We are excited to share a new MCS Covid-19 mcshub specifically dedicated to Mason City Schools’ COVID-19 response, resources, and updates.
4/6/2020 Update
We want to take a moment and recognize how challenging this COVID-19 event is right now. There are a lot of unknowns, and every day brings new information.
Watch this video of our staff and families sharing that while we may not be together physically, we are still in this together. And we are still Mason.
As of today at 2pm, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mason City Schools, and 4,450 confirmed cases in Ohio. Below are responses to common questions from our families and the public.
I’ve read some concerning things about some of the online platforms like Zoom. How is Mason protecting students while they are online?
Mason City Schools takes the safety and privacy of our staff and students seriously. Lately, numerous Zoom meetings have been hijacked by inappropriate content. We've chosen not to use Zoom with our students. Teachers may offer opportunities to connect via live video call (for example, through Google Meet) but they will not be required. Teachers may also use asynchronous video-based technologies, such as FlipGrid and SeeSaw, to communicate with students. Our staff and students use Google on a daily basis, and during this period of time we're leaning heavily on frequently used tools and software versus adding new tools. We know there's no perfect tool for video conferencing, and as adults we have strong preferences.
How can parents keep children safe online?
Our Innovative Systems Department has developed an online parent course for keeping your child safe online. The course includes strategies for keeping your child safe while they’re connected to the internet, sharing available hardware options to set time limits and prevent specific sites, and offering software options to protect your child.
I thought we were off school on Friday for a Personal Learning Day. What’s happening now?
Because we have had quite a bit of disruption and about a week of Personal Learning Days before and after Spring Break while we transitioned to Remote Learning, we determined it would be best for staff and families to not have another day of students missing some of their newly established routines. That being said, our Remote Learning Experience plan is asynchronous learning, and does not require students to complete given assignments on a specific day or time. If your family requires more flexibility, please reach out to your child’s teacher(s).
How can we support our commUNITY?
#CometCarryout: This is a very crucial time for our local businesses, especially those in hospitality. Consider supporting our local businesses on this list.
Participate in the Chamber’s MADE to Eat Takeout Blitz and see how many local restaurants you can support. In addition, donate to Joshua’s Place and choose “Comet Carryout” and you can bless a family in need with a meal from one of our local businesses.
Making Masks for MCS Workers: The CDC is now advising Americans to voluntarily wear a basic cloth or fabric face mask when they go out to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus. If you are a crafty person and willing to help make cloth masks for Mason City Schools workers, we would love to take them!