School is out, but lunch is still on: School districts release plan for 2-week 'soft closure'


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FARMINGTON — Following Utah Gov. Gary Herbert's announcement last week that public schools will undergo a two-week "soft closure" to combat the novel coronavirus, many parents were left wondering — what exactly does that mean?

Many school districts have released more details on how they plan to operate during the closure. While classes will not take place as scheduled, facilities will remain open for several hours each day so students can receive instructional assistance, meals and check out devices.

Canyons School District

Canyons School District announced it will provide free, grab-and-go lunches Monday through Friday during the two-week statewide dismissal. Students can pick up the lunches between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Pick-up sites are listed on Canyon District's website.

During the two-week closure, Canyons District elementary, middle, and high schools will be open during regular school hours on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17. During these two days, students may come to the school briefly to collect personal items or assignments, according to the district's website.

Davis County School District

Breakfast and lunch will be made available to students beginning Monday. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. and lunch will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meals are for students who have student accounts, and they will be charged their normal fee; students receiving free or reduced meals will continue as normal.

All schools and other district facilities will be open to students from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Buildings will not be staffed after 1:30 p.m.

"Delivering of learning" to students will begin on Wednesday, March 18. Teachers will do this through Canvas or other platforms like Google or email. Students without personal devices can check them out from the school beginning Wednesday, March 18. Principals will provide more detail on how to go about this

Duchesne County School District

Duchesne County School District has released its meal service plan for students during the closure. Beginning on Monday bus-riding kids will be able to pick up meals at their bus stop during their regular pick-up time. Students who do not ride the bus will go to their neighborhood school for drive-up meal services.

Students have been asked not to go to any district schools on Monday, March 16th or Tuesday, March 17th due to teacher planning, according to the district's website. Students will be allowed to return to school on Wednesday only by teacher invitation for extra instruction or to pick up a school breakfast or lunch.

Juab School District

Juab Schools will provide a grab-n-go lunch every weekday starting Monday, March 16, from 12-12:30 p.m. The pickup locations include:

  • Levan Park
  • Red Cliffs Elementary
  • Nebo View
  • Juab High School
  • Mona Elementary
  • Rocky Ridge church

Students and parents are asked to utilize drive-thru options and stay in the car while the meal is distributed.

Logan City School District

District teachers will participate in workdays on Monday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 17, to prepare for off-site education. Office staff at each school will be available via phone and email from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Monday through Friday, through March 27, according to a statement from the district.

Students will be provided with lunch through a grab-and-go system. Beginning Wednesday, March 18, students can go to their nearest elementary school to receive a sack lunch from 10-11 a.m. Students will also receive packets for continued learning at lunch pick-up on specific dates.

Additional details like drive-thru routes will be made available on each elementary school's website by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17.

Mount Logan Middle and Logan High School will provide online learning activities for each class, according to the statement. Each teacher will share detailed expectations and procedures, and these activities will be available beginning on Wednesday, March 18.

The district's spring break is still planned for March 30 - April 3.

Millard School District

District Superintendent David Styler said in a letter to families that students will not be allowed to enter school buildings during the two-week closure, although staff will be present to prepare and provide services "as available."

Monday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 17, will be preparation days for teachers and for students to begin the transition to digital instruction. Online classes will begin on Wednesday, March 18, based on the schedules and protocol laid out by individual teachers and schools.

Meals will be provided in a drive-thru during the closure. Specific times and locations were not immediately available.

Murray City School District

“This was our moment to shrink or shine – and we chose the latter,” reads a statement from Murray School District. “The message we want to share from the Murray City School District to parents and students across Utah is that you got this.“

The statement addresses the two-week “soft-closure” imposed by Gov. Herbert and highlights changes throughout the closure such as a district employee who is taking reading stories over Facebook live to reduce anxiety among children.

Lunches are being provided daily between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for children 18 years old and younger.

The district is working to resolve and answer questions. Updates can be found on their website.

Nebo School District

In a letter to parents, Nebo School District reiterated that teachers will continue to provide instruction for students through online classes or educational packets. Further information about devices and materials will be provided by individual schools within the district.

Classes will resume on Wednesday, March 18, after two days of teacher preparation.

Students will be able to go to any school within the District to pick up meals starting Monday, March 16. “Grab and Go” meals will be available for purchase at normal prices; free or reduced meals will be made available to those who qualify.

Breakfast can be picked up starting at 8 a.m. and will not need a pre-order. Lunches can be picked up from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and should be pre-ordered using the phone number and order deadline provided by individual schools.

Outside of picking up "Grab and Go" meals, students should only be in the school building if instructed or have contacted the school to make arrangements to bring supplies and assignments home. Any individual tutoring or small group instruction plans will be coordinated by the school, according to the letter.

Provo City School District

Provo City School District will provide both breakfast and lunch every weekday starting Monday. Breakfast will be served from 8-9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Locations are listed on the district's website.

Online instruction begins on Wednesday. Students can call to schedule a time to pick up a Chromebook (801-373-2188) on Monday, March 16, between the hours of 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Salt Lake City School District

Starting on Tuesday, Salt Lake City School District will provide breakfast and lunch at designated sites to all children 18 years and younger.

Meals will be delivered to families in a drive-thru setting or, for those without a vehicle, through a walk-up service.

Families who need to make special meal requests and dietary restrictions can email the district’s registered dietician, Brianna Hardisty at Brianna.Hardisty@slcschools.org.

Breakfast will be served weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Children must be present in order to get a free meal.

Further information, including menus and program information, can be found at the district’s website.

Meals will be served at the following locations:

  • Backman Elementary (south parking area, enter from 1500 West), 601 N. 1500 West
  • Bryant Middle School (east driveway, enter from 800 East), 40 S. 800 East
  • Clayton Middle School (south driveway, enter from 1900 East), 1470 S. 1900 East
  • East High School (west parking area, enter from 900 South), 840 S. 1300 East
  • Edison Elementary (service road behind school, enter from 500 South), 430 South Cheyenne St.
  • Escalante Elementary (west parking area, enter from 900 North), 1810 W. 900 North
  • Franklin Elementary (southeast parking area located at back of school), 1115 W. 300 South
  • Glendale Middle School (northwest parking area), 1430 W. Andrew Avenue
  • Highland High School (east parking area, located next to main entrance), 2166 S. 1700 East
  • Liberty Elementary (southeast parking area), 1085 S. 300 East
  • Mary W. Jackson Elementary (northwest parking area, enter from 800 West), 750 W. 200 North
  • Meadowlark Elementary (northeast parking area), 497 N. Morton Drive
  • Nibley Park School (west parking, located next to main entrance), 2785 S. 800 East
  • North Star Elementary (south parking area, located next to south entrance), 1545 N. Morton Drive
  • Parkview Elementary (northwest parking area), 970 S. Emery Street
  • Riley Elementary (south parking area), 1410 S. 800 West
  • Rose Park Elementary (west parking area, located next to main entrance), 1105 W. 1000 North
  • Salt Lake Center for Science Education (east driveway/parking area), 1400 W. Goodwin Avenue
  • West High School (U-shaped driveway located north of building next to cafeteria entrance), 241 N. 300 West
  • Whittier Elementary (north parking area, enter from Roberta Street), 1600 S. 300 East

Tooele County School District

Tooele County School District announced its school dismissal feeding plan. Grab-and-go lunches will be available for drive-thru or walk-up March 17-27 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. The district said some sites are offering free lunches while others will require a lunch number. Locations can be found on the district's website.

"Alternate form(s) of class instruction" will begin on Wednesday, according to the district's website.

Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

USDB issued a statement Sunday saying while campuses will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m, students are strongly encouraged to stay home during the two-week dismissal. Buildings will remain open if students need additional assistance or for parents to attend individualized educational plan meetings.

Remote learning will begin on Wednesday, March 18 through Canvas or other platforms.

Breakfast and lunch will not be available at USDB campuses beginning Monday, March 16, and all student transportation routes will be canceled, according to the statement. However, mental health counselors are available for students struggling with the current situation.

Wasatch County School District

Wasatch County School district released a school closure menu that will be offered to students. Student numbers will be gathered for informational purposes and no child will be charged. The school district said additional information will be released on Monday.

Teachers will be preparing on Monday and Tuesday for instruction to begin by Wednesday, according to the district's website

Uintah School District

Uintah School District announced Monday afternoon it will be providing free lunches for all children in the community aged 18 and younger, starting on Wednesday.

The lunches will be provided between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Ashley Elementary School, Naples Elementary School, Eagle View Elementary School and Lapoint Elementary School.

The meals will be picked up curbside at the schools and participants must stay in their cars, district officials said.

Adult meals for $3.75 will also be available.

Contributing: Lauren Bennett, KSL.com

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Graham Dudley reports on politics, breaking news and more for KSL.com. A native Texan, Graham's work has previously appeared in the Brownwood (Texas) Bulletin and The Oklahoma Daily.
Jen Riess is the weekend and evening content producer for KSL.com. She also covers breaking news and in her free time loves being with her dogs and cheering on the Cleveland Browns.

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