March 24, 2020 

Please click on the link below to read the letter from Superintendent Rick Masters on the update on School and the COVID-19 as well as additional resources for your family.

MARCH 16, 2020 at 6:30PM

To: Kenesaw Public Schools Parents and Guardians,

Good evening.  As superintendent of Kenesaw Public Schools I would like to offer my apology for the short notice regarding closing school today.  I appreciate your flexibility and understanding.  Like many schools across Nebraska, Kenesaw Public Schools was planning on having school today with hopes that we would be able to hold school throughout the week.  As we became more aware of the travel patterns of our students, parents, staff, and community over the past week and more specifically this last weekend, it became apparent that the safest and best decision for ALL of our Kenesaw stakeholders was for students to remain at home.  At this time, Kenesaw Public Schools will be closed for the remainder of this week, March 16th through March 20th, and all of next week March 23rd through March 27th.

School administrators have made plans for students and/or their parents to come to school to pick up items they will need to receive academic instruction at their residence.  Some of these items may include:  Chromebook or iPad, textbooks, worksheet packets, and school supplies. This will take place on Wednesday, March 18th, from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  Please refer to the document below for more information regarding this procedure or click here.

Kenesaw Public Schools intends for instruction to begin on Thursday, March 19th.  Students are expected to complete assignments and participate in online activities.  Grades will be assigned for student work as designated by each individual teacher.

Additionally, Kenesaw Public Schools has made plans to provide students in grades PK-12th grade with a cold lunch and a cold breakfast.  A survey was sent out today to determine parent and guardian interest in participating in this meal plan.  Information regarding the meal plan is posted below or you can find it here.

Kenesaw Public Schools will also be suspending the use of the building for all extracurricular and community activities and meetings until further notice.  This includes but is not limited to, youth practices, youth events, open gyms, weight room access, and all after school programs.  

Also, to help reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, please remember to limit out-of-town travel, wash your hands frequently, cough or sneeze into a tissue or sleeve, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, disinfect all frequently touched objects and surfaces often, and stay home if you have a fever or “flu-like” symptoms. 

Kenesaw is a proud community and will weather the Coronavirus storm with GRIT, determination, and pride.  We will do this together, helping one another along the way.  If Kenesaw Public Schools can assist you in any manner, please do not hesitate to call upon us.  We are here to serve and make certain that our students, teachers, parents, and community members are safe and well cared for.   

If you need further information or clarification regarding this communication, please call the Kenesaw Public Schools office.

Please review the following three documents reguarding school meals provided to our students during school closure, the procedure for picking up student materials taking place on Wednesday, March 18th, and the CDC guidelines we will be following from now through March 31st.  Please read all documents thoroughly.

Dear Parents:

In the wake of the worldwide spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the recent diagnosis of COVID-19 in a fan that attended the Girls State Basketball Tournament in Lincoln last week, and the high levels of influenza virus still circulating, we at Kenesaw Public Schools feel it is necessary to provide factual, helpful information and updates to our patrons. The intent of this information is not to create panic but to make you aware of the best prevention practices, symptoms to look for, and what to do if you or your children exhibit any signs of illness.

Please read the following handouts: one from our school nurse explaining signs and symptoms of the disease, one is a fact sheet about COVID-19, and finally a sheet about what the educational plan would look like if Kenesaw Public Schools had to close for a time.

Here are some websites that will provide our community members with accurate information.  In addition, there is a link to the Governor address and Commissioner of Education address.