Jackson County Health Department will offer the following COVID-19 testing locations next week (February 8- January 12):
 
Monday:  Lee’s Summit
This is a Drive-Thru
Lee’s Summit- 505 NW Blue parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210106123350132
 
Tuesday: Grandview
This is not a drive-thru clinic
Grandview- The View: Grandview- The View Community Center  13500 Byars Rd., Grandview MO 64030.
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210105416754144
 
 
Wednesday: Blue Springs
This is not a drive thru clinic
Blue Springs- Vesper Hall 400 NW Vesper St. Blue Springs
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210105362039140
 
Thursday: Lee’s Summit
This is a drive-thru
Lee’s Summit- 505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210105591012135
 
Friday: Independence
Not a drive-thru
Independence- Independence Uptown Farmers Market- 211 W Truman Rd., Independence MO 64050
Registration Link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210105705139142
 

     Amid signs that COVID-19 is loosening its grip on Missouri, the state Senate this week will hold hearings on coronavirus liability protections while the state House is home as leaders attempt to control a Capitol Building outbreak.
     The Department of Health and Senior Services on Tuesday reported 1,357 new COVID-19 infections and it marked the third consecutive day of reporting fewer than 1,500 cases since the first week of October. And the 7-day positive rate on tests, 12.7 percent, is down 4.7 percentage points over the past week.
     Republican leadership in the House didn’t detail how many lawmakers are sick or in quarantine from exposure when they canceled this week’s session. There were 11 members absent last week during a roll call vote that defeated a proposed rule change to require masks in the House chamber.
     The leadership has not stated whether regular sessions will resume next week.
     On the Senate side of the building, the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee will hold hearings Tuesday on two bills shielding employers and business owners from lawsuits alleging they allowed exposure to COVID-19. That will be followed Wednesday with hearings in the Senate Health and Pensions Committee on bills limiting the scope and duration of local health orders.
     One bill, sponsored by Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, scheduled for a hearing Wednesday would exempt religious worship services from health restrictions and barring lawsuits from people who contract COVID-19 during services.
     Senate hearings will have audio streaming but no online video.
     The indicators that the pandemic is easing in Missouri as it rages elsewhere have been visible in several indicators in recent weeks. The lower daily counts are driving down the 7-day average of reported cases, which fell below 2,000 per day for the first time since late October.
     There are also fewer local health jurisdictions reporting new cases. Of 117 local jurisdictions listed on state reports, there were new cases in 89 on Tuesday, the second day with new cases in fewer than 100 health departments since early October.
     Missouri’s rate of new cases has been below the national average for eight consecutive weeks. The result is that the overall per capita infection rate in the state, which rose above the national average on Oct. 10, fell below the national average on Saturday.
     As of Monday, Missouri had an overall infection rate of 7,150 cases per 100,000 residents. The national infection rate was 7,244 per 100,000 people.
     The vaccines being administered are already having a positive effect for the health care workers who were first in line, Springfield’s CoxHealth CEO Steve Edwards wrote in a Monday tweet.
     He reported that 6,658 of the company’s 12,500 health care workers had received a first dose and those employees would start receiving their booster shots on Tuesday. 
     “Total daily employee infections are already down 50%!” Cox wrote.
     According to data from the CDC, Missouri has administered about one-third of the 528,000 doses received so far, with about 153,000 people receiving a first dose.
     Hospitalizations, which health experts consider a lagging indicator, are also showing some improvement. The total number of inpatients stood at 2,392 on Saturday, the first time the tally has been below 2,400 since Nov. 10.
 
     Rudi Keller covers the state budget, energy and the legislature. He’s spent 22 of his 30 years in journalism covering Missouri government and politics, most recently as the news editor of the Columbia Daily Tribune. Keller has won awards for spot news and investigative reporting.
www.missouriindependent.com

​     Jackson County issued a new health order on January 13th, amending dining restrictions for bars and restaurants.
     Under the new health order, Jackson County bars and restaurants will be allowed to serve food and alcohol until midnight with a hard exit for all patrons at 12:30am. All other provisions related to indoor dining remain in effect. 
     The new order takes effect at 12:01 am Thursday, January 14, 2021 and does not apply to businesses in the cities of Kansas City, Missouri or Independence.
     The new health order relaxes guidance from a previous order issued in November 2020 that required bars and restaurants to close at 10:00 p.m. due to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Jackson County.
“Let me be clear – our situation has not improved over the past two months. COVID-19 cases are up, our 14-day percent positive remains high as well as hospital capacity,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said.
     “However, to remain consistent with neighboring jurisdictions, lessen confusion among residents and create fairness for Eastern Jackson County businesses, we have decided to move forward in this manner. It is still dangerous to gather in large groups, so I urge residents to remain vigilant in their efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.”
Residents and businesses with questions about the new health order should contact the Jackson County Health Department by phone at (816) 404-9883 or via email at  [email protected].
 

     The Jackson County Health Department (JACOHD) has received its first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination clinics began January 6th.    
     JACOHD is following the state of Missouri’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. The state is currently in Phase 1A of distribution, which focuses on long-term care facility residents and staff as well as patient-facing healthcare workers.
     This week’s appointments were made available to those who are in Phase 1A who filled out the department’s COVID-19 vaccine survey tool. These appointment slots have filled up, but more appointments for Phase 1A individuals will be available in the coming weeks.
     JACOHD encourages all individuals who live or work in Jackson County and are interested in receiving the vaccine to fill out the survey. As the vaccine becomes available to future phases, JACOHD will contact individuals who completed the survey with further instructions on scheduling an appointment. The survey may be accessed at buff.ly/34QRYBR .
     The survey asks for contact information, occupation, and pre-existing medical conditions. Responses from the survey will help JACOHD determine which phase of the state’s vaccination plan residents fall under. 
     “This is one way that we can get information out to individuals as quickly as possible,” Jackson County Health Department Director Bridgette Shaffer said. “We know people are looking for information, and we want to provide access to it whenever it becomes available.” 
     When weekly slots open up, appointments are first-come, first-served to each group. Appointments are filling up quickly, and it is recommended that people sign up as quickly as possible to secure their desired time.
     Per the guidance provided by the CDC, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations will not be provided to those under the age of 16.
For more information on the vaccine distribution plan, visit https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/.
 

     Residents in the nine-county Kansas City metropolitan area in need of a COVID-19 test can now find comprehensive testing location information on PrepareMetroKC.org, the region’s resource for emergency planning.
     The Greater Kansas City COVID-19 Testing Calendar is available at PrepareMetroKC.org/Testing. It compiles information from multiple agencies and organizations in the region, including health clinics, public health departments, hospitals and free community events.
     Guidance about minimum age, cost and pre-registration for each testing location are included on the calendar, when possible. Information about commercial testing locations is also available.
     “There are many opportunities for COVID-19 testing in the region. This calendar aims to help Kansas City residents easily find information on where to go,” Marlene Nagel, director of community development at the Mid-America Regional Council, which supports PrepareMetroKC.org, said. 
     “Getting tested for COVID-19 is critical because it’s the only way to know for sure who has the virus and who doesn’t. If you have the virus but don’t know it, you could unintentionally spread it to loved ones and across your community.”
     COVID-19 testing is safe and secure. Here are frequently asked questions about testing:
     Is it safe to get tested? Testing locations follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including implementing social distancing, mask-wearing and cleanliness.
     When should someone get tested? If you have coronavirus symptoms, such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath, you need to get tested. If you’ve been in close contact with someone who has the virus, you need to get tested — even if you don’t have symptoms.
     Should I get tested before the holidays? Local public health officials emphasize that no gathering is safe. If you plan to see family and friends, get a COVID-19 test so you don’t unintentionally spread the virus. If you test positive or have symptoms, stay home.
     Are test results private? Yes. Only health care providers and local or state public health departments will have information about test results. They will not share names or contact information with any other agencies.
 

     In a recorded phone message and subsequent email on November 16th, Grain Valley Schools Superintendent Marc Snow informed district parents that effective Wednesday, November 18th, all schools will temporarily transition to 100% virtual instruction. Below is the transcript of Snow's message and additional details provided in the district email:

“Good evening,
This is Marc Snow, Superintendent for Grain Valley Schools. I call you tonight with an important update that affects families at all of our schools.

Our ability to staff our schools and programs has only gotten worse since my letter to you last Thursday. Today, only 58% of our absences were filled by substitutes, down from 73% last week. The projected sub fill rates for the rest of this week does not show improvement. Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily shift to 100% virtual for all schools beginning this Wednesday, November 18.

Elementary and early childhood students will return to in-person learning after Thanksgiving, but our middle schools and high school will remain 100% virtual through the Christmas Holiday. Middle school and high school students will return to the hybrid model beginning January 4.

Our Valley Kids program is available at Prairie Branch (for Prairie Branch and Matthews students) and at Sni-A-Bar Elementary (for Sni and Stony Point students) through Tuesday, November 24. This program is available for current Valley Kids families who absolutely rely on it, but we encourage families to utilize other daycare options if available.
The virtual instruction our students receive in the days and weeks ahead will look very different from what everyone experienced last spring. Our teachers have scheduled class times that students are expected to call into and the work students are engaged in will reflect the new content they would have been learning had they been in person.
This is not where we wanted to be and we did not want to go full virtual, but having so many staff out and with not enough subs, gives us little choice. We have held on as long as we could.

More details are being sent to families and staff in an email yet tonight and each family will receive their child’s virtual schedule from the school tomorrow.

Thank you for your patience with us during this time. We know our families are facing difficult challenges and I wish to assure you that our teachers and staff remain committed to working with you to continue to make the most of a tough situation.
​
Thank you and good night.”


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. Each school will share additional information with families tomorrow (Tuesday) morning regarding what to expect during virtual instruction for Wednesday through Tuesday.
2. Tomorrow, elementary students will each be issued a Chromebook device for distance learning for November 18-24. 
3. In-person tutoring at our middle schools and high school is canceled this week but will start again after Thanksgiving.
4. Middle school and high school students who participate in the Life Skills programs will continue with full in-person learning after Thanksgiving break.
5. Meals are available for any interested family, for pick up only from North Middle School on Pink Hill Road, Monday through Friday between 11:00-11:30. No delivery is available but families may designate someone else to pick up their child’s meals. You can sign up for meals using this form. 
6. Extra-curricular activities continue.

​
     In response to rising COVID-19 rates in the area, Jackson County and Wyandotte County in Kansas issued a joint statement outlining a new health order, lowering capacity at businesses and restrict gatherings to ten (10) or fewer people. This new Order will go into effect at 12:01am on Friday, November 20, 2020, and will remain in effect until it is extended, rescinded, replaced, or amended.
     "Let me be clear, we are currently experiencing uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Due to the dramatically increasing rate of the disease in our community, our hospitals have warned that they are facing a breaking point and the care their patients desperately rely upon may soon have to be rationed, if not worse,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said.
     “Along with doctors from across the metro area, our public health professionals have urged us to implement dramatic, but targeted, changes to our public health orders in an attempt to ‘flatten the curve.’ These changes are not being made lightly, but instead were made because we have been convinced that they are necessary to protect the safety and welfare of our residents.”

     The Order is in response to a strong resurgence of recent COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in Jackson County, Missouri and Wyandotte County, Kansas.
 
     Unless otherwise noted in the Order, the following Public Gatherings, are restricted:
·         Entertainment venues including auditoriums; arenas; banquet halls; cinemas; conference centers; concert halls; performance venues; sporting venues; stadiums; and theaters;
·         Recreational facilities and places of public amusement, including  gyms, fitness, and recreational centers, amusement parks; arcades; bingo halls; bowling alleys; casinos; night clubs; skating rinks; adult entertainment clubs; water parks; and trampoline parks; parties, informal gatherings, lectures, meetings, parades, fairs, festivals, sporting events, and performances
 
     Such public gatherings must limit the number of individuals (staff and customers) in the facility, building or room to 50 percent of the lowest occupancy load on the certificate of occupancy of the facility, building or room (whichever is lower) in which the gathering is occurring and is only permissible:
·         If adequate social distancing of six feet or more can be maintained. If such social distancing cannot be maintained due to facility layout, the occupancy limit should be further reduced to allow for proper distancing.
·         Masks or face coverings must be worn at all times.
·         Proper Personal Protective Equipment (such as masks and hand sanitizer) must be utilized.
 
     Restaurants, taverns, and all other such venues serving food and/or drink indoors, including public, private, or membership-only venues, shall limit the number of occupants to no more than 50 percent of building occupancy, and shall close no later than 10:00pm.
·         Indoor patrons must be seated and masked at all times except when actively eating or drinking;
·         Indoor and outdoor parties are limited to eight (8) or fewer persons; and
·         Parties shall be spaced with no less than six feet of distance between themselves and individuals from any other parties.
 
Other large public gatherings of people in Jackson County are prohibited.
·         Large public gatherings are those with more than ten (10) people in attendance or anticipated to attend, both indoor and outdoor, except for governmental and judicial functions, healthcare facilities, private business or retail operations, religious and faith-based activities, weddings and funerals. A "gathering" does not include normal operations at spaces where persons may be in transit or coming and going individually or in groups of less than ten (10) persons.
 

     Grain Valley Schools released a message from Superintendent Marc Snow on the afternoon of November 12th, warning parents of a possible switch to 100% virtual learning due to COVID-19 related staffing shortages. The district reported 54 (8.31%) of staff and 239 (5.19%) of students are isolating or quarantined. The message in its entirety is provided below. 

Grain Valley School District Community,

I reach out to you today to alert you to new developments that may lead us to a switch to 100% Virtual Learning for some or all of our classrooms or schools. Keeping all schools and programs adequately staffed has become a serious challenge. We are working to avoid any such disruption, but I feel a responsibility to alert you that it is becoming a struggle to operate all schools with all services in place.
Our Eastern Jackson County region is experiencing a significant increase in new positive cases of COVID-19, leading to a sharp increase in the number of staff and students in our schools and departments who must quarantine or isolate. Through weekly meetings with regional health, government, and school district officials, I stay up to date on what is occurring in other school districts and communities in our area. We are not alone in dealing with the challenges associated with increased positivity rates in our area.
Today, 54 (8.31%) of our staff and 239 (5.19%) of our students are isolating or quarantined. Fourteen of these staff and 63 of these students are out due to contact tracing of positive cases in our schools since Monday. Our school substitute fill rate is at 73% for the week, down significantly from the 89% fill rate we had last week. Today’s fill rate is 64%, which is critically low. If not improved, such a low fill rate makes keeping all schools open for in-person learning unsustainable. We expect some relief tomorrow as our middle schools and high school do not host students in person on Fridays.
Our elementary students are each bringing home a Chromebook device this weekend with instructions for families to practice logging on and completing a learning task virtually. This is an important practice run for families, teachers, and our support operations in the event we have a school closure due to COVID or severe weather. We ask these students to bring the devices back to school on Monday.
Despite so many of our staff and students in isolation and quarantine, the virus does not appear to be spreading in our classrooms. We know this through the contact tracing that occurs with each confirmed positive case. I am very proud of everyone for wearing masks at school, practicing social distancing when possible, and washing hands frequently. I urge any employee who feels ill or learns they have been exposed to someone with COVID to stay home and for families to do the same with their children. 
This morning, Governor Parson hosted a press conference, accompanied by health officials and the leader of Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The governor suggested new options for school safety protocols related to responding to positive cases in schools. We will review these new recommendations and communicate any resulting changes.
We will continue to do our best to hold onto our in-person learning for preschool and elementary students, and hybrid learning for our middle school and high school students. We will keep everyone updated and appreciate your continued understanding and support.

Sincerely,
Dr. Marc Snow
Superintendent of Schools

     Superintendent Snow referred to updated protocols for schools released by Governor Mike Parson this morning. The Governor's office stated the large number of students and school staff members quarantined in recent weeks has presented a significant strain for educators, school leaders, and Missouri families alike, necessitating the update.
​     “We know that COVID-19 is not going away soon, so it is important that we continue to evaluate the guidance we’re issuing at the state level to make sure our procedures are sustainable for the next several months,” Parson said. 
     “We have been working hard with DESE and DHSS to find a solution that allows us to continue providing the high-quality education our students deserve while still keeping them, our teachers, and all school staff members safe.”
     Under the updated guidance, proper mask wearing may now prevent individuals from being identified as close contacts in K-12 schools that have implemented a mask mandate. This means that if both individuals at school – the person diagnosed with COVID-19 and the person exposed to the positive case – have masks on and are wearing them correctly, the individual exposed does not need to quarantine.
     Exposed individuals should self-monitor for symptoms and stay home at the first sign of illness. They should also continue to wear a mask at all times to further reduce the likelihood of transmitting the virus. The person who tests positive for COVID-19 is still required to isolate at home.
     Close contacts in K-12 schools should continue to quarantine at home for 14 days if (1) their school does not require students and staff to wear masks, or (2) the mask was not being worn appropriately by either the person diagnosed with COVID-19 or the person who was exposed.
     Responding to the updated protocols released this morning, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas stated he would not recommend Kansas City schools follow the updated guidelines.
     "Based upon the advice of our Health Director and given the increasing uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in our community, we respectfully cannot recommend schools in Kansas City follow the updated non-quarantine guidance shared from Jefferson City today.
Masks continue to be one of the best ways to slow the spread of this virus, and I hope the governor’s acknowledgment of their benefit will encourage more to wear them. Still, masks are not a substitute for proper quarantine measures in schools or elsewhere—particularly as we’ve seen a concerning spike in cases over the past several months," Lucas said.

​     The Jackson County Health Department will offer COVID-19 testing at the following sites the week of November 9th—11th:
 
Monday, November 9, 2020:
City of Lee’s Summit,
616 NE Douglas St., Lee’s Summit 64081
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202933986322157
Tuesday, November 10, 2020:
10020 E. 66th Terrace, Raytown 64133. This is a drive through clinic—no walk-ins will be taken this day.
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202955113765154
Wednesday, November 11, 2020: 
Independence- Uptown Farmers Market- 211 W Truman Rd., Independence MO This will be a walk-in clinic. 
     Limited individuals will be allowed in the facility at one time due to social distancing protocol. Clients may be required to wait outdoors under covering. Please dress appropriately. : https://form.jotform.com/202945418526156
     Pre-registration is not required but highly encouraged. Due to increased demand, openings for walk-ins are not guaranteed.
 
Drive Thru Flu Clinics at the Health Department, located at 313. S Liberty St., Independence :
 
Friday November 13th       
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202755824406153
Friday November 20th
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202755905403150
 
     Pre-registration is not required but highly encouraged. Openings for walk-ins are not guaranteed.
     Clients will be billed $15-30 based on their insurance coverage.
 
 
 

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) officials began distributing thousands of rapid COVID-19 tests this week, enabling districts to test symptomatic students and staff in 15 minutes.
     Nearly 330 districts/schools applied to participate in Missouri’s BinaxNOW Antigen Testing Program for K-12 Institutions, requesting a total of nearly 583,000 test kits for use among symptomatic students and school personnel. These minimally invasive nasal swab tests must be administered by a health professional (e.g. a school nurse), and yield results in just 15 minutes. Many districts/schools will perform these rapid tests onsite, after receiving the appropriate consent from the staff member or the student’s parent/guardian. Some districts/schools have partnered with their local health department or another medical provider in their community to assist in administering these tests. Positive and negative test results will be reported electronically to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) within 24 hours.
     Grain Valley Schools Superintendent Marc Snow reported during the Board of Education’s October meeting that the district had applied for 5,000 testing kits and has 5 district nurses who can administer tests.
     “The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) continues to work hard to make any and all resources available to school leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven said.
     “We believe these rapid antigen tests, in conjunction with other mitigation strategies, could be instrumental in helping schools provide onsite learning opportunities safely. We appreciate colleagues at DHSS and the State Emergency Management Agency for working quickly with our team on this important initiative.”
     Districts/schools that applied will receive the number of test kits requested (up to one test per student and staff member, due to limited inventory) in incremental shipments over the coming months. In the state’s current inventory, there are approximately 240,000 test kits available to distribute to K-12 schools that have provided the required assurances and documentation.
     The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services prioritized public and private K-12 schools to receive the Abbott BinaxNOW rapid antigen test kits free of charge, along with higher education institutions and long-term care facilities. Missouri is expected to receive a total of 1.84 million Abbott BinaxNOW antigen test kits.
 

     The Jackson County Health Department will offer COVID-19 testing at the following sites the week of October 26th—October 30th:
 
Monday, November 2, 2020:
City of Lee’s Summit,
616 NE Douglas St., Lee’s Summit 64081
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202584554265156

Tuesday, November 3, 2020:
Metro Christian Fellowship Church
2217 High Grove Rd. Grandview
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202644465250148

Wednesday, November 4, 2020: 
Vesper Hall 400 NW Vesper St. Blue Springs MO.
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202644573925157

Thursday, November 5, 2020:  
Connection Point Church
10500 E State Route 350 Raytown
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202716345034145

Friday, November 6, 2020:  
Friday: Uptown Farmers Market- 211 W Truman Rd., Independence MO - https://form.jotform.com/202945807575162

     Pre-registration is not required but highly encouraged. Due to increased demand, we can not guarantee openings for walk-ins.
     Drive Thru Flu Clinics will also be offered at the Health Department located at 313. S Liberty St., Independence on the following dates:

Friday October 30th
https://form.jotform.com/202755864219159
​
Friday November 6th
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202755802679161 
 
     Pre-registration is required for flu clinics. Clients will be billed $15 or $30 based on their insurance coverage.
 

     The Jackson County Health Department will offer COVID-19 testing at the following sites the week of October 26th—October 30th:
 
Monday, October 26, 2020:
City of Lee’s Summit,
616 Ne Douglas St., Lee’s Summit 64081
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202584505376155

Tuesday, October 27, 2020:
Metro Christian Fellowship Church
2217 High Grove Rd. Grandview
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202644518179157

Wednesday, October 28, 2020: 
Fellowship Church Greenwood Campus 1601 W Main St. Greenwood 64034
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202734873504153

Thursday, October 29, 2020:  
Connection Point Church
10500 E State Route 350 Raytown
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202655293520149

Friday, October 30, 2020:  
St. Marks Methodist Church,
603 N Jennings Rd. Independence
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202614656282152

     Pre-registration is not required but highly encouraged. Due to increased demand, we can not guarantee openings for walk-ins.
     Drive Thru Flu Clinics will also be offered at the Health Department located at 313. S Liberty St., Independence on the following dates:

Friday October 23rd      
https://form.jotform.com/202755591541154
​
Friday October 30th
https://form.jotform.com/202755864219159
​
     Pre-registration is required for flu clinics. Clients will be billed $15 or $30 based on their insurance coverage.
 

​     The Grain Valley School Board voted during their October 15th business meeting to extend the hybrid learning model for secondary students through the end of the first semester. In a 5-2 vote, the board approved the current plan continue through January 22, 2021. Through the hybrid model, secondary level students attend in-person classes two days per week and remotely from home three days per week. Early childhood and elementary students will continue with full in-person instruction with a 100% virtual option.
     During the patron comment portion of the meeting, approximately 10 district patrons shared their opinions and personal experiences with the board. The majority of those who spoke indicated a preference to continue with the hybrid model, citing safety concerns and the positive aspects of the hybrid model (including smaller class sizes, smaller course load). Those voicing concern over the hybrid model pointed to a drop in motivation among some students, the stress parents face attempting to assist students with schoolwork while also juggling work and home responsibilities, and the lack of a consistent schedule for special education and other struggling students.
     Grain Valley parent Jason Williams voiced support for the resumption of full in-person learning, pointing to concerns over the struggles special needs students experience being removed from class and related supports on a daily basis.
     “I fear that years down the road, we are going to look back, and studies are going to be done, and it will show we are hurting our kids more by keeping them at home. We know the risks, but I think parents can weigh that risk and determine if they want to send their kids to school or not,” Williams said.
     Grain Valley Schools Superintendent Marc Snow presented data from parent and secondary staff surveys conducted to gauge each population’s comfort with extending the hybrid model or ending it after the first quarter.
     151 6th -12th grade teachers completed the survey, with 86% indicating a preference to continue with the hybrid model.
     760 high school parents responded, with 51.25% stated they would prefer full in-person classes, but 25.66% of families would have their students enrolled as virtual students if only in-person and virtual were offered. This represents a potential increase of 14.83% compared to those enrolled virtually in the first quarter. 90.28% of families responding to the survey would stay with hybrid if hybrid and virtual were the only options.
     At the middle school level, 771 middle school parents responded, with 59.61% of families preferring full in-person learning. 90.77% of middle school respondents would stay with hybrid or transfer from virtual to hybrid, if hybrid and virtual were the only options.
     Snow pointed to fill rates for substitutes, indicating the percentage of substitutes who were able to cover staff absences reduced from 85% in mid-September to 79% the week of October 5-9.
     Snow also mentioned 14 of 18 area districts reported they will continue with some version of hybrid instruction in the second quarter.
 
     Board member Jeff Coleman made his position clear at the outset, stating he would vote against the continuation of the hybrid model. While voicing his support for the teachers and their concerns, he expressed his belief that students are “more resilient” and recover more quickly from COVID-19 than more vulnerable populations.
     “We as people go out to the grocery store, we go out to eat, we do all the things that we have to do. Our parents are having to go to work,” Coleman said.
     Referring to a pediatric counselor who testified before the board a few months ago, Coleman referred to the belief that “it is of greater risk not to come to school than it is to come to school with the possibility of contracting COVID. I applaud those teachers who have kids in school that are cruising along and have good successes, but not everybody is in that category,” Coleman said.
    “We have to get back to some similarity of what regular life is again and as teachers, I do want to keep you safe,” Coleman said.
     Citing multiple comments made by parents regarding the particular struggles of special needs students, English inquired what plans the district administration is considering to attend to their needs.
     Referencing the board’s initial decision to proceed with the hybrid model at the start of the school year, English stated, “We did what we thought was the greatest good at the time. I truly believe that it is working. But I’m hearing from families here that they are hurting. There are things that are going on in their homes related to education that have them frustrated. Is there anything else that we can do as an administration and as a district to reach those kids. What can we do to reach that percent (of struggling students) that we’re not currently doing,” English asked.
     “I think this is something that we need to chew on, or we’re going to find ourselves in unchartered waters again here in a few months trying to make the same decision.”
     “That last question is something I asked of our cabinet earlier today,” Snow said. “What are the answers we can give to parents who say ‘my kid is struggling’. We need to continue to talk about that.”
“What I’m looking for as a board member is a plan. I want to see that strategy in writing so that I can hold that up and show it to patrons and teachers and say ‘here’s what we need to see as a group to really bring kids back to school’,” English said.
     Snow provided his opinion on the best course of action before the board vote.
     “I’ve never been a person who’s thrived on conflict, so I don’t like the fact that this has divided our community and our board. As Superintendent, I have tried not to make any decisions that are politically driven, and I believe my decisions need to have one thing in mind, and that is what is right for the kids. Those decisions for kids need to factor in the educational, mental, emotional, and health needs of kids. To be honest, I have had a difficult time deciding what my recommendation is going to be,” Snow said.
     “As an educator, I have to believe that everyone who teaches or has taught thinks the best place for kids to be is in the classroom on a full time basis. In a perfect world, that would certainly be the case. Unfortunately, we are not currently living in a perfect world. Our world has dealt us an unfair hand to play, and in our world we have health and safety concerns that we must not disregard.”
     Snow pointed to the constant upheaval staff is feeling with ongoing quarantines of staff and students, “disrupting the classroom environment”.
     Snow continued, “We are barely, and I emphasize barely, keeping up with our ability to properly staff our schools. I’m concerned that doubling the number of students in our secondary school classrooms will double that impact.”
     “Although it brings me no pleasure to do so, I believe the right thing to do right now is to continue with  the hybrid learning model for the secondary students through at least the second quarter. That said, I do not have a vote, and that decision is ultimately up to this board,” Snow said.
     The Board proceeded to approve Snow’s recommendation 5-2, with Jeff Coleman and Tisha Homfeld voting against continuing the hybrid plan.
     In an email announcing the decision, the district outlined gating criteria for returning students to the classroom full-time, including:
     Total new cases per 100,000 in Eastern Jackson County falling below 200. The rate is currently 215.
     The Positivity rate in Eastern Jackson County trending below 10%. The positivity rate is currently at 15.05%.
     In other business, Snow reported the board will consider refunding of 2016 and 2017 bonds during its November meeting, with a potential savings of $1.5 million. Snow also reported the district will receive $167,000 in funding from Jackson County through the CARES Act to offset expenses related to COVID-19, including hot spots, cleaning supplies, and bottle fillers at water fountains.
     Snow reported the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is distributing rapid COVID-19 tests, enabling districts to test symptomatic students and staff in 15 minutes. The district applied for 5,000 testing kits and has 5 district nurses who can administer tests.
     Dr. Brad Welle, Deputy Superintendent of Student and Community Services, reported the Grain Valley Education Foundation has raised $850,000 since 2010.
     Dr. Beth Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services, reported the board will consider middle school math curriculum during its November meeting.
     The board will meet for a regular board meeting on November 19, 2020.
 
 

​     Jackson County has relaxed some rules for outdoor gatherings beginning October 9th. If a plan submitted by Grain Valley Schools is approved, the County will allow a few more fans in the stands for Friday night football games. 
     In an email, Grain Valley Schools stated a plan had been submitted to increase capacity at the October 9th game to 20%. Masks, social distancing, and other safety protocols will continue to be required to limit potential transmission of COVID-19.
     Tickets remain limited, with student athletes participating in the game and visiting team receiving priority.
     The October 9th game is Senior Night, so senior athletes will be issued additional tickets. Senior students may enter a lottery for remaining tickets for a limited student section.
     Tickets will not be sold, and only those with tickets will be allowed to enter the stadium. No concessions will be available.
     Grain Valley High School Eagles Media will continue to provide streaming coverage at https://www.youtube.com/user/GVHSEagleMedia.
     Valley News will also provide updates via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@grainvalleynews).
 

     Jackson County continues to provide COVID-19 testing opportunities throughout the county at mobile locations. Events next week include:
 
Monday, October 12th:
Lee’s Summit: Old Fire Station #3, 210 Sw Pryor Rd.
 
Tuesday, October 13th:         
Metro Christian Fellowship,  
2217 High Grove Rd, Grandview
 
Wednesday, October 14th:   
Grain Valley Community Center,                
713 N Main ST
 
Thursday, October 15th:
Connection Point Church,
10500 E 350 Hwy., Raytown
 
Friday, October 16th:
Unity of Independence,
14304 E 39th ST, Independence
 
     Advance registration is requested and may be completed at https://jacohd.org/events/ Walk-ups will be taken on a limited basis.