Superintendent's Message

March 22, 2020

Hogan Families:

Greetings!  The rapidly-evolving Novel Coronavirus crisis has prompted extensive preventative actions within our community, including school closures from March 16 - April 3. 

This weekend, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas asked Kansas City metro school districts to extend those closures until Friday, April 24, 2020 in order to control the potential spread of the Novel Coronavirus in our community. The Mayor also enacted a citywide stay at home order, which requires citizens of Kansas City to stay at home unless they are meeting basic needs, such as getting groceries, reporting to work or visiting a pharmacy.

Although our buildings may be closed, we want you to know Hogan Preparatory Academy is fully committed to serving our students. Meal distribution will begin on Monday, March 23, 2020.  Learning packets for students will be available online on Monday as well. We understand this is a time of uncertainty and concern. We will work through this together to keep our students, families, and staff safe.

We will remain in close contact with local health public officials and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education throughout the duration of this closure and will provide updates to families as appropriate.

We encourage you to stay informed of the situation by regularly checking updates from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior.  The State of Missouri has also activated a hotline for Missouri citizens seeking COVID-19 guidance. The number is 877-435-8411.

If you have questions about our schools including the meal program and learning packets, please contact the District office at 816-444-3484. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jayson Strickland

Superintendent

March 16, 2020

Hogan Family:

Greetings! Out of an abundance of caution, and in consultation with local public health, Hogan Preparatory Academy Schools will close in order to curb the potential transmission of the coronavirus {COVID-19). Schools will be closed through April 3, 2020 and children and (staff?) should stay home.

We understand this action may pose added hardship for some of our families and staff. If you need additional assistance, United Way 2-1-1of Missouri is a 24/7 connection to agencies and resources near you. Also, you can access the site at https:/ /uwg kc.myresourcedirectory.com/ .

   While home, we encourage everyone to continue practicing good hygiene, which includes:

If you feel for any reason you or your child may have or has been exposed to the novel coronavirus, please contact your doctor immediately. Virus symptoms can range from mild to severe and could include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in a few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure.

Hogan Prep Academy is in the process of determining what options we have for our students to continue learning as well as providing meals while the school is closed. The details will be provided as soon as we know them.

Next steps will be communicated via School Messenger. Please note this is an evolving situation so we will be diligent in communicating with parents and staff throughout the duration of the closure. We will remain in close contact with local health public officials and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education throughout the duration of this closure and will provide updates to families as appropriate.

March 12, 2020

Hogan Families:

Keeping students and staff healthy is a top priority for Hogan Preparatory Academy, and the district has a comprehensive plan in place to manage potential outbreaks of infectious diseases. 

There are no reported cases of coronavirus in Missouri at this time.  We will monitor and review coronavirus outbreak and review information from the Jackson County Health Department, the Missouri Department of Health and the CDC.

The district has taken or will take the following steps to ensure student and staff health:

• The district will continue to use both routine cleaning methods and provide extra disinfection efforts in classrooms and school buildings.
• The district will reinforce best practices to prevent the spread of flu, influenza and other viruses to staff and students. The number one way to stop the spread of illness remains to stay home if you are displaying any symptoms.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask.
• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
• Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

For more information, please visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus or health.mo.gov/coronavirus.

Be assured that district staff take health concerns seriously and will be monitoring illness in schools, and that we will share additional information or guidance we receive from county, state and federal health professionals. 

If we all work together and follow these important guidelines, we can keep our students, staff and community healthy.

Dr. Jayson Strickland

Superintendent