Student Online Resources and Parent Information

Maquoketa Valley Parents:

Engagement Activities:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-WssZSvT4mew6EOtlT8ZSD-KctQ8PB0pXTHEduSsAg0/edit?ts=5e739f09 The above document contains links to health information, mental health information and engagement activities for our elementary and secondary students.  It also has additional links from Keystone AEA.  Also know you are more than welcome to reach out to any of our instructors if you need additional suggestions or skill building activities.  A huge shout out goes to our instructors and our administrators pulling all of this information together in such a short period of time.

Other Items to Share:

First, if you would like to participate in the Grab and Go breakfast/lunch sacks and truly do not have transportation to get to our distribution sites, please reach out to Laurie Kramer at lauriekramer@maquoketa-v.k12.ia.us. Second, I have received a few questions regarding on-line education and I want to clarify this.  School Districts are bound to guidelines set forth by the Iowa Department of Education (DE).  The guidance shared to this point by the DE regarding on-line learning is if a district offers online learning this has to be offered to ALL students and ALL students have to be able to access the information.  I think we all realize that not all families have or can afford internet access.  So offering and knowing that not ALL of our students have access is an equity violation of FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education) and Civil Rights law.   A school district cannot selectively choose who they offer or deliver online instruction to.  The district would also have to provide support as outlined in a child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) if they are an identified student with learning disabilities. If we in fact could provide to all of our students, at this time I do not want to send our teachers out to students’ homes during this virus outbreak.  Finally, if all students had access, the DE would have to vet and then  approve our on-line program and realistically, this would take a couple of years.  I do hope this answers a few or your questions.  But in this fluid environment at this time, this could change. Third, if you are in need of childcare, St. Joe’s in Earlville currently has space. The district has been in conversations with their director, Katie Pfeiler, to provide support and assistance if their numbers grow to the point that they have to expand their childcare services. If you are in need please reach-out to Katie at 563-923-2068 or email her at stjosephsdc@windstream.net. As soon as additional information comes available that is pertinent, I will make you aware.  Again, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Please stay safe!! Doug