Due to concerns of spreading the Coronavirus, announcements continue to be made regarding cancellation or postponement of area community events and school information.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with Governor Mike Parson, has recommended no public gatherings of 50 or more people through April 30th except for schools, daycare facilities, and businesses.
Trenton R-9 school officials this morning announced the cancellation for this week of all activities, practices, and events among sports teams, clubs, and organizations. No classes are held this week at Trenton R-9 due to the schools being on the previously-scheduled spring break.
Pleasant View R-6 school near Trenton reports the postponement of the dodge ball extravaganza fundraiser from Saturday, March 21st until another date to be determined.
Ag contests today at Savannah were canceled during this past weekend. And North Central Missouri College canceled the ag contests that were to be Thursday.
Missouri FFA officials have postponed next month’s state convention which attracts thousands to Columbia. It was to have been April 23rd and 24th. Staff members are working on a contingency plan. Leaders recommend ag teachers reconsider holding all area and district events that involve significant numbers of students.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education postponed this weeks’ FCCLA (family career and community leaders) state conference and all associated events.
Missouri University of Science and Technology has canceled all university-sponsored events involving more than 50 people scheduled through April 30, 2020. This means that the Missouri health occupation student association Leadership Conference, scheduled at Rolla March 23 and 24, will not take place. Instead, Missouri HOSA will use a virtual platform to determine state winners. Details pertaining to testing and other projects will be emailed to Local Chapter Advisors and posted on the Missouri HOSA website.
Under the proclamation of a state of emergency in Kansas City, events scheduled in Kansas City with more than 1,000 attendees are canceled. That means DECA’s State Career Development Conference will not take place in Kansas City. Instead, DECA will use a virtual platform to determine our state winners. Details pertaining to testing and written event projects will be emailed to chapter advisors and posted on the DECA website.
Public attention surrounding COVID-19 has led to several questions about what will happen if a school must close for an extended period of time. While COVID-19 is the current focus, officials say it’s important to remember that this is not the first time that illness, natural disaster or other events have affected school operations. DESE has historically worked with districts when exceptional circumstances cause school closures. As with any situation where a possible closure can be anticipated, districts are encouraged to consider what alternative plans can be developed and implemented to support student learning in the absence of standard instructional practices.
If a case of COVID-19 is confirmed within a community, DESE encourages schools to work closely with local health officials and seek their guidance on the next steps for attendance. In the event of a confirmed case, epidemiological investigators would work quickly to determine what individuals came into close contact with the infected person; the infected person and those who were determined to have close contact with that individual while considered contagious would be those asked to self-quarantine and monitor their health for any development of systems.
