Local schools respond to pandemic

 Published Date: March 20, 2020

By John A. Ballentine

 Galva and Stark County schools are closed through March 30, and possibly longer, as part of the state’s response to COVID-19.

Stark County School District No. 100 has suspended all extracurricular events until further notice and has discouraged functions that would have “large gatherings of any kind.” In addition, the school district continues to sanitize all “high-touch surfaces” and stresses personal hygiene practices of handwashing, covering one’s coughs and sneezes, etc.

“We will continue to follow the government mandate and plan to have virtual learning for grades 5-12 while instituting daily activity packets for K-4 grades. We will do all we can to be a resource to the community through Facebook and our ‘All-Call’ system,” Superintendent Nick Sutton said.

Sutton added that the school district would work with families to deliver sack lunches who request them. Those families should call the office at (309) 695-6123 and follow menu directions to the school their child or children attend.

Stark County students are also participating in online, E-learning studies.
Galva School District No. 224 has issued an update at: www.galva224.org in response to COVID-19. Breakfasts and lunches will be available for all children in Galva under the age of 18, or older than 18, if they are still a Galva student. The meals are free of charge for all. Meals should be pre-ordered using an available form on the district website. Lunch is served between 12 and 12:30 p.m. outside the Junior Senior High School’s canopy.
Should a member of the kitchen staff be diagnosed with COVID-19, or comes in contact with someone who has been diagnosed, the meal service will immediately be cancelled.

Galva has canceled all school-related activities through March 30.
No student or member of the general public will be allowed into school buildings without an appointment.

Superintendent Doug O’Riley said Monday that prior to school restarting, hopefully for at least two days, the buildings will be closed to all staff members except custodians and administration for cleaning and sterilization of commonly used surfaces. O’Riley said, he has already ordered the supplies.