Fort Osage School District cancelled classes through Apr. 24 following Blue Springs,  Independence and Kansas City School Districts after the release of the Stay At Home Order issued by Jackson County with the intent to slow the spread of COVID-19. During this time students do not have assignments due. Sports, trips and other activities have been cancelled during this time. Teachers reported to school Mar. 16 to clean surfaces within their classrooms and around the school. Though there are no known cases within the school the district is contributing by being proactive instead of reactive. Fort Osage High School principal Scott Moore wants seniors to still be able to have a traditional senior year experience.

”I’m up at school today working on trying to make sure we have prom, to make sure that we have graduation, and to make sure we have our local scholarship night,” Moore said in a twitter post (@fortprincipal). “You all need to know from me, personally and professionally, it’s super important to me that our seniors have access to the events. It would be a tragedy in my mind if we weren’t able to get those things taken care of but right now the limitations that we have are the facilities in making sure that we get access to those.” 

Lunches are being provided to students Monday through Friday until the district goes back to school free of cost at Buckner Elementary, Elm Grove Elementary, Cler-Mont Elementary, Blue Hills Elementary and Hawthorne. Lunches are served from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.. They include items for breakfast the next day and food for the weekend on Fridays. Senior Touch of Class member Alexandria Manton wishes she could finish her senior year, though she is glad everyone is being safe and staying healthy. 

“The idea that graduation could be canceled is heartbreaking,” Manton said. “It’s sad that all of us seniors might not ever get the chance to finish our senior season and go to prom and graduation to finish our high school years on a happy, proud note. The fact that this could all happen is surreal. Although it sucks as a senior, I understand why the school district closed.” 

The Center for Disease Control’s website states “Schools, working together with local health departments, have an important role in slowing the spread of diseases to help ensure students have safe and healthy learning environments.” The CDC also recommends that communities practice social distancing. According to the Jackson County Stay At Home Order this includes maintaining a six foot distance between people, washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, cleaning surfaces that are touched often, coughing or sneezing into elbows or sleeves and to avoid shaking hands. Sophomore track manager and choir member Chloe Hill wants to return to school and return to her usual routine. 

“I honestly miss school,” Hill said. “I hate admitting that but I do miss seeing my friends and having my daily social interactions. I’m a little upset over small ensembles being cancelled.” 

The school community  kept their spirits up during the week of March 23- 27 with a District wide virtual spirit week.  Elm Grove Elementary teachers also had a car parade on March 23. The updated last day for seniors has been moved to May 15 while the official last day for the district is still May 22.