L.K. Moss Elementary School

Message from Marion County Superintendent, Mr. Glenn Tidwell We will reopen L.K. Moss to students on Monday, January 25. We are sorry for any inconvenience, but we are very fortunate that this was only a four-day closure. Although we are opening on Monday, there are a lot of kids who are under quarantine for contact. Those students SHOULD NOT return until their quarantine expires. Over the past week or two, we have had several instances where students came to school sick and had to be pulled from class. These students subsequently tested positive for COVID. PLEASE keep your children home if they show any signs of sickness; call Nurse Tiffany at the high school and discuss your situation (229) 649-7520. Remember, the best things we can do are: distance as much as possible, use a mask when appropriate, and keep hands washed or sanitized.

LK Parents, Students and Families, First, let me thank you for your support and understanding as we, as a nation and community, respond once again to the unexpected effects of COVID-19 in Marion County. I am always very proud of the way our school system handles the demands we are faced with to protect everyone as we continue to educate and feed our students during the most unusual of circumstances. As you know, LK Moss will be closed during the week of January 18 due to employee positive COVID cases at school, and a large number of employees and students being quarantined. This situation has left us with too few employees to serve our students “in house”. While we are in the business of educating, our first priority is the safety of our students and our employees. Be assured, we have been working diligently to continue to serve all students in the most effective capacity possible, and it is the desire of all of our employees to have students at school for face-to-face instruction. Unfortunately, circumstances arise that cause us to resort to an alternative. For the upcoming week, lessons will be guided through TEAMS sessions, and online instruction. Your child’s teacher will make contact on Tuesday morning or before, to inform you of how this instruction will continue for the upcoming week. Since a large number of our teachers are quarantined and may not re-enter the building, we are unable to prepare packets for home use at this time. We are anticipating this to be a short closure; however, in the event it is extended, we will send packets as soon as we have ample staff to create these and get them out. Everyone must understand there is no way for us to please all as we make these decisions. Our priority is to keep everyone safe while still serving our students in the most productive and effective way possible under the circumstances. Thank you for your continued support and positivity as we strive to do what is best for ALL of our students and employees during these challenging times.

From Marion County Superintendent, Glenn Tidwell: LK MOSS will be closed all next week. Multiple positive COVID results were reported today. On Wednesday, we will confirm the reopening date and will provide that information. Lunches will be delivered on Tuesday and Thursday for those who previously signed up. If you need to sign up, contact LK Moss on Tuesday morning. We apologize for any inconvenience and want to keep our students safe.

*Reminder* Students will not come to school on Friday, Jan. 15 (Teacher Work Day) or Monday, Jan. 18 ( MLK Jr. Holiday) School will resume on Tuesday, Jan 19

****JUST A REMINDER****. 2nd Nine Weeks’ report cards will be sent home Thursday, January 21.

WELCOME BACK to another NEW YEAR….2021! The New Year stands before us like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.

Reminder! You may pick up meals at LK Moss TUESDAY (today) and THURSDAY between the hours of 11:00 - 1:00. Buses will also run their afternoon scheduled routes on TUESDAY (today) and THURSDAY to deliver meals for LK Moss students.

Attention Parents: Please note that Friday, December 18 is an EARLY RELEASE DAY. Students will begin to load buses at 11:45 am. Students will arrive home approximately 3 HOURS EARLY. Car riders will begin loading at 11:45 am. Please plan early to provide supervision for your children on that day. Christmas Holidays are Dec.21-Jan.4, 2021. Have a safe and wonderful break. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!!

TOMORROW! WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18: BUSES will run the routes to collect any paperwork that needs to be turned back in to teachers, AND drop off any new paperwork. Please meet your bus at the normally scheduled drop-off time. CAR RIDERS can come by to drop off any paperwork that needs to be turned back in to teachers, and collect any new paperwork. You may come by the school between the hours of 9:00 am and 11:00 am.

PARENTS: Buses are headed your way TOMORROW, Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at regular afternoon drop-off times! We will deliver student packets. Meet the bus where you would normally pick up your child. Provide the child's name and grade level. Friendly reminder....school personnel will hand you the materials. Stay at arms length away from the bus. Let’s practice our social distancing! See you all tomorrow! NOTE: Bus routes will occur again on Monday, November 16 and Wednesday, November 18 at normal afternoon drop-off times. PARENTS: On Wednesday, November 11, from 9:00 am – 11:00 pm, L.K. Moss car rider students can pick up their paperwork in a drive-through format. Cars will enter the campus through the far entrance, and proceed just as they do with car riders. No one is to exit the car. A school representative will ask the student’s name, and will retrieve the packets. Four cars will be served at a time. PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR CHILD’S HOMEROOM TEACHER IF YOU WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE DRIVE-THROUGH. We will need to pull your child’s paperwork and have it ready for pick-up. This procedure will be repeated on Monday, November 16 and Wednesday, November 18.

We feel that it is important to address two concerns that have been expressed through comments. The question was raised as to whether or not we had cleaned the affected room. As a follow-up to any positive case of COVID-19, the affected room as well as all of the rooms on the wing, the hallway, the nurse's station, the office and main hallway have been sprayed, cleaned and fumigated. The disinfectant that is being used to treat the school is effective for 21 days, and this cleaning is in addition to the scheduled rotation of every 21 days. The second question asked for the identification of the person who is positive. According to HIPAA Laws, we legally cannot give out identifying information as to who is a positive COVID-19 case. HIPAA is an acronym that stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. This law provides privacy standards to protect patients' confidential health information and medical records. Please be reminded that If your child has been directly exposed to someone at school who has tested positive, you will be personally notified. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we continue to keep the safety of our students, employees and community a top priority.

Effective tomorrow (11/10), ALL in-person L.K. Moss Elementary students will transition to distance (work from home) learning and will return to school on November 30th. THE MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL WILL CURRENTLY REMAIN IN-PERSON. A food service member at L.K. Moss has tested positive for COVID-19, and while there has not been a widespread outbreak, the entire food service staff must be quarantined. With no cafeteria staff, students would not have access to school meals. *There will be no lunch delivery during this time. While there has been no exposure to the students in the cafeteria, the affected employee also works in the transportation department. If your child was exposed via transportation, you will be contacted personally this afternoon. A couple of bus routes may run next week to deliver instructional materials and packets. Please watch the website for updates.

An employee at LK Moss Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19. Based on contact tracing and regulations, the situation has resulted in other employees and one class being quarantined. Students in classes where direct exposure did not occur will continue with school as usual. We will continue to monitor the situation in the upcoming days. If your child has been directly exposed to someone at school who has tested positive, you will be personally notified.

The price of yearbooks will be $65 until January 30th! Senior Ads are available on a first come, first serve basis until November 20th.

The Character Education Word for the week is “LOYALTY.”

Make-up Pictures on Tuesday, November 3: We will also take pictures of virtual students on this day. This is OPTIONAL for all virtual students. Students will meet at the patio outside of the lunchroom according to the following schedule: 8:30 am: Kindergarten and 1st grade 9:00 am: 2nd grade and 3rd grade 9:30 am: 4th and 5th grade

Just a Reminder... Imagination Day is TOMORROW! We are all so excited! Please remember that we will not distribute any candy from home. Thank you for your cooperation as we keep the safety of our children a top priority!

Parents: On Friday, October 30, we will have “IMAGINATION DAY”. Students, you may dress up as what you want to be when you grow up (example: astronaut, teacher, farmer, chef), or you can dress up like a book character, an animal, or a cartoon character. Maybe you want to dress up as your favorite singer, your favorite athlete, or your favorite person. Use your imagination! FACIAL CHARACTER MASKS ARE NOT ALLOWED (no plastic dress-up masks.) COVID SAFETY MASKS ARE ALLOWED. There are stipulations to participation: 1. Dress up clothes should be happy and uplifting 2. GORY, GRUESOME, BLOODY, VIOLENT OR SCAREY dress-up IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. 3. Students should still be able to use the restroom independently – getting clothing on and off. 4. We will allow hats to be worn as long as it is a part of the dress-up clothing. 5. Students must still adhere to the dress code as outlined in our handbook.

Happy Boss’s Day to Dr. Medders!! Once a year isn’t enough to express how much we appreciate you! 2020 has proven to be a year of changes and challenges. Thank you for leading our team with grace and empathy. Thanks for all that you do for us!! ❤️

Make-up Pictures on November 3: We will also take pictures of virtual students on this day. This is OPTIONAL for all virtual students. Students will meet at the patio outside of the lunchroom according to the following schedule: 8:30 am: Kindergarten and 1st grade 9:00 am: 2nd grade and 3rd grade 9:30 am: 4th and 5th grade