Perry Community School District Superintendent Clark Wicks announced Thursday a phased return to school district operations that will start next week, following the deadly Jan. 4 shooting at Perry High School that left two dead and seven injured.
The phased return will begin at the elementary and middle schools. The use of the high school building will be delayed pending the completion of necessary repairs, Wicks said.
Wednesday, Jan. 17 will bring an open house for parents and students of the Perry Elementary School from 2-5:30 p.m. Free counseling services will be available at the school. Perry Elementary School students will return to the classroom Thursday, Jan. 18 and will have early dismissal at 2 p.m.
On Thursday, Jan. 18, Perry Middle School students and parents will also attend an open house at the middle school from 2-5:30 p.m., with free counseling services available. Perry Middle School students will return to the classroom Friday, Jan. 19, with an early dismissal at 1:45 p.m. that day.
The early dismissals will continue at both the elementary and middle schools “until all three buildings are ready for a full day,” Wicks said. District leaders are still discussing plans for the phased return at Perry High School, he said, and all information will be shared when it becomes available.
Wicks said the PACES before-and-after-school learning center will resume operations Thursday, Jan. 18. He noted that all extracurricular competitions for the school district are postponed until Tuesday, Jan. 16.
Wicks said decisions are being made with parents’ concerns for the safety of their children foremost in mind.
“The administrative team is actively discussing the enhanced safety and security measures for our return to school,” he said in a statement issued one week after the gun rampage that devastated the rural tranquility of the small town in central Iowa. “First and foremost, the health and wellness of our students is the top priority.”
Wicks offered “some rationale” for decisions about extracurricular activities, including the following bullet points:
- Based on feedback we have received, some students, coaches and sponsors are not yet ready to compete in any type of setting.
- Administration understands the concerns of students and parents. However, a priority is being placed on making sure everything is in-place for getting students, faculty and staff back into our schools for learning. We want this to be a week of healing and honoring those impacted.
- After careful review of the situation, district leaders decided to postpone participation in competitions for all middle school and high school students until at least Jan. 16.
- A priority has been placed on reconnecting coaches and sponsors with their student participants, so practices or meetings are occurring this week, but at the discretion of the coach or sponsor.
- Operationally, the high school facilities cannot be used at this time, so rescheduling everything on short notice is not realistic. Getting our students to and from competitions was also taken into consideration and was part of our decision-making process.
- We are making sure we stay in contact with the IHSAA, IGHSAU, IHSMA and the IHSSA to ensure our students and programs are taken care of when it comes to providing some flexibility and support as we return to competition.
- The administration is thankful for the outpouring of support and offers to help. Unfortunately, given all the reasons outlined above, we have not been able to act on these offers to assist.
- Contact coaches and sponsors with questions regarding practices.
Wicks also outlined other mental and physical resources available to people impacted by the gun violence. However, Friday’s severe winter storm has forced the cancelation of these services.
- Psychological counseling is available through the Heart of Iowa Community Services (www.hicsiowa.org), which can connect students needing counseling to long-term mental health support and care coordination services. Financial assistance is available for those without insurance or with limited insurance coverage. Contact Brandon Tews at brandon.tews@dallascountyiowa.gov or 515-993-1722.
- Easter Seals will provide virtual counseling on Friday, Jan. 12 through a confidential Zoom room. Join the Zoom meeting at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6388777999, Meeting ID: 638 877 7999. One-tap mobile (access from your phone in one touch) +16469313860,,6388777999# US. Dial in: 646-931-3860 meeting id 638 877 7999
- On Wednesday, Jan. 17 from 6-7 p.m., staff and families from Perry can join a secure Zoom meeting led by a psychologist. This month’s topic is working through grief and loss. This interactive webinar is available in both English and Spanish. To participate, pre-register using the link for your preferred language.
English: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qWjtEYSQTIS1yScbWm6fPQ#/registration
Spanish: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-3FhbxfETZ6M-PGJPm7rQw#/registration - The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs team of Eden, Gideon, Katie, Phineas, Charity and Joanna, along with their human handlers, are available by appointment. They will also be at the McCreary Community Building daily from approximately 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. and at other locations around the community. For more information, email coordinator@k9comfort.org or call or text 847-287-6612 to schedule a visit.
- Free childcare is available at the McCreary Community Building for school-age children from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Families with questions may also speak with a disaster relief resource coordinator at the MCB.
- Meals, snacks and activities will be provided at no cost at the MCB. Parents should escort their children into the MCB and sign them in. If the pick-up guardian will be different from the guardian who drops off, please make sure to include contact information (email and phone number). For more information, contact the McCreary Community Building at 515-465-5621
- Grab-and-go lunches will be available daily until further notice at the elementary school from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
