Sarah Ebeling | Managing Editor
From closed schools across the state to limited access in many area businesses, the COVID-19 crisis is continuing to spread across the state. As of Tuesday, March 17, there were 11 confirmed cases of the disease. However, on Wednesday, March 18, the state had to stop testing due to a lack of supplies, leaving 385 tests pending processing as of press time.
A week ago, on Friday, March 13, Governor Kristi Noem asked for the closure of all South Dakota schools. Because of that, on Friday, Tri-Valley and West Central Superintendents announced that as of Monday, March 16 their schools would be closed for the entire week. But by midweek, things had changed as Noem again took to the airways to announce that schools needed to be closed for a second week, putting kids returning to the classroom on Monday, March 30.
Superintendent Mike Lodmel of Tri-Valley said in a video on Wednesday, March 18 that he is unsure if students will have to make up days that they are missing. By the end of next week, Tri-Valley will have missed 11 days total, but is over by 13 days on what is required by the state.
Lodmel explained that if the school must remain closed for any longer than already planned, students will be able to start working on their studies through a flexible learning program. The program will not start next week, but teachers will begin working on plans on Monday, March 23. Lodmel asked parents of the district to complete a quick survey to help the school have valuable information they need moving forward.
He noted that questions have been coming in about meals. Meals will be provided for school kids and due to an outpouring of support from the community, meals to everyone that needs them in the district will be provided.
As of now, all activities at Tri-Valley, including sports, sports practice, music and even prom have been postponed. Lodmel said he hopes they will be able to have prom in the future, but it will not be held in two weeks like previously planned.
He also asked that all high schoolers go online and register for classes for next school year.
At West Central in Hartford, superintendent Brad Berens said his district’s teachers are putting together lessons for an alternative format to deliver instruction. He noted it will range from preparing hard copy assignments to e-learning lessons and even recording lessons for students to view or listen to.
“West Central will provide learning via the alternative format to students beginning Monday, March 23,” said Berens.
As far as keeping kids fed, Berens said that West Central food service staff began preparing meals for kids on Friday, March 13. He noted that the district is looking to continue this practice throughout the shutdown.
“I’m not sure where the Coronavirus will take us, but I hope we continue to reach out to each other. We have a good start on this in our community and in the state. People in the West Central District for example have volunteered to help make and handout lunches and clean buildings. As long as we continue to support each other, we will make it through the crisis,” he said.
Events in West Central have also been cancelled indefinitely. Berens said he knows each event carries a certain amount of importance for students.
“Prom and graduation are certainly milestone events our students look forward to. We hope students have the opportunity to experience all events that are important to them in their entirety,” said Berens.
Although there is not a national curfew or quarantine in place in South Dakota, all schools are closed this week and next and Noem said that after getting recommendations from the Center for Disease Control, (CDC), they will make a decision as to what the districts should do moving forward.
Locally, the list of closed businesses and entities is continuing to grow everyday. As of press time, the Colton and Humboldt city offices are closed to the public but staff is still reporting to work. In Crooks and Hartford, the city offices are open but residents are being asked to call or email if at all possible as a preventative measure to COVID-19. Residents are encouraged to call their destination before traveling as closures and business hours are constantly changing.