Sign of the times as schools reopen Aug. 20 in Fallon County. PHOTO/Brad Mosher
The parking lots at Baker High School have filled up after being almost empty for about six months as students return to campus.
School off to good start under new COVID guidelines By Brad Mosher
bmosher@countrymedia.net
Local schools have started the new school year, walking a proverbial tightrope between meeting the educational and health needs of the students, the faculty, the staff and the parents. In an age of COVID-19 guidelines established by state and local health officials, students are returning to their campuses in Fallon County. In Plevna, the students have returned and have adapted to the changes made to mitigate the possibility of any exposure, according to the school superintendent, Nick Schumacher. “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to use our continual improvement process. We have our plan in place. We implement our plan. We collect data on how things are going and make little adjustments to it,” he explained Tuesday. The school is following the guidelines on its back to school plan which was approved by the school board, according to the superintendent. If a student says he is not feeling well, the student’s temperature is taken in the office. The student would first be evaluated by the teacher and sent to the office, Rasmussen explained. “Any student with a temperature above 100 degrees would be sent home for the day. The fever needs to be controlled for more than 24 hours without medication before the student is eligible to go back to school. “On the last page of our back to school plan we do have a daily health screening checklist that is a resource for parents that they can use when their child is not feeling well,” the superintendent said. “There have little bumps along the way, but we have very understanding students. Many of our faculty and staff are willing to go above and beyond … and do whatever it takes to meet the needs of the kids. “Our kids really deserve our very best this year,” Schumacher stressed. “We offer two educational choices this school year.... on-site with physical distancing or a real-time synchronous off-site instruction,” he said. Most of the students enrolled in Plevna are in the on-site teaching plan. A small group of students and families have made the off-site instruction decision, he said. The school has made some small changes to the plan since the students returned to the campus Aug. 20, but the plan is continuing to hold. “Our plan is continuing to make the best environment possible for educating our students this year.” The school is continuing to review the back to school plan, he added.
“We collect data and information based upon the implementation of the plan and constantly make small changes to make the plan better fit the needs of our kids,” the superintendent explained. Baker students return The faculty and administration at Baker have seen students return to campus for the first time in about six months. The school, students and faculty have adapted well to the new setup in the district, according to Superintendent Aaron Skogen. There are a few students and families who have opted for the off-site learning plan, according to the superintendent. “As of right now, things have been going pretty well, as planned,” he said Wednesday morning. “Obviously, it is a new situation for all of us and each kid has got to keep more space between them than they normally would have done. But, we had a lot of planning which went into the opening before we got to this point.” “I think we had a good framework ahead of time.” The students have been able to adapt to the new normal. “The students have been really good. We have sanitized every time before we leave the classroom when we are changing periods.” “When we are in the hallways, all the students and staff wear a mask. Our students and staff have been great at doing that,” he said. “We have been very fortunate to keep our bell schedule and our day schedule moving.” The school has been busy preparing for the return of the students, at all levels, the superintendent explained. “Our principals have been busy making minor adjustments here and there …. things that just needed to be tweaked or things they wanted to try.” “For example, our food service has been a big adjustment for us because we don’t have everyone eating in the cafeteria. We are delivering some meals to Lincoln Elementary for them to eat there. We do have some in the cafeteria.” “Our middle school – seventh and eighth grade – they will go to the cafeteria and eat in the cafeteria. For our nine through 12 (students), we open up our complex in our lobby and concession areas – put some tables out. We bring meals up to them,” the superintendent explained. “Normally, we had everybody just eating together. Now, it is staggered to where we have limited numbers,” he explained. He praised the food service workers for their ability to adapt to the new situation and requirements. “They have been phenomenal. They are working really hard to help us straighten all this out.,” he said.
New vocational teacher brings wealth of experience
Staff Report
There are many sides to Baker’s new driving instructor. Terry Roelfsema had been retired, but decided to head back into the classroom. The draw of eastern Montana was just too strong. Roelfsema has signed on to teach
woodworking, construction, sheet metal, electrical/electronics, drafting and at the middle school, in addition to his time behind the wheel of a car. An Army veteran who served in the Signal Corps, he got his Bachelor degree in vocational education at the University of Wyoming in 1981. The following year, he was teaching in Gillette. Over the years since, Roelfsema moved into private industry and even became a minister. Roelfsema has taught Automotive Technology in Miles City and General Industrial Arts in Terry. It was that knowledge and affinity for eastern Montana which called him back to teaching, he said. “I was retired and living north of Sheridan, WY where my wife of 46 years and I own a home.”
“I accepted the teaching job in Baker because I taught several years in eastern Montana and really love this part of the state because in many ways it is like eastern Wyoming. The kids here are great and terrific to work with.” “I am passionate about Vocational Education and getting students excited about skilled trades,” he added. “As a driver’s education teacher, I want to prepare drivers to drive in a manner that they are citation and collision free throughout their driving years,” he added. Roelfsema and his wife have three daughters, seven grandchildren, five of whom are boys with the oldest 21 and the youngest is three weeks old. Roelfsema also has a Masters of Education from Montana State University-Billings (2007) and another masters from Liberty University.
Rick Brown
Baker Wrestling Club – 2020 Demolition Derby The Baker Wrestling Club held their Annual Demolition Derby during the Fallon County Fair August 16, 2020. Derby Heat Results: The Best Paint Job - sponsored by Sander Rentals - $250.00 to the winner Judged by Ed Susa, Jim Reetz and Zack Tysver 1st place winner – Noah Harriman from Bowman 2nd place – Abagayel Stonebrink from Baker 3rd place – Ashton Afrank from Baker Derby Car Heats – advanced to Grand Finale Heat 1 winners – LaMarr Boehm & Roddy Zinda both from Glendive Heat 2 winners – Kurt Brown & Pat Zeimer both from Glendive Heat 3 winners – Jerrit Schmierer from Glendive & Kyle Shear from Baker Grudge Heat winners – Brittan Schell & Crystal Green both from Baker Teen Herby Race Heats - advanced to the Championship Race Heat 1 winners – Trevin Lecoe from Marmarth & Keely Heaton-Custer from Baker Heat 2 winners – Jerrick Moser from Baker & Reese Lecoe from Marmarth Heat 3 winners – Jackson Moser & Jayda Harbaugh both from Baker Grudge Heat winners - Kyson Barth & Terrance Adamson both from Baker High School Heat - sponsored by Bank of Baker and TC Shelhamer - $1,200 payout 1st place Trophy donated by Baker Metal, painted by Baker Body Shop 1st place winner – Casey Zeimer from Glendive 2nd place winner – Ashton Afrank from Baker Truck Derby Heat - sponsored by Reynolds Supermarket & Boomhower Construction $2,000 payout 1st place Belt Trophy donated by Gorder Welding 1st place winner – Rick Brown from Baker 2nd place winner – Pat Zeimer from Glendive Teen Herby Championship Race - sponsored by D-D Welding, Brownz Demo and Mike & Connie Dowling - $1,250 payout
1st – 4th place Trophy’s donated by Baker Metal, painted by Baker Body Shop 1st place winner – Jerrick Moser from Baker 2nd place winner – Kyson Barth from Baker 3rd place winner – Terrance Adamson from Baker 4th place winner – Jayda Harbaugh from Baker 5th place winner – Trevin Lecoe from Marmarth 6th place winner – Reese Lecoe from Marmarth 7th place winner – Keely Heaton-Custer from Baker 8th place winner – Jackson Moser from Baker Grand Finale Heat – sponsored by Baker Wrestling Club, DeGrand Angus Ranch, Griffith Excavating, S&A Trucking, Straub Heating & Cooling, American Legion, B&B Septic Service, F&D Oilfield Services - $4,500 payout 1st – 3rd place Trophy’s donated by Baker Metal, painted by Baker Body Shop 1st place winner – Brittan Schell from Baker 2nd place winner – Crystal Green from Baker 3rd place winner – Kyle Shear from Baker The Grand Finale Calcutta – Auctioneers were Scott Buckmeir & Kelly Spring 1st – 3rd place winners: 1st place – Janel Miller 2nd place – Hance Ag Repair 3rd place – Rochelle Conroy Most Aggressive Driver – sponsored by Jake & Wendy Wagner family - $200 Stan Wagner Memorial Trophy donated by Baker Metal, painted by Baker Body Shop Winner - Brittan Schell from Baker Bekki Rambur was the 50/50 winner this year The Baker Wrestling Club had 60 girls and boys signed up this year and traveled to 13 tournaments, in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Anyone interested in joining us for the 2021 season, check out our Facebook page under Baker Wrestling Club or get in touch with our past/present family members. Thanks again to everyone involved that either helped in any way and came to watch this year, see you all again next year…