All Schools In Stone County Closed Until April Due To COVID-19
Other Events And Centers Also Closed Due To Virus, Food Service For Students Still Being Organized
March 19, 2020
COVID-19 illustration
Isaac Estes-Jones
All five public schools in Stone County have elected to call off school until at least April 3, following guidance from the Stone County Health Department. These measures are being taken to help curb the spread of COVID-19 (commonly called the coronavirus).
This situation has rapidly evolved over the last week, with numerous schools in southwest Missouri making the call to extend spring break or take a “wellness break” until at least April 3. Stone County public schools join Greene and Barry County schools, numerous universities and colleges in calling off school for the time being.
Stone County schools began making the call on Monday, March 16. Initially, Crane schools had planned to be in session on Tuesday, March 17. However, approximately one hour after that report was made to parents, the school spoke further with the health department and decided to leave students at home for the next few weeks.
According to Facebook posts from the Crane R-III school district, the initial plan was to bring students in for instruction on Tuesday, March 17. Absences during this time were not to be counted and work would be provided for students.
However, after further consultation with the Stone County Health Department, Crane Schools also decided to cancel school. The other four public schools in the county made the call earlier in the day.
School athletic events through April 3 are canceled, however, as of presstime Tuesday afternoon, MSHSAA has not canceled spring sports or conferences. This is an evolving situation and may have changed since this story was published. All readers interested are encouraged to reach out to their coaches and schools for more up to date information.
Food Service and Education Questions Remain
Area schools remain committed to feeding and educating students in need throughout the closure, however full details on how that will look have not been finalized at the time of this writing.
Hurley, Galena, Reeds Spring and Blue Eye were already scheduled for spring break this week. Plans to provide alternative instruction or other methods of education through the remaining time are under way but have not been finalized.
For Crane students, teachers will have educational resources for March 17 through March 27 ready for pickup starting March 18. Middle and high school students, grades 7 - 12, will receive assignments through their Google classroom. Paper copies will be available for students without internet access. Elementary school parents will be able to pick up paper assignments and any needed supplies on Wednesday, March 18, from 3 to 6 p.m. According to a letter distributed to parents, families are asked to drive through the drop-off lane and teachers will be able to retrieve and distribute all assignments and supplies (such as crayons, pencils, etc.) The school has asked parents fill out an online survey to help gauge needs.
Parents filling out the survey will also be asked to verify they will help their students work from home during this extended break. According to the school, this verification will allow the school to provide appropriate documentation to DESE (the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) that education took place and gives the school more wiggle room when it comes to making up this time.
Included with that Crane survey is information on supplying food (lunch and breakfast) to all students enrolled in the district. At this time, Crane has decided to deliver food to families’ door, at no charge. According to the Crane letter, “We will not be able to leave food if no one is home. We plan to deliver food directly to your door, unless you have dogs that are loose. In that case, [parents are asked to] please watch for the bus or listen for a honk to come out and get the food.”
Galena School District has indicated food service is a priority for the remaining portion of spring break. According to a posting from the school, “Our immediate focus will be to provide food-service options to students. The administrative team will be working together in the coming days to develop our approach to the two-week closure.”
Further details will be shared as they become available to us.
All five public schools in Stone County have elected to call off school until at least April 3, following guidance from the Stone County Health Department. These measures are being taken to help curb the spread of COVID-19 (commonly called the coronavirus).
This situation has rapidly evolved over the last week, with numerous schools in southwest Missouri making the call to extend spring break or take a “wellness break” until at least April 3. Stone County public schools join Greene and Barry County schools, numerous universities and colleges in calling off school for the time being.
Stone County schools began making the call on Monday, March 16. Initially, Crane schools had planned to be in session on Tuesday, March 17. However, approximately one hour after that report was made to parents, the school spoke further with the health department and decided to leave students at home for the next few weeks.
According to Facebook posts from the Crane R-III school district, the initial plan was to bring students in for instruction on Tuesday, March 17. Absences during this time were not to be counted and work would be provided for students.
However, after further consultation with the Stone County Health Department, Crane Schools also decided to cancel school. The other four public schools in the county made the call earlier in the day.
School athletic events through April 3 are canceled, however, as of presstime Tuesday afternoon, MSHSAA has not canceled spring sports or conferences. This is an evolving situation and may have changed since this story was published. All readers interested are encouraged to reach out to their coaches and schools for more up to date information.
Food Service and Education Questions Remain
Area schools remain committed to feeding and educating students in need throughout the closure, however full details on how that will look have not been finalized at the time of this writing.
Hurley, Galena, Reeds Spring and Blue Eye were already scheduled for spring break this week. Plans to provide alternative instruction or other methods of education through the remaining time are under way but have not been finalized.
For Crane students, teachers will have educational resources for March 17 through March 27 ready for pickup starting March 18. Middle and high school students, grades 7 - 12, will receive assignments through their Google classroom. Paper copies will be available for students without internet access. Elementary school parents will be able to pick up paper assignments and any needed supplies on Wednesday, March 18, from 3 to 6 p.m. According to a letter distributed to parents, families are asked to drive through the drop-off lane and teachers will be able to retrieve and distribute all assignments and supplies (such as crayons, pencils, etc.) The school has asked parents fill out an online survey to help gauge needs.
Parents filling out the survey will also be asked to verify they will help their students work from home during this extended break. According to the school, this verification will allow the school to provide appropriate documentation to DESE (the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) that education took place and gives the school more wiggle room when it comes to making up this time.
Included with that Crane survey is information on supplying food (lunch and breakfast) to all students enrolled in the district. At this time, Crane has decided to deliver food to families’ door, at no charge. According to the Crane letter, “We will not be able to leave food if no one is home. We plan to deliver food directly to your door, unless you have dogs that are loose. In that case, [parents are asked to] please watch for the bus or listen for a honk to come out and get the food.”
Galena School District has indicated food service is a priority for the remaining portion of spring break. According to a posting from the school, “Our immediate focus will be to provide food-service options to students. The administrative team will be working together in the coming days to develop our approach to the two-week closure.”
Further details will be shared as they become available to us.