Dear Red Cloud and Our Lady of Lourdes Families.

 

As we begin the new school year, I want to express the privilege it is to work with such amazing students, staff, and families.  I am excited to begin this next year with all of you. In spite of the pandemic difficulties, Red Cloud and Our Lady of Lourdes continue to pursue excellence -- spiritually, academically, and in our Lakota language and heritage. Thank you for responding to the surveys; we appreciate your feedback.  

 

Model:

We will begin the year in the all virtual model. Student success in this model is our highest priority, and we are currently working on getting out schedules regarding several issues: class schedules, lunch distribution, technology management, and back to school night.  We know that we need to create partnerships with families, and we are working to establish supports for this model. Never hesitate to call the schools with questions. Starting school virtually is a complicated process, and we have spent the summer learning how to make this the best environment possible.

 

Schedules: 

The individual schools will share schedules in the upcoming weeks.  Additionally, we will share information and training opportunities that will help families support the learning of their children. We have adopted new software that we hope will make this learning environment more accessible and to encourage a positive experience for all students. We understand that virtual learning can be difficult for families, and are in the process of putting safeguards in place to ensure that the needs of our students are met. 

 

Chromebook distribution:  

Chromebooks will be available for pickup by appointment beginning August 17.  Information regarding how to set up an appointment will be coming from the individual school sites.

 

Lunches: 

We will distribute lunches via the bus routes only (no pickup sites) beginning on August 28th to our students in the following basic manner:

 

The Process will be as follows:

• Busses will leave both the Red Cloud and the OLL sites at 3:00 PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: Returning to the site by 4:30 PM 

 

• The Meals sent on Monday will be for Tuesday

• The Meals sent on Tuesday will be for Wednesday and Thursday

• The Meals sent on Thursday will be for Friday

• The Meals sent on Friday will be for Monday

In the event that we do not have school on Monday: 

• The Meals sent on Friday will be for Tuesday

• The Meals sent on Tuesday will be for  Wednesday and Thursday

• The Meals sent out on Thursday will be for Friday

• The Meals sent on Friday will be for Monday.

High school students living in the Manderson, Porcupine, Kyle area will be served by OLL delivery teams

 

We have been approved for serving lunches on days that we have school and cannot send out lunches for the weekend or any days that are non-school days. Check the School Calendar to identity non-school days.  If you have questions about bus stop locations for your family, please contact Danielle Merrival at 867-5888 for the Red Cloud sites and Lenore Locke at 867-2801 for Our Lady of Lourdes. Lunch runs will depart from Red Cloud and Our Lady of Lourdes at 3:00 PM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Students and families can pick up the lunches at their normal bus stop, we will not be using the churches as pick up sites this year.  More information on signing up for lunches will be coming out next week. 

 

Back to School:  

The traditional Back to School event will not be possible, but we understand the importance of teachers and parents connecting.  We will be doing Back to School Zoom meetings where parents can pop in on line to meet the teacher.  These meetings will be set up over the course of the week of August 24-28, and you will be hearing from the principals regarding how and when to attend.   

 

Athletics:

Red Cloud will be following the Tribal Shelter in Place Ordinance: at this time, the ordinance does not allow for Fall Sports. Red Cloud Schools will continue to support and adhere to the tribal ordinances. Sports will resume when the ordinance changes to allow them. We are, at this time, able to keep the individual workouts. If you have any questions, please contact the principal at your site. 

 

Important Start of the Year Events: 

• August 24 -28 Back to School Zooms (schedule to be announced)

• August 17- 21 Chromebook distribution by appointment

• Monday, August 31:  First Day of School grades Kinder through 9th Grade

• Tuesday, September 1 First Day of School for 10th through 12th Grade

• September 7: No School/ Labor Day

• September 16 RC parent-teacher conferences: 1:00 dismissal

• September 17 OLL parent-teacher conferences: 1:00 dismissal

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Sincerely, 

Moira Coomes

Superintendent

Red Cloud Indian School