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Springfield, Surrounding K-12 Schools Cancel Classes Through April 3

Springfield Public Schools
/
KSMU
Credit Springfield Public Schools / KSMU
/
KSMU

Springfield Public Schools, the largest public school district in Missouri, has cancelled classes at all of its schools through Friday, April 3, according to phone and email alerts sent to parents Monday afternoon.

According to an email from SPS, the following school districts will also close through Friday, April 3:

Springfield, Ash Grove, Fair Grove, Fordland, Logan-Rogersville, Marshfield, Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Sparta, Strafford, and Willard. 

The closure also includes all school activities, including sports events, practices, and after-school programs and events.

What about lower-income students who get supplemental food at school?

“Districts recognize that this decision will have a wide-reaching impact on many people, so plans are being developed to support communities,” the email stated.

A substantial percentage of the Springfield district’s 25,000 students qualify for free or reduced lunches, which are based on federal poverty guidelines.  Many of those children rely on food, health and hygiene items provided through the schools and by Care to Learn, a Springfield-based nonprofit organization.

Care to Learn issued a statement Sunday by email saying it’s “currently working with partners throughout the community to extend our reach and ensure that we remain in contact with students and families and are able to meet any needs resulting from prolonged school closures.”

The nonprofit organization stressed that these extraordinary measures mean donations will be a crucial part of the equation. Community members may contribute to Care to Learn at www.caretolearn.org/donate.

Springfield Public Schools said in the email alert that district specifics will be released later this week on how each district will provide meal service “in some capacity” to children in need.

Childcare, online learning details forthcoming

Childcare will be provided by SPS for designated healthcare providers and emergency or first responders, the email said.  

And the district will communicate “virtual and/or printed material-based learning opportunities” for students over the next week, it said.

“As this unprecedented situation continues to evolve, additional modifications may be necessary. As decisions are made, districts will share information through regular communication channels,” the district email said. 

Copyright 2021 KSMU. To see more, visit KSMU.

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As the Journalist-in-Residence at Missouri State University, Jennifer teaches undergraduate and graduate students, oversees a semester-long, team reporting project, and contributes weekly stories to KSMU Radio in the area of public affairs journalism.