Dixon School students return to class

As schools open across the Treasure State amid the uncertainty of the COVID-19 obstacle, a small school in the southeast corner of Sanders County is proving the wisdom of two time-tested adages.

“Good things come in small packages” and “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” are on full display at the century old Dixon School.

Originally opened in 1919, the well-maintained school is meeting those challenges head-on. A summer of hard work, planning and contingency preparedness on behalf of the Dixon staff, parents and students made for a smooth opening day last Thursday.

“There was no doubt some hesitation and anxiety about getting things going,” said Dixon Principal Krista Anderson. “So far everything is good. The first day went so well with incredible support from the families involved.”

With adherence to Covid guidelines taking center stage, the school opened its doors to 60-plus students in pre-kindergarten to eighth grade.

From lining up in social distancing lines outside the building prior to the opening bell to adherence to mask and distancing guidelines in the halls and classrooms, Dixon staff and students appeared ready to face the challenge.

“We want to keep the kids healthy,” Anderson said. “All the students are familiar with masks and other precautions. I like to compare it to wearing pads and helmets in football. They know the masks are meant to keep them healthy.”

Students are allowed to take off their masks once they are settled into their classrooms, which are set up to follow the 6-foot distance guidelines set forth by state and federal health officials.

In addition, each teacher in the school has a designated outdoor space they can use on good weather days to enhance exposure to fresh air. Visitors to the school are required to sign in and don a mask and are provided with hand sanitizing solutions.

A supply of face shields is also on hand. Staff have all been trained on the use of no-contact thermometers and each student is tested every morning. Each student is issued two masks per day, and those masks can be cleaned and reused.

“We worked pretty hard on this all summer,” Anderson said. “This year is definitely more intense than other years. We all follow updates and changes every day to the guidelines on-line.”

The school will be open five days a week unless changes are mandated due to virus case increases across the state and area. There are also provisions in place that allow parents to opt out of the in-person learning, an option which so far has been chosen by five students and their families.

In the event a student reports to school with possible Covid symptoms, including a fever above 100 degrees, a plan is in place to isolate the student until he or she can be taken home.

Anderson said the intense nature of the planning has produced some positive things as well.

“We are learning a lot from this situation,” she said. “All we learn will be helpful in dealing with any similar situations that may arise in the future.”

In at least the first several days of class, the school day for students will end at 2:30 p.m. as opposed to the normal 3:30 p.m. dismissal time.

The extra hour helps reduce potential student and staff exposure while at the same time allowing teachers and staff to have a daily meeting to discuss what’s working and what needs improvement.

Parents and students can check the school’s website and Facebook site daily to stay informed of potential changes to procedure and hours.

“Technology can be a very positive, powerful tool when used for these purposes,” Anderson said. “We are going to do everything we possibly can to keep these kids healthy.”

Kyler Rutz, a fourth and fifth grade teacher agreed that pre-planning has been very important to the good start.

“We met quite a bit over the summer,” he said. “The kids have been very receptive to the changes we’ve made. The support from the community has also been a big factor. I love being in this community, it is a good place to be.”