May 28, 2021

Decorah Community School District is committed to providing transparent, accurate data regarding cases of isolation and/or quarantining related to COVID-19 while maintaining the confidentiality of students and staff. On September 18, the Iowa Department of Public Health and Iowa Department of Education released guidance to school districts and local public health agencies detailing communication of COVID-19 related data.

The Iowa Department of Public Health guidance can be found here.

Summary Positive COVID-19 

• Of approximately 290 Staff – Thirty-two (32) positive COVID-19, Thirty-two (32) recovered
• Of approximately 1575 On-site students – One hundred-twenty-two (122) positive COVID-19, One hundred-twenty-two (122) recovered

County and District Trend Data

The graphs below reflect county and district data taken each Tuesday and Thursday since school began.

In his last letter to families for this school year, Superintendent Mark Lane wrote, “Last summer, district staff spent many hours developing our DCSD Return to Learn Plan. The Iowa Department of Education approved our plan in July and our board approved our plan August 10, 2020, and then approved updates October 14, 2020. Today, I asked our staff to review the introduction to our plan and the priorities we had indicated would guide our deployment and to reflect on how we had individually and collectively worked through this unique year.”

“We appreciate the critical role students, families, and our community played in helping us carry out our plan. Thank you for your partnership and for allowing us to serve your students each day.”

DCSD RETURN TO LEARN PLAN INTRODUCTION

• (State approved July 1, 2020, & Board approved August 10, 2020 and updated October 14, 2020)

The purpose of the Decorah Community Schools Return to Learn Plan outlined in this document is to maximize in-person learning opportunities in the event that school cannot resume at full capacity due to COVID-19. Our intent is to provide in-person learning to the greatest extent possible, while also taking prudent steps to keep our students, staff, and community safe and adhering to any applicable public health orders. 

This plan is based on available public health information at the time of its creation. The plan will be adjusted based on newly available data and guidance from national, state, and local public health officials. We greatly appreciate your support of our collaborative efforts to ensure the education and health of the entire Decorah Schools community.

Our Priorities:

• Student learning and well-being
• Staff capacity to carry out the work
• Equity across all student groups
• Developmentally appropriate, quality student opportunities
• Feasibility of deployment

Lane continued, “I hope you are able to read this statement about what we said we were going to do this year and recall daily actions that aligned with this plan.”

“Our students and staff worked incredibly hard this year, and I encourage everyone to take the summer to relax and rejuvenate. We continue with regular planning for the 2021-2022 school year. You can expect communication about registration and back-to-school events later in the summer,” Lane concluded.