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>> ALL OF OUR PARENTS THAT ARE ASKING, "IS IT SAFE TO SEND OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL?" AND WE HAVE PARENTS SAYING, "PLEASE KEEP OUR KIDS IN SCHOOL." SARAH: DIFFICULT DECISIONS FOR DISTRICTS AROUND THE METRO AS THE COVID-19 THREAT CONTINUES -- KEEP SCHOOL OPEN, OR CLOSE THE DOORS. >> WE KNOW THEY’RE GETTING CHILD CARE AND SUPERVISION IN OUR SCHOOLS. WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE FAMILIES IF THERE IS NO SCHOOL? SARAH: WESTSIDE SAYS IT’S PREPARED. MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ALL HAVE LAPTOPS. ELEMENTARY KIDS COULD TAKE THEIR CLASSROOM IPADS HOME. BUT FOR NOW, THE DOORS ARE OPEN. >> IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR KIDS HOME BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE IT’ SAFER, YOU ARE CONCERNED, ABSOLUTELY DO THAT. WE WILL SUPPORT YOU. IF YOU FEEL CONFIDENT SENDING YOUR KID TO SCHOOL TO CONTINUE THEIR LEARNING, AWESOME, SEND THEM IN, AND WE’LL CONTINUE TO EDUCATE THEM. SARAH: SCHOOLS SAY THEY UNDERSTAND IT’S HARD FOR PARENTS, BUT THE DECISION TO CLOSE WASN’T MADE LIGHTLY. OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL CLOSE MARCH 13 AND THE WEEK OF MARCH 16. THEY’LL ASSESS THE SITUATION AFTER NEXT WEEK AND SEE IF THAT CLOSURE WILL CONTINUE. THE OPS FOUNDATION KIDS CLUB WILL ALSO BE CLOSED. PAPILLION LA-VISTA, MILLARD, AND BELLEVUE SCHOOLS WILL CLOSE MARCH 13, LEADING INTO SPRING BREAK THE FOLLOWING WEEK. ELKHORN SCHOOLS WILL CLOSE THROUGH MARCH 24. SOME PARENTS SAY THIS WILL STRESS THEIR HOUSEHOLD. >> I CAN’T AFFORD IT. I MEAN, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU’RE ON LOW INCOME. I LIVE OFF DISABILITY. I CAN’T AFFORD DAYCARE. SARAH: WE HAVE MORE SPECIFICS ON CONTINUING LEARNING DURING THE CLOSURES RIGHT NOW ON KETV.COM. TOMORROW MORNING, THE GOVERNOR, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND SEVERAL SUPERINTENDENTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT SCHOOL CLOSURES, INCLUDING THE LATEST INFORMATION AND ADVICE F

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Omaha Public Schools:Omaha Public Schools announced it is extending its closures in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. The district announced that it does not have a tentative return date.Elementary schools are providing printed packets for students in PK through sixth grade. Packets are available online here. Middle and high school students will be given an activity per class each week by email or other digital platform. Individual teachers will provide more information to students. Students are expected to complete all lessons. Though the lessons are not graded, they are designed to keep students engaged during the closure.Any families who have questions about technology access are urged to contact their school's principal.Council Bluffs Community School District:Sunday evening, Counicl Bluffs Community School District announced that it would close school and all activities beginning Tuesday. The schools will be closed March 17 through March 27.According to the district, it will continue to have classes on Monday which is normally an early-dismissal day. Teachers will provide students with information and learning materials.Elementary students will take home a bag with all materials which will include directions for accessing online materials. Students in grades 2-5 will take home Chromebooks and chargers, according to the district. Middle and high school students will also be provided with Chromebooks and chargers.Middle and high school students will receive specific instructions via email.All materials are accessible here. Diocese of Lincoln Catholic Schools:The Diocese of Lincoln Catholic Schools cancelled all classes and activities in its schools from March 16 through March 22. All Catholic schools in Lincoln and the Villa Marie School in Waverly will be closed March 16 through March 20.DC West Community Schools:DC West Community schools announced Friday that its campus will be closed for the week of March 14 through March 22. The district said all staff should report to work Monday and Tuesday.According to the district, staff will prepare eLearning opportunities for students as well as provide food service for those in need. Each school building will be open Monday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for families that need to pick up medications and other items from schools. Students grades 8 through 12 will need their technology at home. Tuesday night, students and families will receive information about eLearning plans. Ralston Public Schools:Ralston Public Schools announced that the district will be closing all building, activities and athletics starting Saturday, March 14 through Saturday, March 21. The closure will allow the district to deep clean all of its buildings.Westside Community Schools: Westside Community Schools announced it will be closed effective Saturday, March 14. The closure will be for March 14 through March 20. All district operations will be cancelled starting Saturday. The district will begin operating on what it calls a "week-to-week mindset." It is expected to provide updates to families later during the week of March 16 though March 20. The district said it will communicate information about providing food to members of the community who are in need. It is establishing locations for food pick-up.Lincoln Public Schools:Lincoln Public Schools has announced all student classes and activities are cancelled for the week of March 16 through March 22. All staff are asked to report to work Monday through Wednesday.According to a spokesperson for LPS, administration and staff will make additional plans for the remainder of the school year.The district will provide a further update about the rest of the semester Friday, March 20.Omaha Metro Catholic Schools:Omaha Metro Catholic Schools announced Friday afternoon that its schools will be closed Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20. According to Michael Ashton, the superintendent of the Omaha Metro Catholic Schools, the district will review whether it will reopen on March 23. The district expects to provide an update Thursday, March 19. Papillion La Vista Community Schools:Papillion La Vista Community Schools announced it is closing Friday to provide staff extra time to do extra cleaning before spring break.Elkhorn Public Schools:Elkhorn Public Schools announced Thursday afternoon that its schools will be closed starting Thursday evening. The closure is currently set to last until March 24. Millard Public Schools:Thursday afternoon, Millard Public Schools sent an email to families announcing the cancellation of classes on Friday.The school district said it has been monitoring the spread of COVID-19.According to the school district, staff members are to report Friday. The district said it will use the closure to prepare for the possibility of eLearning.During spring break, all school buildings will be cleaned. Any and all student activities are cancelled during the break.Bellevue Public SchoolsBellevue Public Schools announced its buildings will be closed during spring break for cleaning.Buildings are closed Friday, March 13, through Sunday, March 22. All Bellevue Public School activities and the Kids' Time program are closed during that time.Welcome centers, schools and the Lied Activity Center will receive a deep cleaning.The district said it is working with the Sarpy and Cass County health departments to keep students healthy. For the full list of closures and cancellations, click here.