Schools back in session, with changes

New Prague Area Schools began its hybrid learning classes for the school year of 2020-21 on Thursday, Sept. 3, with half of their 4,103 students showing up as part of the program. The other half of the kindergarten through 12th grade students came to classes on Friday, Sept. 4. On both days the students who weren’t in school were participating in distance learning. NPAS’ program is due to changes brought from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“After two days, things went well,” said Director of Educational Services Tony Buthe, who is in charge as Supertindent Tim Dittberner is recovering from heart surgery. “It’s great having the kids and staff back together. It’s different having only half here, but I’ve talked to students and staff and they are excited to be back in school.”

Last week was to get both group of students in school and used to the program. For the rest of the school year, the plan is to have students in group A attend classes on Monday and Tuesday, students in group B attend classes on Thursday and Friday and Wednesday will be an alternating day for the two groups when they attend or learn at home. Buthe noted that out of the school’s total, 434 students have chosen to do distance learning through the entire school year.

There are other changes for each of the schools. For busing in of students,....

To see more on this story pick up the September 10, 2020 print edition of The New Prague Times.