April 16, 2020
Dear Oswego-Service Valley USD 504 Parents/Guardians & Students,
To best protect the health of our students and staff, our school campuses and facilities are closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year or until further notice. All instruction for USD 504 students will be conducted solely through virtual learning models unless instructed otherwise. As educators, we are saddened by this decision but remain hopeful if we all do our part to flatten the curve, we can play a critical role in reducing the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Labette County and the surrounding area. Only then can we provide a safe place for education in our schools.
Despite the ongoing and escalating landscape of the COVID-19 Pandemic, USD 504 remains dedicated to serving our students as best possible. Even in this ever-changing health crisis, we see the value and importance of education in the daily lives of our students. We wholeheartedly miss seeing the familiar faces in our classrooms and hallways but are encouraged by the students and instructors who have adapted impressively over a short period of time to distance learning models of instruction. There is a connection taking place, not only through a new style of instruction via Google Classrooms and a variety of other means, but also on a basic human level of needing to know while operating remotely, we are not alone. In the days and weeks to come, we will continue to improve the remote learning taking place and encourage students or parents who have questions or concerns, to contact their children’s teacher(s). If you are unable to reach your child’s teacher(s), please reach out to the building principal or myself.
With each day, new information is being provided to help guide USD 504 and surrounding school districts on how certain aspects of the remainder of the school year will be handled. The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) will share the best way to address and satisfy instructional, budgetary, and overall function requirements in light of the unique set of challenges our schools have experienced. We understand the stressors and endless questions COIVD-19 has caused and will continue to be in communication to alleviate those the best we can, as quickly as we can.
We are now in the most critical phase of the mandated shelter in place order. As the number of positive cases continues to rise, it remains critical we all remain safe at home, wear face coverings/non-medical masks when conducting limited essential errands, practice social distancing, maintain high levels of personal hygiene, and make a conscious effort to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Throughout these unprecedented series of events, it is important to take care of each other. It is easy to say and even harder to do in practice while navigating the anxiety and stressors surrounding the new roles we each have taken on during the health crisis. We must take each day as it comes and do the best we can. We will get through this, and we will be stronger as a result.
Sincerely,
Douglas Beisel
Superintendent Oswego-Service Valley USD 504