Greetings Martin Luther School Families,

I trust all is well with you and your family.  As we look to the next school year, we face obstacles like never before!  We are all caught in the middle of an incredibly fluid situation. Recommendations seem to come from everywhere -- the CDC, the county health department, and the Department of Public Instruction. 

 You can be sure we--your Martin Luther staff--work hard to study all these proposed guidelines as we develop a plan that will be practical and feasible to protect our students, staff, and families.

 Currently, Martin Luther is planning for in-person face-to-face education without masks unless situations arise where masks would be temporarily used for the safety and welfare of all of our students, staff, and faculty. Individual classrooms will be considered “family units.” Just as your immediate family is able to interact with one another on a closer level than it does with others in the community, individual classrooms will interact a little more freely with one another, while limiting contact with other classroom “family units.” We will still practice social distancing as much as we can. We will do what is needed to safeguard our Martin Luther School family. 

 We know school life will be different this year. You can expect changes both inside and outside the building.  We anticipate continual modifications to the recommended guidelines as virus rates change in our area. Our goal is to ensure a safe learning environment with as few distractions as possible, in order to continue providing sound, Christian education for our students, reaping benefits for both time and eternity. 

 There will need to be changes in our normal school routine. Events, gatherings, and activities may have to be modified to reduce group sizes. Further details on safety procedures and virtual learning will be shared as the school year approaches. At this time a decision has been made to not offer After School Care for students as we re-open in late August. We do not feel that we can offer a program that ensures the safety and well being of the students or those that staff this program. This decision will be reviewed throughout the fall and Lord willing at some point in time during the year we will be able to offer this service again. 

 If face-to-face classroom instruction is not able to be conducted safely, we want you to know, your teachers are working hard to prepare a new platform and model for virtual learning. A common platform will be featured, and teachers will meet regularly with their students providing more structure.  As you all know, this is an incredibly complex situation. Rest assured, your Martin Luther staff will do everything we can to provide the students with an excellent Christian education while ensuring their health and safety.  

 We know many have formed strong opinions about what they want the school year to look like  and the extent of safety precautions taken.  I ask for your prayers as we navigate these topics, looking for wisdom and guidance, for patience and understanding as we plan for the fall. 

 Only the Lord knows what late-August will bring, and we have confidence that He will guide us as we carry out our school’s mission of providing a Christ-centered education.  

Below are some additional pieces of our re-opening plan. More details will be provided as we get closer to the opening of school on August 26. This plan will continue to evolve as we review new guidelines and recommendations that are released.

May the Lord continue to keep you safe.

God Bless,

Principal Steve Hennig

Goals:

• Keep Martin Luther students learning daily within the physical school building by avoiding excessive illness and shutdowns, which would then require distance learning situations.

• Serve all Martin Luther families, while recognizing the wide and varied thoughts/concerns surrounding the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year. 

• Ensure a safe learning environment with as few distractions as possible, in order to continue providing sound, Christian education for our students, reaping benefits for both time and eternity. 

Overview of Learning Model

• If Martin Luther is required to shut down classrooms, or the entire school, distance learning will replace classroom learning on the following platforms: PK-2nd grade - SeeSaw; 3-8th grade - Google Classroom. At that time, teachers will provide further details, including (but not limited to) required school hours, homework pick-up/drop-off, and grading.

Morning Arrival:

• Classrooms will have possible staggered start times. 

• Non-students (parents, siblings, grandparents, etc.) will not be able to enter the building. 

• Before students are able to enter the building, parents must complete an online health screen at home. 

• Additional screening methods will take place at school. 

Recesses and Lunch:

• Recess times and locations will be staggered so that classroom units do not cross over.

• Lunch will be eaten outside when possible, or in the classroom. 

• There will be no microwaves or refrigerators available.

End-of-Day Dismissal:

• Classrooms will have staggered dismissal times and exit doors. 

General Considerations:

• Individual classrooms will be considered “family units.” Just as your immediate family is able to interact with one another on a closer level than it does with others in the community, individual classrooms will interact a little more freely with one another, while limiting contact with other classroom “family units.” 

• Drinking fountains may only be used to refill water bottles and will be sanitized daily.

• Custodians will do daily cleaning, including sanitizing high contact areas and cleaning bathrooms.