CLOSURE UPDATE #20: 5/21/20 - 2:30 PM

I hope this message finds you well. As I reflect upon these past months, it goes without saying that these times have been unlike anything we could have imagined. Our students, employees, parents and community have joined together to ensure our student’s needs were met in order to continue learning outside of the physical classroom.  Thank you for your dedication and commitment to helping your child remain connected and engaged in their learning.

As the school year comes to a close tomorrow, May 22, I know many of you are wondering about our plans for reopening school in the fall. Decisions related to how school will operate in the fall have a number of impacts on your personal and professional life. Please know that we are hard at work preparing for the opening of the new school year despite the uncertainty and unanswered questions that lie with this situation. We have formed a Strong Start 2020 Taskforce comprised of a number of subcommittees that will assist and guide us in our work in preparing for a safe, successful and smooth start to the new school year in whatever return scenario we may be in. We know that there will be challenges and not everything will go as planned, but we are actively preparing now to ensure we are in the best possible position to serve our students and families in August. We will continue to make decisions in accordance with guidance from health and government officials while keeping the health and safety of our students and employees as top priorities.

We will be in touch with you throughout the summer as plans are developed and finalized for the start of the new school year. In the next week or so, you will receive a survey via email to submit feedback relative to students returning. We will use this feedback to assist us in the planning process. 

As we begin the summer break, I ask that you continue to encourage your child to engage in learning activities and opportunities. If you received a Chromebook from the school system, you will be contacted at a later date as to when the device needs to be returned.

In closing, I cannot thank you enough for your support during this time. I am so appreciative of your patience and understanding as we have navigated through this ever-changing situation. Our commitment to providing a high quality education for each and every student remains resolute now more than ever. We look forward to making every moment count for every student in August and hope to stay in touch with you this summer. I wish you a safe, happy and blessed summer.

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE #19: 5/11/20 - 4:15 PM

Today, Governor Edwards announced that the stay-at-home order will be lifted on May 15. In anticipation of this announcement, the school system has been working on employee return-to-work plans. The health and safety of our students and employees have been at the forefront of all decision making during this time. The school system will continue to operate under a strategic, phased approach with employees returning to work sites throughout the three phases of the federal government’s plan. Employees needing to return to work at a school system site during phase I of reopening will be contacted by their supervisor regarding return-to-work procedures and reporting dates.

In addition, the school system is preparing plans for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. The Strong Start 2020 Plan continues to be developed in a number of areas to provide for a safe, successful and smooth start to the new school year. Plans for possible summer school programs for students identified as needing academic assistance are also being developed. Families of those students identified will be contacted regarding participation in the summer school program at a later date.

Phase III At-Home Learning – REMINDER!

This is the last week of Phase III of At-Home Learning for students. Please encourage your child to finish the school year strong by completing this essential school work. If you need any technology assistance, please contact our Technology Helpdesk at 985-785-3126 and continue to communicate with teachers regarding any questions you may have. All assigned work is due by May 18.

Grab-and-Go Meals – REMINDER!

We will continue to distribute student meals until May 26. The next meal distribution is Tuesday, May 12 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM at the Lafon Performing Arts Center located at 275 Judge Edward Dufrense Parkway in Luling. Families will be able to obtain enough meals for the entire week via curbside drive-up. Meals include a shelf-stable breakfast and refrigerated or frozen lunch. An ID is not required to pick-up meals, and students do NOT need to be present.

High School Senior Recognition – REMINDER!

As previously mentioned, high school and district administrators continue to prioritize recognizing seniors. The Be the Light Night for high school seniors will be held this evening, May 11 from 8:20 PM – 9:20 PM at both high schools. Seniors are invited to drive through their school’s parking lot for a final send-off while school and stadium lights will be illuminated to recognize the Class of 2020 and their bright futures ahead!

We encourage you to frequently check stcharles.k12.la.us/coronavirus and our social media pages for the most up-to-date information. Thank you for your support and patience during this time. Take care of yourself, your family, and those around you, and please adhere to the preventative measures as recommended by public health officials.

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE #18: 5/4/20 - 5:45 PM

I hope you and your family are well. We continue to work to address and meet the needs of our students, families, and employees during this time. Here is information I wanted to share with you today, May 4.

Phase III At-Home Learning – REMINDER!

We have completed the first week of Phase III At-Home Learning for middle and elementary school students and week two for high school students. This work is essential, and students should continue to complete the work assigned by their teachers to prevent skill regression and help improve their grades. Thank you to teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, guardians, and all others who are assisting students with at-home learning during this time. This is challenging but important work which provides our students with learning opportunities in order to be prepared for the next school year and their future. If you need any technology assistance, please contact our Technology Helpdesk at 985-785-3126 and continue to communicate with teachers regarding any questions you may have.

Grab-and-Go Meals – REMINDER!

We will continue to distribute student meals until May 26. The next meal distribution will be held Tuesday, May 5 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM at the Lafon Performing Arts Center located at 275 Judge Edward Dufrense Parkway in Luling. Families will be able to obtain enough meals for the entire week via curbside drive-up. Meals include a shelf-stable breakfast and refrigerated or frozen lunch. An ID is not required to pick-up meals, and students do NOT need to be present.

Kindergarten Registration – REMINDER!

Kindergarten registration is now open until May 8. Families can use a computer or smartphone to access the registration form at https://bit.ly/SCPPSregisK (Spanish version available at https://bit.ly/SCPPSregisESk). Supporting documents required to complete enrollment will be collected on a later date.  If you are unable to access the form online, you will be able to complete the form and provide the supporting documents at your school site once operations resume. If you need assistance with completing the online kindergarten registration, please call the Technology Helpdesk at 985-785-3126.

Pre-K Application Process – REMINDER!

As a reminder, Pre-K applications will be accepted in-person starting tomorrow (May 5) through May 8 according to your last name. The application and an informational flyer are available on the district’s website. All required documentation must be turned in with the application to be considered for placement. 

Applications and documents must be submitted in-person by the parent/legal guardian between 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM on the following dates:

Carver Early Learning Center/Westbank (337 Gum Street, Hahnville)

Please turn onto Hahn St. from River Road and then right onto Gum St.
Last Names A-L: May 5
Last Names M-Z: May 6

Eastbank Head Start Center (13292 River Road, Destrehan)

Please turn into the bus circle at Hurst Middle School. 
Last Names A-L: May 7
Last Names M-Z: May 8

Upon arrival at the site, someone will meet you at your vehicle’s window.  Please remain in your vehicle until you are directed to a designated tent. The student does not need to be present.

High School Senior Recognition – REMINDER!

As previously mentioned, high school and district administrators continue to prioritize recognizing seniors. The Be the Light Night for high school seniors will be held this Friday, May 8 from 8:20 PM – 9:20 PM at both high schools. Seniors are invited to drive through their school’s parking lot for a final send-off while school and stadium lights will be illuminated to recognize the Class of 2020 and their bright futures ahead!

Census 2020 – REMINDER!

Please take this time to complete the 2020 census online at 2020census.gov. Census data is used to draw legislative and school board districts, fund federal programs, plan for community growth, and distribute funding to communities.

We encourage you to frequently check stcharles.k12.la.us/coronavirus and our social media pages for the most up-to-date information. Thank you for your support and patience during this time. Take care of yourself, your family, and those around you, and please adhere to the preventative measures as recommended by public health officials.

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE #17: 4/24/20 - 4:15 PM

I hope you and your family are well. We continue to work to address and meet the needs of our students, families, and employees during this time. Here is information I wanted to share with you today, April 24, in addition to some important reminders.

Phase III At-Home Learning – REMINDER!

Phase III of At-Home Learning began this week for high school students. Phase III of At-Home Learning for middle and elementary school students begins Monday, April 27. This work is essential for assisting students with mastering grade-level standards. Students should complete the work assigned by their teachers to prevent skill regression and help improve their grades. Please continue to reference the Family Handbook for specific guidance on grade calculations, and communicate with teachers regarding any questions you may have.

Grab-and-Go Meals – REMINDER!

We will continue to distribute student meals until May 26. The next meal distribution will be held Tuesday, April 28 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM at the Lafon Performing Arts Center located at 275 Judge Edward Dufrense Parkway in Luling. Families will be able to obtain enough meals for the entire week via curbside drive-up. Meals include a shelf-stable breakfast and refrigerated or frozen lunch. An ID is not required to pick-up meals, and students do NOT need to be present.

High School Senior Recognition – NEW INFO!

As previously mentioned, high school and district administrators continue to prioritize recognizing seniors and ensuring we support their learning to graduate this year. Destrehan and Hahnville High Schools are making plans to recognize our seniors and their accomplishments both virtually and in-person. One example is the Be the Light Night. Held on the last day of school for seniors (May 8) from 8:20-9:20 PM, seniors are invited to drive through their school’s parking lot for a final send off. More information is being shared with seniors by each high school.

Kindergarten Registration – NEW INFO!

St. Charles Parish Public Schools will host online Kindergarten Registration from April 27 – May 8. Families can use a computer or smartphone to access the registration form at https://bit.ly/SCPPSregisK (Spanish version available at https://bit.ly/SCPPSregisESk). Supporting documents required to complete enrollment will be collected on a later date. If you are unable to access the form online, you will be able to complete the form and provide the supporting documents at your school site once operations resume. If you need assistance with completing the online kindergarten registration, please call the Technology Helpdesk at 985-785-3126.

Pre-K Application Process – NEW INFO!

St. Charles Parish Public Schools will collect Pre-K applications from May 5-8. Additional information is available on the website at: https://www.stcharles.k12.la.us/Page/10614. All required documentation must accompany the application to be considered for placement into one of the programs. Applications and documents must be submitted in-person by the parent/legal guardian between 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM on the following dates:

Carver Early Learning Center/Westbank (337 Gum Street, Hahnville) 
Last Names A-L: May 5
Last Names M-Z: May 6

Eastbank Head Start Center (13292 River Road, Destrehan) 
Last Names A-L: May 7
Last Names M-Z: May 8

Upon arrival at the site, someone will meet you at your vehicle’s window. Please remain in your vehicle until you are directed to a designated tent. The student does not need to be present.

We encourage you to frequently check stcharles.k12.la.us/coronavirus and our social media pages for the most up-to-date information. Thank you for your support and patience during this time. Take care of yourself, your family, and those around you, and please adhere to the preventative measures as recommended by public health officials.

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE #16: 4/20/20 - 4:00 PM

I hope you had a restful and safe Spring Break. I would like to share new information with you today, April 20, in addition to some important reminders.

Phase III At-Home Learning – REMINDER!

Phase III of At-Home Learning began today for our high school students. This work is essential for assisting students with mastering grade-level standards and course requirements. Because Destrehan High School is on a 4x4 block schedule, DHS students are required to complete specific work for the 3^rd Quarter and in order to earn credit. Students at both high schools should complete the work assigned for the 4^th Quarter to prevent skill regression and help improve their grades. Please continue to reference the Family Handbook for specific guidance on grade calculations and end-of-course dates. Also, please communicate with teachers regarding any questions you may have. Phase III of At-Home Learning begins on April 27 for all other grade levels.

Grab-and-Go Meals – NEW INFO!

We will continue to distribute student meals until May 26. The next meal distribution will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, April 21 from 11:00 AM- 12:30 PM at the Lafon Performing Arts Center located at 275 Judge Edward Dufrense Parkway in Luling. Families will be able to obtain enough meals for the entire week via curbside drive-up. Meals include a shelf-stable breakfast and refrigerated or frozen lunch. An ID is not required to pick-up meals, and students do NOT need to be present.

High School Graduations and Junior Ring Nights – NEW INFO!

As previously mentioned, high school and district administrators continue to prioritize recognizing seniors and ensuring we support their learning to graduate this year. I’m happy to share that plans have been made to host in-person, formal graduation ceremonies for both Destrehan and Hahnville High Schools on Saturday, July 11 if allowed by government and health officials. Destrehan High School Graduation is tentatively scheduled for 1:00 PM, and Hahnville High School Graduation is tentatively scheduled for 6:00 PM on July 11 at the Pontchartrain Center. Junior ring nights previously scheduled to take place in May of 2020 will now be held in September at the Lafon Performing Arts Center on September 2 for Hahnville High School and September 3 for Destrehan High School.

Our schools continue to make adjustments for previously scheduled events and will communicate any updates and date changes to families.

Please continue to check stcharles.k12.la.us/coronavirus and our social media pages for the most up-to-date information. Thank you for your support and patience during this time. Take care of yourself, your family, and those around you and please adhere to the preventative measures as recommended by public health officials.

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE #15: 4/15/20 - 4:30 PM

Today, Governor Edwards officially announced that schools will remain closed for the rest of this school year.

Phase III At-Home Learning – REMINDER
As mentioned last week, our priority is ensuring learning continues during the school closure through the Phase III At-Home Learning Plan. This at-home learning, facilitated by our teachers, will focus on essential grade-level standards and the course requirements which are foundational to students’ future readiness. Teachers will continue engaging students in essential learning activities and providing feedback to support their learning. It is very important to review the At-Home Learning Family Handbook on the district's website. This handbook includes assignment completion dates and final grade calculation information in addition to support for families during this challenging transition to online, at-home learning. Phase III for high school students officially begins on April 20 and on April 27 for all other grade levels.

High School Seniors and Junior Ring Night – NEW INFO!
High school and district administrators continue to prioritize recognizing seniors and ensuring we support their learning to graduate this year. All seniors and graduating juniors need to engage in the online learning being provided by teachers for each class. Plans are being made to potentially host an in-person, formal graduation ceremony, if allowed, in July. Once final plans for graduation ceremonies have been confirmed, we will share those with you. Additional senior recognition plans are also being developed and will be shared once finalized. Junior ring nights previously scheduled in May 2020 are being planned to take place in August 2020.

Finally, district and school administrators, with feedback from stakeholder groups, will determine future summer school and 2020-2021 school year plans as it relates to students’ mastering content and grade-level standards. These plans may include additional summer school weeks for selected students and online course options, extended hours of remediation during the school year, and/or whatever means necessary to ensure students are prepared academically, socially, and emotionally for the next grade level. We remain in close contact with the Louisiana Department of Education as we finalize plans and move forward.

These continue to be unprecedented times, and we are working extremely hard to provide learning opportunities for our students, support families, and equip our employees with the necessary tools to be successful. Thank you for your continued patience and support. If you have any specific questions or concerns regarding at-home learning, please contact your child’s teacher and then school administration. We are here to support you and remain committed to every student at every moment. Each student’s future is brighter than ever, and we are dedicated to helping each reach their potential.

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE #14: 4/9/20 - 4:00 PM

I hope you and your family are well. We continue to work to address and meet the needs of our students, families, and employees during this time as guidance and information are received.  Here is information I wanted to share with you today, April 9, including a very important update to our at-home learning plan.

At-Home Learning – NEW AND VERY IMPORTANT INFO!
Throughout this school closure, we have been committed to providing our students with high-quality educational opportunities. As part of that commitment, we will soon be implementing Phase III of our At-Home Learning Plan. The goal of this plan is to provide students and families with a manageable, consistent set of assignments as a way of keeping students connected to their school. This work is essential, and students should actively engage in these at-home learning opportunities to sustain and further their learning. Phase III of At-Home Learning will begin on April 20 for high school students and on April 27 for kindergarten through eighth grade students. Two very important documents produced by the school system are available on the school system’s website. The Phase III At-Home Learning Plan Parent Letter contains details and specifics about this phase of at-home learning such as timelines, quarter dates, assessment and reporting requirements, and how grades will be calculated. The Phase III At-Home Learning Family Handbook is a comprehensive document which contains previously mentioned information plus roles and responsibilities for students, families, and school faculty and staff. The handbook also contains information about technology resources and support. Contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions. Teachers will be available to communicate with students Monday through Friday during regular school hours after Easter/Spring Break (April 10-17) to clarify content and provide answers to general questions. Please note that our Technology Helpdesk will not be taking calls April 10-15 as the School Board Office observes the previously scheduled Easter/Spring Break Holiday.

Grab-and-Go Meals – NEW INFO!
We will continue to distribute meals during Easter/Spring Break week. Meal distribution with school system staff will take place Tuesday, April 14 from 11:00 AM- 12:30 PM at the Lafon Performing Arts Center located at 275 Judge Edward Dufrense Parkway in Luling. Families will be able to obtain enough meals for the entire week via curbside drive-up. Meals include a shelf-stable breakfast and refrigerated or frozen lunch. An ID is not required to pick-up meals, and students do NOT need to be present.

Please continue to check stcharles.k12.la.us/coronavirus and our social media pages for the most up-to-date information. We will contact you again after Easter/Spring Break when there is new information to share.

Please care for yourself, your family, and those around you and continue to adhere to the preventative measures as recommended by public health officials. We appreciate your continued support of our efforts and would like to wish you and your family a healthy and Happy Easter!

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE #13: 4/3/20 - 5:45 PM

I hope you and your family are well. We continue to work to address and meet the needs of our students, families and employees during this time as guidance and information are received. Here is the relevant information I wanted to share with you today, April 3, 2020.

Due to Governor John Bel Edwards’ extension of the stay-at-home order issued yesterday, all SCPPS schools and centers will remain closed through April 30, 2020. All district and school events during this time are cancelled or postponed until a later date.

At-Home Learning – UPDATED INFO!
We are currently developing a plan to enhance at-home learning opportunities for students. As part of this plan, the school system is providing Chromebook devices to families in need of technology to support their student’s at-home learning as identified from recent school surveying. On April 2, the Louisiana Department of Education issued additional guidance for school systems in regards to high school seniors and credit for coursework. We are working within these parameters to provide specific guidance for high school seniors and will release this guidance in the upcoming week. In addition, we are reviewing all information received and working on a plan to support at-home learning for students in pre-kindergarten through 12^th grade.

Once these plans are finalized, information will be shared with schools, students and parents. In the meantime, please continue to frequently check teachers’ individual webpages and teachers’ Google Classroom sites.

Grab-and-Go Meals – NEW INFO!
The school system has contracted with a third party vendor to provide meals to students during the school closure. Meal distribution with school system staff for next week will be held on Tuesday, April 7 from 11:00 AM- 12:30 PM at the Lafon Performing Arts Center located at 275 Judge Edward Dufrense Parkway in Luling. Families will be able to obtain enough meals for the entire week via curbside drive-up. Meals include a shelf-stable breakfast and refrigerated or frozen lunch. An ID is not required to pick-up meals, and students do NOT need to be present. We are also working with community-based organizations to provide meals to those families that are unable to pick up meals from the Lafon Arts Center.

Closure of Outdoor Facilities/Equipment – REMINDER!
As a reminder, all school system play areas, playgrounds, and athletic fields are closed to the public. No one, including students, is allowed on the playgrounds or athletic fields. School resource officers are patrolling school campuses during this time to assist with these closures.  

I ask that you continue to check stcharles.k12.la.us/coronavirus and our social media pages for the most up-to-date information. We will contact you again when there is new information to share.

Please care for yourself, your family, and those around you and continue to adhere to the preventative measures as recommended by public health officials.

This is unprecedented territory, and I am grateful for your support and patience as we get through this together.  You and I…We are St. Charles Parish Public Schools.

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE #12: 4/2/20 - 5:30 PM

CLOSURE EXTENSION ANNOUNCEMENT: 4/2/20

April 2, 2020

Due to Governor John Bel Edwards’ extension of the stay-at-home order, all SCPPS schools will remain closed through April 30, 2020. All district and school events during this time are cancelled or postponed until a later date. Please visit www.stcharles.k12.la.us/coronavirus for more information.

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CLOSURE UPDATE #11: 3/27/20 - 3:30 PM

I hope you all are doing well and taking care of yourselves and those around you.

The school system continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and is working to provide you with updated information as it becomes available. Throughout the last several days, our employees and community have come together to assist one another during this time of need. On Tuesday, we joined together with the United Way of St. Charles and Second Harvest Food Bank to distribute approximately 3,600 meals for students. We were able to give five meal kits per student, providing meals to last through the remainder of this week and into the weekend. Thank you to everyone who assisted in this endeavor!

Here is the relevant and new information I wanted to share with you today, March 27, 2020.

Grab-and-Go Meals – UPDATED INFO!

In conjunction with the United Way of St. Charles and Second Harvest Food Bank, we will once again provide meals for our families. Meal kit distribution for next week will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, from 11:00 AM- 12:30 PM at the Lafon Performing Arts Center located at 275 Judge Edward Dufrense Parkway in Luling. Families will be able to obtain enough meal kits for the entire week via curbside drive-up. Each meal kit contains two breakfast items, one lunch and one snack. An ID is not required to pick-up meal kits, and students do NOT need to be present.

At-Home Learning – UPDATED INFO!

A daily routine provides structure and a logical sequence in our lives. For this reason, sample home-learning schedules are provided on the At-Home Learning Opportunities resource page at http://bit.ly/SCPPS-HLO. The sample schedule includes suggested timeframes for various subject areas. Students should focus their time on reviewing/learning content, topics and/or skills. For each subject in which students are currently enrolled, they should first visit their teacher’s Google Classroom or teacher webpage to read any new announcements and access any posted tasks or resources. Then, students should choose from the optional resources within each subject area within the schedule. It is important to note that the resources listed on the sample schedule are the same resources previously shared with families via the SCPPS Google Site. Again, the sample schedule is intended to provide families with guidance on how to utilize the various resources and bring some structure to their child’s at-home learning. 

FAQs – NEW INFO!

The Frequently Asked Questions on our website have been updated. Please check these often as we will continue to update them as information becomes available.

Census 2020 – NEW INFO!

Please take this time to complete the 2020 census online at 2020census.gov. Census data is used to: draw legislative and school board districts, fund federal programs, plan for community growth and distribute funding to communities.

I ask you to continue to adhere to the recommendations issued by government and health officials and take care of one another. We are grateful for your patience and understanding as we continue to work through this difficult situation.

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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STATUS UPDATE OF PREVIOUSLY QUARANTINED EMPLOYEE: 3/25/20 - 2:00 PM

We have been informed that the employee who was previously quarantined at a hospital and works at both R.K. Smith Middle and New Sarpy Elementary Schools has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee has not been on either campus since March 9, 2020, which was 15 days ago. According to public health officials, anyone in close contact with someone with COVID-19 should monitor his/her health for 14 days for signs of symptoms which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If a person experiences these symptoms, they should isolate themselves from other people for 14 days and seek medical advice.

I encourage everyone to please continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines, health and safety recommendations, and the Governor’s “Stay-at-Home” Order. The safety of our students, employees, and families remain our top priority during this health emergency.

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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UPDATE REGARDING MEAL KIT DISTRIBUTION CHANGE: 3/23/20 - 4:45 PM

March 23, 2020
Meal Kit Distribution Change

Due to the Governor’s “Stay At Home Order” that was issued yesterday, March 22, to further fight the spread of COVID-19, there has been a change in plans communicated yesterday (March 22) regarding the meal kit distribution set to take place at the Lafon Arts Center by the school system in conjunction with the United Way of St. Charles and Second Harvest Food Bank.

Because the Governor issued the “Stay At Home Order” after our initial plans were shared, meal kit distribution will now be held only on Tuesday, March 24. A limited number of these meal kits (which contain two breakfast items, one lunch and one snack each) will be available via curbside drive-up at the Lafon Performing Arts Center (275 Judge Edward Dufrense Parkway, Luling) from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM on Tuesday, March 24 only.

Those distributing the meal kits will be supplied with personal protective gear including gloves and masks. The temperature of each person assisting will be taken prior to involvement with the distribution. This decision was made to protect the safety and well-being of our employees, students, families and community by trying to limit the exposure and frequency of in-person contact. We appreciate your understanding as we do our best to provide meals and keep everyone safe. 

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE #10: 3/22/20 - 12:30 PM

I want to thank everyone for their understanding and ongoing commitment to prioritize the safety of our students, staff, families and community as we navigate through this challenging time. We are committed to keeping you informed and are doing our very best to make decisions during this school closure as information becomes available. Here is the relevant information I wanted to share with you today, March 22, 2020.

Grab-and-Go Meals – NEW INFO!
As mentioned in our last update, we have been working in partnership with other local entities to explore the possibility of providing meals for our students. By partnering with the United Way of St. Charles and Second Harvest Food Bank, meal kits will be available next week for our students beginning Tuesday, March 24, through Friday, March 27, 2020. A limited number of these meal kits that contain two breakfast items, one lunch and one snack will be available via curbside drive-up at the Lafon Performing Arts Center (275 Judge Edward Dufrense Parkway, Luling) from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM, Tuesday through Friday. Meal kits provided will be based on the number of children present at the time of pick-up. An ID is not required to pick-up meal kits. We are grateful and thank the United Way of St. Charles and Second Harvest Food Bank for assisting during this time and our SCPPS employees who have volunteered to distribute the meal kits at the Lafon Performing Arts Center.

St. Charles Parish Public Schools hopes to resume its grab-and-go meals beginning the week of March 30, 2020. These plans are tentative and subject to change due to the fluid and rapidly evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation. We will keep you updated on any plans regarding grab-and-go meals.

Standardized Testing – NEW INFO!

The U.S. Department of Education has approved the Louisiana Department of Education’s waiver request of assessment, accountability, and reporting requirements under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This means Louisiana will not require standardized testing for the 2019-2020 school year.

Learning Resources from Louisiana Public Broadcasting – NEW INFO!

In an effort to limit disruption to Louisiana students' education due to public school closures, Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education and in collaboration with PBS stations nationwide have announced a plan to provide teachers, parents, caregivers, and students with resources to continue learning at home. LPB and other public media stations have prepared broadcast programming and accompanying digital resources—addressing state and national standards—to provide continued at-home learning. These can be accessed at: https://lpb.org/athome.

As a reminder, the district has created a dedicated Coronavirus webpage with FAQs and additional resources such as at-home learning and social-emotional wellness. We will contact you again when there is new information to share. In the meantime, please continue to check stcharles.k12.la.us/coronavirus and our social media pages for the most up-to-date information.

Please care for yourself, your family, and those around you and continue to adhere to the preventative measures as recommended by public health officials.

This is unprecedented territory, and I am grateful for your support and patience as we get through this together.

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE #9: 3/19/20 - 4 PM

I want to thank everyone for their understanding and ongoing commitment to prioritize the safety of our students, staff, families and community as we navigate through this challenging period. We are committed to keeping you informed and are doing our very best to make decisions during this school closure as information becomes available. Here is the relevant information I wanted to share with you today, March 19, 2020.

Quarantined Employee

We have notified the parents and employees of R.K. Smith Middle School and New Sarpy Elementary School that an employee who services both locations has informed us that he/she is exhibiting symptoms associated with COVID-19 and is under quarantine at a hospital.  At this time, the employee has not tested positive for COVID-19. Once we are informed of the diagnosis, employees and parents will be notified immediately.

Grab-and-Go Meals – NEW INFO!

The quarantined SCPPS employee was not associated with the grab-and-go meals distributed this week. Out of an abundance of caution we have suspended the grab-and-go meals at this time until we are able to gather and receive additional information from health officials. We know this is a valuable service needed by families during this challenging time of uncertainty and are working in partnership with other local entities to explore the possibility of providing meals for our students.

School Board Office – NEW INFO!

In addition to schools, the School Board Office is closed until further notice. The voicemail of the main School Board Office phone number (985-785-6289) will be checked each weekday. Although the office building is closed, employees are continuing to work remotely to provide assistance.

As a reminder, the district has created a dedicated Coronavirus webpage with FAQs and additional resources such as at-home learning and social-emotional wellness.  We will contact you again when there is new information to share. In the meantime, please continue to check stcharles.k12.la.us/coronavirus and our social media pages for the most up-to-date information.

Please care for yourself, your family, and those around you and continue to adhere to the preventative measures as recommended by public health officials.

This is unprecedented territory, and I am grateful for your support and patience as we get through this together.  You and I…We are St. Charles Parish Public Schools.

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE REGARDING QUARANTINED EMPLOYEE: 3/18/20 - 9:50 PM

UPDATE REGARDING QUARANTINED EMPLOYEE

We apologize for the timing of this message. As information becomes available, we are doing our best to update you as quickly as possible. We have notified the parents and employees of R.K. Smith Middle School and New Sarpy Elementary School that an employee who services both locations has informed us that he/she is exhibiting symptoms associated with COVID-19 and is under quarantine at a hospital. At this time, the employee has not tested positive for COVID-19. Once we are informed of the diagnosis, employees and parents will be notified immediately.

CLOSURE UPDATE #8: 3/18/20 - 8:15 PM

Grab-and-Go Meals Suspended

A school system employee has informed us that they are under quarantine at a hospital due to exhibiting symptoms associated with Coronavirus/COVID-19. While this employee was not associated with the grab-and-go meals distributed this week, out of an abundance of caution we are suspending the grab-and-go meals at this time. 

We recognize this is a valuable service needed during this challenging time of uncertainty and adversely impacts our families. However, the safety, health and well-being of our students, employees and community remain our top priority.  We will continue to evaluate and explore food distribution options for our students in light of this recent development. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

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CLOSURE UPDATE #7: 3/18/20 - 3:35 PM

As we navigate through this challenging period, we are committed to informing you of what the school system is doing to assist families. We are doing our very best to make decisions that will help care for our students, staff, and families during this school closure. As promised, we will continue to update you throughout the school closure when new information becomes available. Below is the new and updated information available since our last communication.

At-Home Learning – NEW INFO!

Due to limited printer resources and manpower, the school system is no longer able to provide printed at-home learning materials available for pick-up at the School Board Office. These at-home learning materials can be accessed online at: http://bit.ly/SCPPS-HLO. As conditions change, we will re-evaluate the feasibility of offering the printed resources.

As a reminder, these materials are not mandatory, will not be graded, and will not be collected by teachers. It is a resource to assist students to minimize skill regression during the school closure. The Curriculum and Instruction Department has created a tutorial video to show you how to navigate the at-home learning resources site. You can access the video at: https://vimeo.com/398633464.

Prom and Promapalooza – NEW INFO!

We have made the difficult decision to indefinitely postpone Prom and Promapalooza at Destrehan and Hahnville High Schools in accordance with guidance and recommendations from federal, state, and health officials. This decision was not made lightly, and we know how important it is for our students to enjoy this experience during their high school years. We wanted to communicate this information to you as soon as possible so you could adjust any plans that you or your child may have made in preparation for Prom and Promapalooza.

As a reminder, the district has created a dedicated Coronavirus webpage with FAQs and additional resources such as at-home learning and social-emotional wellness.  We will contact you again when there is new information to share. In the meantime, please continue to check stcharles.k12.la.us/coronavirus and our social media pages for the most up-to-date information.

Please care for yourself, your family, and those around you and continue to adhere to the preventative measures as recommended by public health officials.

This is unprecedented territory, and I am grateful for your support as we get through this together.  You and I…We are St. Charles Parish Public Schools.

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE #6: 3/17/20 - 4:35 PM

As we navigate through this challenging period, we are committed to informing you of what the school system is doing to assist families. We are doing our very best to make decisions that will help care for our students, staff, and families during this school closure. We will continue to update you throughout this process. For the latest information as it becomes available, please continue to monitor the district’s social media pages and website at stcharles.k12.la.us/coronavirus.

At-Home Learning – NEW INFO!

We had a tremendous response to parents picking up printed at-home learning materials today. Thank you for your support in assisting your child during this time! As of now, we are continuing to produce printed at-home learning materials. However, reproduction of materials is becoming more difficult due to limited resources as a result of COVID-19. We will provide these printed at-home learning materials as long as we are able. This may mean at-home learning printed materials will not be able to be provided through Friday, March 20 as previously stated. Materials will be available for pick-up in front of the School Board Office (13855 River Road in Luling) tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18 beginning at 10 a.m. If you have the capability, we kindly ask you to access these online at http://bit.ly/SCPPS-HLO. 

Senior Projects – NEW INFO!

Senior Projects will no longer be required for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – NEW INFO!

We know there are many questions you have during this unprecedented time. We are committed to keeping you informed through the mandated school closure and have developed a document with Frequently Asked Questions addressing issues such as state testing and information relative to the Senior Class of 2020 as a resource for you. As this is a fluid and evolving situation, this document will also evolve and be updated to reflect the latest information available and is subject to change. Please review this document at: http://bit.ly/SCPPS-COVID19FAQ often throughout the closure. 

Finally, I want you to know that our energy and resolve will focus on those things we can control and our commitment to providing a high quality education for our students and their families while also fulfilling the needs of our valued employees. As we all know, being resilient doesn’t mean our problems go away but provides an opportunity to see beyond obstacles of any situation to see a better future. Our future is very bright and better because “You and I…We are St. Charles Parish Public Schools!”

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE #5: 3/16/20 - 5:45 PM

As we navigate through this challenging period, we are committed to informing you of what the school system is doing to assist families. We are doing our very best to make decisions that will help care for our students, staff and families during this school closure. We will continue to update you throughout this process. For the latest information as it becomes available, please continue to monitor the district’s social media pages and website at stcharles.k12.la.us/coronavirus. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

School Calendar – NEW INFO!

The originally scheduled Easter/Spring Break Holiday will be honored. As we receive additional guidance and information from the Louisiana Department of Education, we will make appropriate decisions relative to the modification of our school calendar.

At-Home Learning- NEW INFO!

Current efforts are focused on providing at-home learning opportunities for pre-kindergarten through high school during this time away from school. We are pleased to share that these resources are now available digitally at http://bit.ly/SCPPS-HLO. 

Additionally, hard copies of these documents will be available beginning Tuesday, March 17 for pickup in front of the School Board Office (13855 River Road in Luling) each weekday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  These resources have been created for students to minimize skill regression. At-home learning opportunities are not mandatory. Students will not be held accountable for completion of these activities/tasks which will not be graded. Schools will not collect any at-home learning materials.

School Board Office – NEW INFO!

In addition to schools, the School Board Office is closed until further notice. The main office phone number (985-785-6289) will be answered on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Grab-and-Go Meals

We are executing an emergency feeding plan for our students to ensure that they do not experience a lapse in food security. The emergency feeding plan will provide free breakfast and lunch meals for students up to age 18. Meal service will begin on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, through Thursday, April 9, 2020, each weekday from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Meals will be served at these 5 designated sites:

• St. Rose Elementary
• Harry Hurst Middle
• Luling Elementary
• R.K. Smith Middle
• R.J. Vial Elementary

A pre-packaged lunch for the current day and a pre-packaged breakfast for the following day will be distributed during the pick-up time of 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the designated sites. Meals provided will be based on the number of children present at the time of pick-up. An ID is not required to pick-up meals.

Finally, I want you to know that our energy and resolve will focus on those things we can control and our commitment to providing a high quality education for our students and their families while also fulfilling the needs of our valued employees. As we all know, being resilient doesn’t mean our problems go away but provides an opportunity to see beyond obstacles of any situation to see a better future. Our future is very bright and better because, “You and I… We are St. Charles Parish Public Schools!”

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE #4: 3/15/20 - 4:30 PM

As we navigate through this challenging period, we are committed to informing you of what the school system is doing to assist families. We are doing our very best to make decisions that will help care for our students, staff and families during this school closure. We will continue to update you throughout this process as information becomes available and appreciate your patience and understanding.

Parent Facility Access- REMINDER

School administrators will be on campus between 8 AM and 4 PM on Monday, March 16 to allow parents access to any items they may need to retrieve from their child’s school, including medication.

Grab-and-Go Meals – NEW INFO!

We are executing an emergency feeding plan for our students to ensure that they do not experience a lapse in food security. The emergency feeding plan will provide free breakfast and lunch meals for students up to age 18. Meal service will begin on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, through Thursday, April 9, 2020, each weekday from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Meals will be served at these 5 designated sites:

• St. Rose Elementary
• Harry Hurst Middle
• Luling Elementary
• R.K. Smith Middle
• R.J. Vial Elementary

Meals will be served via pick-up or curbside at each site at the designated location. Meals provided will be based on the number of children present at the time of pick-up. An ID is not required to pick-up meals.

At-Home Learning- NEW INFO!
The District is preparing online and printed resources for at-home learning. Once completed, printed resources will be available for pick-up at designated schools and the School Board Office. These resources will assist in providing student learning opportunities. While these opportunities are not required and will not be graded, they are highly recommended to sustain current skill levels. Additionally, other home learning opportunities will soon be posted to our district webpage, www.stcharles.k12.la.us, using Google Classroom.

School Calendar
Decisions relative to the modification of our school calendar, including those related to Spring/Easter Break, have not been made. As we receive additional guidance and information from the Louisiana Department of Education, we will make appropriate decisions and update you. Any decision made will be based on what is in the best interest of our students. 

SCPPS School and District Events Status
All previously scheduled school and district events and activities will not take place during the mandated closure which currently runs until April 13. As of now, the March 25, 2020, School Board Meeting will still be held. As we receive additional information from state and government officials relative to the reopening of schools, events will be rescheduled as appropriate.

Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration will be rescheduled upon return to normal school system operations.

Athletics
All middle and high school athletic competitions and practices are postponed until further notice.

Delay in Notification System Messages
Our mass notification system, Blackboard Connect, is experiencing a high volume of traffic due to the number of districts utilizing the system across the country. Because of this, there may be a delay from when we send the message to when you actually receive it. Currently, the lag time is averaging 4 to 5 hours. We apologize for any inconvenience, and encourage you to visit www.stcharles.k12.la.us/coronavirus and our social media channels for the latest information.

Finally, I want you to know that our energy and resolve will focus on those things we can control and our commitment to providing a high quality education for our students and their families while also fulfilling the needs of our valued employees. As we all know, being resilient doesn’t mean our problems go away but provides an opportunity to see beyond obstacles of any situation to see a better future. Our future is very bright and better because, “You and I… We are St. Charles Parish Public Schools!”

Dr. Ken Oertling
Superintendent
St. Charles Parish Public Schools

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CLOSURE UPDATE #3: 3/13/20 - 5:00 PM

Gov. John Bel Edwards today, March 13, 2020, signed a proclamation that among other actions closes all K-12 public schools statewide effective Monday, March 16 until Monday, April 13, as Louisiana seeks to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. We understand that extended school closure will create a hardship for many families. Children count on the reliable routine that a school day offers, from the classroom setting to the many people at school who know them, care for them and provide recognition of them five days a week.

Families, too, count on that routine and the knowledge that their children are cared for during the day. It allows them to tend to their workday or focus on the other pieces of life that need to be taken care of – and there are many.

Contemplating weeks without that structure and care may seem overwhelming. Please know that we are doing our very best to make decisions that will help care for all of us through this time.  At this moment, we are currently working on plans and decisions that we know are important to you. The most immediate issues we are working to address at this time are outlined below.

Spring Break

We are waiting further guidance from the Louisiana Department of Education on the potential impacts to our school calendar.  Once additional information is received, we will pass that on to you in regards to the status of the previously scheduled Easter/Spring Break Holiday.

Parent Facility Access

School administrators will be on campus between 8 AM and 4 PM on Monday, March 16 to allow parents access to any items they may need to retrieve from the school including medication.

Meals

We are currently exploring options to continue to provide meals to students.

At Home Learning

The Curriculum & Instruction Department is preparing online and printed resources for at home learning.  These resources will assist with providing students educational opportunities outside of the traditional classroom but are not required and will not be graded.  Once the resources are available, we will notify you of when and where you may access them.

We will be sending updates with information and resources via email, text messages, the website and social media channels. Please continue to check these frequently.

We are grateful for your patience and understanding as we continue to work through this difficult situation.

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CLOSURE UPDATE #2:  3/13/20

No district/school events will take place during the Governor’s ordered school closure including all events scheduled this weekend.  We will keep you updated as the situation develops. For the latest info, see www.stcharles.k12.la.us and our social media pages.

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CLOSURE UPDATE #1: 3/13/20

No district or school events will take place during the Governor's ordered closure of public schools.

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SCHOOL CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENT: 3/13/20

Per the Governor of Louisiana, schools will be closed beginning Monday, March 16 until Monday, April 13, 2020 to aid in slowing the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). More information to come. Please stay tuned to our communication channels for updated information.