Today for drama Mrs. Hall takes you through a fun lesson with "A Family Fairy Tale Tablaus"! Please click the link to watch the video: https://bit.ly/VPAdramaweek4
Gov. Hutchinson: No high school graduation ceremonies prior to July 1 by Michael Tilley
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Saturday (April 25) that traditional high school graduation ceremonies will not be allowed prior to July 1. Arkansas Department of Education officials also are reviewing options in the event it is not safe to fully open schools in the fall.
The governor and Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Johnny Key said during Saturday’s COVID-19 press conference they know the delay is disappointing to many, but is necessary for public safety.
“I’m very sympathetic because I have a granddaughter who is a senior in high school this year. But it’s really a risk whenever you bring thousands of parents and students together in one assembly to have a celebration, and that’s exactly the kind of gathering that could lead to a spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Hutchinson said.
Key said he would “encourage” school districts to wait until after July 1, but the department is open to alternative graduation plans. He said the department will contact superintendents this upcoming week to let them know how to submit proposals.
“There are a number of techniques that schools have already started exploring to see how they could make this happen as a celebration for their seniors, at the same time, taking into consideration and following our social distancing protocols, the restrictions of congregant gatherings of 10 or more people,” Key said.
He also said the department will continue to monitor data and work the Arkansas Department of Health to consider any modifications to the July 1 order. He also said social distancing guidelines and other directives issued by the governor will prevent private schools from having a traditional graduation.
Education officials and educators also are preparing options in the event COVID-19 spread remains a public health crisis when schools should open in the fall.
“We have teams of teachers we brought together, and principals and superintendents, that are planning out different scenarios and possibilities. It is something that we are looking at and hopefully we’ll be presenting the governor with options coming up in the next couple of weeks,” Key said.
Gov. Hutchinson said the “first option” is to have schools open as normal, but it’s important to have other options in place.
COVID CASES
Known COVID-19 cases in Arkansas totaled 2,830, as of Saturday afternoon, up from 2,741 on Friday. Of the 89 new cases between Friday and Saturday, 47 were inmates in the Cummins state prison.
Of the total of cases, 1,813 are active, with the remainder accounting for deaths and recoveries. The number of deaths rose from 46 to 49. The number of COVID patients hospitalized in Arkansas was 104 on Saturday, unchanged from Friday. Of the COVID-19 patients, 22 were on ventilators, down from 25 on Friday.
As of Saturday at 1 p.m., there were 924,376 U.S. cases and 52,782 deaths. Globally, there were 2,865,938 cases and 200,698 deaths.
School Choice: Reading is a BIG Deal in the Marion School District. Find out how big by clicking the link.
http://marionar.apptegy.us/article/237687?org=msd
Mrs. Watson in discovery wanted to share this great educational resource with everyone! They have free educational games. https://www.education.com/math-month/?week=4&grade=fifth-grade&utm_medium=email&utm_content=CTA
Today your challenge from Mrs. Watson is a maze!! The answer will be posted later! Have fun with the discovery lesson!! https://bit.ly/VPAdismaze
Mr. B has prepared a jazzy lesson for everyone today!
click the link to watch the video: https://bit.ly/MrBVPA3
Then here are the links to the materials needed to complete this jazzy lesson:
https://americanhistory.si.edu/smithsonian-jazz/education/groovin-jazz-ages-8-13
https://mailchi.mp/si.edu/enewsapril2019-786724?e=51f3d4f4c4
https://bit.ly/VPAcolorbynote
https://bit.ly/VPAcolorbysymbol
https://bit.ly/VPAcolorbyword
Just a reminder, meals will not be provided until Friday. Beginning yesterday, meals will only go out on Tuesdays and Fridays. Tuesdays drop off provides breakfast and lunch to cover Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Then on Fridays drop off the meals cover breakfast and lunch for Friday and Monday.
Here is your next adventure with Boot Shumock as he discovers all about lines!! https://bit.ly/bootfindsline
The art lesson today is a fun outside adventure with nature! Mrs. Shumock leads you on an art lesson of coloring with plants. Please click the link for the video: https://bit.ly/colorwithplants
Here is a different link for the drama lesson today!
https://bit.ly/VPAdrama3
Join Mrs. Hall for an ocean movement story that is fun for the whole family. Please click the link for the video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OjDHnRliGDt5k1ngSOD8Zy1UcVrCJaSj/view?usp=sharing
COVID-19 for Kids.
A great infographic to explain to our kids about the COVID-19 virius.
Mr. B is proud to share...
Here is another fun discovery project for today!
Rainbow in a jar: https://bit.ly/vparainbowjar
A reminder that beginning tomorrow we will begin bringing meals out Tuesday and Friday's. Tomorrow we will bring breakfast and lunch to cover Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Then on Friday we will bring breakfast and lunch for Friday and Monday. See attached updated routes and times.
MSD wants to give a SHOUT-OUT to all those in the Child Nutrition department and those who help CN distribute meals to our community.
Last week alone they served a total 5,508 meals to our kids across the district. They've served a grand total of 20, 279 meals to our community.
Words can't express our thanks for the work CN and those who've helped them on the bus routes delivering these meals week after week. Thank You!
Today Mrs. Watson has an exciting challenge for her VPA students. Please listen to THE FLYING FESTOON by Shel Silverstein: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnmzAs1ErU0
The flying festoon is not a real animal, but what if it were real? What would it look like? What would it eat? Try drawing or creating a flying festoon using items you have at your home (and have permission to use).
Can you make a festoon that can fly?
