School facilities to remain closed

It's the end of the school year as we know it.

Unlike the comeback line of R.E.M.'s 1987 pop hit, not everyone feels fine about the decision, which was announced Monday afternoon.

Ewing Public, Nebraska Unified District #1 and other schools in the Educational Service Unit 8 area reported they were following recommendations from local health officials, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and Dr. Matt Blomstedt, commissioner of the Nebraska Department of Education, to keep school buildings shuttered for the remainder of the school year.

Directors from the North Central District Health Department, Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department and Loup Basin Public Health Department sent a joint letter to ESU 8 school administrators Monday, recommending local schools not return to normal operations for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

Per the letter, districts are asked to make modifications to continue teaching and learning.

In a message sent to Ewing Public Schools stakeholders, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Monday, Principal Greg Appleby said, "This was a difficult decision to make ... We hope that all of us can return to normal as soon as possible."

Nebraska Unified Superintendent Dale Martin echoed similar words in a letter released to media and sent to district stakeholders.

"These are unique and difficult times, but we will get through this by working together and staying strong. I know that we, as Nebraskans, are used to challenges and can take this one on and come out on the other side," Martin wrote.

How the remainder of the semester plays out will be determined soon, as local educators and administrators develop a continuity of learning plan, scheduled to be implemented April 1.

Appleby said enrichment activities previously given to Ewing students will continue this week.

Staff members were to start working on a learning plan, scheduled to be implemented April 1 and continue through May 19.

Members of the class of 2020 will follow the adapted plan until May 1.

Martin said enrichment instruction for Unified district students will vary, depending on grade level and curriculum.

"We know these enrichment activities are not equal to face-to-face instruction," he wrote, "But because that option is not available right now, we do hope that in partnership with you, the parent(s), learning will continue."

He said information regarding learning opportunities will be given to parents after a plan is created.

As faculty devise new lesson plans for the remainder of the year, they will follow recommendations described in Monday's correspondence from health department officials, including:

• faculty and staff may report at the discretion of school administration;

• measures would be instituted to prevent mingling of staff, including limited access to staff lounge;

• symptom screening will be necessary prior to entry into the building;

• handwashing will be required upon arrival and before leaving the building; and

• meetings should take place via technology.

Health department officials encouraged school personnel to support strict social distancing during closure.

"This would include encouraging students to stay home, and limit time with people from outside their household," according to the letter.