NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-North Platte Public Schools have announced that they will be closing schools temporarily and extended the school year to late May.
The announcement was made to staff and families through the following email:
Good Evening, Staff and Families,
As we have mentioned, the COVID-19 virus is an ever-changing conversation and invokes a great deal of discussion and collaboration with our federal, state, and local health officials. At this time, the West Central District has NO confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19); however, testing for the virus is ongoing.
We would like to provide you with a timeline of events that have occurred over the past few days.
Friday, March 13, 2020
10:00 a.m. – Conference Call with Governor Ricketts and State Health Officials
1:30 p.m. – Conference Call with Nebraska Department of Education
2:30 p.m. – In person meeting with West Central District Health Department (WCDHD, local emergency departments, and Great Plains Health
4:15 p.m. – Press conference with the task force
Saturday, March 14, 2020
7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. – District Directors and Executive Staff Planned strategies for educational engagement during a closure.
Sunday, March 15, 2020
2:00 p.m. – Principals, Directors, Executive Staff, and WCDHD met in person for a conference call with the Nebraska Department of Education, State Health Officials, and Governor Ricketts
4:00 p.m. – Conference Call with ESU 16
4:45 p.m. – Face to Face Meeting with WCDHD and NPPSD Executive Team
Our primary concern at this time is preventative and precautionary measures. We will continue to encourage our families to practice social distancing and proper hygiene and hand-washing. With this being said, NPPSD will implement an extended break for the balance of the week of March 16. All NPPSD schools are closed the week of March 16, 2020, with plans to reopen on Monday, March 23, 2020. During this time, staff and the community will not have access to any academic building. This decision will extend our school year to May 27, 2020, for students (more information will follow as it becomes available).
We do realize surrounding schools are closed for two full weeks. Please note they are combining this with a pre-planned spring break. The NPPSD decision to close for additional time will be made on a week to week basis and could change at any time. These decisions are not made lightly and are in conjunction with the Public Health Command Center.
At this time, we ask that students and families continue to practice social distancing, good hygiene, and give careful consideration when visiting public venues. If you have specific health care questions, please contact your health care provider.