North Platte, Neb. – North Platte Public Schools (NPPS) releases Return to School Playbooks, by campus, for the 2020 – 2021 school year. These playbooks were developed using the parameters of the NPPS District Return To School Plan and resolution that was presented to the Board of Education on July 13, 2020. The resolution will be voted on during the August 10, 2020, meeting.
Ron Hanson, NPPS Superintendent, stated, 'our district directors and administrators have carefully considered the guidelines set by the district, earlier this month, to develop in-depth playbooks that will guide their schools as we reconvene this fall and through the school year.' The campus playbooks outline details of drop-off and pick-up, lunch procedures, face-covering requirements, as well as communication flows to staff, students, and families. Hanson went on to add, 'these playbooks follow the same outline as the district plan using the risk dial set forth by the West Central Health District.'
In a statement to his team, Hanson stated, 'We all must remember guidelines can and will change at a moment's notice, and the school district will respond based on these changes. NPPS will continue to err on the side of caution to best provide a healthy, safe, and supportive learning and work environment for our students, staff, and those we serve.' School playbooks are now available on each school's website or the nppsd.org site and can be found by clicking the link below. https://www.nppsd.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Students%20%26%20Parents%7CCOVID-19%20Resources.
As a reminder; Based on the current Directed Health Measures as well as guidance from the West Central District Health Department and the Nebraska Department of Education, NPPS plans to return to school, as expected, for grades PK-9 on August 17th and grades 10-12 on August 18th. As the school year quickly approaches, families are encouraged to speak and work with students about social and physical distancing, the proper use of face-coverings, and hygiene. The district has developed a set of resources that embrace each of these topics that are located at https://www.smore.com/tyv08.
NPPS is planning to start school in August with the following guidance:
● Students in grades Pre-K through 12 will attend school in person.
● Accommodations will be made for K-12 students who are unable to attend in-person to utilize online learning through Zoom, Google Classroom, Edgenuity, and other remote learning tools. Students will have recorded lessons available with the possibility of some live instruction.
● Remote Learning Request Forms: Elementary, Middle School, High School
● Based on current recommendations from WCDHD and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, NPPS highly recommends face-coverings to be worn by students and staff, at all times. This recommendation is subject to change based on the risk dial and guidelines set forth by federal, state, and local health and education officials. All other approved individuals who need access to the schools are required to wear face-coverings at all times while in any NPPS facility (pending personal health concerns). NPPS will provide cloth face covering for students and staff who do not have them available. Students are welcome to bring and wear their own appropriate multilayered cloth face coverings.
Click Here for more information on the CDC recommendation on face coverings.
Superintendent Hanson encourages families and supporters to follow the district on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram). To view the District Return to School Plan, please visit the district website at nppsd.org.