Perkins County Schools

Parents and Guardians,

Southwest Health Department has moved its risk level to orange.  In response, PCS will also be moving its risk level to orange.  PCS administration is currently reviewing protocols and guidelines that will be modified due to the increased risk level.  We are continuing to work with the Southwest Health Department and will release these changes to protocols and guidelines tomorrow, Wednesday, October 7th, 2020.  The Health Department and CDC guidelines recommend anyone six feet or less for fifteen minutes or more to wear a mask, we would encourage our students to do the same.

PCS Administration

September 25, 2020

Parents and patrons, I wanted to provide you with an update as we finish out the month of September. It has been a great start to the school year! Students have been excited to be back in the buildings, activities are in full swing, and our students are experiencing success in the classroom and in activities.

UPDATE ON COVID-19 POSITIVE CASES

From July through August, we have had four students in our district test positive for COVID-19. As a result of students coming in close contact (6 feet or less for more than 15 minutes) with a positive case (students or with someone in the community), six students have had to quarantine per directives of the Health Department. As of the writing of this letter, there has not been a positive student test since our return from Labor Day. We have had one staff member test positive within the last seven days. With a student enrollment of 423 and 45 teachers, I view our first six weeks of school as a success.

UPDATED DHM

Directed Health Measures (DHM) were updated this week. Prior to this update, schools were advised that if students were wearing masks at the time of exposure or close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19, the student would not necessarily need to quarantine or isolate. The updated DHM now requires that when a student comes in close contact with a student that tests positive, if both students are not wearing a mask, the student that had close contact will also have to be quarantined. Please see our website for the updated DHM flyer (​Click Here For Flyer​). At this time, students are not required to wear a mask, and PCS is still practicing social distancing as much as possible within our classroom and where warranted.

PCS will continue to follow our COVID-19 plan, and we ask for your assistance in helping mitigate the spread of the virus. The goal is to keep our students in the building for in-person learning. If we continue to be diligent in practicing safety protocols and guidelines, I believe we can help diminish the spread of the virus and give our students an opportunity to continue learning in-person and to participate in activities. Please continue to monitor your student and keep them home if they are feeling ill or show COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms. This would include but not be limited to, a temperature over 100 degrees, cough, body aches, loss of smell or taste, diarrhea, or nausea.

SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM EXTENSION

PCS has applied for and been approved to continue the Summer Food Service Program through the CARES Act. This means that all student breakfast and lunches will be free through December 31st or until the program dollars run out. The official start date of this program will be September 1st. The district will credit all student lunch accounts for the meals during this time. This subsidy does not cover second lunches or ala carte items. If your child plans to have a second lunch or purchase items outside of a reimbursable meal, you will need to continue to deposit money into their lunch account. Money that is already in your child’s account will remain there for future expenses.

In closing, five months without students in a school building is too long; it is refreshing to have students back in school learning, interacting, and doing “normal” kid things. We are fortunate to live where we live and I want to thank our students, parents, staff members, health care professionals, and the communities of Perkins County for helping us start the year off in the manner we have.

Thank you,

Phillip Picquet Superintendent, PCS