ASHLAND — Even before learning of Governor Mike DeWine’s order to close every grade school in Ohio next week, Hillsdale Local School District Superintendent Steve Dickerson was preparing for what he saw as inevitable news.
At a press conference Thursday, March 12, Gov. DeWine announced intentions to close every Kindergarten through 12th grade school — public and private — across Ohio for at least three weeks in attempt to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), which has now been identified in Ohio and has reached a level of “community spread.” Schools are ordered to close after classes conclude Monday, March 16.
“It shouldn’t have been a total surprise to schools. It was a matter of when,” Dickerson said.
All building principals within Hillsdale Local School District were instructed to meet with their staff Thursday morning. They were told school could be canceled as early as Monday, which will be the case for all Hillsdale schools. The district will be open Friday, March 13, but will begin its closure after that. Schools will not be open Monday, March 16 in Hillsdale School District and will remain closed through April 12 — longer than the governor’s order due to spring break.
Educational needs will be filled via various channels. which could include paper packets or online options.
“We won’t leave any student behind whatsoever,” Dickerson said.
Nearby Ashland City School District is responding similarly. It will suspend its classes after the completion of the school day Friday. Initially, the district had planned to remain open through Monday.
The district’s director of business services, Steve Paramore said the district will use Friday to ensure staff and students are informed and prepared for the extended break. Any parent choosing to keep their child home on Friday, March 13 will have the absence excused, but it is in the students’ best interest to be at school as information will be passed out for the break, the press release said.
The district’s extra-curricular activities are to be halted effective Friday evening, unless otherwise noted. Additional information will be provided on the district’s website to the community, staff, and families/students as it becomes available.
According to a letter from Superintendent Catherine Puster posted on the Loudonville-Perrysville district’s homepage earlier today, teachers in the Loudonville-Perrysville School District are are preparing packets and/or online/web-based assignments for students to complete over the next three weeks.
Because the district is choosing to close both Friday and Monday, each building will be open for pick-up on Monday, March 16 as follows: LHS from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and Budd and McM from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Packets not picked up will be mailed home within the week.
Additionally, the district postponed or suspended all practices and activities until further notice.
What about students who receive free and reduced lunches?
The Loudonville-Perrysville School District has already announced its intentions for providing meals to families who receive free or reduced lunch/breakfast.
Those meals will be able to be picked up at the high school on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 8:00 am – 10:00 am. These meals will include four lunches and four breakfasts for the week of March 17-20. On March 23-27, families on Free or Reduced will be able to pick-up breakfasts and lunches from 8:00 – 10:00 am. This pick-up will include five lunches and five breakfasts. On March 30, families on Free or Reduced will be able to pick-up breakfasts and lunches from 8:00 – 10:00 am. This pick-up will include five lunches and five breakfasts.
The district encourages parents to visit www.lpschools.k12.oh.us for updates.
According to Dickerson, Hillsdale School District hasn’t entirely determined the details around how it will handle its free and reduced lunch program. As of now, he said, it will likely offer pre-packaged meals on a weekly basis. These meals could possibly be delivered to students’ homes.
The Hillsdale School District will update its students, parents and staff through a variety of channels, including its website.
Information from other districts as of Thursday, March 12 at 8:15 p.m.
Earlier today, Mapleton School District made the following announcement on its website:
“On Thursday, March 12 at approximately 2:45 p.m., Governor DeWine announced the closure of all Ohio schools beginning Monday, March 16 for a three-week period.
“While there are many implications and details to be worked out in this closure, Mapleton is going to operate on the following modified schedule: Mapleton will be closed on Friday, March 13 for staff professional development.”
More information is expected to be posted at www.mapleton.k12.oh.us
Crestview Local Schools has teamed with numerous Richland County Schools in its communication efforts. This was shared via a joint letter from Superintedents Thursday.
Additionally, the community can follow Ashland Source for regular updates. See below.
