Reminder: Our calendar has a 4 day break for Labor Day Weekend. No school Friday, September 3, 2021 through Monday, September 6, 2021. Classes resume Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
Jayhawk schools will be providing vision and hearing screenings for all students next week. These are required under K.S.A 72-6228 and K.S.A. 72-6241.
To our Jayhawk Families!
USD 346 has seen a large number of positive Covid-19 cases in the past week. We are committed to the continuation of on-site and face-to-face instruction. As such, we plan to resume classes and activities tomorrow, August 31st. As we bring our children back onto campus, please review the following:
1. Masks are HIGHLY recommended! Especially during this current surge! However, as masks are still considered optional, please know that we are dedicated to ensuring that all students and staff feel supported with their level of comfort in regards to mask wearing.
2. PLEASE, do not send your student to school if he or she is exhibiting symptoms of an illness. USD 346 is committed to working with students who might need to miss school due to illness and will provide arrangements for missing assignments and missed due dates.
3. The “Test to Stay/Play” procedures have changed. If your student is deemed to be a close contact to a confirmed positive, then you still have the option to work within a “Modified Quarantine”. This modification allows students who are asymptomatic, to return to school as long as they agree to wear a face covering correctly. In addition, they must receive a negative Covid-19 test result each week. As always, this procedure is OPTIONAL.
I realize that we do not all share the same opinions and beliefs when it comes to this issue. However, please understand that we are committed to our students and must continue to consider ALL of our stakeholders in our decision making.
WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS!!!!
Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Dear Parents,
We have made it seven days into the school year, and we have already had four confirmed cases of Covid at JES. As we stay in contact with those children that are sick, we are finding that it is spreading through the families as expected. We will know a lot more in the next 8 to 10 days if the virus is going to spread throughout the student population. We have parents and community members sharing beliefs on both sides of the spectrum. Some believe this is all ridiculous and that the precautions we are taking are a waste of time, some are still not quite sure how serious it is but want to be safe, and others kept their child(den) home this year due to health issues in their family. As we work together, it is extremely important to me that we respect each other’s opinions and remember what our most important focus is each day: safely educating kids. I would like to share 3 recommendations for ALL parents, regardless of where you stand on the seriousness of our situation and the hot topic of masking.
1. If you are in fear of your child contracting Covid while at school, I would highly recommend that you visit with us about virtual opportunities that would allow your child to continue their education at home. We can offer several virtual suggestions, but we CAN NOT offer remote learning with our local teachers.
2. If you are concerned about Covid, but definitely want to send your child(den) to JES each day, I would STRONGLY ENCOURAGE that your child wear a mask for the next 8 to 10 school days. We will support them and work with them so they are comfortable and feel welcome in a mask.
3. If you do not want your child wearing a mask, we will educate your child and support them so they are comfortable and feel welcome without a mask.
While I support your parental right to make the decision about masks, we must all agree to keep our kids home if they are sick.
Safely educating kids has to be the number one priority for all of us at Jayhawk. We are all JAYHAWKS, we are a FAMILY, and we must not forget that. Regardless of OUR opinions about Covid and masking, it will take all of us working together to keep our schools open in the next few weeks. School will be in session Tuesday, August 31, 2021.
Sincerely,
Mark Proffitt
Jayhawk Elementary Principal
USD 346 is amending the "Test to Stay and Play" procedures as follows:
1. Masks must still be worn during the modified quarantine timeframe.
2. Students and staff will only be tested ONCE PER WEEK. School officials will notify students and parents as the date/time of testing.
3. Since masks are required on buses due to a Federal order, we will allow students in the modified quarantine to ride the bus with their mask.
Remember that this an OPTIONAL protocol and USD 346 will continue to work with students who choose the 10 day quarantine order.
Due to a large number of positive Covid-19 cases in our district, USD 346 is cancelling classes and activities for Monday, August 30th. This will give us an opportunity to deep clean our facilities as well as give teachers the chance to contact students and families to help facilitate the learning needs of all of our students. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Due to recent events we will not be hosting or playing in the Three Rivers League varsity volleyball tournament this Saturday, August 28th.
Based upon recent events, the Varsity Football Jamboree scheduled for Friday Night August 27th has been cancelled.
As we try to make our OPTIONAL Test to Learn/Test to Play procedures more efficient, we would ask that parents/guardians who are driving their student to JLHS for testing please arrive between 7:30 AM and 7:50AM. Students who are able to drive themselves to school please arrive at 7:50AM. We will do our best to expedite the process and shorten your wait times. We appreciate your patience as we work hard to keep our students at school!
Instrument Night at JES is Thursday, August 26, 2021, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Any 5th or 6th grade student interested in joining band is welcome to come in and try out instruments and visit with Mrs. Wilson.
JLHS students enrolled in FSCC Courses- Friday, August 27, by 5 p.m. is the last day to withdraw with a full refund. See Brett Kramer for questions/assistance.
Unfortunately, USD 346 has experienced several positive Covid 19 cases which has caused a large number of quarantines in our schools. This year, we are implementing an option for students and staff who have been deemed a close contact that will utilize rapid testing and the use of masks. If a student or staff member opts to use the procedure, they may take a rapid test each morning and as long as they are asymptomatic and the test result is negative, they may stay in school. they will be required to wear a mask while in the quarantine procedure. Again, this procedure is not mandatory but does give the individual the option of remaining on campus and receiving regular instruction.
Jayhawk-Linn Jr./Sr. High School Students - the student council and booster club is sponsoring a Back to School Bash Thursday night! There will be food, drinks, and music in the High School Parking lot from 6:30-9:00 weather permitting.
Please complete the Household Economic Survey component as part of your student's enrollment process. That component is an important piece of the funding procedure for USD 346! If you have not yet completed that survey, you may still do so by contacting the office at either building or by contacting Christy Thomas at Jayhawk Elementary School. 913-795-2519
Morning Drop-Off: If you drive your student(s) to JES, please drop them off in front of our office no earlier than 7:30 a.m. when we have staff on duty to supervise.
Hot breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. until 7:50 a.m.
Afternoon Pick-Up: If you pick your child up at the end of the day, please use our car line that begins on 5th street by our board office. The car line dismissal begins at 3:10 p.m.
Jayhawk Linn High School Football Parents
Sorry for the late notice, but we will have a high school football parent meeting tomorrow evening after practice. Meeting will start at 5:45 during open house at the high school.
Thank you!
Coach Johnson
Returning students in grades 8th - 12th who have paid the technology fee, which allows you to take their school iPads home during the school year, may pick up their iPad early during Open House tomorrow at JLHS from 10am - 6pm. Seventh grade and new students will receive their devices during school on Friday, August 20th.
School fees can be paid online by going to our website www.usd346.org
To make a payment, Login to your PowerSchool Parent account available at our district website. After logging into your parent account, select the “Balance” option on the left to pay online. If this is your first time paying online, you will be asked to create a new account with RevTrak to complete the transaction.
Monday, August 16, 2021 Teacher In-Service
Tuesday, August 17, 2021, USD 346 Parent Teacher Conferences/Open House 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 18, 2021 Teacher In-Service
Thursday, August 19, 2021 First Day of School
Attention High School Volleyball parents:
The parent meeting will NOT be in person this year. The video for the meeting can be found at the link below.
Our first volleyball practice will be Monday, Aug. 16th from 3:30-6:00. Your daughter MUST have a physical on file in the high school office before she can participate. https://bit.ly/3yGx9WA