Class rosters will be developed in early July. If you are interested in enrolling your student in our Pre-K program and have not done so, don't worry, we are still accepting new students. Please fill out the PreK preregistration form below if you intend to enroll your child in August. If you have already completed this form or the New Student enrollment form back in May, you do not need to fill it out again. This form is for any family who hasn't reserved a spot for 2020-21. If you have any questions, call Heather Van Slyke at 620-672-4500.
6 July 2020
Greenback Family,
I have two updates for you regarding our protocols in response to the pandemic.
First, from our survey of families we know we have a significant percentage (13%) who are approaching the upcoming school year with significant concerns about health and safety. Of course, others may have less anxiety but still have some concern while we are in this pandemic. On July 14th at 7:00 pm, we will hold a forum at the Liberty Middle School auditorium to give an overview of our approach and protocols for the start of the school year. In this forum we will also discuss the possible learning programs for students K-12. This forum is especially for those parents who are most concerned. For those simply interested in getting kids back to school, we will offer a traditional school option starting in August while continuing to work closely with our county health department to adapt procedures to evolving conditions in our county. We will live-stream this event since seating will be limited in the auditorium as we maintain social distancing.
Second, I want to update you on a procedural change regarding masks. We recognize there is some heated debate regarding the use of masks, but we are working closely with the Pratt County Health Department to develop and follow protocols which put students in the best position to be healthy and growing.
For summer activities, we will require the wearing of masks in the weight room due to the nature of the activity and the requirement that stable groups of students are in close proximity (spotting the lifter). If a student or his/her parent has a particular health concern, please visit with the coach. We want to protect all of our students—remember, our health care and CDC (Centers for Disease Control) experts are recommending the wearing of masks when not able to socially distance for the protection of all people, not just the wearer of the mask. For this reason, we cannot offer an exemption but we would look to accommodate a workout for a student to protect student health.
More detailed information is available through our athletic department. We will work to tailor our approach to adapt to the different needs and environments of the various school and athletic activities. We appreciate the collaboration with our county health department. I suspect there is frustration in some corners (from just a glancing observation of social media), but I want to acknowledge that the Pratt County Health Department is committed to our community and putting our students in the best position to be physically and mentally healthy. These will not be easy answers in the coming months, but I am 100% confident that we have a community who will pull together and look out for each other.
Please be safe and continue to enjoy the summer.
If you have any questions feel free to contact us at 620-672-4500.
Respectfully,
Tony Helfrich
Superintendent
Pratt Schools USD 382
27 June 2020
Greenback Family,
Here is a transcript of the phone call regarding a COVID-19 contact that was messaged today.
“Hello, this is a message regarding COVID-19. The Health Department informed us that we had a student who is participating in HS Summer Weights who tested positive for COVID-19. The student was asymptomatic when tested. Per Health Department policy, they will contact trace individuals who came into extended contact with the affected person 2 days before the test was administered. The Weights program uses stable groupings and the equipment is disinfected after each rotation. For more information on the Health Department guidelines see our website under the COVID-19 tab. A transcript of this call will also be on the tab. During this pandemic we are working especially close with the Pratt County Health Department to enhance safety precautions for our students and our community.”
We understand that we are in a heightened awareness mode while we are under this pandemic and that there will likely be other exposures over the next six months. We will continue to work closely with the Pratt Health Department and follow guidelines to mitigate the risk of exposure but we cannot completely eliminate that risk. It is important during this time that we are all monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19 and self-isolating when necessary. If we follow these guidelines we will flatten the curve and protect our healthcare resources, which is still the most important objective.
The following are the symptoms:
If you have any questions feel free to contact us at 620-672-4500.
Respectfully,
Tony Helfrich
Superintendent
Pratt Schools USD 382
27 June 2020
Greenback Family,
Here are guidelines on contact tracing per the Pratt County Health Department.
1. First Degree Contact of a Known Exposure: First degree contact is most likely the cause for community outbreaks. If you have been informed that you have been in direct or close contact with a COVID-19 confirmed positive (typically in this situation you know the individual personally and have been contacted by the health department as a potentially exposed individual) or you have visited a location considered by the state of Kansas as a "hot spot" travel location, you will be required to self isolate for 14 days.
2. Second Degree Contact of a Known Exposure: Second degree contact is deemed to be less likely to be the source of an outbreak- If you have been in contact with someone that was in direct contact (first degree) with a confirmed COVID-19 patient you should "self monitor" for 14 days by taking your temperature and monitoring for other symptoms of COVID-19 infection.
Here are the common symptoms to be monitoring:
Tony Helfrich
Superintendent
Pratt Schools USD 382
Summer Locations and Times - UPDATED 6/22/20
Starr & Garfield 11:15 - 11:45
Sacred Heart - 332 N Oak 12:00 - 12:45
Southwest Elementary - North Side CLOSED
Liberty Middle School - Circle Drive 11:15 - 12:45
Reach Church - 1000 E 6th St 11:15 - 11:45
Country Estates - Park 12:00 - 12:45
Friends Church - 824 Maple 12:00 - 12:45
Preston - Co-op 11:15 - 11:45
Iuka - Park 12:00 - 12:45
On behalf of our teachers, staff, and school board I welcome you to our district webpage. We are proud of the important work we do with kids to set them up for success and personal well-being this day, this year, and in their future.
We are small-town schools where strong relationships are an integral part of what we do—our principals know every student. Our high school students pair with elementary students (Greenback Match), providing positive leadership and building connections within our student family. Elementary and middle school students hold daily “family” meetings to foster our sense of teamwork and togetherness. Developing our students’ social-emotional strengths is an important goal because we recognize its connection to personal well-being and success both now and in the future.
Because of our size, we are still able to provide a wide variety of opportunities for our students. We have first-class arts programs (band, vocal, theater, debate, forensics, and art), a model elementary MTSS program, an enrichment program for all students, multiple career pathways with instructors in the specialties, and internship and apprenticeship programs. With our connection to Pratt Community College, our college-bound students often leave with 15-30 hours or more of college credit.
In athletics and activities, we compete at a high level—4A for most activities (3A in football). This level allows our entire student body to participate and be successful in multiple activities if they are willing to commit and work hard. But, make no mistake, you must compete with grit to be successful at our level. We have Greenback alumni on scholarship at D1 and D2 programs as well as smaller colleges, community colleges, and technical schools—both for athletics and academics. Regardless of the educational path they choose to take when they leave us, we are proud of our Greenback graduates who are positive contributors to our community and others.
We are small schools with big opportunities. We are a Greenback family. If you would like a tour, please feel free to contact our principals or myself.
Tony Helfrich, Superintendent
Pratt Schools USD 382
