Board Meetings
Due to COVID-19, and the protective restrictions associated with the spread of the virus, the Easton USD 449 Board of Education will conduct future meetings virtually using Zoom until these restrictions are lifted. Notice of meetings, meeting agendas and meeting minutes will continue to be available to the public on the district website via BoardDocs. The Board will next meet on Monday, April 6, 2020. The intent is not to limit public participation, but rather to protect public health by following the Governor’s Executive Order.
Text Caster Tutorial Click Here
In an effort to make sure we are all staying connected, we have created a tutorial that will show you, step by step, how to sign up for our district TextCaster Alert system. This system allows our district to send out text messages about changes in schedules, inclement weather or any other necessary update. In order to receive these messages you must be signed up through the TextCaster system. Please be aware that you can sign up to receive text messages at the district level, individual building level or both.
If you signed up for TextCaster alerts in the past, but have changed carriers (even if you have the same number) you will need to sign up again. The system will not recognize your number if you changed carriers. We will be sending out a test alert on Wednesday (April 1) at 11:00 am. If you do NOT receive the alert that says “TEST”, please contact your building administrator and they will assist you. We want to make sure everyone is receiving the messages we send out and are aware of any new information or changes to normal routines at school.
How to set up Zoom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7xXZxRDFUU&fbclid=IwAR2_Aj0Ps_QmwvBMyZpcUa8bgkgSBkD5vGIuZ2wB4zcR4uzXcaicUHffMK0
My Kid’s School is Closed, so now what? https://confidentparentsconfidentkids.org/2020/03/13/my-kids-school-is-closed-so-now-what/
Frequently asked questions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V-W6GZOXby27fOML0sRk1qq-MbSkuPjps6mcr4QAiBQ/edit
EASTON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 449
32502 Easton Road,Easton, Kansas 66020
(913) 651-9740
March 24, 2020
Pleasant Ridge Families,
Good afternoon! I want to provide you with an update and a quick look ahead to what you can expect in the coming days. Our goal is to provide your child with learning experiences and authentic opportunities for learning during this unprecedented time.
In accordance with directives from the State Department of Education, our staff has begun a five-day journey to build our Continuous Learning Plan. This week, teachers from across the state are creating learning experiences for Kansas students. You should expect school work for students to begin early next week. Teachers spent the weekend, yesterday and today contacting our families. I hope that you received a call about your student and how we can best meet their needs. If you haven’t heard from your student’s teacher, please let us know.
There are a number of topics that I think you will find of interest. I hope that you find them helpful!
Learning Opportunities:
Our staff will be creating those this week and we will make materials available to you early next week. This is a daunting task for us! Our goal is to provide activities that will work for all families. Join us on this new adventure and we will make adjustments as necessary. We are all in this together!
Internet:
We have expanded our internet capabilities so that families are able to better use our school network. We have created a “hot spot” in the parking lot between PRHS and PRMS to handle more internet access. Similarly, the parking lot in front of PRHS has become a “hot spot”. Families or students wishing to use our broadband for continuous learning through May, can access our network from the parking lot. As we begin to unveil our plan, we hope to help in any way we can.
Free Lunch Program:
We have served well over 400 meals in the first three days of our program. ALL children 18 and under are invited to participate. There is no income requirement! Literally ANY child 18 and under can report to PRMS or to Easton (across from the Post Office) and receive a free lunch/breakfast between the hours of 11:30AM and 12:15PM. Young people can start any time! We want families to know that this is available to them. Tell a friend or neighbor!
Each of our building administrators will be reaching out to all families with information and updates to keep you informed. Please know that we are working as fast as we can. This is not a typical situation for any of us. We ask for your patience and understanding as we navigate this “new normal”. During this unprecedented time, we hope to be at our best and to both GIVE and RECEIVE grace.
If you have questions for us, please do not hesitate to call. I am certain that there are questions, a lot of information, and perhaps some misinformation in the world today. My goal is to have you feel that you have the critical information you need about school and how we plan to proceed.
Have a very blessed day and know that the Pleasant Ridge community will stand strong together.
Tim Beying
Superintendent Easton 449
EASTON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 449
32502 Easton Road,Easton, Kansas 66020
(913) 651-9740
March 20, 2020
Pleasant Ridge Families,
We appreciate your patience as the Easton school district and our Board of Education have been adapting our plans to the decision to close school buildings for the remainder of the school year. At this time, we have updated information for you, but please note that we are still working through the details related to school closure and will continue to update you as more details become available.
We will begin serving "grab and go" lunches on Friday, March 20. ANY young person age one to eighteen is eligible for these meals free of charge and will include both a breakfast and a lunch. All children in the household will need to be present to receive their meals. Information about these meals was sent out to parents last evening. Remember...ANY young person ages one to eighteen are eligible for these free meals. We will be handing out lunches at both the MS/HS site AND in Easton across the street from the Easton post office between the hours of 11:30-12:15PM. This is a terrific opportunity during a difficult time, so please take advantage!
The week of March 23rd will be dedicated to teacher professional development, planning, and resource gathering as our staff puts systems in place for continuous learning. This is certainly a new endeavor for our staff and students. There are bound to be challenges and questions. We will do our very best to help however we can. We recognize that there will be questions as our families and students adjust to continuous education outside their normal school environment. Students across the state will begin their continuous education with teacher-planned instruction on the week of March 30!
There have been many questions regarding grades, class credits, and graduation requirements. We are in the process of evaluating these policies and will communicate that information to you once it is available. Although we will not be permitted to host our traditional graduation ceremony, we are exploring options to still be able to recognize and honor our graduating Class of 2020.
To ensure the safety of our community, school facilities will remain closed except for those with prior permission from building administrators. USD 449 staff who will have access to the buildings will practice social distancing. Families will soon have the opportunity to access school buildings to pick up students' personal belongings
We continue to remain committed to the success of all students. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this situation. We will continue to communicate as updated information becomes available.
Be safe!
Tim Beying
Superintendent Easton 449
Today, March 17, 2020, Governor Laura Kelly announced all school facilities will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. We realize that this will place tremendous hardship on our families and staff, and could impact the social and emotional well-being of our students.
We have been working on contingency plans since mid-March on how we can meet the ongoing learning needs of our students. As you might imagine, there are many decisions to be made. This 4th quarter will look very different from the previous 3 quarters for all students in the state of Kansas.
Our staff and board of education are also working on other critical issues, such as what this means for our seniors, how this will affect next school year and what impact this will have on our employees. We will provide updates on these issues, as well as many others, as soon as that information is available.
We are committed to working together as a community to support one another throughout these unprecedented times and communication will remain a top priority.
As a reminder, this school closure is in response to the current public health crisis. The focus should remain on preventing the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19 as it is also referred to.
Please be mindful of the following:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing (cough/sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue).
Please keep sick children at home.
Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
Follow additional guidance from these sources:
National Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
Sincerely,
Tim Beying
USD #449 Superintendent
March 13, 2020
Pleasant Ridge families -
The Leavenworth County Health Department has made the recommendation to suspend all school classes, athletics and activities effective immediately in our district through March 22, 2020. They believe this time period will allow Leavenworth County Health Department to evaluate the health concerns and situations within our communities, and make further recommendations to help minimize the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Student success and safety is at the forefront of our planning at all stages. During this additional week, our custodial crew will be working to reduce the risk of spreading the virus and we will be deep cleaning buses before school resumes again.
Due to the number of travelers returning to our district from out of state and out of the country, we are hoping that this additional week will allow our families to practice social distancing and monitor their health for possible symptoms. The Health Department reiterates that all families who traveled abroad to a high-risk country or on a cruise since February 28, 2020 check in with Leavenworth County Health Department and self-isolate, checking for symptoms anywhere from 2-14 days after returning. Also, please continue to stress with your children the importance of hand washing and use this time to stay home to limit exposure to the virus.
We have attached the directive from Leavenworth County Health Department for your information. We understand that this may bring about many questions, we hope to be able to provide answers to those questions in a timely manner.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 25-2022, of a vacancy in the membership of the Board of Education of Unified School District No. 449, Leavenworth County, Kansas, and that such vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Education for the remainder of the unexpired term not sooner than 15 days following publication of this notice.
Such vacancy exists by reason of resignation of Mrs. Kim Sachse, who represented board member district 2-5. Board district 2-5 generally consists of the South quadrant of Unified School District #449. For more information about the vacancy, contact Mrs. Kimberly Allison, Clerk of the Board.
Availability of Services for Students with Special Needs
Your local school district and all public schools in Kansas provide free special education services for eligible exceptional children ages 3 through 21 or high school graduation. Parents are encouraged to seek assistance from teachers, principals or other professionals if they have questions regarding their child’s progress in school. ...read more
