Message to North Platte High School students and families from Principal Scott Siegel
Bulldog Families,
I sent this email to all students at North Platte High School. I wanted to share this with you as well. It is important for our kids to know that we are here for them, care for them, and support them.
As you have your own questions, you are welcome to send them to me. This is a quickly-changing situation and the guidance we receive from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other health organizations changes often as a result. Our number one priority is the safety and health of our students and staff. If we take proper care of students and staff, then we are doing our part to keep our community safer during this difficult time.
As decisions are made that impact your NPHS students, I will communicate our direction to students, staff, and families. Regardless of how this situation with Covid-19 develops, the school district and North Platte High are using this time to plan for the education and support of our students and families. At NPHS, we will focus on getting our current seniors to graduation, while ensuring that our students in grades 9-11 continue to receive their education. Our block schedule allows students to receive credits at an accelerated rate. A student at NPHS can earn almost all credits needed for graduation in only 3-years. This is a major advantage for our students during a time like this.
Going forward, our approach will continue to be focused on safety, fairness, and honesty for our students and families. We will put our students in a position to be successful and we will adapt to their needs in order to better support them.
Thank you for your support of your students. This is a tough time to be a child and they are looking to adults for reassurance.
. . .
NPHS Students,
In the last week, the Covid-19 virus (Also known as Coronavirus) has been in the news a great deal. Due to concerns with the virus, major local, state, national, and even global events have been cancelled or postponed. This is an unprecedented event for anyone, regardless of age. There is serious concern with the virus and how it can impact people. People over the age of 60, and those with compromised immune systems or prior conditions are at the greatest risk.
For most young people, the risk is much less serious, but even young, healthy people can act as carriers of the virus. At this point, there have been cases of young people getting seriously sick from Covid-19, but these have not been frequent. Even if a young person is not seriously affected by Covid-19, they can pass it on to others that are at greater risk.
As this is written, approximately half of the states in our country have closed all schools in their states for different periods of time. Many of the largest school districts in both our country and state have also done this. Major sporting events, activities, and businesses at all levels have also taken steps never before seen in order to limit the spread of Covid-19. This is an example of our country taking the virus seriously in order to protect what is most precious to us: People.
Today, North Platte Public Schools is one of several districts in Nebraska to close it's doors. This is being done as a precaution. As this is written, there are NO CONFIRMED CASES in our community.
At this time, North Platte High School, and all schools in our district, are closed to students, teachers, coaches, parents, etc. until 3.23.20. There are no exceptions to this, due to the safety concerns involved. This will be revisited on a week-by-week basis. Closing our school is an example of social distancing. Through social distancing, our community is in a better position to protect ourselves and our families.
You likely have questions and concerns. As someone that cares about your physical and mental well-being, you are welcome to email me your questions. I will not have all the answers, but I will tell you this....We care about you and want you to be safe. As a school, school district, and community, we will get through this. We will be strong, and we will have many better days ahead. This can be stressful and scary, but you are not alone. I am here for you, and your teachers will be here for you when we return to school.
Please take care of yourselves and your families.
Go Bulldogs,
Scott Siegel, Principal
North Platte High School