AR Ready For Learning Plan/District Support Plan

Click here for the most recent plan.

Update (3/2023):

Barton School District no longer acknowledges quarantine without a doctor's excuse stating quarantine. Quarantine will be considered an excused absence. Students no longer have to quarantine if they are considered a "close contact."

Reminder Update (1/13/2022):

With the increase in COVID-19 cases, we wanted to send a reminder of our policies. Our staff are working to reduce the spread of all viruses by sanitizing and handwashing and being observant of any signs or symptoms of illness.

Our campus is following the guidance given to local school districts from the Arkansas Department of Health. We are working to ensure the safety of our students, staff and families. We appreciate your help in this effort.

It is important that all staff members and families adhere to these guidelines

Maintain social distance when possible

If a child presents with any of the following symptoms they CANNOT attend school:

• A temperature of 100.4 or above, must be fever free for 48 hours without the aid of medication.

• Signs or symptoms, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, sore throat, vomiting or new loss of taste or smell.

A child CANNOT attend school if:

• They have or anyone else in the house been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting results

• If they have been instructed to quarantine for suspected COVID-19 infection or are considered a possible close contact and have been instructed to quarantine

• Anyone in the home has tested positive for COVID-19, ALL children living in the home cannot attend school until quarantine days are completed.

New Mask Mandate ( 4/13/2021)

The Board of Directors voted at the board meeting on Monday, April 12th, to make masks optional for all students and staff effective immediately.

Basketball Information (11/9/20):

Barton High School requires vouchers for basketball games!!!

You can get a voucher from the District Administrative Office on Highway 49 starting on Monday of each week for the game(s) that week. A voucher guarantees entry into Partners Bank Gymnasium.  Those that have a voucher will pay the ticket cost of $5.00 at the door.  If you do not have a voucher, you will not be allowed into the facility. Barton Basketball players will get 2 vouchers each. Visiting teams will be sent vouchers for their fans.

In order to help promote social distancing, your fans will see caution tape marking where fans cannot sit. Patrons are not allowed to sit in these taped off areas. Also, fans will be required to wear face coverings. Those patrons that refuse to follow guidelines will be asked to leave. Due to bench guidelines, we will not be utilizing our bottom level of visiting bleachers. These bleachers will be pushed in all year in order to give players and coaches plenty of room. So as visiting fans come in, they will walk up the steps in order to get to their seats. Any fan needing wheelchair access will be able to sit on floor level in designated areas. Please note that only coaches, players, officials, law enforcement, and administrators will be allowed on the floor.  

Regarding the concession stand, it will be open. However, the menu and items sold will be kept to a minimum. I recommend that your coaches and athletes do not depend on our concession stand for an actual meal.

Football Information (9/2/20):

Partners Bank Stadium at Frank McClellan Field will allow 400 fans to enter on game days during the pandemic. All children under 7th grade must be accompanied by an adult and the child must stay with the adult in the stands.  Masks must be worn at all times except while eating. Social distancing by family groups is required. Do not sit where there is orange tape.  Games will be live streamed and the link to watch will be announced on game day. Admission into the stadium is $5.00 

6/29/20

Barton School District school year will begin as originally planned on Aug. 24, 2020.

Virtual students can pick up breakfast meals between 8-9 and lunch from 12-1 in the Kirkland Facility on instruction days.

Pre-School is only on-site

The following guidelines are set by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and the Arkansas Ready for Learning program which was issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Our goal will be to provide as safe an experience as possible that includes a rich educational experience, with opportunities for social interaction and extra-curricular activities while adhering to guidelines provided by the Arkansas Department of Health.

Among the changes the district will implement:

• Students and adults will complete a daily screening before entering.

• If a student comes to school sick with a temperature over the ADH guidance, they will be sent home.

• Students 5th grade and up, as well as adults, will be required to wear face coverings.

• The district will provide one cloth washable mask per week for every student. Additional masks will be for sale in the offices for $1.00.

• Social distancing guidelines will be observed as much as feasibly possible. Classrooms and cafeteria spaces will be redesigned to increase the space between students.

• Classrooms will be sanitized daily.

• Elementary students will continue to have outdoor playtime with limits on the number of students they come in contact with

• If an individual tests positive for COVID-19, the district will follow guidance from the ADH. This could result in a brief closure of the school district to provide time for additional cleaning and sanitation.

• The district has surveyed parents to determine interest in a digital option for students not wishing to return to a traditional classroom. Parents and students will be required to commit to the Virtual or Traditional Education option no later than July 10.

• The commitment will be for the entire 2020-2021 school year and can not be changed at any point during the year.

• Students who commit to full-time virtual learning will not be able to participate in any on-campus or extra-curricular activities.

• We anticipate the same arrival and dismissal times as normal.

• There will be no field trips or assemblies of any type including pep rallies, concerts, etc. At this time, this does not include sporting events.