Lincoln School grapples with state's two-week closure order

School grapples with two week closure

The Lincoln School board held an emergency meeting Sunday evening, March 15 to develop a response plan after Gov. Steve Bullock announced a statewide, two-week shutdown of all K-12 schools related to coronavirus.

The board focused on the immediate need to prepare for distance learning plans and to continue providing breakfasts and lunches to students in the school's free and reduced lunch program.

Currently, the two weeks will not have to be made up at the end of the year, but Lincoln Schools Superintendent Jennifer Packer said schools need to continue to provide learning opportunities for the students during the closure.

Lincoln teachers worked Monday to prepare lesson plans and two weeks of coursework for their students, who trickled into the school throughout the day Tuesday to pick up the packets.

For some students, courses during the school closure will involve online learning tools such as Google Classroom, but hard-copy material was made available for students without computers or internet access. The coursework packets included contact information for their teachers, so students can contact them by phone or online.

While some of the teachers will be at the school during the closure, Packer said those who can work online will work from home.

Packer said students need to remember the closure is not a vacation and they need to take part in their classwork. Likewise, she said students are discouraged from gathering socially during the closure, and urged them to observe the guidance for protecting themselves, which includes social distancing, frequent hand washing and not touching their faces.

For students enrolled in the free and reduced breakfast and lunch program, the school will continue to provide meals throughout the closure and school Kitchen Manager Diane Krier plans to stick with the established menu. Students who live in town can pick up both meals at the school beginning at 9 a.m. The school plans to deliver meals to those students who are unable to come to the school.

Parents will have to contact the school each day to find out about food for the next day and to ensure they have an accurate headcount for meals.

The Lincoln School Board will meet again at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 at the school to update their response plan and discuss a contingency plan for a possible extension of the school closure order. Board President Aaron Birkholz said the meeting is public, but people should keep in mind the guidance on gatherings and social distancing.