March 24, 2020

Greetings Stanton County residents. Yesterday all USD #452 employees met virtually to discuss the continual education plan that will be developed by the faculty and staff. As all of you are aware, the plan is to provide all students an education virtually. Some of the lower elementary grades are working on other options. Please understand this is a new concept for the vast majority of our staff. Therefore, you will need to be patient with them. They are not experts at presenting a virtual education. With that said, I am excited about the plans that are being developed by the staffs in both buildings.  Below you will find a few key points that may help to alleviate any concerns you may have.

• As part of the social distancing guidelines set forth by the Governor and the county health department, USD #452 is making every attempt to keep all of our employees a safe distance apart. Additionally, we are devising the virtual education plan that allows staff members to work from home. We are also limiting the amount of time the office personnel spend at school. We have asked each office to make sure; only one person is in the office at a time. Each school, as well as the superintendent’s office have established office hours where someone will be available to take your phone call. You may call any of the three offices between the hours of 8:30-11:30 am, Monday through Friday. Please understand the schools are locked at this time and we are not allowing anyone into the building. If you need something, do not hesitate to contact the offices. They will be happy to help you.

• Later this week all students will pick up a school provided Chromebook. You will not have to purchase a computer or tablet of any kind. Additionally, you will not have to install any programs on the Chromebook. If a specific program is needed it will already be installed on the Chromebook.

• In the near future, the principal’s, through our alert system or on social media will send out a schedule for your child to pick up their Chromebook and any personal items they may have left at school. If you played a winter sport and have a uniform to turn in, they will be asking you to wash the uniform and bring that with you when you pick up the Chromebook and personal items.

• At this time, each building is calling all students to determine if they have Internet at home and if they want to participate in the free breakfast and lunch program. If you have not already signed, up and would like to participate in the food program but have not heard from the school yet, feel free to give your school a call tomorrow between the hours of 8:30 and 11:30 am.

• Each school should be sending out information through social media, phone calls or on our school website, more information as it pertains to each of the buildings. Please be watching for that information or give the elementary or high school office a call between the hours of 8:30-11:30 am.

• I will be sending out a final update in regards to the plan sometime on Friday.