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The district administration team has been meeting throughout this week to create and adjust current plans and systems in order to meet student and employee needs during the COVID-19 cancellation. These plans and systems are in response to the latest information and guidance (or lack thereof) from health officials and the government. As you are aware, the COVID-19 situation is rapidly changing on a daily, and in some cases, hourly basis. That said, we are coming to you today with updated news from what you received yesterday.
Due to the increased number of cases in Greene County alone (still no cases in Republic at the time of distribution) along with The Springfield-Greene County Health Department indicating all spring break travelers should self-quarantine for 14 days, the work expectations communicated yesterday need to be updated to the below items.
The goal is to minimize the number of essential personnel inside our school facilities during this time to support student learning from afar, provide food distribution for our students and also childcare for healthcare/first responders. We are working hard to do our part in "lowering the curve" and keeping our employees, students and overall community as healthy as possible.
UPDATED WORK EXPECTATIONS:
- Instead of meeting in small groups in-person the week of March 23, teachers (including SPED) are being asked to meet virtually on a weekly basis in order to develop optional educational plans for students and families wanting to pursue academic growth during this closure. Teachers are also asked to monitor communication with students and families throughout this time. Please see the section below regarding curriculum/resources being created to assist with this effort. ***CIA team members and Process Coordinators will also be asked to support this effort remotely. Dr. Yonke and Mrs. Morris will follow-up with specific information.
- Our counseling teams will also meet remotely (and in-person as needed) to focus on master schedules and elementary class lists along with other upcoming projects.
- Our 11 and 12 month employees (administrators, some directors, most secretaries) will be reporting to work starting March 23 on a rotational basis. If you fall within this category your administrator/director will be sharing out schedules for these rotations ASAP.
- Classified employees that do not fall under 11 or 12 month contracts which include nurses, school police, food service workers, bus drivers (assist with food deliveries) IT employees, custodial and maintenance workers will be reporting to work starting March 23 on a rotational basis. If you fall within this category your director will be sharing out schedules for these rotations ASAP.
- All employees, specifically those that do not fall under the above categories (aides and paraprofessionals, specifically), are considered to be "on call" in the case that the district would need them to assist with various duties.
Please watch for communication to be shared with you from your administrator/supervisor regarding plans for moving forward.
We invite you to visit https://www.republicschools.org/healthupdates for the latest information from Republic School District. Below you'll find updated, new and repeated information.
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NEW: Supporting Education from Afar
As mentioned above, teachers (including SPED) will meet remotely on a weekly basis in the same groups you meet in during weekly collaboration time on Fridays using Google Hangouts. During this time you will be working one week ahead of implementation for students. For example, the week of March 23 you will meet remotely to create plans that students will implement the week of March 30.
Building administrators will be sending a scheduled of meeting times shortly.
Dr. Yonke, Mrs. Coursey and Dr. Engelhart have developed a frame work for elementary teachers to utilize that will be shared with you directly from them. Essentially, it includes developing an activity for each core subject area every day to push out weekly to families. You will use communication platforms that your families are already used to seeing from you whether that be Seesaw, Dojo, Smore, email, etc. As a reminder this school work is considered "optional" for our students, and is a way for us to do our best in promoting academic growth during this time.
Secondary teachers will receive specific direction from Mr. Overstreet and Mrs. Dishman on expectations.
Suggested learning activities will be provided daily for each course a student is enrolled in. Scores on these activities will be to the benefit of the student and will not negatively impact their academic standing in the course. We are awaiting guidance in regards to A+ and university/college partnerships.
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UPDATED: Employee Childcare During Scheduled Work Times
Only a small number of employees will be on site each day due to the updated work expectations. That said, we want to do our best to support those who come in to work in meeting any childcare needs. Once you receive your schedule and need childcare assistance, please contact your administrator/director and we will assist to the best of our ability.
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UPDATED: Reporting Travel
Per a report from the Springfield-Greene County Health Department issued March 19, all travelers over spring break should self-quarantine for 14 days and report any symptoms. CLICK HERE for that information.
We are asking all employees that fall under this category to report this to your administrator/supervisor ASAP.
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Building Restrictions
All school buildings and facilities will be closed to anyone not working on site or completing essential tasks to support our mission. We ask that everyone follow these restrictions.
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Free Meal Option During COVID-19 Closure
Republic School District will be providing free, daily grab-and-go food lunch pick-up at Republic Middle School beginning Wednesday, March 25 and other designated locations across the community (scheduled/locations below) starting Monday, March 30 for any Republic school-aged children. This service will be available Monday-Friday. Once we are able to gauge participation and need, we will work to expand offerings.
To assist us in planning for this service, please fill out the form below as soon as possible if you plan to participate.
Car line at Republic Middle School (BEGINS MARCH 25): Open 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please follow the arrows on the map to the back of the building for food pick-up. Stay in your car and food items will be brought to you.
Mobile Locations (BEGINS MARCH 30): School buses will be delivering grab-and-go style lunches Monday-Friday from approximately 11:00-11:30 a.m. at the below locations. Simply come up to the bus and a food bag will be given to you. Please avoid congregating in large groups in these areas.
Alpine Village
S. Lewis Street in Battlefield near the Prairie Oak Village Apartments
Old Stone Apartments
Hines Street Pharmacy
Calvary Baptist Church
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Childcare for Healthcare and Emergency/First Responders Available
Republic School District will offer free childcare for healthcare workers and emergency/first responders during their work hours who reside in the Republic School District while school is closed. Operating hours will be
Monday through Friday of each week beginning Monday, March 23 between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at McCulloch Elementary. Kindergarten through 8th grade students can participate. Only those pre-registered using the form link below will be accepted.
Snacks will be provided each day. Monday, March 23 and Tuesday, March 24 participants will need to bring their own lunch. However, beginning Wednesday, March 25 the district will provide a free lunch option for students. We do suggest that students with food allergies bring their own meals.
This service is designed for those working at hospitals, medical facilities, or blood banks who are directly engaged in the handling of the COVID-19 response during the time they are needed at work. We are asking that individuals refrain from using this service unless they are directly involved in the COVID-19 response actions at a medical facility. These restrictions will allow us to have the capacity to best serve our medical community in fighting COVID-19.
DETAILS:
Location: McCulloch Elementary. 234 E. Anderson. Please enter through the second set of double glass doors on the west side of the building.
Contact: STRIPES 360 Office 417-735-3778. On the day of program 417-350-3385
Hours of Operation: 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Monday - Friday
Activities: Students will enjoy STEAM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), free play, group games, team builders and other special activities.
Cost: This service is being provided free of charge by the Republic School District and STRIPES 360 staff.
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Childcare is contingent on children being fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever reducing medications. All staff members and children will have their temperature checked prior to entry by a school nurse. In addition, a school nurse will be on site throughout the program day.
**We check photo identifications daily. No student will be released to leave with someone who refuses to show identification when asked. This is for your child's safety. Please communicate with anyone on your approved pick-up list to bring identification.
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Medications at School
Parents who need to pick up their child's medication should contact the school building to coordinate a pick-up time and location with the school nurse. School buildings will be locked down over the next few weeks and only planned visitors will be allowed to enter.
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Kindergarten Screening & Preschool Enrollment Postponed
We have postponed kindergarten screening dates scheduled to begin next week along with preschool registration that was originally scheduled for March 28. When new dates are determined we will get that to you.
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For questions or comments please contact me via
email or by calling 417-732-3605.
Sincerely,
Josey McPhail Director of Communications
Republic School District |
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