March 15, 2020
UPDATE: State issues clarification on K-12 dismissal
SALT LAKE CITY (March 14, 2020) - At a news conference yesterday afternoon, Gov. Gary R. Herbert mentioned that during public school’s two-week dismissal, parents who are unable to be home with children will have the option to bring them to school to be supervised by teachers. This is not the case.
School campuses will remain open for the next two weeks so students can retrieve personal items or pick up assignments from their instructors. Some instructors may be available for brief one-on-one tutoring or to help answer student questions about their assignments. It is important to note that schools will not provide childcare of any kind.
During this period, meal services to students will still be available. In many instances, this is a grab-and-go lunch or breakfast program. These options will vary by school, designed to meet the unique needs of the local school community.
Families should look to local districts and charters for information on specific services available during the two-week dismissal.
(Please read below for original notice)
March 13, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Under the direction of Governor Herbert and State Superintendent Sydnee Dickson, the school district will have a soft closure for two weeks beginning Monday, March 16-27. BESD will have Spring Break from March 30-April 3. This school closure is a preventative measure to decrease the spread of the coronavirus.
A soft school closure means that students would be dismissed from school, but facilities would be kept open, and staff will continue to work. Beginning on Wednesday, March 18, students will be learning at home via an online curriculum. We have developed a survey to collect data on who has internet connectivity and the number of devices that students could receive an online curriculum. Internet connectivity is often defined as being able to stream Netflix on two devices without any buffering occurring. For students that do not have devices at home, families can check out a Chromebook to be used during this time. For families that do not have internet access, teachers will develop a curriculum that can be picked up at the school or delivered via US Postal Service. Please click on this link to take the survey.
Our Food Service Director, Candace Parr, will work with all kitchen managers and building administrators to provide breakfast and lunch services during the school closure. Beginning on Wednesday, March 18, breakfast and lunch will be available in grab and go bags and served during the school's regular scheduled times for each site.
All extracurricular practices and activities will be canceled during the two-week school closure.
We appreciate the community working together to minimize any spread of the coronavirus throughout the district.
As a district, we are encouraging all parents to limit large group gatherings during this time.
Steven E. Carlsen
Superintendent
Box Elder School District