Iowa-Grant School District

October 23rd, we start releasing at NOON on Fridays!

October 23, 2020

Dear IGSD Parents and Guardians, 

An educator from Iowa-Grant Elementary/Middle School has recently tested positive for COVID-19.  Through our contact tracing protocol, we have identified and notified all staff and families whose students have likely had close contact with the individual who tested positive.  The teacher who has tested positive for COVID-19 and anyone who had close contact with the individual will not return to the building for at least 14 days. The plan at this time is to remain open.  Please understand that this could change if additional cases are reported over the weekend.  

The health, safety, and well-being of our school community remains our top priority. We are following sound protocols aligned with expert health guidance to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect your health. We also want to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of wearing masks properly.  It is important that masks are worn over the nose and under the chin at all times. Daily laundering of masks is also necessary. Another reminder is to follow the 6’ social distance rule. The guideline for tracing a contact is that if you were near a positive individual less than 6’ and for more than 15 min, you will be considered a positive contact. Please take a moment to reiterate the importance of following these protective measures. Some individuals are getting lax with these expectations and we must all do our part.

The primary symptoms of COVID-19 include shortness of breath, coughing, and fever or chills. Other symptoms include congestion, sore throat, diarrhea, abdominal pain, body aches, and loss of taste or smell. Anyone who needs medical care should call their healthcare provider to report an illness or exposure to COVID-19 prior to seeking care. 

Currently, IGSD has been made aware of a total of 3 students and 2 staff members who have tested positive for COVID during the 2020-2021 school year.  All of the previously reported positive individuals are now healthy and back in school except this most recent individual.  At any one time, we have multiple students and staff who are out because of COVID symptoms/testing and being a close contact to an individual with COVID.  

We are closely monitoring this situation and will provide you with updates if any further steps are necessary. If you have questions about COVID-19 or need to report a positive case of COVID-19, please do not hesitate to contact our Nurse Sharon Friederick at sfriederick@igs.k12.wi.us.   My email address is shubbard@igs.k12.wi.us.  

Sincerely,

Stephanie Hubbard, Superintendent

October 16, 2020

Dear Iowa County Parents and Community Members: 

In late September 2020, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension in Iowa County sent out 6,643 surveys about broadband internet services in Iowa County.  We have been asked to send out a reminder to our school district parents and families in hopes that all of you will take the time to fill it out so the survey team has sound data about broadband internet as it exists now, the quality of that resource, and where we need improvements.  The survey team will use the data to apply for grants, look for other partners and financial resources, and develop plans to attract existing and new broadband internet service providers.

Not every household in Iowa County received a paper copy of the survey.  For example, if you live in the City of Dodgeville or the City of Mineral Point, you were not sent a paper survey.  It is likely that renters did not receive the mailed survey either since they would not have been part of the mailing list used for this process.  However, the survey team still values everyone’s input and welcomes your response to the online version of the survey preferably with a computer utilizing your home broadband internet service. 

If you are able to do the survey online, please go to https://bit.ly/35GrN1N.  You can request a mailed copy by calling 608-930-9850 and leaving your name and mailing address.  Surveys will be collected through October 30, 2020. 

Why is this survey so important?  As we are all aware, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) changed the world we live in.  Earlier this year, Safer-at-Home orders required most of us to think differently, act differently, learn differently, conduct our daily lives differently, and work differently.  One resource/service that has been in the spotlight as many have been mostly confined to our homes, is broadband internet access. 

We know there are challenges and opportunities to make broadband internet access in our area better.  Without reliable and affordable broadband internet, our communities will fall behind in attracting and retaining residents and providing quality jobs, and our kids will lack access to opportunities that other school districts are building upon.

To have the most useful information, the survey team is requesting your complete address in the survey.  They promise not to share your information publicly but will use it as a way of mapping the internet services for the county.  If you have questions about the survey, please visit the survey website at www.iowa.extension.wisc.edu or call 608-930-9850.  

The survey team appreciates your time and your responses.  You can help make this change!

Sincerely,
Stephanie Hubbard, Superintendent