We miss you already. We've never experienced anything quite like this in our lives. It can feel scary or unsettling. We want you to know that we miss you and we love you.

This pandemic has reminded the teachers of the Quantum Learning Key: This Is It! This is It is about "making the most of every moment." When I teach this key to kindergarteners, we have a blast planning an imaginary field trip to the beach. We pack our huge van with all sorts of fun things and beginning making plans for what will happen when we arrive. While on our long (imaginary) car ride, we play fun car games. We discuss how if happiness is a choice, well so is boredom! We vow to be present and interested -- making the most of even our "car trip." Finally we arrive at our beautiful (in our mind) beach to find that there was a cold front which brought in unseasonable coldness and rain. We want to pout, cry and be discouraged. However, that wouldn't be making the most of our time together. So instead, we show FLEXIBILITY along with THIS IS IT and make a new plan. Pretend beach party inside! It's a grand time of making the most of every moment.

In some ways our time for social distancing feels like an extended spring break. However, it serves a very different purpose. While we want you to have fun while you're cooped up inside, we don't want you to forget how important hand washing and staying healthy will be.

Parents we know that keeping a schedule is a way to keep fear at bay. Teachers have been considering activities you can do while in self-quarantine at home to keep and learning and make the most of every moment. Our plan (unless changed when the district leaders meet tomorrow) is to share a daily newsletter with some ideas and a daily key lesson. It's meant to help support you all while we wait this out. Teachers and/or grade levels may send out some of their own suggestions. Watch your email.

COVID-19 Update 03/14/20

Dear Shawnee Heights Community:

We apologize for bothering you on a Saturday, however, we know that you have many questions that we will do our best to answer as soon as we can. As you know, the Shawnee County Health Department suspended all classroom and extracurricular activities for two weeks. At this time we are planning to resume classes on March 30, 2020. The activities and programs closed until then are:

• All before and after school activities
• All extracurricular activities
• All sporting events
• Boys & Girls Club Programs
• Prime Time Programs
• Any other events/programs that would take place inside the buildings unless specifically stated otherwise

If you have traveled outside of the United States or traveled on a cruise ship in the last 14 days we have been advised by state officials that you should report this to your school building and self-quarantine for 14 days.

Grab and Go sack lunches will be available for all students in designated pick up locations starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Details will be communicated Monday, March 16, 2020.

Our leadership team has been planning for our current situation as well as potential future outcomes that may occur. Please know this situation changes rapidly and we will do our best to give you updated information as soon as we have it.

We will continue to communicate with you on a regular basis through email and voice calls to give you the most up-to-date information from the local and state health departments. Emails will be labeled COVID-19 Update with the date the message was sent. Email and voice messages will be the primary method of communication, however we are also posting all communications regarding COVID-19 on the district website under the community tab labeled Coronavirus Monitoring. If you receive a phone call from our district number 785-379-5800, please check your voice messages and/or email for the message that was sent.

Sincerely,

Tiffanie Kinsch

Communications Director

Shawnee Heights USD 450

Shawnee Heights USD 450 - 4401 SE Shawnee Heights Rd - Tecumseh, KS 66542 - (785) 379-5800 - www.usd450.net

Email: bervertk@usd450.net