Students and Parents,
Let me first start by saying, I hope all of you are healthy and doing well. The events of the last few weeks have knocked the wind out of many of us. A lot of varying emotions have emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As educators, we grieve with our seniors whose traditional ending will be much different from previous graduating classes. We also worry about the development of all children as they will be adjusting to a new way of learning.
We understand the cloud of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty that students and parents have experienced in the past days and weeks. The silver lining is that those changes open the door to new opportunities for learning and experiences.
I miss seeing all of you and want you to know that we have been working hard behind the scenes to find ways to connect with you and to best meet your academic and social-emotional needs.
This past week and a half, the administrative team has been working with guidance from KSDE and a continuous learning task force made up of educators from across the state to develop a framework for educational delivery. This week, our teachers will be working on the details within this framework. By the end of the week, we will roll out the district’s plan for continuous education for your child.
The educational day will look much different. Time that students will “be in school” will be dramatically reduced as we know that an online or non-traditional environment cannot replicate what we do in our schools through face to face interactions. KSDE has repeatedly emphasized that schools need to
• Focus on essential learning for students – a “Less is More” approach
• Be flexible and ready to adapt when needs arise
• foster relationships in this new learning environment
There are still unanswered questions at both the federal and state level that we are working to have answered. Many of our students have unique learning needs who require additional supports in the traditional school setting. We are waiting on answers to determine how this looks in this new environment.
We will continue to provide meals for those in need with curbside pick-up Monday-Friday from 11:00-12:30 at each of our educational sites. We just ask that you fill out the google form posted on our school’s Facebook page by Thursday of the preceding week so that we can accurately prepare for the next week’s meals. We will send out this form through email as well.
At this time, the county health department will not allow students back into our buildings. As a result, we plan to distribute technology, educational and personal items tomorrow from 8:00-4:00 and from 5:00-7:00pm. This will be accomplished through curbside pick-up. Elementary will pick up in front of the elementary, the junior high in the east side parking lot and the high school in front of the old high school entrance. We have developed a google form that must be filled out by a parent or guardian of students in grades K-6 so that we can issue either an iPad for those in grades K-5 or a Macbook to our sixth graders. This form is available through a link on our Facebook page and was also emailed to all parents. Please complete this prior to pick up.
By the end of the week, the administrative team and our teachers will communicate out the learning structures and expectations for the rest of this school year. This will give you a better idea of what day to day learning will look like and how to manage your academic day. Teachers will be reaching out to students in the next few days to connect with them and to reassure them during this time.
While we prepare this week for a new educational delivery system, we encourage you to explore ways for your child to engage in learning. Many of our teachers and administrators across the state have been posting ideas on social media to help children and parents continue learning in their homes.
This is not the “ending” to the school year we had hoped for. However, I am looking forward to “seeing” all of you in the days and weeks ahead in this new learning environment. To all our Olpe kids, we miss you all and want you to know that we are doing everything we can to keep connected and provide an education that will help you to be successful in the future.
If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or you can contact me through my email at sclark@usd252.org. I will be posting the information from this Facebook live event to our Facebook page and to our website. Thank you for your patience through this difficult time and I wish all of you good health. Have a great evening! Enjoy your kids!
Parents with students in grades K-6, please fill out the following form so we can check out technology to your child. This form will need to be completed before devices can be picked up.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18UHawQZY_CUnhZXSAb7ptcJd9DvUOkQVkyi-K29R0Yk/edit
Mark in your calendars for a Facebook live event scheduled for Monday, March 23 at 7:00pm. Your building administrator will be going live to update students, parents and community patrons on USD 252's progress toward developing a plan for continuous learning
CLASS OF 2020: We know things are crazy and different right now, but we do NOT want you to forget about scholarship deadlines! For more information or to submit applications, you may contact Mrs. Davis at cricharddavis@usd252.org or visit her counselor's webpage at: http://www.usd252.org/o/olpe-schools/page/counselor-page--2. Also, if you haven't submitted your senior pictures to Mrs. Broyles please do so ASAP! We will still have a yearbook, composite board, and graduation slideshow for you, no matter what!
Olpe Families: USD 252 is gathering information as to whether or not students have internet access at home so that we can improve our delivery of instruction in the coming weeks- please fill out the form below to help guide these decisions: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe978RxEBIljxLnpe0lmO2wLJ6JynEJNUiq7naBKLRSCtEJXA/viewform
Click on the link for the Grab 'n Go form. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTYmx6g0S5dCaJOAEye8ZaIqCzcfeeW35yDkVgPBlZprsv5g/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1
Today's Olpe Blood Drive is still on! The location has been CHANGED to the Knights Hall in Olpe. IF YOU FEEL ILL, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND!
Today, March 17, 2020 Governor Laura Kelly announced all school facilities will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. This includes all activities. This will place tremendous hardship on our families and staff, and impact the social and emotional well-being of our students.
We have been working on contingency plans since mid-March, including how we can meet the ongoing learning needs of our students and provide breakfast and lunch for our students who need it.
KSDE is working to help districts develop a plan for continuous learning for our students through the end of the school year. This plan will include virtual learning along with limited on campus instruction that complies with guidance from our local county health department. The details of our plan will be communicated as soon as they have been solidified.
What we do know now is that teachers will return on March 23 to begin planning student learning experiences through the Continuous Learning Program guided by the Kansas State Department of Education.
Meals are expected to start on March 23. If your child needs a meal, please fill out the USD 252 Grab ‘n Go form so that we can plan accordingly.
Students will be expected to begin participating in learning activities on Monday, March 30. Additional information will be shared during the week of March 23 in preparation of this transition.
During these uncertain times, USD 252 is committed to ensure that ALL of our staff remains gainfully employed; therefore, staff will continue to be paid. Staff may be asked to work in different areas during this time. We appreciate our staff’s dedication to our students and their continued flexibility over the coming months.
Our staff and board of education are also working on other critical issues, such as what this means for our seniors and how this will affect next school year. We will provide updates on these issues as soon as the information is available.
We are committed to working together as a community to support one another throughout these unprecedented times, and communication will remain a top priority. As a reminder, this school closure is in response to the current public health crisis. The focus should remain on preventing the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19 as it is also referred to.
Please be mindful of the following:
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing (cough/sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue).
• Keep sick children at home.
• Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
• Practice social distancing
Follow additional guidance from these sources:
• National Center for Disease Control (CDC)
• Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
• https://www.flinthillshealth.org
The Olpe Blood Drive is still on for tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18 starting at 9 am. The location has been CHANGED to the Knights Hall in Olpe. IF YOU FEEL ILL, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND!
CANCELLED:
OLPE JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS TO THE FHTC WRANGLER RALLY ON THURSDAY, APRIL 2!
The Olpe Blood Drive is still on for Wednesday, March 18 starting at 9 am. The location has been CHANGED to the Knights Hall in Olpe. IF YOU FEEL ILL, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND!
COVID-19 Update
Check out our Olpe Schools Google Calendar to help you stay up to date with all activities, as we do our best to keep it as updated as possible. You can sync it to your phone or computer. The link is below, but if you would like a direct invite to make it easier, please e-mail your request to: jbroyles@usd252.org
Here is the link for the Google Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/r?tab=mc1
Order your 2019-2020 Olpe Jr/Sr High School Yearbook! Cost is $35. We accept cash or a check made out to OHS, with yearbook on the memo line. Please pay Mrs. Smith or contact her with any questions.
Check out these important cancellations for Olpe Schools FBLA, FFA, and Forensics! We will continue to post updates as they are presented to us. Stay up to date on our website, Google Calendar, and Facebook page.
We have received many questions about the impact COVID-19 will have on our schools and spring sports and activities. If there are changes, these will be communicated as soon as that information becomes available.
Congrats Lady Eagles on your 26-0 undefeated season! Sorry it had to end the way it did! We a proud of you! #eaglepride #greenmachine #statechampsinoureyes
KSHSAA has cancelled all remaining games of the state tournament. #disappointed #stilleagleproud
KSDE guidance on Covid-19 https://kasb.org/nb0312-4/
Lady Eagles defeat Norwich 59-43. Advance to play Centralia in the semifinals tomorrow at 3:00. Go Lady Eagles! #eaglepride #greenmachine