COVID-19 Response: Frequently Asked Questions

 “There are 286 school districts in Kansas, and every district is using a unique approach, based upon the needs of their students and the culture of their communities. Every teacher comes to this new arena with a different set of knowledge and skills. Every student and family has individual strengths and challenges. Everyone is doing the best they can in what are, and I am going to overuse this term, unprecedented times. Teaching and learning are now primary, but the teaching part requires a whole new skill set. There will be setbacks. It will be hard. Grace will be required. Sitting in the stands waiting for an opportunity to condemn is the opposite of grace.”                                        John Heim, KASB Executive Director

Q. What is the grading plan for 4th quarter?

A. Our district focus will be on providing learning opportunities, addressing social/emotional needs and looking for ways to lower stress levels for our students, families & staff. We are freezing grades effective the end of the third quarter so that no student will earn lower than the grade they completed the third quarter with. Students will be expected to partner with our schools and participate through the end of the school term. We will be providing multiple opportunities to improve the third quarter score. K-8 grading will be based on participation while giving feedback on learning opportunities provided to students. High school teachers will be grading student learning opportunities. The assignments and activities that teachers are creating for their students are all “highly encouraged” but not mandated because every student does not have the same access to materials/technology. Students and parents are strongly encouraged to reach out to all staff members with questions concerning school work. 

Q. What content is being covered during the 4th quarter?

A. We know families are concerned about instruction and learning during this quarter.

Please be assured our teachers care and are anxious to teach but equally concerned about the social-emotional well-being of their students. It was a traumatic and abrupt end to school as we know it when school facilities were closed on March 17th. We have a face-to-face human interaction model of education. While it would be impossible to replicate a full day of instruction for every grade and academic level, it is possible to provide students with ongoing learning opportunities for the remainder of this school year. No one expects these efforts to be as effective as in-person teaching. In the fall, teachers will evaluate what worked and what didn’t. There will need to be review and reteaching. 

Q. Will my child be ready for the next grade level?

A. Clearly, students aren’t going to learn as much as they could if schools were open, but they can certainly learn a whole lot more than if we had just shut everything down for the remainder of the year. In the fall, it will be necessary for schools across Kansas to review and reteach skills that students would have spent the 4th quarter working on.

Q. I am struggling getting my student to complete the work assigned. He/She is very unmotivated.

A. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teachers if you are having difficulty getting your child to complete their work. Teachers very much view this as a partnership and would welcome the opportunity to help you help your student. 

Q. My student seems to be spending way more time working to complete the work assigned then what we’ve understood to be the maximum student commitment each day.

A. Again, this would be the time to contact your child’s teacher. It is difficult to determine the amount of time each individual student will need to complete assignments. It will vary from student to student, assignment to assignment as well as content area to content area. Teachers are depending on both students and parents to reach out and ask for help so adjustments can be made to the workload. 

Q. I struggle to attend the parent Zoom meetings held by the building principal each week. The time they are scheduled does not work for my family.

A. The building principals are recording their weekly Zoom meetings and will be sending out a link for families to watch at their convenience. If you are not getting that link, please contact your building principal. 

Q. Is school closed for the rest of the school year?

A. No. Governor Laura Kelly announced all school facilities will close for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. We are working with the Kansas State Department of Education to develop “Continuous Learning” opportunities for all students and will share more information soon. We understand the hardship a school closure places on our families as well as the social and emotional impact it may have on our students. Our district leadership team and Board of Education have been developing a contingency plan since mid-March, including how to provide breakfast and lunch for our students. To receive the waiver from the state on the 1,116 hour school year requirement, we are required to implement a “Continuous Learning” instructional program. School facilities are closed for learning as we presently know it. 

Q. Will students have access to school buildings to acquire school materials?

A. The building administrators are working with the classroom teachers to create a plan for students' continuous learning. This plan will be shared with the community soon. 

Q. Are you able to feed kids during this crisis?

A. Our food service director, Nancy Horton has a waiver so we started providing free meals to anyone ages 1-18 beginning on Monday, March 23. This will be available weekdays until further notice. Meals will be available for curbside pick-up at Pleasant Ridge Middle School 11:30-12:15 as well as across from the Easton Post Office from 11:30-12:15. We will provide any child, age 1-18, with a free lunch and breakfast at the same time and on Thursdays, two meals to each child. We are not able to sell meals to any adults. We ask that no one enter the facilities, as our staff will bring the meals to the vehicle with curb-side service. These procedures are designed to help keep everyone as safe as possible. We look forward to serving our kids. 

Q. How will my child meet the requirements to move to the next grade level?

A. USD #449 staff will be developing the “Continuous Learning” plan that will be based on state educational standards to ensure that students meet the appropriate competencies for course or grade level advancement. Our staff will make appropriate changes to the Continuous Learning Plan as experience shows changes are warranted. 

Q. What if we do not have internet access at home for online learning?

A. Our school staff will be working on ways to address these issues and gaps through different approaches that may not require internet access. 

Q. Are spring sports canceled?

A. KSHSAA announced on March 18, that it has canceled all spring championships, competitions, and festivals for the remainder of this school year. 

Q. How and when will families receive refunds for the spring activity fees?

A. If you have paid for your child to participate in a spring activity, refunds will be issued and mailed home. 

Q. Will USD #449 be completing Pre-K screening/orientation this spring? If not, how do I hold a spot/pre-enroll my child?

A. Preschool screening is postponed indefinitely at this time. You may send an email to Anita Predmore (apredmore@easton449.org) to get on the list for preschool. Please provide your child’s name and date of birth, your name, a phone number and address. 

Q. How will lunch balances or lunch bills be handled?

A. The building secretaries will be contacting you about lunch balances or lunch bills. 

Q. I ordered spring pictures. How will I get my order?

A. You will be notified when the pictures are available. 

Q. I wanted to order a yearbook. Is that still possible?

A. Yes. Please mail your order form along with payment to:

USD #449 32502 Easton Rd. Easton, KS 66020 PRMS due by March 31st...PRES due by April 3rd 

Q. I ordered a Chief’s shirt from the Ramnation Store. When will I get it?

A. You will be notified when the shirts are available. 

Q. Will the school be hosting any large group events such as prom, graduation, concerts, etc.?

A. No. At this time ALL school facilities are subject to Governor Kelly’s Covid-19 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 20-07, that prohibits gathering in groups of more than 10 people. Until new directives become available, all events are postponed. These guidelines are changing on a daily basis, so please be flexible. 

Q. Can we bring our children to play on the PRES playground?

A. Our school playgrounds are closed. It is important to keep your kids as isolated at this time. Please realize that the only way to slow the spread is to practice the social distancing standards that are put out by the CDC. 

Q. What if my child’s IEP is due for review, or my child is currently being evaluated or reevaluated for special education?

A. You will be contacted by our school psychologist or special education teacher regarding your child’s IEP or evaluation.