The Pella School Board approved proposed courses at Pella High School during their meeting Monday.
The following classes are now added for academic year 2021-22: Ag Internship, Ag Leadership, Event & Meeting Management, and Computer Science Principles I & II
Additionally, a new video coordinator position was approved the individual is responsible for creating video content and assisting live streams throughout the Pella Community School District.
The board also reviewed results from a district climate survey, and approved a resolution for modified supplemental amounts for At-Risk Dropout Prevention and an affirmative action plan.
Following regular business, the board started the annual evaluation process for Superintendent Greg Ebeling, and went into closed session for discussion.
The Pella School Board will review proposed courses at Pella High School during their meeting Monday.
The board will consider approval of the following classes for academic year 2020-21: Ag Internship, Ag Leadership, Event & Meeting Management, and Computer Science Principles I & II
Additionally, a new video coordinator position will be reviewed the job, if approved, would have an individual responsible for creating video content and assisting live streams throughout the Pella Community School District.
The board will also review results form a district climate survey, a resolution for modified supplemental amount for At-Risk Dropout Prevention, and an affirmative action plan.
Area schools are preparing for the return of students in person following winter break.
The Pella Community School District reported some of its lowest absentee rates of the entire semester just before the holiday, with 22 students absent on December 21st five of whom were for a positive COVID-19 test, and just 17 for other reasons. Just below two percent of the entire district population was quarantined and participating in remote learning, which was also one of the lowest marks since that data set was first released, and staff absenteeism was at 1.1 percent.
Superintendent Greg Ebeling says overall, their goal is to remain in person with a mix of virtual options for families opting into remote learning and individuals needing to self-isolate.
While COVID-19 concerns have cancelled in-person classes and activities in south central Iowa and across the state, the Pella Community School District has largely been able to forge ahead with little-to-no impact on daily routines.
Pella Schools Superintendent Greg Ebeling says staff and administrators have worked with students and families to keep education in person whenever possible for the majority of the district’s population, while at the same time aiming to provide virtual and remote options for families who opted to do so or for those in COVID-19 quarantine.
Pella Middle School Student Council members Sydney Namminga, Isabella Ebersole, Alexander Demuth, and Ben Wilcox all say it’s been important for them to have some sense of normalcy, especially after missing out on school this past spring and many activities and other events since the beginning of the pandemic.