Parent Informational Letter March 29th
After Governor Kelly Issued a Stay-at-Home Executive Order for Kansas
March 29, 2020
Saturday morning Governor Kelly issued a stay-at-home executive order for Kansas. This only changes one item we have done the past week. The indoor track at Ulysses High School is CLOSED effective Monday.
Lunch/breakfast pickup will continue at KMS and Hickok Elementary, Monday through Friday, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.
Continuous Learning Plan
The teachers and principals have met many times in this past week using Google Meet to develop the Continuous Learning Plans for our students. Learning will continue! It is critical that we have contact with students and parents during this new learning format. The staff has focused on these ten main themes when developing their new lessons.
- Focus on essential learning for students -- “Less is More”
- Be flexible and ready to adapt when needs arise
- Emphasize relationships in this new learning environment
- Support local decision making to honor local needs
- Decisions must support all populations of students
- Encourage use of materials, resources and platforms that are already in use
- Instructional models may be a blending of non-technology, face-to-face and virtual platforms
- Establish a consistent and agreed upon framework of expectations, communication models and practices all stakeholders share
- Support and training for all staff will occur prior to implementation of the school’s program and throughout the duration of the remaining school year
- Extend grace to all in these unique and trying times
Accurate contact information
Teachers were contacting students and families last week by phone calls, email, and other means, they have available. It is frustrating for teachers and staff when they are trying to contact students and families and they do not have accurate contact information. More than likely, we do not have correct contact information. If you or your child has not been contacted it is imperative that you contact your child’s school. It is more important than ever families and schools have a two-way line of communication, and this begins with accurate contact information from you.
Office hours and contact information
Schools and offices will remain locked, at this time, but the office staff will be available to take phone calls from 8:00 – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. If you have a question about an assignment or class work, it is best to contact the teacher first; email addresses are located at www.usd214.org. Contact information for the schools and administrators is below:
Hickok Elementary School (620) 356-3919
Principal – Scott Meitler, smeitler@ulysses.org
Assistant Principal – Marcia Raines, mraines@ulysses.org
Sullivan Elementary School (620) 356-1742
Principal – Scott Meitler, smeitler@ulysses.org
Assistant Principal – Nikki Garcia, ngarcia@ulysses.org
Kepley Middle School (620) 356-3025
Principal – Stacey Gee, sgee@ulysses.org
Assistant Principal – Kevin Self, kself@ulysses.org
Ulysses High School (620) 356-1380
Principal – Mark Paul, mpaul@ulysses.org
Assistant Principal – Justin Coffey, jcoffey@ulysses.org
Activities Director – Gene Flax, gflax@ulysses.org
Joyce School (620 356-3655
Superintendent – Dave Younger, dyounger@ulysses.org
Assistant Superintendent – Chad Krug, ckrug@ulysses.org
Picking up personal items and school supplies
If your students have not picked up their personal belongings and school supplies please contact the school to make these arrangements.
The drive-by pick-up for KMS student belongings and school supplies is Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the Tiger Pit from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.
Surveys
The meal survey is very important for meal preparation and delivery. If you have NOT completed the meal survey, please complete it ASAP. The parent/technology survey has helped the staff develop lessons based on the technology the students have at their disposal. This week we will post a third survey that will help us determine the effectiveness of our new delivery systems. Please help our teachers by completing this survey each week.
In order to keep you and your family safe please continue to follow all advice from public health professionals. This includes social distancing and keeping you and your children away from group gatherings.
Finally, a BIG thank you to all the staff members who “stepped up” this week to make lunches, wave a students in the lunch line, clean out lockers, create new lessons, and talk with students and families. All their help this past week has helped all of us! THANK YOU!
It is our hope this information answered many of your questions pertaining to the upcoming weeks. Please follow www.usd214.org and the Ulysses Public Schools Facebook and Twitter pages for current updates or call your child’s school with your questions.
Continue to find the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 please visit.
Grant County COVID-19 hotline
620-356-6006
David L. Younger
Superintendent
Chad Krug
Asisstant Superintendent