TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo Public Schools Superintendent Romules Durant on Friday released the district's plans for the mandated three-week break that is in place as part of the state's response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Students are going to be able to have access to breakfast and lunch and they'll also look at having something to take home for the weekends, Durant said.
Chief of Curriculum Jim Gault addressed the education side of the equation.
"When students left today, they should have left with five days worth of 'blizzard bag' work for them to complete," Gault said.
On Monday, March 23, another blizzard bag of work will be available to be picked up between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. At that time, work can be returned. Help lines will be made available and material will be available on the website.
When it comes to the Grab & Go food, Durant outlined how kids will be served.
Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., students can go to locations to get meals. Students must be present to get the meal. Parents must call 211 two to three days in advance to reserve the meals and for information on the locations before going to get the meals.
These locations, Durant said, will be the high schools along with Tech and the J Lab, with additional locations that will be listed when you call 211 to the United Way. Other sites besides TPD will provide meals.
"This will be breakfast and lunch for TPS students as well as for non TPS students. We'll be serving the community," Durant said.
If you want to volunteer to help with the food efforts, you can call 419-671-0001.
"Kudos and thanks to our entire staff and the community, we've all come together to address the situation we face across the globe. We want to make sure we cover all our bases," Durant said.
TPS is also looking at what will need to be done in case the three-week closure is extended, Durant said.
Testing and graduation are put on the back burner for now, Gault said, as the safety of kids is what is taking precedence.
Grab and Go (details from Thursday)
"Grab and Go" breakfast and lunches will be available for TPS students following Gov. Mike DeWine's mandated three-week break.
The move comes after a fifth person was confirmed to have coronavirus in the state.
A spokesperson with TPS said the meals will be provided at Bowsher, Rogers, Scott, Start, Toledo Tech Academy, Waite, Woodward and Jones Leadership Academy.
By the end of the day Monday, schools statewide will be closed until April 3.
The order includes all public, community and private schools in Ohio, but doesn't apply to daycare centers and home-based childcare providers.
TPS district leaders have already begun working on ways to make this transition easier both for students and parents.
One major concern with schools shutting down is students' access to food. On Thursday, Deputy Superintendent James Gant said that conversations are in the works to fulfill this need.
Gant said that the district is working to identify around eight centrally located schools that can serve as a hub for kids to get a warm meal. Children can come in - whether they are a TPS student or not - and eat on a grab and go basis. Additionally, parents may be able to call in and tell leaders what food needs they have, and then the district will provide them with an opportunity to be fed.
The two Imagine School locations will also be offering Grab and Go food bags for anyone 18 and under from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning on Tuesday, March 17.
The locations are Madison Avenue School of Art at 1511 Madison Avenue and Clay Elementary School 1030 Clay Avenue both in Toledo.
Facts not fear: Putting COVID-19 into context
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Protect yourself from coronavirus
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