Thank you for your continued support and flexibility as we work through these unprecedented times. As you know, to help prevent the community spread of COVID-19, the Nordonia Schools will be closed to students now through Tuesday, April 14. Students are currently scheduled to return on April 15. It is true that every indication from Governor DeWine is that he is going to close schools for the rest of the year. As soon as he does my message will change. I don't mean to be confusing, but as of right now, students are expected to return April 15.
- Governor DeWine signed HB197 today, effective immediately. Some items from the bill that may impact families are:
- eliminates state and federal testing for the 2019-2020 school year;
- prohibits the issuance of state report cards for the 2019-2020 school year and provides a one-year safe harbor from sanctions related to the report card;waives the third-grade reading guarantee retention requirement;
- permits schools to grant high school diplomas to students on track to graduate and for whom the principal determines that the student has successfully completed the curriculum;
- permits boards of education to use electronic communication for in-person meetings and hearings during the emergency period but not later than Dec. 1, 2020;
- permits schools to make up through distance learning any number of days or hours necessary to meet minimum instructional hour requirements (meaning school will not be extended into the summer).
- All of these items lead me to believe even more strongly that the Governor will soon close schools for the rest of the year. If/When that happens you will get more communication from me.
- We are scheduled for Spring Break from April 6-14, and you should plan on enjoying your Spring Break.
- The meal program will continue during spring break.
- April 14 is a professional development day for staff, which they will use to review our efforts thus far and plan for the future. If schools remain closed, April 15 will resume online learning for students.
- Several administrators and teacher leaders are working together right now on creating a more formalized and structured online learning plan as we move forward. Again, you will hear more about that as the work is finalized.
- Families can pick-up meals at Nordonia High School between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. every Monday and Thursday. You can enroll in the meal program here: https://tinyurl.com/NordoniaMealPickupOrders
- We have heard some folks say they are embarrassed or ashamed to take part in this program. Please know that there is no judgment here. The number of unemployed workers in Ohio has skyrocketed almost overnight, and people of different means are finding themselves in positions they never anticipated. We are all in this together, and we are happy to provide some assistance as we all work through this difficult time.
- If you have any questions about anything related to the school closure or coronavirus, you can submit them here: https://tinyurl.com/NordoniaClosureQuestions Questions will be answered daily.
These are unprecedented times, and we will get through them together through flexibility and common sense. Please understand this closure is not only to keep students and staff safe, but also to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as seen in other countries around the world.
As always, thanks for your continued support of the Nordonia Schools, and Go Knights!