Schools closed; locker cleanout schedule released

McCOOK, Neb. -- Schools will be closed for the rest of the year, and a schedule has been released for high school students to pick up their belongings, but education will continue, according to school officials.

McCook Public Schools Superintendent Grant Norgaard said that while the school would comply with Gov. Pete Ricketts’ directive to close to students and the general public for the rest of the year, it would also comply with a directive from Dr. Matt Blomstedt, commissioner of education, that students be expected to “engage with educational content in an alternate form.”

“McCook Public School staff have prepared learning opportunities for students across all grade levels in formats which are age appropriate. Some students will receive packets in the mail or can pick them up at your child’s school, while other students will be engaged in online learning activities called eLearning. Students at all grade levels are expected to complete any and all assigned work.”

He said the school still intends to hold traditional high school events such as prom and graduation when it is deemed to be safe.

Principal Jeff Gross announced a schedule for senior high students to retrieve their property, by entering through the senior high auditorium doors and exiting through the senior high school office doors following this schedule: Seniors -- Monday, April 6 7:30 am - 5 pm.; Juniors -- Tuesday April 7, 7:30 am - 5 pm.; Sophomores -- Wednesday, April 8 7:30 am - 5 pm; Freshman -- Thursday, April 9 7:30 am - 5 pm.

“We are asking you to clean out all items from your locker, PE/ athletic locker and any items you need from classrooms,” Gross said. “In addition we will have a drop spot for all athletic items/gear/uniforms that need to be returned to your coaches.”

This process should take no longer than 5 minutes. We will be ensuring that social distancing is in effect and that no more than 10 students are in the building at the same time.

Administrative staff will be available to guide the process.”