Waukee schools open Tuesday: Here's what you need to know about the district's plans

Correction: An earlier version of this story contained an error. All grade levels will eat meals in the cafeterias as usual.

The Waukee Community School District kicks off in-person classes Tuesday, while the online program begins Aug. 31.

Eighty percent of Waukee students will begin the school year in the classroom, while 20% chose remote learning. Students will not be able to switch between the two models until the second semester, the district’s website says. 

Here’s what you need to know about Waukee's back-to-school plans:

Are face coverings required?

Yes. Waukee students will be required to wear a face covering at school, but will get breaks throughout the day. Waukee staff members will wear a combination of a face shield, face mask and gloves, depending on their roles. 

What will lunch look like?

Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria as usual, a spokesperson said. Virtual students can sign up to receive meals from their school. 

What about passing periods?

In an effort to minimize contact, students will be directed to walk on the right side of the hallway during staggered passing times. Students will wear face coverings while passing between classes.

► More:Schools are reopening in the Des Moines metro: Here's what local districts have planned this fall

What is the plan for busing?

Students will have assigned seating, with family members grouped together. They will fill the bus starting with the seats in the back, and unload the bus starting with the seats in the front. 

Drivers will wear face-coverings while loading and unloading, but some may choose to remove their masks while driving to keep their glasses from fogging. The seat behind the driver will remain empty.

Are students staying in the same classroom each day?

Elementary students will work in cohorts and mostly stay in their own classrooms, while secondary students will move between classes throughout the day. 

What other safety precautions will the district take?

The Waukee school district will follow increased cleaning and disinfecting schedules on high-touch surface areas. A spokesperson said the district developed a plan if and when there is a COVID-19 exposure in a building, including an initial sanitation and a deep clean within 48 hours.

Are they using lockers and locker rooms?

Lockers will be off limits. Students will not need to use locker rooms, as they will not change for physical education classes.

What scenarios could trigger the district to move students online? 

If the positive infection rate in Dallas County reaches or exceeds 10%, the Waukee school board will hold a meeting to discuss moving online, or to consider applying for a state waiver from the 50% in-person learning requirement.

More:Waukee says it won't wait for state approval before moving classes online

Student attendance could trigger schools to move online, according to the district.

If the student absence rate for a building is 10% higher than last year’s average daily attendance, the school board will discuss moving online, or consider applying for a waiver. (Last year’s average daily attendance in Waukee schools ranged from 94% to 96%, so rates of 84% to 86% could trigger a transition to virtual classes.)

Shelby Fleig covers Des Moines city government for the Register. Reach her at shelbyfleig@dmreg.com or 515-214-8933.

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