Page 1 - Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, November 2020

Volume 16, Number 11 Published in the interest of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin community • home.army.mil/Irwin November 2020
Waiver Approved: TK - 6th grade to return to Inside

in-person classes Co-parenting

By Janell J. Lewis Ford

NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public A airs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — On Oct. 28, the Silver Valley Uni ed
School District noti ed teachers and families that a waiver has been
approved for elementary and intermediate students to return to in-
person instruction in a hybrid model.
“We anticipate Monday, Nov. 9 as the rst day back for students,”
the ier states.
e district has completed 13 weeks in a Distance Learning model
and the district superintendent is praising everyone for their hard work. How Chaplains are helping the growing
“I am proud of our students, sta , and our community for persever- number of blended families in the military.
ing through this di cult time,” SVUSD superintendent, Jesse Najera Courtesy of Silver Valley Uni ed School District See full story, Page 2
said. “ e percentage of students that are consistently engaging in our
program is very high.” campuses would continue over several weeks, following strict health Thanksgiving at NTC
On Oct. 8, Najera announced that although the district does not protocols to ensure the safety of students and sta .
meet the requirements to bring back all students full-time, SVUSD Teachers, parents and students will receive more detailed informa-
has already invited small cohorts of students with speci c needs for tion about what the hybrid model of in-person elementary classes will
in-person instruction. look like soon.
Schools are not permitted to open for full, in-person instruction A reminder that Silver Valley High School conducts live updates on
until they’re in the red tier for 14 days, with no increase in COVID-19 their Facebook page each Monday at 12:30 p.m. on Facebook.com/
cases or positivity rates. SilverValleyHS. During the Oct. 19 update, 1st Quarter PBIS Golden
With the waiver approval, 7th through 12th graders must continue Ticket winners were announced and prizes included a 15-inch HP
distance learning but the introduction of small groups returning to Laptop, two Chromebooks and two $50 dollar gift cards.

NTC’s Community Update ad- Halloween 2020 at NTC/Fort Irwin The holiday meals available on post.
See full story, Page 4
dresses new General Order, Job Hunting

Opportunity Leave

Story and Photo by Janell J. Lewis Ford
NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public A airs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. —
Brig. Gen. David Lesperance
addressed topics ranging from
COVID-19 and a safe Op- How to reserve your spot for an
portunity Leave, to installation upcoming job fair for military spouses.
renovations and race talks See full story, Page 11
during his Sept. 30 and Oct.
28 Facebook Live Updates to More Legal Assistance
the community. Casey Slusser, Fort Irwin Garrison Public A airs
“Yes, we’re still operating with a lot of safeguards and it’s because of
you that the case rates continue to be low,” he said. NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public A airs
New General Order
Lesperance signed a new General Order on Oct. 27, telling viewers that is year Halloween at the National Training Center and Fort
Opportunity Leave over the holidays would be in full e ect. Lesperance Irwin consisted of three Trunk or Treats and a drive-in movie,
said he doesn’t see anything that would hinder it, as it appears soldiers and all on one night. But Halloween wasn’t celebrated on Oct. 31, The new services now provided by the
families acted safely during their October Opportunity Leave. Fort Irwin families enjoyed events on Oct. 29. legal o ce.

See COMMUNITY, Page 12 See HALLOWEEN, Page 6 See full story, Page 8

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