School starts Aug. 24 in School District 1

Schools in Big Horn, Ranchester and Dayton will open their doors for classes on Aug. 24.

The final version of Sheridan County School District 1’s Smart Start plan was approved by trustees in a special meeting this week.

District 1 Superintendent Pete Kilbride said some changes were made to the plan before adoption.

Kilbride said he would send out the newest edition of the plan to all of the district’s constituents Wednesday.

Kilbride said students will return to the school buildings for the start of school this year, and safety protocols will be in place before that happens. He said students will wear masks when they’re in building hallways and wherever six feet of social distancing isn’t possible.

He said state restrictions have been loosened a lot with regard to elementary students.

He said students will also wear masks when they’re on the district’s school buses. He said the district will still have recesses, and students won’t have to wear masks during those times.

Kilbride said the district has provided a virtual learning option for parents who aren’t comfortable sending their children to school.