Cavalier County
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Republican
Single Copy Volume 134
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In this issue:
Copyright © Langdon, North Dakota
CHS recently donated $124,000 to North Dakota and northern Minnesota food banks, read more on Page 5. Jake's Take on Sports can be found on Page 9.
Index
OPINION AG CHURCH COMMUNITY SPORTS CLASSIFIED PN PRO DIR
PAGE 4 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 8 PAGE 9 PAGE 10 PAGE 11
In a special meeting held August 3, the Langdon Area School Board unanimously approved plans to tentatively return to face-to-face learning for the upcoming school year. This decision came with a risk level framework divided into five phases, outlining that the school may need to return to varying levels of distance learning depending on state-level guidance and community safety. Two individual plans formulated by a special committee, made up of administration, staff, students, community members, parents, County health authorities, and board members, were submitted. The primary plan, Return to Learning Plan, outlines guidance and protocols for student and staff safety in regards to face-to-face learning. The second, Distance Learning Plan 2020-2021, exclusively outlines plans for various levels of distance learning. These plans were presented to the board after extensive deliberations on how to approach uncertainties the school may face in relation to the COVID-19 epidemic. Many aspects of preepidemic school culture have and will continue to be adjusted. With many members of the community anxious to hear what changes will be implemented, the school strove to outline what the community should expect. It was previously noted that an implementation of a five-phase
risk assessment will be implemented. These five phases are organized into three response levels in relation to risk. Respectively, they are color coded as Blue/Green, Yellow, and Orange/ Red. Blue/Green represents the new normal level of operation. Standard precautions will be observed. Yellow classifies a heightened exposure risk, with viral transmission still under control.
With this outlined, many may wonder what the new normal will look like. With school grounds opening amid a Blue/ Green “new normal” level, individuals can expect to see a higher-level of precautions. For example, students, staff, and visitors will be required to wear face coverings when moving around the building. Signs advising this will be placed at all
Orange/Red represents significant risk with a high likelihood of exposure. Following these risk levels, the school will observe open grounds with restrictions in a Blue/Green stage; a mixture of distance learning and open grounds for Yellow, and closed grounds and distance learning only for Orange/Red. It’s also important to note that students at risk or households who are uncomfortable sending students to school facilities, will be permitted to choose distance learning from day one.
entrances to school grounds. Face coverings have emerged as the primary tool against COVID transmission and are often associated with medical masks. However, in addition to masks, bandanas, scarves, or any other readily available cloth article that covers both the nose and mouth to prevent large droplets from becoming airborne will be permitted. It is recommended by the Center for Disease Control that if reusable coverings are implemented, they be washed after each use. They state that
College students excited to return to campus as schools release reopening plans By SYDNEY HOOVER frustrated that it won’t be as be her age and wanting to go ND Newspaper Association normal as it was last year,” she out and do her own thing,” Erin said, “but I’m more excited just said. “But the parent side always After an abrupt end to cam- because I know it’s worth it to kicks in as well, and you want to pus life during the spring se- see my friends and get back make sure they’re always safe mester, North Dakota college into the groove and everything and protected.” NDSU’s current status with students are eager to get back of school. But I hope that everyregard to COVID-19 is at https:// to school this fall but nervous one is able to stay healthy.” Madison’s mom, Erin Wood, www.ndsu.edu/police_safety/ for how campus life will be affected by the coronavirus pan- said it was tough for her daugh- covid_19_preparedness_and_ demic. In the past weeks, uni- ter to switch to online and get response/ For NDSU sophomore Destiversities across the nation have pulled out of a normal college nee Petsinger, of released plans Grand Forks, and for returning to her friends, the campus and inprospect of reperson classes. turning to camMost schools pus seems too have adopted good to be true. for a hybrid She said many model, allowof her peers fear ing for students recent outbreaks to choose how will lead to the much time school going onthey are in class line for the enin-person. tirety of the fall Madison semester. Wood, of Crary, “They don’t N.D., a sophoeven think that more at North Dakota State Madison Wood (second on right) performs with the NDSU it’s actually goUniversity in dance team at a football game in 2019. She and her friends ing to happen; it’s kind of an Fargo, said are eager to return to campus this fall. oblivion kind of that as a busithinking that it’s ness major she life, but the family understands just going to get worse, which didn’t find the move to courses online too difficult, and she will the necessity of hunkering will lead to us not even returntake a mix of online and in-per- down to stop the virus from ing in the fall,” Petsinger said. Schools have also established son classes this fall. She said, spreading. She said sending Madison back to school brings face mask rules for students, more than anything, being back on campus with her friends and mixed feelings, as she wants her staff and visitors to campus. peers will provide a sense of to have the freedoms of any col- Madison Wood said she undernormalcy, even though the se- lege student, but she also wants stands the rules, but she and her her to stay safe and healthy. friends think it will be weird not mester will look different. “I remember what it’s like to “I am a little bit nervous and cont. on page 2
Farmers & Merchants State Bank 816 3rd Street, Langdon, ND 58249
(701)256-5431 • www.fmbanklangdon.com
Member FDIC
Monday, August 10, 2020
Number 32
Langdon Area School Board approves plan for 2020-21 school year By Adam Johnston Republican Writer
Turn to Page 3 to read the latest from the Cavalier County Commission.
Official Newspaper of Cavalier County Published since 1889
face coverings can be washed in regular laundry using laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for respective material. (CDC) While students and staff will be required to provide these items themselves, disposable masks will be present for visitors that need them. These coverings will be required in hallways, common areas, and busses. In exception to this is classrooms and lunch periods. During these times, depending on the risk phase, social distancing will be integrated to allow individuals to remove said coverings. One other exception to this rule will be implemented in the elementary school. There, some teaching staff will wear face shields. This exception is with a concern that it is critical for the development of the lower grade levels to see the pronunciation of phonics from their teachers. The school has also warned that social distancing isn’t always possible on busses. Participants in school transportation should understand that there are risks associated. With this stated, no individual will be allowed on the bus without wearing a face covering. Guardians can expect to see a questionnaire to determine individuals that are at a heightened risk from infection. This will allow the school to present these individuals with alternative learning methods if necessary. Staff will start the year with the necessary training to effeccont. on page 2
CCMH welcomes new ambulance director By Melissa Anderson Republican Writer Cavalier County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) has focused on how they can best serve the community from the beginning. Recently, they added to their staff a new ambulance director in Chris Sanders, whose focus on community matches CCMH perfectly. “I am originally from Missouri. I am married, and my wife’s name is Melinda, and my son, Levi, is 26. I started on July 6, and I am loving the community and the area along with the support from the hospital staff and administration. It has been very welcoming and positive. It was a good move for us,” Sanders said. Sanders has been a paramedic for 32 years and holds a Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management and a Master's degree in Disaster Planning and Emergency Management. His experience is extensive, having worked at busy services that do 911 and emergent transfers in the rural setting to international EMS. “I was overseas, where I was the Paramedic Director for the Saudi Red Crescent Authority
which is a sister organization to the International Red Cross, and basically we modernized their EMS system based on United States standards and brought it to an ALS (advanced life support) service with paramedics,” Sanders explained. “I have worked in various management rolls over the years. I have worked in both the public and private sectors of EMS and feel I am able to bring domestic and international experience to my job.” His travels have brought him and his family from a small, rural town in Missouri to a small, rural town in North Dakota, proving that nothing beats the small-town setting. Sanders and his family, including Gracie, a Golden Retriever, enjoy the small things in life. This includes going to antique markets and outdoor sports. Sanders and his son are both into shooting and love the gun range. Outdoor sportsman to the core, they also love to fish, and Sanders admits he loves duck and goose hunting. “We came through the Dakotas a few years ago on a road trip vacation and really loved the area and what it has to ofcont. on page 3
Congratulations to the baseball teams on their finishes at the State Tournaments!
12U finshed 4th Babe Ruth finished 2nd