Coronavirus Closure Information

A Message from Superintendent Terry Price, May 14, 2020

First, let me once again thank you for your support of our school system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools have wrapped up the school year with some great virtual events for students, several drive-by and drive-thru parades, and creative grade level promotion activities These have been trying times for everyone and it is seemingly continuing at different levels. I will be updating you throughout the summer with information I receive from the Commissioner of Education as well as from Governor Beshear as it becomes available.

I need for families to understand that we are in a “fluid” state in the education world. Things seem to change by the day. In my last meeting with the commissioner it was stated that we do not yet have the answers for what school might look like in the fall. We have discussed many scenarios. There are a number of possibilities to consider within any situation at our schools: What will social distancing requirements look like at that time? How would those requirements affect our classrooms? How would that look in lunchrooms and libraries? In gymnasiums and on playgrounds? What activities could take place and which ones would have to wait? How would social distancing look on school buses? All of these are simply under discussion, with no definitive conclusions as of yet.

Also, we have been asked by the commissioner to create three different school calendars for 2020-2021. One calendar would be an early start, one a traditional start, and one a late start. I understand that this may interrupt some future planning for you, but this is how we must proceed. We need a plan, but the difficult thing is that we do not know right now what to plan for. I believe as the summer progresses, options for when school will begin in the fall will be a top discussion item with the commissioner and governor. I will study all options and carefully review all information I receive to make a decision that is in the best interest of our students, staff, and community. Also the district is currently working on a plan of action regarding learning gaps that may have occurred naturally through non-traditional learning. When we do return, those will be dealt with.

Please note that we will continue our meal distribution program through the end of June. Please take advantage of this as it is our way to take care of our students and maybe make it a little easier for our parents and guardians. Please watch our website and social media for more details on that.

I will update you as I have more information. Please check our district Facebook page frequently. Again, thank you for being a partner in your child’s education as we go on this journey together.

A Message from Superintendent Terry Price, April 30, 2020

HCPS Families/Guardians/Seniors:

In recent weeks, high school administration, district office staff senior class officers, the senior class sponsor, and the Board of Education have been studying alternative plans for graduation in the event it become impossible for us to hold a traditional graduation ceremony at the conclusion of the school year. Based on the Commissioner of Education and Governor Beshear’s recommendations, it is necessary to move forward with those alternatives for graduation.

I can tell you with confidence that the goal remains for the Henry County Board of Education to provide the Class of 2020 with an in-person graduation ceremony. Based on feedback from the senior class officers and senior sponsor, through a student survey, we are tentatively setting an in-person graduation for Friday, August 7, at 7pm with a prom being held on Saturday, August 8, time to be determined, with a second push-back date of Saturday, October 3, at 11am. We would then tentatively plan a prom to be held the evening of that graduation date. However, we need to understand that this is tentative in nature due to abiding by state, federal and CDC guidelines. It is important to understand that whatever we do will be guided by public health officials. If the pandemic prohibits a celebration in October, we will regroup and alter our plans at that time.

In the interim, both HCPS and Henry County High School are planning additional opportunities to honor, celebrate and recognize our graduates. This will not replace an in-person ceremony in October. As we continue to navigate these unprecedented times, I thank you for your patience, understanding, and support of our efforts to minimize the negative impact this situation has created for our students, staff and community. It is my hope that you recognize our passion for your child and our commitment to offering them the very best opportunities and experiences possible.

Additionally, our current school calendar exceeds the 1,062 instructional hour minimum which allows HCPS to end the academic year early, making our last day May 15, 2020. The Henry County Board of Education held its regular board meeting in April and approved this calendar amendment.

Finally, I share my sincere thanks to each of you for your efforts to partner with us during these challenging times. Without question, your support has been essential in this process. Your cooperation has been thoroughly appreciated by staff, Board of Education members, and the superintendent.

A Message from Superintendent Terry Price, April 20, 2020

Today, Governor Andy Beshear conducted a conference call with all school superintendents to discuss the completion of the 2019-2020 school year. In this call, Beshear recommended that schools should not meet in person again this school year. In accordance with that recommendation, Henry County Public Schools will continue its Wildcat Days (Non-Traditional Instruction) program until the last day of the school year, which will be officially decided at the Board of Education meeting this evening. In order to meet the required needed instructional hours, it appears that our last day of school will be May 15.

We will continue our free meal program through the end of May, providing a nutritious breakfast and lunch to any child in Henry County 18 years of age or younger every day. Weekly meal pickups are currently held every Monday from 10am to noon at Campbellsburg Elementary, Eastern Elementary, New Castle Elementary and Henry County High School.

In his call, Governor Beshear referenced the tiered approach to re-opening the state which reveals that at least a portion of this pandemic will continue into the summer months. As a result, Beshear also recommended that all summer activities involving groups, such as proms and summer sports, be cancelled. I will be virtually meeting with senior class officers, the senior class sponsor and the high school principal to discuss options for a safe graduation that will appropriately honor our seniors.

We appreciate the great efforts our teachers, students and parents continue to put forth toward instruction and learning, and we are committed to successfully completing this school year. Please continue to be patient and flexible with us as we move through this unfamiliar situation. Also, feel free to contact your school if you have questions about your child’s individual academic standing. You should receive information from your child’s school regarding continued Wildcat Days packets and online instruction.

We are so proud of our students, who continue to do great work in completely new ways. We are so thankful for our administrators and teachers, who are leading the charge to create unique and engaging lessons. We are amazed at the dedication of our Nutrition Department for finding a way to feed students outside of their cafeterias. And we are grateful to our families and our community for all your support and cooperation during this closure.

This is not an easy time for any of us. We always have and will continue to place your child’s best interests at the forefront of all our decisions. We miss our kids and want the best for each and every one of them. Thank you for partnering with us during this unprecedented time in our history as a school district, a community and a nation.

A Message from Superintendent Terry Price, April 2, 2020

We are so proud of the work you have done at home in the first three weeks of our school closure. We understand that this transition to an online or packet format of instruction has been difficult for some, including teachers, students and parents. We appreciate your resolve and your determination to press forward. Your work is important, your effort matters and your time and collaboration is appreciated!

I also want to recognize the dedication of our administrators, teachers, transportation staff, food service staff, custodial staff and central office staff. These are some of the most dedicated people I have ever worked with in 30 years in education. We are here for our kids, we love our kids, and we miss our kids.

I know this message is lengthy, but please take the time to read it in its entirety as all the information it contains is incredibly important as we move forward with this school year.

In a conference call Thursday, April 2, with Governor Andy Beshear, our recommended closure window was extended to May 1, meaning our first day back to school would be Monday, May 4, not Monday, April 20, as was previously recommended. We recognized the fluidity of this situation and were prepared for such an extension.

Beginning Monday, April 13, new Wildcat Day (NTI or Non-Traditional Instruction) packets will be available for pick-up at each school. Your schools will communicate more specific details of the pick-up process, but in general Eastern Elementary School, Henry County Middle School and Henry County High School will hold packet pickup on Monday, April 13, and Tuesday, April 14, from 10am to 3pm each day. New Castle Elementary School will hold packet pick-up on Monday, April 13, from 10am to 3pm and again on Tuesday, April 14, from 10am to noon. Campbellsburg Elementary School will have its packet pick up available on Monday, April, 13 from 9am to 3pm, and again on Tuesday, April 14, from 10am to noon. Packets for preschool students enrolled in the Henry County Early Childhood Center can be collected at any elementary school on their scheduled pick-up days.

After spring break (the week of April 6-10), we will be making exciting changes to the way we are delivering meals to our families that we hope will be safer for all and more convenient as well. In order to further minimize the risk of exposure, we will transition to distributing meals weekly instead of daily, and at our schools instead of from the Cats Café bus stop locations. And the best news is that you’ll be receiving seven days of meals instead of five!

On Monday, April 13, one breakfast and one lunch will be provided for curbside pickup at each of our schools, with the exception of Henry County Middle School, between 10am and noon. On Tuesday, April 14, six days of breakfasts and lunches can be picked up at any school other than Henry County Middle School, again between 10am and noon. After that, weekly meal distribution will occur each Monday through the closure at any school other than Henry County Middle School from 10am to noon.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO PICK UP THAT SINGLE DAY MEAL BAG ON MONDAY, APRIL 13, SO WE CAN BE SURE TO PREPARE THE CORRECT NUMBER OF WEEKLY MEAL BAGS AT EACH SCHOOL MOVING FORWARD.

Again, our meals are for ANY child in Henry County that is 18 years of age or younger. There are no other requirements or restrictions. Each daily meal is comprised of a complete and nutritious breakfast and lunch.

There will only be a few exceptions that could qualify a family for home delivery of meals: the child is home alone and cannot drive; the family has no transportation; or the family has a medical hardship that makes it impossible to complete a pick up at one of our schools. Any family who would like to be considered for home delivery (even if you are already receiving a home delivery) MUST submit a request using this linked document: https://forms.gle/968puHtiqe6xQwMf6 or by calling (502) 845-8600 before April 12, 2020.

In closing, please know that we are here to support you. We appreciate all that you are doing. We know that this is a difficult time. If we can be of any assistance to you and your family, please reach out to us. We are family, we are in this together and we WILL get through this!

A Message from Superintendent Terry Price, March 23

In an effort to clarify my last notification, please be advised that we continue to empty our buildings of personnel, sending all but essential staff members home for the duration of the recommended closure through April 17. Principals, secretaries, custodians, instructional assistants and teachers are now asked to avoid coming into their schools.

Also, all HCPS buildings are now CLOSED to all visitors, including each school, supplemental buildings and the Central Office. There will be limited staff available at the Central Office to assist you by phone or email. Please call 845-8600 if we can help you.

In the most recent conference call with Governor Beshear, he advised the state's superintendents that the recommended school closure, which currently would end on April 17, could possibly be extended through May 1. In that event, we would provide additional Non-Traditional Instruction Days, aka Wildcat Days. As of today, we are planning to return to school on Monday, April 20.

Our plan is to continue our mobile feeding program throughout our closure. With the exception of our Spring Break week (April 6-10), you can pick up a breakfast and lunch for your children (ANY child 18 years of age or younger) at a number of locations throughout the county. We will pick back up with the feeding program the week of March 30.

As more information is made available, I will pass it along to you. Again, thank you so much for working with us through this challenging situation. We appreciate your support and cooperation.

UPDATED FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

A Message from Superintendent Terry Price

Following the recommendation made today by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Henry County Public Schools will extend its closure due to the Coronavirus through April 17, with the intention of bringing students back to school on Monday, April 20.

We will continue our mobile feeding program for the next two weeks (the weeks of March 23 and March 30). We will NOT provide our mobile feeding program the week of our scheduled Spring Break, April 5. We will pick back up with providing breakfast and lunch daily the week of April 13.

Please continue to follow the best practices outlined by the CDC in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please be safe and healthy! If you have a need we can address, please call us at 845-8600.

In accordance with the governor’s recommendation, Henry County Public Schools will be closed beginning Monday, March 16, through Friday, April 3. The week of April 5 through 10 will remain our spring break. As of now, students will return to school on Monday, April 13.

For this closure, we will be implementing Non-Traditional Instruction days (NTI), also known as “Wildcat Days.” This means that students will be provided learning materials and opportunities while at home, either online or with hardcopy packets. Each school will be communicating with its respective families with specific information on how to access these materials. During the closure, teachers will be available to students each day via a variety of options (email, phone, apps, etc.) to explain assignments, answer questions and provide other instructional support.

During this closure, all school trips, athletic activities (including games and practices), club meetings, academic competitions, and any other extracurricular activities are suspended until further notice.

We will also offer sack breakfast and lunches daily during the closure for all children in Henry County up to 18 years of age, beginning Tuesday, March 17. We are finalizing details for site locations and times to provide these meals, and if children are unable to collect a meal from a feeding location, we will make every effort to create an alternative delivery option. These meals are available to all without regard to economic status; we encourage you to take advantage of this offer.

This situation is unprecedented and challenging, and our plans will need to be fluid and adjustable. We have our students and their well-being forefront and foremost in all that we do, especially in a difficult situation like this. We appreciate your patience and collaboration, and will be communicating with you as needed using One Calls, Infinite Campus, email, our website and social media. Please check these sources often for new information.