paraeducator. A requested to use CARES Act Funding to hire a temporary part-time custodian to ensure classrooms are cleaned properly each day was approved.
In other event planning, this year’s National Honor Society Induction ceremony will be held at the school instead of off campus due to restrictions in place for restaurants.
