UPDATE:
As per KSDE:
1. They Strongly recommend closing all schools that are not on spring break this week. March 16-20
2. Will receive further guidance by Wednesday or Thursday of this week.
3. School facilities will be closed for everyone this week except for custodial & maintenance personnel, and district office.
4. Deep cleaning and sanitizing should take place.
5. NO Kshsaa ATHLETIC PRACTICES. This includes all rec games and practices.
6. Weightroom is closed to the public until further notice.
7. Governor Kelly will make an address around 6:00 pm today.
Interim Guidance for K-12 Schools and Pre-K Programs Operated by Schools
March 12, 2020
This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the transmission and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available. Please check the CDC website and the Kansas Department of Health & Environment website periodically for updated interim guidance.
Although precautions are necessary to prevent the entry and spread of COVID-19 into US communities, care should be taken to avoid stigmatizing students and staff who may have been exposed to the virus. K-12 schools and Pre-K programs operated by schools offer a welcoming, respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment to all and should continue to do so. Measures taken by US K-12 schools and Pre-K programs should help prevent the entry and spread of COVID-19 by students and staff who may have been exposed to the virus while minimizing disruption and protecting students and staff from discrimination.
This interim guidance is intended primarily for administrators* of public and private K-12 schools and Pre-K programs operated by schools in the United States to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 into their facilities. It recommends actions that school administrators should take now to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among students and staff and to help maintain continuity of teaching and learning if there is community spread of COVID-19 in the future. This interim guidance also suggests strategies to consider if public health officials determine that COVID-19 is spreading in US communities and educational settings.
National Guidance
What is the role of schools in responding to COVID-19? COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) virus, and we are learning more about it every day. There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. At this point, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes it. Stopping transmission (spread) of the virus through everyday practices is the best way to keep people healthy. More information on COVID-19 is available here.
Schools, working together with local health departments, have an important role in slowing the spread of diseases to help ensure students have safe and healthy learning environments. Schools serve students, staff, and visitors from throughout the community. All of these people may have close contact in the school setting, often sharing spaces, equipment, and supplies.
Guidance for schools with identified cases of COVID-19 identified in their community.
To prepare for possible community transmission of COVID-19, the most important thing for schools to do now is plan and prepare. As the global outbreak evolves, schools should prepare for the possibility of community-level outbreaks. Schools want to be ready if COVID-19 does appear in their communities.
If local health officials report that there are cases of COVID-19 in the community, schools may need to take additional steps in response to prevent spread in the school. The first step for schools in this situation is to talk with local health officials. The guidance provided here is based on current knowledge of COVID-19. As additional information becomes available about the virus, how it spreads, and how severe it is, this guidance may be updated. Administrators are encouraged to work closely with local health officials to determine a course of action for their childcare programs or schools.
Determine if, when, and for how long childcare programs or schools may need to be dismissed.
Temporarily dismissing childcare programs and K-12 schools is a strategy to stop or slow the further spread of COVID-19 in communities. During school dismissals, childcare programs and schools may stay open for staff members (unless ill) while students stay home. Keeping facilities open a) allows teachers to develop and deliver lessons and materials remotely, thus maintaining continuity of teaching and learning; and b) allows other staff members to continue to provide services and help with additional response efforts.
Childcare and school administrators should work in close collaboration and coordination with local health officials to make dismissal and large event cancellation decisions. Schools are not expected to make decisions about dismissal or canceling events on their own. Schools can seek specific guidance from local health officials to determine if, when, and for how long to take these steps. Large event cancellations or school dismissals*** may be recommended for 14 days, or possibly longer if advised by local health officials. The nature of these actions (e.g., geographic scope, duration) may change as the local outbreak situation evolves.
If an ill student or staff member attended school prior to being confirmed as a COVID-19 case:
Denise Kahler, Director of Communications ‑ (785) 296-4876
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2020
Commissioner of Education issues guidance
to school districts regarding COVID-19
TOPEKA — The Kansas State Department (KSDE) remains in regular contact with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) as we monitor and address the spread of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus.
As of today, March 12, 2020, KSDE hasn’t issued any directive to close Kansas schools nor has the Kansas State Board of Education directed KSDE to waive any education requirements because of COVID-19.
As of noon today, there are no confirmed cases of the virus in any Kansas’ schools. Should this change, KSDE has updated its guidance for Kansas schools to include the following:
Schools with staff or students who have traveled outside of the United States as of Feb. 25, 2020, and until all travel bans are lifted, should check in with their local public health department about their travel history, and follow the guidance from the public health department regarding isolation or quarantine measures.
If a local health department, in cooperation with KDHE, the president of the United States or the Kansas governor, requires the closure of a school because of COVID-19, schools will have three options:
1. Make up the missed school days by June 30, 2020.
2. Submit a proposal to KSDE for the delivery of e-learning to be counted as seat time.
3. Submit a petition to the Kansas State Board of Education and the Kansas Commissioner of Education to waive the legally required minimum number of hours and days schools must be in session.
In order to be approved for the delivery of e-learning, schools will have to meet a list of requirements developed by KSDE, which will be distributed to districts in the updated guidance. These requirements include, but are not limited to:
1. Student attendance is tracked and monitored to ensure compulsory attendance laws are followed.
Ensure students and teachers have sufficient access to the internet, hardware or software in their homes.
Interventions are available to address student academic, attendance and behavior needs.
Special education, English learners, migrant and homeless services are provided in adherence to state/federal law and guidance.
If a school is required to close due to COVID-19, the requirement from KDHE is that the school must be closed for a minimum of 14 days following the decision, after which time the communal spread of the virus will be reassessed before the school is cleared to reopen. During this mandated closure, schools will be required to conduct a deep cleaning of the building.
If a local school district decides independently (without the recommendation of KDHE and the local health department, the president or the governor) to close schools, the schools would be required to make up all lost time by June 30, 2020.
KDHE recommends that anyone returning from travel to known “hot spots†for the virus and who have had no known direct exposure to someone with the virus should check in with their local public health department, monitor their health and maintain social distancing.
Neither KSDE nor schools have the authority to quarantine anyone who isn’t exhibiting any signs of illness.
For the most updated information on COVID-19, we continue to direct you to the KDHE website: www.kdheks.gov.
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Live on Facebook Friday morning at the Mock Trial.
You are invited to watch the EHS government class Mock Trial The trial will be Friday, March 13 in the Auditorium at 8:30 AM.
NHS Inductions TONIGHT at 7 in the EHS Auditorium. Congratulations to the new members.
Basketball All-League Honors Announced!
Jaxon- 2nd Team All-League, Carrie- Honorable Mention, Chevelle- 1st Team All-League, Jenni- 2nd Team All-League. Congratulations Wildcats!
Baseball & Softball Scrimmage
Congratulations Lady Cats on your fantastic season and Substate Runner-up.
Lady Cats @ HOME for championship Saturday at 6 pm. EHS Stuco paying for the first 30 EHS students not already on the pass gate. Let’s double the Wildcat fans from last night.
Results of the Powerlifting Meet held in Leoti...Congratulations to Tyler 1st in the heavyweight division and Kyson 3rd in the 132 weight class.
Youth Entepreneur Challenge is today in the foyer of the HS gym. Feel free to come up and look at the students projects.
8:00: Participants set up projects
9:00-10:45: Projects are judged
11:00: Public is invited to view projects
11:20: Middle School is invited to view projects
11:35: High School is invited to view projects
11:50: Awards will be presented in HS Gym
***Everything should be completed by 12:05
Results of the Power Lifting Competition in Larned on Feb 22nd. Kyson 3rd place 132 weight class, Hadley 3rd place 156 weight class and Forrest 2nd place 132 weight class. Congratulations!!
Sorry for the confusion. KSHSAA just updated the times for the games on Thursday. Elkhart Lady Cats will play Syracuse @ 7:30 in Elkhart.
Updated girls substate bracket
Updated girls sub state bracket.
Lady Cats in substate action Monday night @ HOME 6:00. Let’s fill the stands with Wildcat fans.
7th grade Science Fair Winners
8th grade Science Fair Winners
Sub State Basketball brackets posted below.
