Hickman County Schools added to area's list to observe Non-Traditional Instruction Days, beginning March 16

(Editor's Note: the following was submitted to The Current by Hickman County Elementary Principal Richard Todd:)

Parents:

Obviously, this communication is regarding the closure of Hickman County Schools to students for the next two weeks. The staff of HCES will work hard during this unprecedented event to do what is best for your children; we ask that you do the same. The closure is due to the recommendation announced by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, to suspend all "in session" regular school days and implement NTI, Non-Traditional Instruction days.

NTI , or Non-Traditional Instruction, in fairly simple terms, allow for students to continue learning from home in the case of a school closing. NTI days count for attendance, as a school day. These days will not be required to be made up, and teachers will work to provide resources for students to continue working at home, through paper packets and or digital resources. Students need to participate ever day, and parents are urged to help students participate in the learning activities provided to them so that these days will not have to be made up. Teachers will track student participation on these days digitally or when paper packets are returned to school. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask the teachers and staff who will be contacting you beginning Monday.

The second attachment explains the reason for the closure of the school. No one likes this situation, but those making such decisions have deemed it necessary.

The third attachment details offerings of breakfast and lunch for your children. Again, if you have questions, we will try to get you answers.

As for the schoolwork, here is some information that you will need during this time:

- Teachers today sent home packets of work with your children. Please follow the directions in completing the work.

- The assignments are not to be completed in one sitting. Rather, we expect students to work an average of three hours per day on assignments, reviewing, reading, and other tasks.

- Much of the work sent home is review. We do not expect parents to teach contents to students. We do expect parents to review learned concepts with students.

- We will be communicating with you regarding other assignments. Part of this process will be figuring out how to get other assignments to our students.

- It is imperative that assignments get completed by all students. If assignments are not completed by our students, our NTI days will not be approved; that would result in our having to make up the days by adding them on to the end of the school year. No one wants to be in school in mid-June.

- If at any time you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school. However, we will be in contact with you and your child each day.

To assist families in need of breakfasts and lunches during this time, the school cafeteria staff will be available for families to pick up and take home meals. Satellite sites will also be set up in the community to assist in meal distribution. Parents and guardians will need to contact Food Service Director Megan Adams at 270-653-2341, extension 2039 to place a request for accommodations.

Locations designated for Hickman County Schools to continue to provide reimbursable meals to low income children during school closures, for students receiving free and reduced lunches, for students ages 18 and younger, are as follows: Hickman County High School, Monday through Friday, cafeteria doors facing the Board of Education office, March 16-20, 8-9 a.m. breakfast and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch; Hickman County Elementary School, concession stand, same dates and times; Rotary Park, Monday through Friday, school bus, March 16-20, breakfast, 8-9 a.m. and lunch, 11 a.m. to 12 noon; Columbus, by old school, Hwy. 58W, Monday through Friday, March 16-20, breakfast, 8-9 a.m. and lunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This is an unfortunate situation for us all. We are simply trying to make the best of it. Please do all you can to support your child and our school during this time.

Please check the dates below for upcoming events:

Important dates:

March 13 – report cards sent home - TODAY

March 17 – Muffins for Mom, 7:15 - CANCELLED

March 24 - Donuts for Dads, 7:15 - CANCELLED

April 6-10 – spring break

April 29, 30 - K-PREP testing

May 1, 5 and 6 - K-PREP testing

Spirit Days

Friday, April 3 – spring break – wear springtime attire

Friday, April 17 – baseball season is here – represent your favorite team

Friday, April 24 – Falcon Pride – wear red and black

Friday, May 1 – May is here! – wear shorts and a T shirt

Friday, May 8 – Field day – wear shorts, athletic attire, and a hat

Friday, May 15 – Falcon Pride – wear red and black

Parents, we will be in contact next week.

Richard Todd

Principal, HCES, “A Great Place to Learn”