After the announcement yesterday that school buildings across the state must be closed for the duration of the school year for the purpose of general student and staff attendance. We wanted to provide further information and clarity about how USD 495 will continue to educate our students for the next eight weeks. School is not over for the year, although it will look very different as we move forward.
Our building principals gathered this morning to initiate plans for the district and each building. We will provide regular updates to keep you informed as more details become available.
While buildings are closed for the remainder of this week due to spring break, education in Fort Larned will be reimagined and delivered in new ways moving forward. In coordination with schools across the State, USD 495 is embarking on a continuous learning plan that will begin with students on Monday, March 30. The Continuous Learning Plan will carry us through the next eight weeks to the end of the school year. We will not extend the school year beyond May 20.
Beginning next week Wednesday, March 25, we will be providing free meal packages for lunch and the following days breakfast. These are available to all children 18 and under. This will be a grab and go meal type with pickup sites in Larned, Garfield, and Pawnee Rock. We will be providing additional details and information as those become available to all families.
We understand this situation creates unease and stress for your family and our community. Please remember the purpose of this executive order and be diligent about hygiene practices and efforts of social distancing.
All of us at USD 495 want to be a positive source of encouragement for you, your students, and the community. Together, we will work through the next eight weeks with flexibility and creativity. Please know that more information will be provided as soon as it is available.
There are many questions that we simply do not yet have answers for at this time; we ask for your patience. Staff and student safety will remain the top priority in accordance with guidance from the CDC and KDHE.
Regards,
Bryce Wachs
USD 495 Superintendent