(KLZA)-- Due to the continued increase in positive COVID-19 cases, the Auburn, Nebraska School District is moving to the “Moderate Risk” level beginning Monday, August 24.

Auburn Public School parents are being advised the District will move to an A/B schedule Monday with approximately fifty percent of the students in attendance at any one time allowing for greater chances of social distancing.

It is expected the A/B schedule for all grades, Pre-Kindergarten through 12 will be in effect for six to nine weeks. 

Families should have received a letter recently notifying them of their households A/B placement. An attempt was made to keep students from the same household together to attend classes on the same days.

The A/B schedule will be four days of face-to-face instruction and four days of packet work and / or online work via Class DoJo for K-2 students or Google Classroom for students in grades 3 – 12 Monday through Thursday.  Fridays will be utilized by teachers for planning, professional development and supporting students. 

Because of the move to the “Moderate Risk” level, the Auburn Public Schools will begin to limit spectators at athletic and other activities beginning August 24.  Each participant in the event will allowed up to six individuals to attend the event the student is participating in. 

Masks will be required at all indoor and outdoor events.  

Superintendent David Patton said the school district will continue to work with the local Health Department and other medical professional in the communities making up the Auburn School District to assess the status of COVID-19 and make another assessment of the school status at the next School Board meeting.  

The letter from  Superintendent Patton is below.

August 20, 2020

To our students, families, and communities, 

We must inform you of some needed safety changes for our students, staff, and families in our District.

Due to the continued increase in positive COVID-19 cases, the District is moving to the orange or “Moderate Risk” level beginning Monday, August 24th.  This means the District will be moving to an A/B schedule on this date with approximately fifty percent of our students in attendance at any one time allowing for greater chances of social distancing.  The A/B schedule will be for all grades, PK-12 and will be in effect for approximately six to nine weeks. 

Recently, your family received a letter notifying you of your household’s A/B placement.  We attempted to keep students from the same household together to attend classes on the same days. 

The A/B schedule will consist of four days of face-to-face instruction and four days of packet work and/or online work via Class Dojo (K-2) or Google Classroom (3-12) Monday through Thursday. Fridays will be utilized by teachers for planning, professional development, and supporting students. Teachers will be assigning work for students to complete on the days they are not attending school face-to-face. It is essential that students complete this work to ensure continuity of instruction. All work will be graded as designated by the teacher. Building principals can answer more questions regarding academic requirements. 

Also, because of our need to move to the “Moderate Risk” level, we will begin to limit spectators at athletic and other activities on the 8/24/20. Each participant in the event will be allowed up to six (6) individuals to attend the event the student is participating in.  There are no limits as to whom the student can identify to attend the event. Masks will be required at all indoor and outdoor events. Your building principal or the Athletic Director can help answer any questions you may have. As many events as possible will be streamed on our Striv channel.  More information about watching the events on-line can be found on our website www.auburnpublicschools.org.

We understand that this may cause some inconveniences and are disappointed that we are having to take these steps. We believe moving to an A/B schedule is the correct step to take in order to have a safe and healthy learning environment for students and staff.  We desire to do all that we can to keep the schools and the activities our students enjoy open for this year.  

We will continue to work with our local Health Department and other medical professionals in our communities to assess the status of COVID-19 and make another assessment of our status at our next monthly Board of Education meeting. 

Sincerely,

David Patton
Superintendent, Auburn Public Schools