Move in Week for the New Career Tech Ed (CTE) Building

After several construction delays, the Hot Springs Schools new Career Tech Ed (CTE) building is now ready for learning. Students and staff began moving items in Monday morning after the District took occupancy last Friday. A few final touch ups remain, but the school is excited to get into the new space after months of watching the construction from the outside. Teachers will be able to finish the year out in the new space to determine any necessary changes or additions needed to their rooms. The District will be working to sod  and landscape the area along University and to select a replacement LED sign as well. An official Open House will be held next Fall during the Bison R’ Back Open House for the community to tour the space.

The building now houses the Ag, Industrial Arts, Family/Consumer Science (FACS), and Chemistry classrooms with a full, separate Chemistry lab also included. The Industrial Arts space contains expanded space for woods and welding and also able to handle the small engines/automotive classes. The Art department will also be moving into the new space with expanded square footage to better meet their needs. The new building is just under19,000 square feet, which is double what the old shop area was. The extra space is welcomed as it will allow for additional learning opportunities for our students, especially for the newer technologies.

Current “Return to Learn” Covid Protocols

Last Reviewed: May 8, 2023

With recent changes to the Covid quarantine process, the Board reviewed with school nurse Greg Gunwall the current Covid protocols that are in place at the CDC and the SD Department of Health. Below is a summary of protocols currently in place:

ISOLATION GUIDELINES Per the CDC/SD DOH, a student or staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19 shall isolate for at least 5 days. The student or staff member may leave isolation after 5 full days and return to school/work if they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have significantly improved. The CDC/SD DOH recommends that the individual wears a mask for 5 days upon return to school/work to minimize the risk of infecting others. ** Please note: When isolation dates established by the district differ from those of the SD Department of Health, the district will defer to the dates provided by SD DOH. For more information, please visit the CDC Isolation webpage by clicking here.

CLOSE CONTACT GUIDELINES As of February 28, 2022, the CDC no longer recommends universal case investigation and contact tracing for COVID-19. Individuals that are COVID positive will be asked to inform their own close contacts of possible exposure. As of August 11, 2022 the CDC recommends that if you were exposed to COVID-19, you wear a highquality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5.

STAYING HOME WHEN APPROPRIATE
• Employees and students that are experiencing symptoms of an infectious disease such as COVID-19, RSV, and/or GI infections should stay home and get tested for COVID-19.
• In addition, students and staff should be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and show symptom improvement before returning to school. This precautionary measure applies to any student or staff member with a fever regardless of whether or not they had a positive COVID-19 test result.
• Please use Appendix A for COVID-19 Screening Questions and Appendix B for COVID-19 symptoms.

Testing can be completed at the school by appointment with School Nurse Greg Gunwall. Please call 695-745-4264 if you have any questions. For the most up-to-date statistics on the coronavirus in South Dakota, go to the Dept of Health “Covid Dashboard” for current statistics and information.

Hot Springs Schools Mobile App Now Available

The mobile app for Hot Springs Bison is now available on both the Apple Store and Google Play Store. Search "Hot Springs Schools" and look for the Bison logo to download a free version of the apps.

The app will allow you to stay in touch with events and activities at the school as well as notifications, news, and quick links to items and apps your students use.

If there are more links or information you would like to see on our app, please let us know by calling our main number at 605-745-4145.