Dear Parents:
This letter is to update you on several key dates as they relate to closing the 2019-2020 academic school year, the summer reading program, and what the beginning of school looks like in the fall.
The North Central Directed Health Measures went into effect on April 1 and are set to expire on May 11th unless the order is extended. As a quick review, the order has restricted social gatherings of more than 10 people along with social distancing of at least six feet from other individuals. Commissioner Blomstedt and Governor Ricketts have issued guidance that schools will be closed through May 31 for students to be physically in our buildings. The Governor’s office has also created the Six Rules for keeping Nebraska Safe:
- Stay home. No non-essential errands and no social gatherings. Respect the ten-person limit.
- Socially distance your work. Work from home or use the six-foot rule as much as possible in the workplace.
- Shop alone and only shop once a week. Do not take family with you.
- Help kids follow social distancing. Play at home. No group sports. And no playgrounds.
- Help senior citizens stay at home by shopping for them. Do not visit long-term care facilities.
- Exercise daily at home or with an appropriately socially distanced activity.
During Monday’s weekly ZOOM meeting with the Commissioner and the Governor, Governor Ricketts indicated that the current heath directive could be lifted or relaxed in certain geographical areas across the state according to the needs of the region.
Based on that information and our current situation in Holt county there is some cautious optimism that our region may see the current restrictions relaxed to a degree where we can move forward with some key activities to bring closure to the 2019-2020 school year.
We have tentatively set the following dates for prom, graduation, 6th grade promotion and the summer reading program, with the June dates as our first option:
June 12 Prom
June 19 6th Grade Promotion (7:00 pm)
June 20 Senior Graduation (11:00 am)
July 10 Prom
July 17 6th Grade Promotion (7:00 pm)
July 18 Senior Graduation (11:00 am)
The Summer Reading Program will begin on July 7 and run every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday through the month from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, with the last day scheduled for Thursday, July 30th.
These dates can only be listed as tentative at this point because we are still operating under the current Directed Health Measures. We will notify you as soon as possible if and when these restrictions have been lifted or relaxed to allow these school events to take place. Our goal is to give you these dates in advance to allow you to plan based on your individual family needs.
Prior to holding these events we have prepared the following for ending the school 2019-2020 academic school year:
Seniors last week of new learning material was April 20-24. Seniors will have the week of April 27-May 1 to complete all their work and complete their school check-out. Mr. Anderson will be arranging specific days and times that seniors will come to the building to complete their check-out.
Students in grades K-11 will have their last week of new learning material from May 4-8. May 11-14 students will have the opportunity to complete any missing work. Individual students and parents will be notified of any potential grade retention (grades K-6) or incomplete credits (K-11) by the building principals. Between May 11-14 specific times will be arranged for students or parents to return schoolbooks, computers, etc. One component of completing the student check-out for the year is to pay any fines, fees or charges that may have occurred. This could be through class projects, library fines for late books, or a negative in student lunch accounts. If your son/daughter has a negative balance, that information will be mailed home individually. The specific times for check-out will be communicated in the coming days.
We appreciate the patience, support, and work you as parents have provided at home during these last several weeks of the school year. At this time we fully anticipate that we will be able to open school with students in August. There may be some adjustments in how we distance ourselves while at school and possibly other preventative measures such as wearing masks during the day with the priority of keeping everyone in a safe learning environment.
Additional updates concerning prom, 6th grade promotion, senior graduation and the summer reading program will be made through the school website, school app, Facebook and Twitter. If you have any questions, concerns or comments please contact Mr. Jesse at 402.482.5233