Meri Skilliter, Ada school superintendent, posted the following message on the school website concerning the school's teaching plan beginning Jan. 4, 2021:

We certainly appreciate all of the adapting and adjusting our families and students (and staff) have done over the last year as we traverse this pandemic. 

We were exceptionally thrilled to welcome students back to the building two weeks ago. While five days a week is optimum, it was good for all of us to have them back, at least a couple of days in person, to reconnect and assist them in person as needed. 

What a unique way to end a semester.  As always, our students have been flexible and resilient.  

We wanted to let you know what our plans for returning to school after the holiday break are. After looking at our own statistics and consulting with the health department, we have determined that we will plan to return on Monday, Jan. 4, on the same hybrid model we have been using for the last two weeks. 

We plan to operate on that plan for two weeks. There is some concern that holiday gatherings could cause a surge in cases. This plan will allow us to continue to distance students from one another to minimize spread and large numbers of quarantines, should we have cases arise. 

We should have an idea if there is a surge within about 10 days after the holidays (the last being New Year's).  We will analyze our numbers and consult the health department and make a decision for the week of Jan. 19-22. 

Our ultimate goal is get all of our students back five days a week, but also keep our students and staff safe and healthy.  We will communicate mid to late week of Jan. 13-15 about the plan going forward.

Please understand that we have used all of the information and expertise we have to make this decision, and we have learned that much can happen in a short amount of time during a pandemic. 

This plan is, obviously, subject to change should conditions, numbers, or mandates change.  We will communicate any need to change this plan with you via community updates and text alert as we have throughout this pandemic. 

We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.  We know this is not easy on anyone.  

During the break, should your child be diagnosed or presumed to have Covid, please email Mrs. Skilliter ([email protected]). 

We must report our numbers to the health department each week, even over break, and those numbers are critical to our understanding of how our specific population is doing. 

We appreciate this communication.  It is helpful to us if you give us the date symptoms started and date of positive test (if they have one). This allows us to approximate when they may be able to return.