Meade USD 226 Patrons:
The district was notified this morning by the Meade County Health Department that they had received new information regarding contact tracing of possible exposures at the high school. As a result 19 HS students and 2 HS staff members listed yesterday as being quarantined will in fact NOT be quarantined due to COVID-19. This is very positive news for our students, staff, high school, and community.
Below is a new graphic that shows information about positive cases and quarantines at both the grade school and high school as of 9/21/20. With the new information today, the number of new students and staff expected to quarantine at the high school went down by 21 individuals. This information will be used by the administration and board at a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24th to examine the possibility of returning to in person instruction soon at the high school.
The number of students and staff out at the grade school is significantly larger than the high school, so hopefully these numbers go down soon. Factors to be looked at include staff availability, number of students quarantined, positive COVID numbers, county positivity rate, and possibly other factors. New positive cases and quarantines continue to show up almost daily. Any information to resume in person instruction at either building will be announced as soon as available.
Kenneth Harshberger Superintendent
Meade Patrons:
Meade USD 226 was notified today, 9/21/20, by the Meade County Health Department of new positive COVID-19 cases: 2 staff members at the grade school and 1 student at the high school. County health officials will contact additional individuals who need to be quarantined. The chart below shows the number of positive cases and quarantines that have been required just today for staff and students. The district plans to provide additional information later this week to help everyone better understand all the quarantines and positive cases the district is facing. Kenneth Harshberger, Superintendent
We Need Your Help
Meade School Patrons: The district was notified today that another high school student had tested positive for COVID-19. The Meade County Health Department will contact students and other individuals who may be required to quarantine. As always, if a student shows symptoms of COVID-19, please seek medical attention immediately.
Parents are asked to call the Meade High School (873-2981) by 11:00 AM this morning if they have no home internet access. Hopefully the district can get routers in place by Monday as we move to Remote Learning.
Meade Community: Due to the high rate of positive COVID-19 cases in Meade, additional staff members who have tested positive or are in quarantine, students in quarantine, and now a positive student from each building, Meade Schools are forced to make a difficult decision. On Friday, September 18th there will be NO SCHOOL for ALL students. On Monday, September 21st remote instruction with teachers will begin for PS-12th grade. Teachers will connect with students through Zoom, Google Classroom, Seesaw, or some other means. Be on the lookout for further announcements. Remote instruction will continue at least through next week and possibly longer based on the number of positive cases and quarantines that continue to impact students, staff, and the community. Students are being asked to take home necessary materials, books, and Chromebooks today to prepare for Monday. If a parent does not have internet access, they are asked to contact the school. All activities and practices have been canceled until at least through next week and possibly longer. Individuals who need to be quarantined will be contacted by the Meade County Health Department. It is recommended that other students stay at home as much as possible and not congregate to help reduce the chances of further transmissions. We understand this will be difficult for many, but based on state and local health officials’ guidance, this is in the best interest of our students, staff, and community to help mitigate the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases in Meade. Kenneth Harshberger, Superintendent
The Jr. High Volleyball and Football game at Kiowa Co. tonight September 17th has been canceled.
Meade School District Patrons: We all know that with the spike in cases in Meade our school district has been impacted. As always, when a positive case is reported, the Meade County Health Department works with guidance from the state epidemiologists to make recommendations about any quarantine. The school district then follows that guidance. Every situation is different, so state recommendations may very as well. The district is working to communicate these recommendations when appropriate, all while trying to protect student and staff privacy as much as possible. Unfortunately there has still been some misinformation about cases. As of this morning (9-16-20) there has been NO report of any Meade student testing positive for COVID-19 according to the Meade County Health Department. This can change at any time, so we all need to be vigilante in taking necessary precautions. There are several staff members who have tested positive and have been quarantined. On a regular basis the state and county health officials have recommended that a number of students and some staff members be in quarantine who have NOT tested positive. As a result, some students are taking classes remotely and some teachers are teaching from home. The district will continue to follow recommendations from health professionals during this difficult time. While we hope that COVID-19 case numbers subside, it is likely new cases will surface off and on during the school year. Thank you for your help and understanding during these unusual times. Kenneth Harshberger, Superintendent
Our Lady Buffs win against Kiowa County was Coach Krier's 100th win as the MHS volleyball coach. The 2nd win of the season at Bucklin moved her into second place on the Meade all-time list.
Way to work, Coach Krier! We are proud of you.
#WeR226 #MeadeBuffaloes #MHSVolleyball
On Sept. 15, 2020 the Meade School District was notified that another staff member had tested positive for COVID-19 at the grade school. Staff and students that need to be quarantined have been contacted after following guidance from the state and the Meade County Health Department. Additional sanitation has already been completed. As always individuals who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 should not come to school. Meade County currently has a large spike in cases and as a result the Meade County Commission issued a mask order for the county to help protect against further spread. As a result students, staff, and visitors should put on masks well before entering the building. We appreciate all your help in protecting our students and staff. Kenneth Harshberger, Superintendent
Great Job Lady Buffs! 2-0 on the day beating Kiowa County and Kinsley, both in 2.
VolleyBUFFball beats Kinsley in 2! Great job girls
There will be NO SCHOOL in Meade for PS-12th grade students next Thursday, September 24th to allow teachers to participate in an additional In-Service. The district apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.
Learning continues even during a pandemic. Freshman students complete an activity measuring speed in Physical Science.
Attached are the Fall Activity Guidelines for Kinsley.
#WeR226 #MeadeBuffaloes
MHS Volleyball at Kinsley schedule of play
Good luck, Lady Buffs!
#WeR226 #MeadeBuffaloes #MHSVolleyball
Announcement: MHS C team VB scheduled for tomorrow @ Meade vs Ingalls has been cancelled.
Announcement: Meade High JV FB for Monday, 9.14.20 has been cancelled.
USD 226 Patrons: After school on September 11 and on September 12, 2020 the district received notification from the Meade County Health Department that two staff members from the grade school had tested positive for COVID-19. Because one individual was in quarantine for nearly a week, no students or other staff members were impacted. The other individual has been quarantined along with close contacts since testing positive. The state and Meade County Health Department has not recommended quarantine for other students or staff at this time because they are not considered close contacts. Symptoms of COVID-19 should continue to be monitored by everyone and individuals should not come to the school if symptoms are present. As always the district will continue to take measures to maintain a safe learning environment for everyone. Already additional sanitation has been completed in the buildings. Kenneth Harshberger, Superintendent
Junior high volleyball takes first in Lakin tournament today.
