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The Springfield City School District Emergency Operations Team has begun to implement their plan for students, said Superintendent Bob Hill.
“All K-8 students will receive a Student Work Packet consisting of instructions and expectations for lessons in language art, math, science and social studies,” Hill said. “Students in grades 9-12 will be expected to access their Student Work Packets electronically through their school-issued iPad.”
Hill said paper packets will be available for students who currently do not have a device and on a limited basis for others.
“The completed work packets will be counted for grades toward core content classes and will be counted as attendance for the time that the district is not in session due to the precautions taken related to COVID-19,” he said.
Springfield City School District plans to resume classes on Monday, April 6.
The “extended spring break” will impact 1.7 million students, and the closure could extend beyond three weeks, DeWine said.
“We know it’s disruptive to the families but we have to do this if we’re going to slow this down,” DeWine said.
DeWine also announced on Friday that the state has been given waivers to enable schools “to help continue to feed the students who they have been feeding lunch, and many cases, feeding breakfast.”
“What was granted to us allows us to package this food, allows schools to package food, and take that out to the students, so that is something that is a work in progress,” DeWine said.
School districts will have different distribution procedures and are working with foodbanks and state departments to make sure that works, DeWine said.
Tecumseh Local School District Superintendent Paula Crew said a food plan is essential.
“One of our major concerns is the lack of food that some children will have as a result of not having lunch available for them since they will not be in school,” Crew said. “I can assure you we have already begun to explore all of our options and will share our plan as soon as it is detailed.”
Crew said they will make their plan available once they know more.
“I realize this puts a tremendous hardship on families when it comes to childcare and many other nuances,” said Crew. “Gov. DeWine is putting together a fact sheet of guidance for us. We will share answers as they are made available to us.”
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The Clark-Shawnee Local School District is working to put together “Blizzard Bags” for students, said Superintendent Brian Kuhn.
“Clark-Shawnee Local makes use of “Blizzard Bags” for three additional calamity days as outlined on the district calendar. These “Blizzard Bags,” or instructions for electronic learning, will be provided to students on Monday, March 16,” Kuhn said.
This district along with Greenon and Northeastern are all also working with their partners at Second Harvest Food Bank of Clark, Champaign & Logan Counties to develop a plan of packing boxes that will be delivered to sites throughout the community for pick-up.
If you would like to help, you can make a donation to the Food Bank or contact Executive Director Tyra Jackson at tjackson@theshfb.org for more information on how to get involved.
Urbana City Schools are working on finalizing plans for students, said Superintendent Charles Thiel.
“Currently we are working on plans to provide distance instruction via online programming and/or paper packets,” Thiel said.
Once the plans are finalized, Theil said they will be shared with students and families.
“We will continue to be understanding and flexible as we face this unique situation and attempt our best to ensure the health and safety of all community members,” he said.
Mechanicsburg Exempted Village Schools are working to offer distance learning to students, said Superintendent Danielle Prohaska.
“We are preparing to offer distance learning for all students 5-12 with district devices and K-4 through a blend of learning menus and online options,” Prohaska said.
Prohaska said there will be an opportunity for 5th graders and other students who don’t currently have a device at home to pick one up in the coming weeks.
“The district will issue additional information related to distance learning over the next coming days,” Prohaska said.
The district has also rescheduled the 8th grade Washington D.C. trip for Sept. 8 through 11 at no additional cost, and canceled the Der Dutchman fundraiser.
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Triad Local School District will also work through distance learning, said Superintendent Vickie Hoffman.
Elementary schools will use learning packets and/or online assignments, and middle and high schools will use Google classroom.
Hoffman said the work will still be graded and used to track attendance.
The district is also working on a plan to provide meals to the students, and information on that will be given next week.
“Food pantries are stepping up,” Hoffman said. “I have several parents that are offering to help.”
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