Sep 22, 2020

Buhler community stepping up to help grade school during closure

Posted Sep 22, 2020 10:33 AM

By NICK GOSNELL

Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As students at Buhler Grade prepare for a week or so of flex learning that starts Tuesday, Superintendent Cindy Couchman said that if you weren't able to pick up your student's materials on Monday, it's easy to get that done.

"The school office is open," Couchman said. "If they would just call the school office any time between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. this week, then we will bring the devices and materials out to you. They're all lined up ready to go with their names on them. They can call and say I'm here to pick up."

Ideatek is also making sure that there are places kids can go and get wireless internet through the week.

"Daniel Friesen, he has stepped up and said, hey we will not only open up drive up access points in the community, but if you are struggling to pay for internet or you do not have internet, to contact them and they'll help you out for the next month."

Drive up locations will be at the IdeaTek office, 111 Old Mill Street and at the Buhler Library on Main Street. Free drive up service is also available at the Sand Hills Event Center at 4601 N Plum Street in Hutchinson.

Also, members of the BGS community are being sure the families in quarantine get what they need to keep education going.

"Obviously, if they're quarantined, we don't want them to come to the building to get lunches and get the materials," Couchman said. "We have community members that have stepped up to say, I can deliver to their porch. After they pick up their lunches, they're delivering other families lunches. I'm very appreciative of that. I think I said at our parent meeting that we're all in a canoe and if we're all rowing in the same direction, we're going to get a lot further and a lot faster."

Couchman made clear this is intended to be only through September 29 and that if fewer classes are impacted, then keeping just those classes on flex learning past that date is something they will consider.