March 12, 2020

LSR7 School District released information to the families of students.

Dear LSR7 Families:

We take our responsibility to ensure the safety of our learning environments seriously. Yesterday, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic. As the district prepares to recess for spring break, we felt it was important to communicate steps we are taking and are prepared to take to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus and keep students and staff healthy and safe.

District-sponsored student trips

• The district is tracking all currently scheduled district-sponsored trips and studying CDC travel restrictions and guidance closely.
• The district will freeze approval of any new, out-of-state district-sponsored travel. Trips that are already scheduled will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis as the district continues to monitor CDC travel restrictions.
• The district will not permit district-sponsored trips to all areas with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Level 2 or Level 3 travel advisory and to U.S. states that have declared a state of emergency. 
• The district will monitor travel advisories for all currently-scheduled domestic and international travel and keep an open line of communication with families about cancellation decisions. Students and staff should be aware that travel advisories are rapidly-changing, and the district may cancel a district-sponsored trip at any time.

Personal travel

• Lee’s Summit R-7 is asking families to consider postponing or canceling spring break travel, especially if you plan to visit a state that has declared a state of emergency or if you plan to go on a cruise. Consider complications and delays prompted by travel restrictions that might be enacted during your trip if your risk of exposure changes.
• Additionally, all students or staff members who plan to visit a country with a Level III CDC travel advisory will be asked to comply with the 14-day quarantine guidelines from the CDC upon return. For more information click here.

Preparing for the possibility of virtual learning

• This is a rapidly-evolving situation and it is important to know that district plans could change or adjust as we receive new information from health, education and government officials. Before spring break, staff and students, even students who do not typically bring home devices, should bring home computers, chargers and any other technology device, school supplies or materials they would need if schools were potentially closed.
• While school closures are not something we are predicting, it is important for all of us to prepare to implement home instruction, if necessary.
• Watch for an email from the LSR7 Technology Department with a survey about access to technology at your home. While you have received similar surveys in the past, it is important for you to complete this survey as soon as possible so that the district has the most up-to-date information.

The Lee’s Summit R-7 School District will continue to monitor CDC and local health department guidance over spring break. Families can find LSR7’s action plan outlining additional steps we may take to protect the health of all of our students, families and staff, here. Please check your email and visit lsr7.org regularly for updates.

We will keep an open line of communication about our plans as we navigate this rapidly-evolving situation.

This should not be a time for panic – but rather a time for preparedness. We are all partners in safety, and it benefits all of us to work together to implement strategies to prevent and limit the spread of novel coronavirus.

In service,

Katy Bergen,

Executive Director of Public Relations