2020 has been a year of unexpected challenges and the Marion Independent School District and the Marion Independent School Foundation & Alumni Association have creatively pivoted programming and fundraising to respond to those challenges.
As the COVID-19 public health crisis approached our community in March 2020, MISD classes were moved online for the rest of the school year to promote social distancing and to keep students, staff and families safe at home. This impacted numerous Marion traditions including sports, clubs, activities and graduation. Honors Night was held virtually and the class of 2020 graduation ceremony was broadcast on KCRG, allowing families to stream graduation from their home. iHeartmedia shared the graduation presentation on Hot 95.7 and through the iHeartradio app, including Senior Class speakers as well as a reading of the names of students graduating from the class of 2020. Alliant Energy shared MHS school colors on their downtown tower to honor graduates on May 25th, and Z102.9 played clips of the Marion graduation on their station on May 26th.
While school was out of session for the summer, a derecho, the largest natural disaster in the city’s history, hit Marion on August 10, 2020, impacting over 90% of Marion homes and buildings including MISD facilities. The impact of the derecho delayed the start of school by two weeks to give buildings time to make needed repairs before students and staff arrived.
Before schools opened their doors for students on September 8th, the staff worked to ensure that students were returning to school in a safe environment. MISD submitted a return to learn plan to the state of Iowa which detailed options for remote and in-person learning for students. The Marion Foundation secured at grant from the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation to purchase sanitizing sprayers which disinfect hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, allowing staff to truly sanitize school spaces, protecting the health and safety of the students and staff who learn and work in our school buildings and use school provided transportation.
Approximately 80% of students opted for in-person learning and 20% of students are learning remotely. The district monitors and shares COVID related information and updates on their website including the number of positive cases impacting schools.
Start School Right, a partnership of MISD and Marion Foundation staff dedicated to supporting families with the items students need before heading back to school, pivoted quickly to meet the increased needs of families while keeping everyone safe from COVID exposure. This fifth year of the program 142 MISD families received food, backpacks, school supplies, clothing, undergarments, shoes and hygiene kits provided through individual and business donations and grant support. Although this event is typically held in person-at Vernon Middle School, this year volunteers delivered donations directly to the families in need of assistance. We appreciate the flexibility and willingness of so many to make this support possible during unexpected challenges.
This article is part of a larger article that will be shared in the Winter 2020 Edition of the Marion Independent School Foundation and Alumni Association Newsletter. If you are interested in receiving our newsletter by mail, please contact us at MarionFoundation@marion-isd.org.