Area Schools, Health Departments, and ESU 8 Work Together
November 9, 2020
Battle Creek Public Schools and 20 other area schools met with North Central, Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department, and Educational Service Unit 8 to discuss schools’ protocols and adjustments that have been made in response to increasing COVID-19 cases.
Today, in accordance with guidance from North Central and Elkhorn Logan Valley Health Departments, schools are announcing they will plan to keep students in class as much and as long as possible.
NDE Commissioner Blomstedt and Governor Ricketts both stated at a press conference that schools are the best place for students to be during the COVID-19 pandemic. The practices and protocols we have put in place during the pandemic have proven to be effective based on the low number of positive cases and the low number of transmission traced back to schools or school activities. BCPS will continue to monitor the ELVPHD risk dial and use that information along with specific school information to determine how we operate on a week by week basis.
Schools have ongoing and constant communication with their respective Health Departments regarding case counts and how their individual schools are affected. “To date, we have seen limited transmission of COVID-19 in our school districts and keeping students and staff in school is the safest place for them to be as they continue to wear masks and social distance during a substantial part of their day,” stated Gina Uhing, Health Director of Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department. Roger Wiese, Executive Director of North Central Health Department said, “Our schools are doing a fantastic job with minimizing spread of the virus.”
Since early March, Educational Service Unit 8 located in Neligh, Nebraska has held weekly meetings with public and private school superintendents, along with the Public Health Departments. “We’ve all been very appreciative of the support we’ve received from our Health Departments,” stated Corey Dahl, ESU 8 administrator. “Their guidance, expertise, and direction are critical.”
Battle Creek Public Schools will do everything we can to continue with in person learning for as long as it is safe to do so. Masks will be required at all times. Social distancing and hand washing/sanitizing will continue. It is important to avoid the three C’s - Crowded Placed, Close Contact, and Confined Spaces to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Jake Luhr - Superintendent, BCPS