Going Viral: Lessons Learned During the Covid-19 Pandemic

The community of Moville, Iowa and the Woodbury Central School District is grieving the loss of a beloved middle school social studies teacher and volleyball coach. Siouxland Public Media reached out to Woodbury Central School Board Member Donny Reblitz who shares more information about the life of 53-year-old Cherie Dandurand. Reblitz is a contributor to the Siouxland Public Media Special Project “Going Viral: Lesson’s Learned During the Pandemic.

The Sioux City Community School Board took action to try and slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep students and staff safe. Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer with a wrap-up of last night’s meeting. The Sioux City Community School Board unanimously voted Monday night to return to hybrid learning after Winter Break on January 4, 2020. The district started the first two-weeks with students either attending class on Monday-Thursday or Tuesday-Friday. After lengthy and sometimes contentious

The Sioux City Community School Board took action to try and slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep students and staff safe. Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer with a wrap-up of last night’s meeting. The Sioux City Community School Board unanimously voted Monday night to return to hybrid learning after Winter Break on January 4, 2020. The district started the first two-weeks with students either attending class on Monday-Thursday or Tuesday-Friday. After lengthy and sometimes contentious

West High School Counselor Bernie Scolaro talked to SPM's Sheila Brummer about her personal battle with COVID-19 and thoughts on school safety. Scolaro has worked at West High School for more than 20 years and also spent time at Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools and at Catholic Charities as a counselor. She is the current Vice President of the Siouxland Uniserv Unit for teachers and is the Past President of the Sioux City Education Association.

Two members of the Sioux City Community School Board say the district needs to be more transparent when it comes to releasing information about COVID-19 so they can make informed decisions during the pandemic. A weekly report is expected tomorrow. One of the two members, Dan Greenwell, talked to SPM’s Sheila Brummer about concerns he shares with board member Taylor Goodvin. Full statement from the Sioux City Community School District: The Sioux City Community School District is working

The debate continues on K-12 education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Iowa’s Governor wants to keep students in class. A recent survey teachers in the Sioux City Community School district showed only 10% wanted to continue with in-person learning. Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer explores the issue with a couple of long-time educator, union leader and school administrator. Bernie Scolaro, a school counselor at West High School in Sioux City, caught COVID-19 in early November. She spent

New restrictions imposed by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds kicked in Tuesday to try and reduce infection numbers and hospitalizations due to COVID-19. They include requiring masks in all public and state buildings in certain circumstances. Siouxland Public Media reached out to Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott and he shared his thoughts on enforcement, the local hospital surge and pandemic fatigue as he faces an autoimmune disease putting him at higher risk for complications if he contracts the virus.

Emotions run high when it comes to education during COVID-19; parents with varying outlooks, teachers' unions worried about safety and school leader trying to balance health and education. Siouxland Public Media reached out to members of the Sioux City Community School District's Board of Directors for their opinions. Statement from Sioux City School Board Member Dan Greenwell: "We are mitigating the virus at the classroom, grade-level, and building when necessary. Yes, our community rate has

The head of the Sioux City Education Association again expressed concern about school buildings being used as voting locations. During Monday night’s Sioux City Community School Board meeting, union leader Kris Snavely urged board members to change future calendars to give students the day off during major elections. She suggested teachers participate in a professional development workday instead. Snavely first brought the issue up to the board last month after hearing polling places would take

The Sioux City Community School District addressed increasing absences with staff and students due to COVID-19. Even though no official action was taken, Siouxland Public Media's Sheila Brummer has more on the increasing concern with some school leaders when it comes to keeping students and staff safe. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Paul Gausman says some buildings in the district are getting close to moving to virtual learning only. The state of Iowa allows a school district to move to virtual