Hello Staff, Students, And Families,
In partnership with the Nebraska Department of Education and West Central District Public Health, North Platte Public Schools has developed guidance to support the district and community in determining their plans and strategies for reopening schools and facilities. NPPS' Return-to-School Plan provides straightforward, actionable steps that are advisable for the remainder of the school year and summer.
We are nearing the end of the school year. We will proceed with caution as the community and district risk dial changes. Many details still need to be considered, and we will announce more detailed information as we get closer to April, May, June, and July. Below is some information to help you understand the district's steps to slow the virus's spread and adjust various safety protocols.
We share our plan to conclude this school year with in-person learning while providing a healthy and safe learning environment for our students, staff, and community.
*Please note, as has been the case with all NPPSD pandemic plans, this plan is subject to change at any time.
March 22-March 31
1. We will 'Stay The Course.
a. Continue to wear face-coverings, social distance, and practice good hygiene and handwashing.
2. We will continue to work with our public health officials and NDE to adjust pandemic planning.
3. We will allow media in our schools that have gained approval as follows:
a. Contact the Director of Communications, Tina Smith
b. Tina will connect with the school administration and those involved in the interview
c. Anyone involved in interviews will wear face-covering, social distance, and practice good hygiene and handwashing.
4. We will no longer allow remote learning requests for the 2020 - 2021 academic year
a. Any questions or concerns should be directed to Brandy Buscher in our Student Services department.
April 1-30
1. We will evaluate all processes and guidelines as needed. We will determine if we can make more liberal adjustments for this school year and summer balance during this evaluation. Areas of consideration:
a. Community Risk-Dial - external factors
b. Number of cases and spread in schools - internal factors
c. The number of consecutive weeks the risk dial remains in yellow or if/when it changes
d. If the virus variant is affecting our community and schools
2. We will continue to work with our public health officials and NDE to adjust pandemic planning.
3. We will allow media in our schools that have gained approval as follows:
a. Contact the Director of Communications, Tina Smith
b. Tina will connect with the school administration and those involved in the interview
c. Anyone involved in interviews will wear face-covering, social distance, and practice good hygiene and handwashing.
4. We will allow TeamMate Volunteers in our schools as follows:
a. All volunteers are required to wear face-covering, social distance, and practice good hygiene and handwashing.
d. Final approval of volunteers in buildings is granted to building administration.
5. Field Trips Are Allowed at principal's discretion - Scheduled between 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
a. Anyone involved in field trips will wear face-covering, social distance, and practice good hygiene and handwashing.
6. Students and Staff Are Allowed to visit other NPPS buildings at the discretion of both the hosting and home principal.
a. Permissions must be gained in advance and in writing from both principals before each visit occurs.
b. Anyone involved in cross-campus visits will wear face-covering, social distance, and practice good hygiene and handwashing.
7. April 24 – NPHS Prom
a. Guidelines to be shared by NPHS staff to students and families as we get closer to the date and following current health district recommendations
May 1-19
1. We will evaluate all processes and guidelines as needed. We will determine if we can make more liberal adjustments for this school year and summer balance during this evaluation. Areas of consideration:
a. Community Risk-Dial - external factors
b. Number of cases and spread in schools - internal factors
c. The number of consecutive weeks the risk dial remains in yellow or if/when it changes
d. If the virus variant is affecting our community and schools
2. We will continue to work with our public health officials and NDE to adjust pandemic planning.
May 3 – If all of the items above are satisfactory, we would like to make masks optional for the balance of the school year and summer.
a. District officials will continue to monitor community and school cases and the risk dial before finalizing this decision.
May 9 – NPHS In-Person Graduation
a. Guidelines to be shared by NPHS staff to students and families as we get closer to the date and following current health district recommendations.
3. Open Houses - principal discretion - appropriate safety measures
Goals for Summer May 20 - August 10
(Staff Return from Summer Break: New Staff - August 5, 6, & 9; All Staff - August 10)
*Decisions for May and the Summer may change based on the school district and community risk dial at the given time.
1. We will continue to work with our public health officials and NDE to adjust pandemic planning.
2. We will allow media in our schools that have gained approval as follows:
a. Contact the Director of Communications, Tina Smith
b. Tina will connect with the school administration and those involved in the interview
c. Anyone involved in interviews will wear face-covering, social distance, and practice good hygiene and handwashing.
3. Kids Klub, Summer School, Summer Camps, Curriculum Writing, and Professional Development, Staff Training will operate as scheduled and with the guidance of the directed health measures at the time of events.
Again, we are so proud of you, and your dedication to keeping our students, staff, and community healthy and our schools open to in-person learning. We will continue to err on the side of caution as we complete this academic year. If you have any questions, please contact your direct supervisor.
Best Regards,
Dr. Ron Hanson
Superintendent, NPPS
