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Greetings, team! We hope this message finds you and your family well! As was shared yesterday, due to the "stay at home" order for our area, we will extend our closing through April 24.
We have been told that DESE is working on a list of answers to all of our questions regarding make-up time, credits, finances, etc. As we have details they will be shared with you.
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.
STAY WELL!!!
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CELEBRATING YOU!!!
We'd like to tip our hats to ALL OF YOU! This is quite an interesting time, but time and time again employees are stepping up to the challenge and meeting our #1 priority of taking care of students and each other...THANK YOU!!!!
There are SO MANY examples of this to showcase, and we unfortunately don't have photos to give a "shout out" to everyone, but here are a few to mention. #repmoproud
AMAZING TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS & ACADEMIC TEAM for their work in remotely creating wonderful learning opportunities for our students!
AWESOME FOOD SERVICE STAFF for putting together meals for our students!
WONDERFUL CUSTODIAL CREWS for sanitizing our facilities to keep the germs away!
MAGNIFICENT STRIPES 360 workers for providing free childcare for our parents who serve as healthcare workers and emergency/first responders in our community.
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During the closure we will continue our current rotational work schedules at sites along with the food service and childcare for healthcare and emergency/first responders programming during the "stay at home" order. Below is a reminder of those work expectations:
- 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. ***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) are reporting to work on a rotational basis. If you fall within this category your administrator/director will be sharing out schedules for these rotations during the closure.
- 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 are reporting to work on a rotational basis. If you fall within this category your director will be sharing out schedules for these rotations during the closure.
- 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.
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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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30 Day Challenge
30 DAY CHALLENGE TIME! Ok, so we're all doing our part to fight the spread of COVID-19 during the 30 day "stay at home" order that begins March 26. Why not set a goal for yourself or your family during this time? Join us over the next 30 days by completing the challenge of your choice! Here are a few ideas:
**30 days of spending 30 minutes together daily doing a family activity.
**30 days of writing on a topic of your choice for 15 minutes each day.
**30 day gratitude challenge. Each day write or talk about three things you're thankful for!
**30 days of reading for 15 minutes each day.
**30 day fitness challenge of your choice!
**30 days of drawing or art projects.
We'll check in each week and would love to see pictures of you completing your 30 DAY CHALLENGE! Private message pictures to any of our Facebook pages. #repmoproud #repmo30daychallenge
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Employee Volunteer Form
The form found at the below link was created to provide an opportunity for any district employee that would like to volunteer to assist during the COVID-19 school cancellation. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the form. This will be utilized in the event that volunteers are needed.
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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. Any future travel would require a 14 day self-quarantine as well.
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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. Contact your school building should you need access. This will be granted on an appointment basis.
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HRAs Canceled
Unfortunately, COX has canceled our HRAs and will not be able to reschedule them this school year.
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No State Testing This Year
As stated by President Trump and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, there will be no state standardized testing (MAP and EOCs) for this school year.
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April 7 Board of Education Election Postponed
The Greene County Clerk's Office has notified the district that the previously scheduled Board of Education election on April 7 has been moved to June 2, 2020. Current Board of Education members will remain in service until the June 2, 2020 election.
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Free Meal Option During COVID-19 Closure
Republic School District will be providing free, daily grab-and-go lunch and breakfast (for the next day) pick-up at Republic Middle School and other designated locations across the community (scheduled/locations below) 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 (BEGAN 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 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 and lunch will be provided each day. 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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Probationary Contracts
Probationary contracts were mailed Tuesday, March 24. Please sign and return to Sheryl Blankenship at CO using the self-addressed envelope for your convenience. Extended duty contracts will be issued in July. If you have not received your contract, please email Sheryl at
sheryl.blankenship@republicschools.org
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Event Updates:
All district events through the end of April have been postponed or canceled. Below are a few specific events on this list:
*Kindergarten Registration & Preschool Enrollment: 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.
*ROAR Run: The annual ROAR Run 5K and 1 mile run/walk event set for May 2, 2020 has been canceled for this year.
*RHS Prom: The junior/senior RHS Prom scheduled for April 11 has been postponed, and will be rescheduled for another date. As details are established they will be shared.
*At this time RHS graduation is planned to take place as planned on Sunday, May 10 at JQH Arena.
**Republic Youth Volleyball Camp: The Republic Youth Volleyball camp scheduled for March 30-31 has been canceled. Contact allison.davis@republicschools.org for refund information.
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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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