MONROE – The School District of Monroe announced this morning that it will close starting tomorrow, March 16, one day earlier than initially planned. Gov. Tony Evers announced an executive order to close both public and private schools late last week.
Students and staff will have the one-hour early release scheduled today. Although school will not be in session, buildings will remain open on Tuesday in case students forgot to bring materials home or parents want to pick up medications or other materials. This decision is due to new CDC guidelines limiting gatherings to 50 or fewer people and additional conversation we have had with the Green County Health Department.
School will also be out April 6-10, which is the school’s scheduled spring break.
In an email sent from District Administrator Rick Waski, school will resume April 13, unless another executive order requires additional measures.
Although school will be open Monday and Tuesday, March 16-17, Waski said it will be at the decision of the parents or guardians as to whether or not they attend.
“We will be restricting our programming to essential academic function only; so all club activities, sports practices and community meetings scheduled in our building will be canceled on the 16th and 17th,” the email said.
Although some neighboring schools, including New Glarus, have decided to close Monday, Waski’s note said they hoped to give as much time as possible for families to figure out childcare and other family schedules during the closures.
The message said that additional information would be provided via email and encouraged daily email checks over the next few days.
Food program
Another note sent Saturday, March 14 let parents know the school was developing a food security program to support families during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the email, additional details regarding the plan will be provided by the end of the day on Tuesday as they work through state regulations and logistics planning.
Currently, the plan will include the following:
Daily meal support: Free meals will be offered to all students Monday through Friday. Distribution will be provided via a drive through lane at a location to be determined. Pedestrian pickup options will also be available but a system is being developed to ensure the safety of students and staff.
The district will provide free bagged meals (breakfast and lunch) to school-age students of families in need during the closure. This service is available to any family who feels they have this need regardless of whether or not they qualify for free or reduced priced meals. The sack meals will be delivered at the same time, once a day on Monday through Friday during the closure. Families requesting this service should click on the link to provide information and sign up no later than 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 17; participation cannot be guaranteed after this time.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAQFSLqoEU9fkqVqUpecy18o_JO4hvOcGRyRCf9Kx64eiWvA/viewform
Backpack Buddies: The district’s Backpack Buddies program provides support to families throughout the year and under the circumstances will provide a more robust service during the closure. Food packages will be delivered door to door to limit exposure to individuals. Additional resources and staffing are being secured to allow the expansion of this service. Monetary donations will be accepted to help fund this issue.
With questions or concerns about food offerings during the closure, contact Joe Monroe, director of pupil services, at josephmonroe@monroe.k12.wi.us.
