An area school district has made a decision on how long it will tentatively not be holding classes.
According to a news release from New Franklin R-1 Superintendent Brian Cordel, after visiting with leaders from the State, the Health Department and several other school district administrators, the district has made a decision to proactively close New Franklin R-1 schools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure will be from Wednesday, March 18, through Tuesday, March 31. Students will return on Wednesday, April 1. At that time, the district will reassess the situation to determine if the cancellation of days will need to be extended.
All school activities, including athletic and extracurricular practice and competitions, will be canceled during the time schools are closed. The district’s staff has been diligently working to prepare for this contingency, and plans are in place to maintain support for students during the extended closure. He says your son/daughter should have been sent home with a packet of assignments that will be due on their return, subject to teacher direction.
In regard to students who receive Special Education services – your student has received an individualized packet of materials specific to their IEP goals. Compensatory services will be offered on a case-by-case basis. Your child’s case manager will contact you to discuss your child’s individual needs.
The State of Emergency declaration was announced to give Missouri access to financial assistance for COVID-19 testing, containment and treatment. The district is communicating with local health departments for direction as well as monitoring Missouri COVID-19 positive cases.
Cordel says the goal of the timing and length of this closure is to proactively decelerate the transmission of the virus by limiting contact among an individual for a length of time that could potentially have a similar impact as quarantine. According to the health officials, the practice of social distancing can significantly decrease the ability of a virus to spread and keep those who may be more vulnerable to the illness safe.
Cordel adds this is new and uncharted territory for all of us, and this process is ever changing. So he urges residents to be flexible in the district’s decision as it may change in the upcoming weeks.