COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) ADVISORY

UPON CDC RECOMMENDATION ALL FALLS CITY PUBLIC & SACRED HEART SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS, OUTDOOR SEATING AREAS AND GROUNDS ARE CLOSED 24 hours per day/7 days a week

TO ALL UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS.

 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

unauthorized ENTRY OR USE is CONSIDERED trespass

THE SCHOOLS HAVE NOT CLEANED ANY OUTSIDE SURFACES OR EQUIPMENT AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AS TO THE CLEANLINESS or safety OF ANY SURFACE OR EQUIPMent

any person who violates this directive does so AT his/her OWN RISK AND IS SUBJECT TO TRESPASS

Please contact THE FALLS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT (402) 245-2825 OR SACRED HEART SCHOOL AT (402) 245-4151

WITH QUESTIONS OR FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS NOTICE

Food Safety and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread from person-to-persons through respiratory droplets. Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food. Before preparing or eating food, it is important to always wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds for general food safety. Throughout the day, wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, or going to the bathroom. Falls City food services is taking extra precautions during this time as they prepare grab and go meals for our community. 

Dear Families,

On Wednesday, March 18^th, 2020, Falls City Public Schools initiated a closure to help limit the spread of COVID-19 across the community.  At this time, the closure is set to run through Friday, April 3^rd, 2020 with school resuming on Monday, April 6^th, 2020.

As we strive to continue learning opportunities for our students during the closure, teachers have thoughtfully put together learning opportunities for all students, Sixpence and PK-12.  Student learning opportunities are grade-specific and include lessons, video links, online programs and enrichment activities for approximately one to two weeks.  The learning opportunities focus on core subject areas such as math, science, ELA, and social studies, and may also include material from non-core classes.  All lessons and activities are designed to keep students engaged in learning throughout the closure. We strongly encourage students to work through their lessons and return them to their teachers. Please note some teachers have already sent enrichment activities home with students.

If you have questions specific to your child’s classroom, please contact that teacher directly by email as they will be available to respond during the week between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Given the circumstances, please understand that teachers may not be available to respond immediately, but will reply within a timely manner. 

Falls City Public School District leaders will be working closely with the Board of Education and Southeast District Health Department (SEDHD) as well as public officials to assess the latest health information and determine the most appropriate next steps for our district.  In the event of an extended school closure due to health concerns, learning opportunities will remain a priority and we will work to ensure that our students have opportunities to stay engaged throughout the closure.  Online resources will continue to be available and updated at www.fctigers.org.

Sincerely,

Falls City Public Schools Administration

***NEWS RELEASE***

EDUCATORS ANNOUNCE

NEBRASKA STRONG LEARNING LAB

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS TO START MONDAY MORNING,

WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH NEWS CHANNEL NEBRASKA, NEARLY ALL VIDEO AND CABLE TV SERVICES, ONLINE, THROUGH MOBILE APP, AND AVAILABLE FOR ON-DEMAND PLAYBACK

March 18, 2020 – The Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA) today announced it will offer educational programming for elementary and secondary students that will be available free to all Nebraska children beginning Monday, March 23.  NSEA is partnering with News Channel Nebraska and Lincoln Public Schools on the project, with financial support from the National Education Association.

Many Nebraska schools are closed due to the Novel Coronavirus pandemic. More school districts are expected to close in the coming weeks.

“We are working with our members to coordinate this educational programming,” said Maddie Fennell, NSEA executive director. “From readalouds to learning games to instructional lessons with teachers, we will work to support our students and their families as we navigate this pandemic together.”

Educational programming for elementary students will air from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and for secondary students from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“And, because we know every family’s schedule is different, all the live content our members create and provide will be captured and available for on-demand playback at any time,” said Benson.

“The NSEA represents the teachers who change lives everyday throughout Nebraska.  During this difficult time, thanks to the NSEA, children can continue learning and their parents will see firsthand some of the magic that happens in our classrooms every day,” said Andy Ruback, CEO Flood Communications/News Channel Nebraska.

There are multiple ways to watch this new educational programming. Families can live stream NCN at www.newschannelnebraska.com, download the NCN app on any mobile device, or access the programming through their local cable provider, NCN on Amazon Fire, Apple TV, and Roku apps. Those living in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Beatrice, Norfolk, Columbus and South Sioux City can also use an over-the-air antenna to access the live presentations. NCN will share the programming with its 300,000 social followers.

The programs will also be available on-demand through NSEA’s website at nsea.org and NSEA will provide an online forum for questions and supplemental educational resources.

Educators can submit their name as a potential "TV teacher" at:

www.nsea.org/volunteer

For more information, contact Karen.Kilgarin@nsea.org or Al.Koontz@nsea.org

Important information regarding the Grab & Go breakfast/lunch:

1. The Falls City Public School District is planning a free Grab & Go breakfast/lunch program for every student in the school district and HeadStart due to schools being closed for COVID-19, beginning on Monday, March 23.. The meal will include a lunch for the day and breakfast for the next day. In the survey link provided here  Grab & Go Survey to indicate your participation and the details of the meal pick-up locations and delivery options. 

2. We will begin serving on Monday, March 23 at Middle School with curbside pickup from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Monday thru Friday through the duration of the school closure for COVID-19.  Delivery will also be available for students who live outside city limits by selecting the option on the Grab & Go survey or calling the school at 402-245-3455.

3. The breakfast and lunch menus for the next two weeks are subject to change depending on the availability of the food and how many students participate in this meal program.

4. Link to the Grab & Go meal program survey: Grab & Go Survey

March 17, 2020

Dear Falls City Tiger Families and Patrons,

The Falls City Public Schools will dismiss 2-hours early on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 as the school district follows the guidance of Commissioner of Education Blomstedt and Governor Ricketts to take steps necessary to close schools by the end of the week. This is a precautionary measure to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Tomorrow will allow students the opportunity to gather personal and learning items from lockers and classrooms, and meet with their teachers. We will resume classes on Monday, April 6. FCPS has been actively collaborating with state officials to assist in this decision.

Parent-Teacher Conferences scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and Thursday, March 19, 2020 are canceled and will not be rescheduled.

Important Notes:

1. All school buildings will be closed to students March 18, 2020. Faculty and staff will report as normal. School buildings will not be open or accessible to the public.
2. Administrators, teachers, and staff will spend the next 5 days finalizing a plan for extended, outreach learning opportunities and the district will be in communication with families and students. If you have questions, please contact the respective principal of your building.
3. The district is planning a free Grab & Go breakfast/lunch program for every student in the district due to schools being closed for COVID-19, beginning on Tuesday, March 25. The meal will include a lunch for the day and breakfast for the next day. You will be receiving a survey this week to indicate your participation and the details of the meal pick-up locations and delivery options.  
4. Effective Monday, March 16 all NSAA activity practices are suspended until Monday, March 30 and all NSAA activity competitions are suspended until Thursday, April 2.  These suspensions may be extended should the conditions warrant.

We will continue to provide updates and further information. Thank you for your support during these extraordinarily, uncharted times.

Sincerely,

Tim Heckenlively, Superintendent

Please be aware of the parking around the school buildings within Falls City Public Schools. Students are also reminded to use crosswalks at all buildings when crossing the street.