Local schools to close due to COVID-19 concerns

Ewing Public Schools, as well as the three districts comprising Nebraska Unified District #1 - Clearwater, Orchard and Verdigre, will not be in session, beginning March 17.

Ewing

Ewing Principal Greg Appleby said EPS will be closed March 17 to 30.

"At this time classes will resume on March 31," Appleby said.

Future decisions about school closure will be communicated through media channels, Facebook and the school's JMC message system.

Appleby said, "We have made this difficult decision after consulting with Health Department officials this morning, as well as area schools in the ESU 8 service unit."

A lunch survey is available on the school website, http://www.ewingpublicschools.org. Appleby asked district patrons to fill out the survey by 7 a.m., Tuesday, March 17.

This will be for two weeks of lunches to be picked up at school, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., each day, according to Appleby. Lunches may be picked up at the gymnasium back door.

Clearwater, Orchard and Verdigre

Superintendent Dale Martin released the following statement Monday afternoon.

"The North Central District Health Department has shared information with all area superintendents expressing their recommendation that we close down for a minimum of two weeks as an ESU 8 region. Therefore, Nebraska Unified District #1 schools will be closed beginning Tuesday, March 17 through Monday, March 30. We will reevaluate the situation at that time. In addition, all NSAA activity practices have been suspended until Monday, March 30, and NSAA activity competitions have been suspended until Thursday, April 2. These suspensions may be extended should conditions warrant. In conjunction with this, all local school events and activities will also be suspended or cancelled during this time. School officials will be meeting to discuss plans for optional student enrichment activities as well as the possibility of providing student lunches for those interested during this closure. We will provide updated information on our school website as it becomes available."