Ralston PublicSchoolsDistrict Update - April 16, 2020

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All RPS Students and Families, it isImportant that You…

• Check your email at least once every day. Since oureducators can’t see students each day, our main mode ofcommunication is through email. You could miss importantinformation if you are not diligent in reading emails.

• If your student needs academic support, please email your teachers. If your family is in needof assistance, please reach out to a teacher or principal. They will relay the information to aschool counselor. The school counselor will then work with you to �gure out the best solutionfor your family.

Ralston Ram Family,

The journey we are experiencing together to get through this COVID-19 pandemic is now in its�fth week. Ralston Public Schools Administrators continue to be updated and take guidancefrom local and state health o�cials on the health status of our community. We have learnedthings we never knew were possible, stepped out of our comfort zone, and realized howvaluable and powerful some of the most basic things in life can be.

It has been our goal since the beginning to do everything we can to connect our educatorswith students and support them in their learning the best we can! Our educators and staff willcontinue to bring grace and understanding to this process. Your patience and support is somuch appreciated as we work through these challenging times together. We will continue withour weekly District Updates to keep you informed to the best of our ability.

• Make sure your contact information is current. If you have moved, changed phone numbers oremail addresses, please visit the R-Kids section of our website to update your information.You can access R-Kids by clicking on this LINK.

District Updates

• Planning for a Potential Alternative CalendarTo be prepared as best we can, District o�cials have startedworking on an alternative calendar for the 2020-2021 schoolyear. This would only be needed if local and state healtho�cials continue to extend the school closure into the fall.The alternative calendar could include adjustments to thelength of the school day, recessed days, instructional days andthe o�cial start date in August. If this is needed, please lookfor more information in future communications.

• High School Summer SchoolSummer School for high school students will look different from previous years. Plans arebeing adjusted in an effort for Ralston High School to host summer school in 2020. The newpotential summer school schedule would be broken into two sessions. The proposed datesfor Session One would be from June 1 through July 1. This session would be entirely virtual.The proposed dates for Session Two would be from July 6 through July 31. This sessioncould be in person, virtual, or a combination. Staff members are still working out details.Please look for more information in future communications.

• Elementary Jump Start and Middle School Bridges ProgramsThe District is looking to make a decision and plans for Elementary Jump Start by May 22 andfor the Middle School Bridges program by June 19. Please look for more information in futurecommunications.

• Annual Home VisitsA tradition cherished by Ram Families is the annual home visits by our District educators. Weknow the importance these home visits are to establishing the awesome relationships oureducators have with our students. Ralston Public Schools still plans to conduct them for the2020-2021 school year; they will look a little different. District o�cials are looking for homevisits to take place between May 22 and June 12th. These visits will be conducted virtually orthrough phone conversations with students and their families. More information to come infuture communications.

Ralston High School Information

• Wednesday Communication from Ralston High School RHS students and families, please make sure to take the timeto read the email message sent yesterday from Administratorsat Ralston High School. It included important information onsurveys, scholarship information, and athletic banners for

seniors, along with Edgenuity class information for freshman, sophomore, and junior students.Click HERE to view the message.

• RHS PromUnfortunately, due to the current directed health measure put in place by Governor Rickettsuntil the end of May, the 2020 Ralston High School prom has been canceled. Please know thiswas a hard decision as we know this is an event our students look forward to each year.

• RHS 2020 Graduation PlansThe District continues to work on plans for the Ralston High School 2020 graduationceremony. The District is concerned local and state health professionals will not allow for thegathering of large groups for quite some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposed plans include checkpoints and options to provide multiple honorablerecognition programs in support of the Ralston High School Class of 2020. Currently, theRalston Arena is reserved for Sunday, June 14th and for Monday, July 20th for a regular in-person graduation ceremony.

Additionally, Ralston Public Schools is working with Cox Communications to produce a virtualgraduation. This would be available to students and families around the middle of June. Staffmembers are still working out details. Other special events and activities are in the works tocelebrate our senior class. Please look for more information in future communications.

Resources for Families

• Safe 2 Help LineOur District provides a wide array of social/emotional supportfor students and families. Attached to this message, is a listof resources including the safe2helpne.org hotline.

This is a county-wide support line staffed 24/7 by crisiscounselors trained to help people in emotional need. Please keep this service and the otherservices listed in mind if you or anyone else you know are having challenges during this verystressful time.

• Mobile Food Pantry VisitIn partnership with Food Bank for the Heartland, Ralston High School is organizing a MobileFood Pantry visit to serve members of our community during the month of May. Speci�cinformation is listed below.

Date: Tuesday, May 5Time: 5:00-6:30 (or until food is gone)Location: Front Parking Lot at Ralston High SchoolAdditional Details:

This will be an open-air mobile distribution drive-thru modelVolunteers will load pre-boxed items into vehicles. These include shelf-stable items andpre-bagged produce, as well as bread and possibly milk if available.

This event is likely to be very crowded. Families please be patient and follow directions.No one will be allowed to line up before 4:00 pm.

• Ralston Food Service DistributionUpdate: Students are now able to pick up four meals on Thursdays each week to providemeals through the weekend. A reminder, students can pick up free breakfast and lunch mealsMonday through Thursday, from 10 am to 1 pm at Ralston High School and Ralston MiddleSchool.

• Enable OmahaEnable Omaha has been created to help families struggling to acquire devices for theirchildren to access online learning. Certi�ed Cell and iFixOmaha are teaming up to collectdonation devices and certify they are in good working condition and then put them in thehands of families. To donate a device or to request a device, please visit their website athttps://enableomaha.com/.

Ram Family, Stay Safe and Healthy!

pdf Safe2Help Staff and Parent Guide.pdf Download223.3 KB