New Polo superintendent posts ‘back to school’ letter

New Polo School District Superintendent Kelly Mandrell took to social media on July 2 with a letter to parents and the community about the upcoming school year.

Former Superintendent Chris Rademacher retired on July 1. It will fall on Mandrell and the district to plan for the 2020-2021 school year, which will include adhering to recent COVID-19 guidelines recently released by the state.

Those include required use of face coverings, no gatherings of more than 50, social distancing, symptom screenings, temperature checks and increased cleaning and disinfection.

“Our district’s administrators, teachers, technology director and school nurse will meet to discuss the options going forward and how we can best meet the safety needs of the students while following the mandates from the Illinois State Board of Education,” Mandrell wrote in the letter.

Mandrell said that the district will prepare a document for families so questions will be answered that will be available in paper form as well as on the district’s website. Answers will be provided in a timely manner so that family decisions can be made prior to the school district.

Any information and changes that will impact the district, students and families will be communicated, Mandrell wrote.

“I know that there are many questions about how we are returning to school in the fall,” Mandrell wrote. “Does my child have to wear a mask in the school? How are/Are sports going to be played? What happens if my child gets sick?”

Mandrell wrote of changes under her direction that will include expanded communication and collaboration with students, families and the community that will include a larger social media presence, more articles and updates in local newspapers and enhancing the district’s website.

Several community forums will be hosted throughout the school year to discuss specific topics such as planning for the start of the 2020-2021 school year.

“While we are facing challenging and uncertain times, we will overcome these obstacles through great collaboration, planning and communication,” Mandrell wrote.