Marinette School Classes Going In-Person March 1

At a long and intense monthly School Board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 16, Marinette School Superintendent Corrie Lambie unveiled plans to bring students in grades 6 through 12 into school for in-person classes four days a week beginning Monday, March 1. Wednesdays will be left open as a time to provide extra help for students who remain on virtual learning, and others struggling with course work. Students in the lower grades have been attending in-person classes since the school year began in September.

Lambie's plans drew objections from several board members, with the strongest coming from Charles Rowell. Board member Terri Florek reminded the board that when they gave authority to Lambie months ago they had expressed confidence in him and the administrative team, and declared, "I stand behind that day when we said, "Mr. Lambie, we've got your back.'"

At the end of the discussion Board Member Brian Ceranski declared he was proud of everyone involved. "This is a disagreeable subject, and we have shown as a board that we can disagree without being disagreeable!"

The evening for board members had begun at 4:30 p.m. with a closed session meeting to consider employment, compensation and personnel, and then the 6 p.m. open portion of the meeting lasted until after 8:30 p.m.

Other agenda items included an update by Sommerville Architects on the referendum right sizing project, approval of several roofing projects, and a report on the Marine Way score card for student achievement.

Lambie had approached the return to more in-person classes with a statement that it was on the information-only item, and a reminder that the board months ago had given him and the administrative team authority to open and close school attendance as they found it necessary. At the end, he presented a 3-minute video depicting the grief and frustration of a student who had spent months of days at home alone, with only her laptop for company.

During his report Lambie talked of students who came in for help on Wednesdays just because they were lonely for adult company and support.

Teacher Julie Ann Erickson, speaking from the audience during time for public comment, objected to resuming the in-person classes on March 1, and urged waiting until the start of the final quarter in April instead. She said this would give time for all teachers to be vaccinated, get them past Spring break, and give teachers more time to prepare. She is also the mother of five students in the district. "As a parent and as an educator, I am concerned about students' ability to socially distance," she declared, and added that the hybrid situation will not allow six feet of social distancing in every classroom. She felt the current hybrid system, with two days in school and three at home is working, and expressed confidence they would be able to be back to regular 5-days a week classes for the next school year.

Lambie cited results of the poll, in which 71 percent of parents said they want their children back to in-person classes full time, and 29 percent did not. There had been responses from 695 families. He said many in the 29 percent were from homes where students were studying from home in any case.

Lambie also cited CDC reports finding little evidence that schools are spreaders, and said out of 2,000 students positive tests were mainly zero to two per week. Staff covid cases since Dec. 13 have also been very low.

He said having only the 2-day per week in person classes may actually increase transmission risks between students since it gives them more opportunities to interact with others. He also cited numerous reports of psychological damage to students from being kept out of school, including increased numbers of suicides and reports of drug abuse. He quoted from a Washington Post story on the seven harms of keeping kids out of school, and promised they will monitor things very closely and return to distance learning if necessary.

Lambie said according to new CDC reports even with three feet of social distancing, masks and frequent hand washings work. He described mitigation measures that will be followed in classes and during changes of classes, and said masks will be mandatory. Instructors will also be encouraged to allow students time outdoors occasionally to give them a break from the masks.

He also reported discussions with the heads of two local clinics in which he was told students should be able to safely come back, provided masks are mandatory, and said within the re-opened classrooms students will be kept in "cohorts" as much as possible.

He had also talked with other administrators in area school districts where they have had great success with in person five-day per week classes.

Board President John LaCourt said he would prefer to see the re-opening delayed until after spring break, and said he sees problems with students not keeping masks on when they change classes and asked if there would be more disinfectant cleaning. He was told they cannot clean hallways during the day, but teachers disinfect between classes and the maintenance staff has a machine that can disinfect some areas, for example the auditoriums, in perhaps a minute.

Lambie said students are eager to get back to classes and see all their friends with business as usual will be disappointed, "because that's not happening." The social distancing will eliminate much collaborative work and close contacts. Daily monitoring of student illnesses will continue.

Rowell objected that the plans were relayed to staff before the board was informed, and also was upset because actual plans did not appear to be finalized. "I want kids to go back to school...I just want to understand the Plan," he declared.

Ceranski said parents who talked to him wanted their children back in school, and declared that nationwide suicides have doubled and tripled since schools were closed.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
07-29-2021	Front Page	Peshtigo Cemetery Marker Back After Refurbishing
07-29-2021	Front Page	Crivitz Classes To Be Mask Free And In Person For 2021-2022
07-29-2021	Front Page	Marinette Administrator Presents School Reopening Plan To Board
07-29-2021	Front Page	Controversy Swirls Around Wausaukee Rescue Squad
07-29-2021	Front Page	Town Board To Review Several Water Options
07-29-2021	Front Page	Jury Brings Guilty Verdicts In Old McClintock Murder Case
07-29-2021	Community - Coleman	CHS Class of 1981 40 Year Reunion
07-29-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Class of ඎ Reunion is Sept. 11th
07-29-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Golf Outing For Old Wrestling Boards
07-29-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Pound Library "Bricks in the Park"
07-28-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman/Pound Senior Bingo Club Disbands
07-28-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Board To Weigh ARPA Fund Projects
07-28-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Area Has Need for Licensed Daycare
07-28-2021	Community - Crivitz	American Legion Member Open House Cookout Aug. 18
07-28-2021	Community - Crivitz	Auto Junkiez 4 Veterans Car, Truck, Bike Show
07-28-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Silver Cliff Fire and Rescue Auxiliary Plan for Parade, Picnic
07-28-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Students Win Legion Auxiliary Awards
07-28-2021	Community - Wausaukee	WBA Scavenger Hunt Gives Away Gas Grill
07-28-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Athelstane Chair Praises Fireman's Picnic Success
07-28-2021	Sports	Marinette's Season Ends With Loss in Regional Final
07-28-2021	Sports	Peshtigo Youth Track Club was Big Success
07-28-2021	Sports	Komp Wins Feature at Norway Speedway
07-28-2021	Sports	DNR Offering Surface Water Grant Funding
07-28-2021	Sports	Area Athletes Earn WFSCA All District/State Honors
07-28-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
07-28-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
07-28-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Carol J. Babcock
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Carol J. Behnke
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Sharon A. Biever
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Mary Ann Colassacco
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Gary Crandall
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Dale W. Green
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Laura M. Hall
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Angeline C. Jacob
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Betty A. Johnson
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Sylvia R. Kahler
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Barbara A. Kowalski
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Christine M. Krienke
07-28-2021	Obituaries	William E. LaBombard
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Therese A. Lescelius
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Donald J. Mailloux
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Delores Paugh
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Cynthia S. Reed
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Mary Samsa
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Ronald H. Seidl
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Darcy L. Slayton
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Melvin E. Smiley
07-28-2021	Obituaries	John M. Stoneburner Jr.
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Marvin N. Strehlow
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Arthur Thurow
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Lynda M. Wilczak
07-28-2021	Obituaries	Michael P. Wolf
07-22-2021	Front Page	Peshtigo Parks & Rec Christmas In July Event Very Successful
07-22-2021	Front Page	PHS Alumni Pepper "Fore" Peshtigo Scholarship Golf Outing was Success
07-22-2021	Front Page	Clerk Clarence Coble Adresses Town Board
07-22-2021		Clerk Clarence Coble Adresses Town Board
07-22-2021	Front Page	Approximately 300 Gather to Celebrate Menominee River
07-22-2021	Front Page	Aquila Withdraws Latest Safety Permit Request
07-22-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Ski Cats place 3rd at State Waterski Championships
07-22-2021	Community - Crivitz	Friends of Crivitz Airport Met July 17
07-22-2021	Community - Crivitz	Paul Seidl Named Member of Year for Bowhunters Club
07-22-2021	Community - Crivitz	Place CBA Rummage Sale on Map By Aug. 4
07-22-2021		Coleman Fire Department Picnic Was Huge Success
07-22-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Class of ඎ Reunion is Sept. 11th
07-22-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Patriot Club Raises $6,000 For BDP, Goodman Youth
07-22-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Silver Cliff Blood Drive Net 41 Pints
07-22-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Silver Cliff Fire and Rescue Prepares for Parade, Picnic
07-22-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wagner To Seek Legal Input On Old Depot Demolition
07-22-2021	Sports	Nemetz Leads Marines NEC All-Conference Selections
07-22-2021	Sports	11 Bulldogs Receive 2021 Packerland Softball/Baseball Post-Season Honors
07-22-2021	Sports	Ty Kretz Wins Little River 2021 Club Championship
07-22-2021	Sports	Upriver Lakes Sturgeon Spearing Application Deadline August 1
07-22-2021	Sports	DNR Seeking Public Input On PFAS Contamination In Marinette/Peshtigo
07-22-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
07-22-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin
07-22-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
07-22-2021	Obituaries	Auralia Feifarek
07-22-2021	Obituaries	Steven R. Gigant
07-22-2021	Obituaries	Eugene P. Grille
07-22-2021	Obituaries	Geraldine F. Heinz
07-22-2021	Obituaries	David W. Jahns
07-22-2021	Obituaries	Lloyd P. Kaufman
07-22-2021	Obituaries	Nancy L. McDonald
07-22-2021	Obituaries	Dominic E. Nowak
07-22-2021	Obituaries	Maryann E. Richlen
07-22-2021	Obituaries	Sandra A. Saunier
07-22-2021	Obituaries	Sharon A. Schramm
07-22-2021	Obituaries	Duane F. Schwartz
07-22-2021	Obituaries	Donald Stank
07-15-2021	Front Page	New Playground For Badger Park Okayed
07-15-2021	Front Page	Town Of Peshtigo Board Meets In Special Session
07-15-2021	Front Page	Ceranski Protest Leaves No School Board Quorum
07-15-2021	Front Page	Recreation Deputies Give Updates on ATV/UTV Rules
07-15-2021	Front Page	Genealogy Group To Present 1871 "Stories From The Ashes"
07-15-2021	Community - Coleman	Pound To Implement 2019 3% Sewer Rate Increase
07-15-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Schools To Reopen With Normal Rules In Place
07-15-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Fireman's Picnic, Parade Events July 16, 17
07-15-2021	Community - Coleman	Eckstrom Receives National Honor for Academic Achievement
07-15-2021	Community - Coleman	Hillside North Hosts Back To Church Sunday and Picnic
07-15-2021	Community - Crivitz	Country Gospel Jam Friday, July 16
07-15-2021	Community - Crivitz	Zietlow Receives $2,500 Scholarship from Cousins
07-15-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Coming to 1st Presbyterian Church in Wausaukee July 18
07-15-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Silver Cliff Centennial Craft Show is Aug. 13
07-15-2021	Sports	Coleman's Matt Osterberg Picked by Phillies in MLB Draft
07-15-2021	Sports	Coleman's Casper Quailifes for State Amateur with Win at Fox Valley G.C.
07-15-2021	Sports	4th Annual "Swing Fore Hope" Golf Outing Thursday, July 29
07-15-2021	Sports	Sharp-Tiled Grouse Hunting Season Closed for Fall 2021
07-15-2021	Sports	DNR Following Multi-State Reports Of Sick Songbirds
07-15-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
07-15-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin
07-15-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
07-15-2021	Obituaries	Michelle L. Bayer
07-15-2021	Obituaries	Jennifer L. Boehler
07-15-2021	Obituaries	Roger "Roge" Evers
07-15-2021	Obituaries	Charles D. Guay
07-15-2021	Obituaries	William H. Harris
07-15-2021	Obituaries	Elma Hertel
07-15-2021	Obituaries	William J. Jacomet
07-15-2021	Obituaries	Margaret Catherine Lentz
07-15-2021	Obituaries	Reginald D. Peterson
07-15-2021	Obituaries	Daniel J. Prue
07-15-2021	Obituaries	Michael J. Shanks Jr.
07-15-2021	Obituaries	Donald Stank
07-15-2021	Obituaries	Marilyn R. Steier
07-15-2021	Obituaries	Jaycee R. Sunshine Vallier
07-08-2021	Front Page	Police Chief Rick Badgley Retires, Mike Sievert Named Interim Chief
07-08-2021	Front Page	Fire Destroys Pole Building At Baumgarten Residence
07-08-2021	Front Page	Landfill Future Again On MarOco Agenda
07-08-2021	Front Page	Marinette Council Says No To Proposed Water Resolution
07-08-2021	Front Page	Salaries On Agenda For Peshtigo School Board
07-08-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman School Board To Set Re-Opening Plans On July 12
07-08-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Village Board To Meet On July 12
07-08-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman W&S To Meet On July 12
07-08-2021	Community - Crivitz	Family Funday Day in Crivitz
07-08-2021	Community - Crivitz	LNRB Meets July 14
07-08-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crafters Needed for Crivitz Art in the Park
07-08-2021	Community - Crivitz	KC's Offer Two Scholarships On What Patriotism Means
07-08-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Large Crowds Enjoy Wausaukee 4th of July
07-08-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Register for Wausaukee Back to School Program
07-08-2021	Community - Wausaukee	May Need Extension For Wausaukee Well Project
07-08-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Fall Fest Book Sale in Wausaukee
07-08-2021	Sports	Marines Fall in State Semi-Final 4-1
07-08-2021	Sports	Compe/Hoida to Play In WFSCA All Star Game
07-08-2021	Sports	7th Annual Friends of Mike Golf Outing Friday, July 23
07-08-2021	Sports	Three Marines Receive GCAW All State Academic Honors
07-08-2021	Sports	Justin Mondiek Takes Second Straight Stateline Challenge
07-08-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
07-08-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
07-08-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin