As parents send their children back to school in Dixon this fall, they should be apprised of the plans the school is making to ensure the safety of their kids. Dixon has posted their plan on the school website, which is broken down into protocols to be followed depending on the phase the state is in. Throughout the entire plan, the school ensures the public that they will be taking every precaution and will be sanitizing and cleaning every hour.

Dixon will be enforcing social distancing within classes as well as limiting the number of students per class, however, the base number of students already per class makes that job much easier. They will also be limiting attendees to events and will be altering scheduling to avoid students from other classes mixing. “We will be encouraging teachers to have class outside whenever possible, while the weather permits,” said Dixon School Secretary Shawna Olsen. Recess will also be staggered as will entry and dismissal times. Before entry, students will line up in grade levels and will have their temperatures taken in their classrooms, according to Olsen.

There will be a paraprofessional on the busses to take the temperatures of students entering the busses and students will be grouped in family units, separated from the others. The staff will also be tested daily, and face coverings or masks will be required in certain areas and at certain times. The school will stagger lunch times to keep up social distancing.

The school has ordered an antibacterial fogging machine to aid in cleaning and is asking that parents keep their kids at home if they, or any household members show signs of sickness. The main goal of the school, according to Dixon School staff, is to provide a safe learning environment for the fall. “We are excited for the kids to have something normal in their lives,” said Olsen, “we have missed our kids and can’t wait to see them again.”