School districts across the state have hit the pause button on the 2019-2020 academic year following a recommendation from Governor Laura Kelly Sunday in response to the global coronavirus pandemic.
During a press conference Sunday evening, Kelly recommended for all state school districts to temporarily close beginning Monday in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Kelly says the state is not blind to the fact that this recommendation will bring with it l a long list of difficulties for all Kansas School Districts.
Kelly says with that knowledge, a task force has been formed at the state level with the main responsibility of providing resources to address those issues.
This altered plans by USD 253 Emporia and USD 251 North Lyon County who had already canceled school for Monday with intentions of resuming Tuesday.
USD 253 has decided to heed the recommendation and will be closed for the entirety of the week. Superintendent Kevin Case says the district continues to stress the importance of social distancing amongst students and families.
Case realizes enforcing the idea of social distancing while students are no longer in the classroom is a difficult endeavor, however, he makes the point that this is not strictly a school issue but a community one.
While numbers of confirmed cases in Kansas are far and away from several other states across the country, USD 252 Superintendent Mike Argabright feels it is right to air on the side of caution.
Ahead of the recommendation Sunday, USD’s 329 Wabaunsee, 330 Mission Valley and 417 Morris County all announced they would be closed until March 30 within the last few days. During a special meeting Sunday in Madison, USD 386 Madison Virgil announced they would be closing for the week regardless of the recommendation of Governor Kelly.
USD 386 Superintendent Stu Moeckel says it is important that students and families not treat the closure as an extended spring break.
Moeckel says the district will still be providing lunches for students throughout the week on a “grab and go” basis. Lunches, prepared by the district’s food service department, will be available for pickup Monday through Friday at Madison Town Hall and at Madison Elementary School from 10 am to noon.
For families who cannot pick up meals delivery will be available. For more information contact the district at (620)-437-2918, visit their Facebook page or find this story on KVOE.com where we have provided a link for meal delivery orders.
Following the Governor’s press conference local lawmakers shared their responses to her recommendation. 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber feels the decision is “appropriate” given the developing nature of the situation.
Kansas Senate Vice-President Jeff Longbine feels the approach can work so long as residents follow common sense precautionary methods. He adds residents should also begin practicing the idea of social distancing as it pertains to traveling outside of the state.
While it will not completely stop the possible spread COVID-19, it can help reduce it.
For an up-to-date list of local schedule and operations adjustments click here.
Statement from Lyon County Public Health
Lyon County Public Health Department in coordination with Lyon County Emergency Management and local educational partners would like to reiterate Governor Kelly’s recommendation to close schools the week of March 16th-20th. In addition we would like to make the public aware that The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is issuing new guidance today surrounding COVID-19, including travelers, close contacts of confirmed cases and those being tested.
https://khap2.kdhe.state.ks.us/NewsRelease/PDFs/3-15-20%20Quarantine%20recommendations%20FINAL.pdf
KDHE is now recommending 14-day home quarantine for Kansans who have:
• Traveled to a state with known widespread community transmission (currently California, New York and Washington state) on or after March 15.
• Visited Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison counties in Colorado within the past week.
• Traveled on a cruise ship on or after March 15. People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their cruise ship travel should finish out their quarantine.
• Traveled internationally on or after March 15.
People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their international travel should finish out their quarantine.
• Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19. You should quarantine at home for 14 days since your last contact with the case. (A close contact is defined as someone who has been closer than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes while the patient is symptomatic.)
Everyone should be using protective measures which include washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, cover your mouth when you cough, avoid touching your face, mouth and eyes and stay home when you are sick. As an additional reminder we ask that students who are not in school be mindful of the social distancing recommendations, and that these additional days away from school are a COVID-19 response, not just additional time for spring break activities.
