Due to the COVID-19 Stay At Home Order for Kansas, ACCESS Transportation is announcing that all services will be suspended in Hays and Ellis County as of 6 p.m. Friday.  Services will be reinstated once Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly lifts the order.  

With ACCESS Transportation closing until the Stay At Home Order has been lifted, the Safe Ride program, which is funded by the Partnership for a Safer Community and Fort Hays State University will also be suspended and will not be operating on Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights.  Tiger Route that is funded by Fort Hays State University will also be suspended and will not be operating on Wednesday, Friday or Saturday. 

ACCESS Transportation apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.  ACCESS believes in doing its part in helping to contain the spread of the virus  across the state and looks forward to serving Hays and Ellis County as soon as possible. 

For more information about ACCESS Public Transportation, please visit <a href="https://www.mydsnwk.org/">www.DSNWK.org</a> or call 785-625-1052.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584536781273.jpeg" alt="ACCESS Transportation will suspend its services in Hays and Ellis County beginning Friday evening while the governor's stay-at-home executive order is in place." />
 <figcaption>ACCESS Transportation will suspend its services in Hays and Ellis County beginning Friday evening while the governor's stay-at-home executive order is in place.</figcaption>
 </figure>DSNWKDue to the COVID-19 Stay At Home Order for Kansas, ACCESS Transportation is announcing that all services will be suspended in Hays and Ellis County as of 6 p.m. Friday. Services will be reinstated once Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly lifts the order. With ACCESS Transportation closing until the Stay At Home Order has been lifted, the Safe Ride program, which is funded by the Partnership for a Safer Community and Fort Hays State University will also be suspended and will not be operating on Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights. Tiger Route that is funded by Fort Hays State University will also be suspended and will not be operating on Wednesday, Friday or Saturday. ACCESS Transportation apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. ACCESS believes in doing its part in helping to contain the spread of the virus across the state and looks forward to serving Hays and Ellis County as soon as possible. For more information about ACCESS Public Transportation, please visit <a href="https://www.mydsnwk.org/">www.DSNWK.org</a> or call 785-625-1052.

ACCESS Transportation to be suspended including Safe Ride, Tiger Route  

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Holy Family Elementary School started its continuous learning plan Thursday.

Information went out to parents Tuesday. The letter is attached below.&nbsp;

Rachel Wentling, Holy Family principal, said&nbsp;she has been trying to sooth parents' worries about school.

"I don't think anybody should worry about their child falling behind. This pandemic is not just affecting students in Ellis County in Hays and not just Kansas, but it's the entire United States and the entire world. ...

"When we are able to return to school in our traditional format, we are going to&nbsp; assess students, and we are going to meet them where they are at and continue their academic progress."

What your child's learning will look like will vary depending on their teachers and their grade, she said.&nbsp;

Students will be using school Chromebooks, which have been checked out to them.

The Kansas Department of Education is recommending the following maximum instruction times per day for students based on grade:

Families with children in grades preschool through first grade should have received school packets when they picked up personal belongings at the school last week.

Those packets contain worksheets, which will be used in conjunction with online reading and math textbooks that students have already been using. Parents will also be able to play instructional videos.

"For our younger kids, I think it is really about keeping them reading," Wentling said, "giving them opportunities to read and practice their site words and continue to practice all of those skills."

Wentling said the students will be doing the same thing in math — practicing basic addition, subtraction and writing their numbers.&nbsp;

Parents can take pictures of the children's work and submit them to teachers through the Class Dojo app.

The Holy Family librarian is making children's books accessible for students online.&nbsp;

The school is also offering optional enrichment activities parents can try with their kids at home, Wentling said.

"All of these days they are home together, it is hard to come up with ideas all of the time," she said. "Hopefully we can be a resource for parents."

Teachers are still developing some of these ideas, and what children will be able to do will also depend on the supplies available at home.

Wentling gave examples such as drawing pictures with sidewalk chalk, lego activities or offering an act of kindness at home.

The school is also going to continue to offer special classes including art, PE and music.

The Holy Family PE teachers is developing physical activities and games that require no additional equipment, Wentling said.

Students may be encouraged to create an art piece in the style of a famous artists with the supplies they have at home.

Holy Family is taking into consideration many parents may still be working and children will be in day care or being cared for by older siblings.

"When parents come home at the end of the day, it is a lot to ask them to also then teach their kids," Wentling said. "We need to be cognizant of that. Forty-five minutes is not as demanding as a typical school day."

The school is also trying to be flexible with the instruction for the older elementary school students, Wentling said.

Teachers have recorded lessons the students can play at any time. Teachers will be available daily for office hours, but are looking at goals for students to accomplish in a week, Wentling said.

Some students will finish more quickly than others.

Some teachers have been exploring choice boards. The students will have required actives and then be able to choose from a list of optional activities.

Students will be focusing on math and language arts, but students may be able to choose from optional STEM activities. An example is building a solar oven at home, something fourth-grade students had traditionally done in class in the spring, Wentling said.

"Of course our focus is on maintaining and having some academic gain," Wentling said," but really the most important part is our students spiritual and social/emotional well-being as well as their health.

"They are all in unique circumstances at home, so we want to make sure they are supported."

When students are in school, they bond through a human connection, Wentling said. However, when kids are at home, they are missing out on that human connection.

The school is looking at ways to use social media and platforms, such as Google classroom and Class Dojo to keep students connected to each other and to their teachers, Wentling said.

Teachers gathered in the parking lot of the school on Sunday so families could drive through and see and wave to their teachers.

The teachers kept their social distance from each other and the kids, but celebrated with streamers, signs and costumes.

"I think it was mutually beneficial," Wentling said. "Teachers get into teaching because of kids and because there is a human connection there."

See a link to a pre-recorded Facebook live with Wentling on the <a href="http://book.com/holyfamilyelementary/">Holy Family Facebook page</a>.

The Holy Family letter to families on continuos learning is below in full.

HOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY CONTINUOUS EDUCATION PLAN, 2020 
PHILOSOPHY OF CONTINUOUS EDUCATION: 

The KSDE Continuous Education Guidelines recommends the following daily instructional times: 

Teachers identified critical standards in specific discipline areas that will be the focus of curricular instruction for the remaining six weeks of the school year during online instruction. 


Holy Family faculty will continue to utilize the various instructional technologies that have been employed throughout the school year and are familiar to students.  


Teachers will learn and master 2-3 additional technology skills as needed for delivery of instruction, student engagement, and student assessment. This will allow instructors and students to streamline and master the technologies while being able to maintain the focus on student learning. 

 
CORE EXPECTATIONS WITH OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES 


Understandably, every household has specific challenges for the online delivery of instruction and student learning. This has been a consideration in the development of the continuous education plan at each grade level.

Homerooms teachers will deliver explicit expectations for student practice and involvement that fall within the recommended guidelines of Continuous Education for daily instruction.  While these guidelines exist, it is understood that some students will require more time to complete their learning and others will complete the assignments with ease. Also, it is recognized that many parents may want to further enrich their child’s daily learning. Teachers will present required activities along with various enrichment activities as a resource to parents to further their children’s learning while at home for the extended period of time.

Please remember that during this COVID-19 pandemic that all education across the state, country, and globe is paused and being re-evaluated. While it may feel as though our students are falling behind, they are falling right in line with what all other students are experiencing worldwide. When the new school year commences in 2020 students will be assessed and met where they are at academically to continue their education. Student spiritual, social-emotional, nutritional, and physical health are just as significant as academic gains during this time.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ONLINE DELIVERY OF INSTRUCTION AND STUDENT LEARNING

All students are expected to use the school Chromebook that was checked out to them. The Chromebooks are managed under the school domain, have content filtering devices to protect students while online, and will continue to be managed with proper bookmarks and shortcuts to the resources that will be used for student learning. Fortunately, HFE already has and uses core curriculum resources that have a digital textbook platform to serve as an added resource for teachers, students, and parents.

Each teacher will keep an office hour during the day for students or parents to contact them for assistance. These Zoom links will be shared and posted in the HFE School calendar. Because of restrictions that do not allow teachers to videoconference with students one-on-one, many of the office hours will be joint with another teacher or para-professional. Mrs. Wentling offers a daily office hour from 12:30-1:30 pm for students or parents to meet and will be available each morning at 9:00 am on YouTube Live to interact with students after our morning prayer, pledge, and daily announcements.  


Preschool, First, Second, and Third Grades will utilize the Class Dojo platform to interact with students online. Preschool, KinderPrep, Kindergarten, and First Grade are also utilizing paper packets that were distributed with student materials last week. The procedure for drop off (if necessary) and pick up of additional packets is still being developed at this time.   


Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third Grades are enrolling in the EPIC reading platform to provide students with high interest reading at their appropriate reading levels and will allow teachers to assess the reading of the students. All grade levels will continue to use the academic online programs such as IXL, Lexia Core 5, and Xtra math as they have been used throughout the year as formative assessments and academic practice.

Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grades will utilize the Google Classroom platform to deliver and collect assignments as well as post instructional videos and Zoom classroom links. Students will make use of their google email accounts as a form of communication with their classroom teacher as well. Students will continue to use the digital platforms of Pearson’s Reading Street, Pearson’s Envision Math, Shurley English, Interactive Science, and Be My Disciples Religion Text as they apply to the curricular instructional goals. These platforms may be further supported through IXL Math, IXL Reading, IXL English, IXL Science, IXL Social Studies, Lexia Core 5, Xtra Math, and Khan Academy as they relate to the student practice, learning, and formative assessment.

Each specials class will have lessons one day per week, i.e. Monday-Music, Tuesday-Art, Wednesday-Library, Thursday-Computer, Friday-PE. These lessons will be largely participatory in nature and are meant to enrich the students’ learning and daily lives while providing additional structure as needed at home. Specials teachers will also assist the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade teachers with reaching out students and parents who may need additional support with completing work. Each teacher is assigned to a grade level team as a support person.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Grades will continue at all grade levels, but may be calculated differently than they would have been in a traditional educational setting. Each grade level has different challenges as they relate to the amount of instructional time and the content of the various discipline areas. This aspect is still being developed, but grade cards will be distributed at the end of the 4th quarter, although, they may be modified to reflect the online delivery of continuous education.

SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS, TITLE 1 READING, READING RECOVERY, AND REFERRALS FOR EVALUATION 
SPECIAL EDUCATION

During this unprecedented time meeting the needs of students with exceptionalities can be challenging, but it can be overcome. With the changes of instructional time authorized by KSDE, there are also allowances for to adjust instructional times that vary from the students’ IEPs. Students with exceptionalities will receive an Individual Continuous Learning Plan (ICLP) developed specifically for these next few weeks of school. With that in mind, Holy Family and West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative is committed to continuing education of all students. The special education services of HFE will focus on trying to maintain as much routine as possible with students working toward their individual educational goals.

Mrs. Woydziak is available for consultation to support parents of students receiving Title 1 and Reading Recovery services. She is available for check ins with students, and can be contacted by email awoydziak@hfehays.org for additional support. 


Several students are in the referral process to determine if they qualify for services as a student with an exceptionality. Currently, evaluations are on hold until due to many restrictions that make norm-references assessments impossible to administer. If needed, we will file for extensions and complete the evaluations when school returns to normal. In the meantime, parents will be supported with intervention strategies to continue to help their child make academic gains. 


SPIRITUAL FORMATION, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL NEEDS, AND NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT 

As a Catholic school our mission is to bring Christ into the daily lives of our students. Each morning we will continue to start our school day with prayer, our school mission statements, and the Pledge of Allegiance through YouTube Live at 9:00 am. This will be posted for students to view at any time during the day. Fr. Nick will prepare a spiritual message for our students each week on Thursday when he would normally have the school mass. We encourage the students and their parents to watch the daily masses that are broadcast by our local parishes when possible. Teachers will continue with religion instruction and we are developing other plans for our First Friday prayer services and other ways to bring Christ to our students on a weekly and daily basis. 

School counselor, Ms. Lang, is developing a resource page that will be linked on the school website. Parents may access the page to help support students at home who may be having feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, withdrawal, etc. The COVID-19 Pandemic is a health crisis that could have traumatic effects on students depending on their individual circumstances, especially if a family member or themselves contract the virus or there is the presence of a family member with an immunosuppressed condition. The children’s daily routine and structure have changed dramatically, families have had to make significant adjustments accordingly, and there are financial concerns across the board. If any parents are struggling with their child’s motivation or has concerns about their disposition, please contact Ms. Lang or Mrs. Wentling so that we can provide resources to help support parents as they support their child(ren) at home through this Continuous Learning timeline. Our staff will help develop positive behavior interventions and offer counseling services and/or resources remotely.

All Holy Family Elementary students are eligible to participate in the food program distribution through Lincoln Elementary, Hays Middle School, and Hays High School. Please notify us if you need further support nutritionally and we will help identify other resources available.

Communication will be the key to success of this plan. Please utilize the office hours, email, and phone to contact us. With the influx of email please give faculty and staff the grace of 24 hours to respond to messages. If more immediate assistance is needed, please use the designated office hours or phone to get in touch with the needed staff member. The school office phone calls will be forwarded to Mrs. Toni Whitmer’s phone during the day.

We trust in God’s Divine Providence of His schools and we have always maintained that parents are the primary educators of their children. Our faculty and staff are here to support you in this very important task that has become even more integral in your daily lives. You and your family are in our daily prayers, and we beg God to cover our school and entire community with a shield of protection for our health and all those who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
At Holy Family We are CHRIST to One Another. We grow in our&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585767016229.jpeg" alt="Holy Family Elementary School teachers wave to students and their families on Sunday as they drive through the Holy Family parking lot. Photo courtesy of Holy Family Elementary School." />
 <figcaption>Holy Family Elementary School teachers wave to students and their families on Sunday as they drive through the Holy Family parking lot. Photo courtesy of Holy Family Elementary School.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostHoly Family Elementary School started its continuous learning plan Thursday.Information went out to parents Tuesday. The letter is attached below.&nbsp;Rachel Wentling, Holy Family principal, said&nbsp;she has been trying to sooth parents' worries about school."I don't think anybody should worry about their child falling behind. This pandemic is not just affecting students in Ellis County in Hays and not just Kansas, but it's the entire United States and the entire world. ..."When we are able to return to school in our traditional format, we are going to&nbsp; assess students, and we are going to meet them where they are at and continue their academic progress."What your child's learning will look like will vary depending on their teachers and their grade, she said.&nbsp;Students will be using school Chromebooks, which have been checked out to them.The Kansas Department of Education is recommending the following maximum instruction times per day for students based on grade:<ul>
 <li>Preschool — 30 minutes</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Grades K-1 — 45 minutes</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Grades 2-3 — 60 minutes</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Grades 4-5 — 90 minutes</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Grade 6 —&nbsp;30 minutes/teacher with a maximum of three hours</li>
 </ul>Families with children in grades preschool through first grade should have received school packets when they picked up personal belongings at the school last week.Those packets contain worksheets, which will be used in conjunction with online reading and math textbooks that students have already been using. Parents will also be able to play instructional videos."For our younger kids, I think it is really about keeping them reading," Wentling said, "giving them opportunities to read and practice their site words and continue to practice all of those skills."Wentling said the students will be doing the same thing in math — practicing basic addition, subtraction and writing their numbers.&nbsp;Parents can take pictures of the children's work and submit them to teachers through the Class Dojo app.The Holy Family librarian is making children's books accessible for students online.&nbsp;The school is also offering optional enrichment activities parents can try with their kids at home, Wentling said."All of these days they are home together, it is hard to come up with ideas all of the time," she said. "Hopefully we can be a resource for parents."Teachers are still developing some of these ideas, and what children will be able to do will also depend on the supplies available at home.Wentling gave examples such as drawing pictures with sidewalk chalk, lego activities or offering an act of kindness at home.The school is also going to continue to offer special classes including art, PE and music.The Holy Family PE teachers is developing physical activities and games that require no additional equipment, Wentling said.Students may be encouraged to create an art piece in the style of a famous artists with the supplies they have at home.Holy Family is taking into consideration many parents may still be working and children will be in day care or being cared for by older siblings."When parents come home at the end of the day, it is a lot to ask them to also then teach their kids," Wentling said. "We need to be cognizant of that. Forty-five minutes is not as demanding as a typical school day."The school is also trying to be flexible with the instruction for the older elementary school students, Wentling said.Teachers have recorded lessons the students can play at any time. Teachers will be available daily for office hours, but are looking at goals for students to accomplish in a week, Wentling said.Some students will finish more quickly than others.Some teachers have been exploring choice boards. The students will have required actives and then be able to choose from a list of optional activities.Students will be focusing on math and language arts, but students may be able to choose from optional STEM activities. An example is building a solar oven at home, something fourth-grade students had traditionally done in class in the spring, Wentling said."Of course our focus is on maintaining and having some academic gain," Wentling said," but really the most important part is our students spiritual and social/emotional well-being as well as their health."They are all in unique circumstances at home, so we want to make sure they are supported."When students are in school, they bond through a human connection, Wentling said. However, when kids are at home, they are missing out on that human connection.The school is looking at ways to use social media and platforms, such as Google classroom and Class Dojo to keep students connected to each other and to their teachers, Wentling said.Teachers gathered in the parking lot of the school on Sunday so families could drive through and see and wave to their teachers.The teachers kept their social distance from each other and the kids, but celebrated with streamers, signs and costumes."I think it was mutually beneficial," Wentling said. "Teachers get into teaching because of kids and because there is a human connection there."See a link to a pre-recorded Facebook live with Wentling on the <a href="http://book.com/holyfamilyelementary/">Holy Family Facebook page</a>.The Holy Family letter to families on continuos learning is below in full.HOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY CONTINUOUS EDUCATION PLAN, 2020 
PHILOSOPHY OF CONTINUOUS EDUCATION: QUALITY OVER QUANTITY The KSDE Continuous Education Guidelines recommends the following daily instructional times: <ol>
 <li>Preschool — 30 minutes</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Grades K-1 — 45 minutes</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Grades 2-3 — 60 minutes</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Grades 4-5 — 90 minutes</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Grade 6 —&nbsp;30 minutes/teacher with a maximum of three hours</li>
 </ol>Teachers identified critical standards in specific discipline areas that will be the focus of curricular instruction for the remaining six weeks of the school year during online instruction. 
KEEP IT SIMPLE 
Holy Family faculty will continue to utilize the various instructional technologies that have been employed throughout the school year and are familiar to students. 
Teachers will learn and master 2-3 additional technology skills as needed for delivery of instruction, student engagement, and student assessment. This will allow instructors and students to streamline and master the technologies while being able to maintain the focus on student learning. 
CORE EXPECTATIONS WITH OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES 
Understandably, every household has specific challenges for the online delivery of instruction and student learning. This has been a consideration in the development of the continuous education plan at each grade level.Homerooms teachers will deliver explicit expectations for student practice and involvement that fall within the recommended guidelines of Continuous Education for daily instruction. While these guidelines exist, it is understood that some students will require more time to complete their learning and others will complete the assignments with ease. Also, it is recognized that many parents may want to further enrich their child’s daily learning. Teachers will present required activities along with various enrichment activities as a resource to parents to further their children’s learning while at home for the extended period of time.Please remember that during this COVID-19 pandemic that all education across the state, country, and globe is paused and being re-evaluated. While it may feel as though our students are falling behind, they are falling right in line with what all other students are experiencing worldwide. When the new school year commences in 2020 students will be assessed and met where they are at academically to continue their education. Student spiritual, social-emotional, nutritional, and physical health are just as significant as academic gains during this time.&nbsp;&nbsp;ONLINE DELIVERY OF INSTRUCTION AND STUDENT LEARNINGCHROMEBOOKAll students are expected to use the school Chromebook that was checked out to them. The Chromebooks are managed under the school domain, have content filtering devices to protect students while online, and will continue to be managed with proper bookmarks and shortcuts to the resources that will be used for student learning. Fortunately, HFE already has and uses core curriculum resources that have a digital textbook platform to serve as an added resource for teachers, students, and parents.OFFICE HOURSEach teacher will keep an office hour during the day for students or parents to contact them for assistance. These Zoom links will be shared and posted in the HFE School calendar. Because of restrictions that do not allow teachers to videoconference with students one-on-one, many of the office hours will be joint with another teacher or para-professional. Mrs. Wentling offers a daily office hour from 12:30-1:30 pm for students or parents to meet and will be available each morning at 9:00 am on YouTube Live to interact with students after our morning prayer, pledge, and daily announcements. 
PRESCHOOL-3RD GRADEPreschool, First, Second, and Third Grades will utilize the Class Dojo platform to interact with students online. Preschool, KinderPrep, Kindergarten, and First Grade are also utilizing paper packets that were distributed with student materials last week. The procedure for drop off (if necessary) and pick up of additional packets is still being developed at this time. 
Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third Grades are enrolling in the EPIC reading platform to provide students with high interest reading at their appropriate reading levels and will allow teachers to assess the reading of the students. All grade levels will continue to use the academic online programs such as IXL, Lexia Core 5, and Xtra math as they have been used throughout the year as formative assessments and academic practice.3RD-6TH GRADEThird, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grades will utilize the Google Classroom platform to deliver and collect assignments as well as post instructional videos and Zoom classroom links. Students will make use of their google email accounts as a form of communication with their classroom teacher as well. Students will continue to use the digital platforms of Pearson’s Reading Street, Pearson’s Envision Math, Shurley English, Interactive Science, and Be My Disciples Religion Text as they apply to the curricular instructional goals. These platforms may be further supported through IXL Math, IXL Reading, IXL English, IXL Science, IXL Social Studies, Lexia Core 5, Xtra Math, and Khan Academy as they relate to the student practice, learning, and formative assessment.SPECIALS CLASSESEach specials class will have lessons one day per week, i.e. Monday-Music, Tuesday-Art, Wednesday-Library, Thursday-Computer, Friday-PE. These lessons will be largely participatory in nature and are meant to enrich the students’ learning and daily lives while providing additional structure as needed at home. Specials teachers will also assist the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade teachers with reaching out students and parents who may need additional support with completing work. Each teacher is assigned to a grade level team as a support person.&nbsp;&nbsp;STUDENT ASSESSMENTGrades will continue at all grade levels, but may be calculated differently than they would have been in a traditional educational setting. Each grade level has different challenges as they relate to the amount of instructional time and the content of the various discipline areas. This aspect is still being developed, but grade cards will be distributed at the end of the 4th quarter, although, they may be modified to reflect the online delivery of continuous education.SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS, TITLE 1 READING, READING RECOVERY, AND REFERRALS FOR EVALUATION 
SPECIAL EDUCATIONDuring this unprecedented time meeting the needs of students with exceptionalities can be challenging, but it can be overcome. With the changes of instructional time authorized by KSDE, there are also allowances for to adjust instructional times that vary from the students’ IEPs. Students with exceptionalities will receive an Individual Continuous Learning Plan (ICLP) developed specifically for these next few weeks of school. With that in mind, Holy Family and West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative is committed to continuing education of all students. The special education services of HFE will focus on trying to maintain as much routine as possible with students working toward their individual educational goals.TITLE 1 READING &amp; READING RECOVERYMrs. Woydziak is available for consultation to support parents of students receiving Title 1 and Reading Recovery services. She is available for check ins with students, and can be contacted by email awoydziak@hfehays.org for additional support. 
REFERRALS FOR EVALUATIONSeveral students are in the referral process to determine if they qualify for services as a student with an exceptionality. Currently, evaluations are on hold until due to many restrictions that make norm-references assessments impossible to administer. If needed, we will file for extensions and complete the evaluations when school returns to normal. In the meantime, parents will be supported with intervention strategies to continue to help their child make academic gains. 
SPIRITUAL FORMATION, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL NEEDS, AND NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT 
SPIRITUAL FORMATIONAs a Catholic school our mission is to bring Christ into the daily lives of our students. Each morning we will continue to start our school day with prayer, our school mission statements, and the Pledge of Allegiance through YouTube Live at 9:00 am. This will be posted for students to view at any time during the day. Fr. Nick will prepare a spiritual message for our students each week on Thursday when he would normally have the school mass. We encourage the students and their parents to watch the daily masses that are broadcast by our local parishes when possible. Teachers will continue with religion instruction and we are developing other plans for our First Friday prayer services and other ways to bring Christ to our students on a weekly and daily basis. SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL NEEDSSchool counselor, Ms. Lang, is developing a resource page that will be linked on the school website. Parents may access the page to help support students at home who may be having feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, withdrawal, etc. The COVID-19 Pandemic is a health crisis that could have traumatic effects on students depending on their individual circumstances, especially if a family member or themselves contract the virus or there is the presence of a family member with an immunosuppressed condition. The children’s daily routine and structure have changed dramatically, families have had to make significant adjustments accordingly, and there are financial concerns across the board. If any parents are struggling with their child’s motivation or has concerns about their disposition, please contact Ms. Lang or Mrs. Wentling so that we can provide resources to help support parents as they support their child(ren) at home through this Continuous Learning timeline. Our staff will help develop positive behavior interventions and offer counseling services and/or resources remotely.NUTRITIONAL SUPPORTAll Holy Family Elementary students are eligible to participate in the food program distribution through Lincoln Elementary, Hays Middle School, and Hays High School. Please notify us if you need further support nutritionally and we will help identify other resources available.COMMUNICATIONCommunication will be the key to success of this plan. Please utilize the office hours, email, and phone to contact us. With the influx of email please give faculty and staff the grace of 24 hours to respond to messages. If more immediate assistance is needed, please use the designated office hours or phone to get in touch with the needed staff member. The school office phone calls will be forwarded to Mrs. Toni Whitmer’s phone during the day.CLOSING STATEMENTWe trust in God’s Divine Providence of His schools and we have always maintained that parents are the primary educators of their children. Our faculty and staff are here to support you in this very important task that has become even more integral in your daily lives. You and your family are in our daily prayers, and we beg God to cover our school and entire community with a shield of protection for our health and all those who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
At Holy Family We are CHRIST to One Another. We grow in our&nbsp;Catholic faith to Honor God Respect others Imitate Christ Study and develop our Talents to glorify God!

Holy Family principal seeks to ease parents' worries

The Hays USD 489 school board approved a bid for construction of a secure entrance at Roosevelt Elementary School at its meeting Monday night.

The meeting was closed to the public as a result of coronavirus precautions. However, it was broadcast over the Indian Tribe public access channel on cable.

The only bid was from Commercial Builders for&nbsp;$43,900.&nbsp; The district opted to not move forward with an alternate bid for $13,900. Commercial Builders also built the secure entrances at Hays High and Hays Middle schools.

Roosevelt Principal Paula Rice shared details about the new entrance with school board members at their March work session.

The principal's office is going to be moved and a new door will be added in the area that is now the principal's office. All visitors who enter the building during school hours will have to come through this new entrance.

Rusty Lindsay, director of buildings and grounds, said the bid was slightly more than he had estimated as the entrance will require fire-grade glass.

The USD 489 Foundation for Excellence in Education raised $25,000 that will be used toward this project, Lindsay said.

Board member Tammy Wellbrock asked if the time frame for the construction project would be affected by the current school closure.

Lindsay said he is working with contractors to move timelines for summer construction projects up since the schools are empty. However, the crews will have to clear that it is safe to work in light of coronavirus restrictions.

Board member Allen Park asked why the district only received one bid on the project.

Lindsay said Commercial Builders has been the only contractor willing to bid on such small projects.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585684280043.jpeg" alt="During a March work session, Roosevelt Principal Paula Rice, right, shows members of the school board and guests where a door for a new secure entrance will be built for the school." />
 <figcaption>During a March work session, Roosevelt Principal Paula Rice, right, shows members of the school board and guests where a door for a new secure entrance will be built for the school.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEYHays PostThe Hays USD 489 school board approved a bid for construction of a secure entrance at Roosevelt Elementary School at its meeting Monday night.The meeting was closed to the public as a result of coronavirus precautions. However, it was broadcast over the Indian Tribe public access channel on cable.The only bid was from Commercial Builders for&nbsp;$43,900.&nbsp; The district opted to not move forward with an alternate bid for $13,900. Commercial Builders also built the secure entrances at Hays High and Hays Middle schools.Roosevelt Principal Paula Rice shared details about the new entrance with school board members at their March work session.The principal's office is going to be moved and a new door will be added in the area that is now the principal's office. All visitors who enter the building during school hours will have to come through this new entrance.Rusty Lindsay, director of buildings and grounds, said the bid was slightly more than he had estimated as the entrance will require fire-grade glass.The USD 489 Foundation for Excellence in Education raised $25,000 that will be used toward this project, Lindsay said.Board member Tammy Wellbrock asked if the time frame for the construction project would be affected by the current school closure.Lindsay said he is working with contractors to move timelines for summer construction projects up since the schools are empty. However, the crews will have to clear that it is safe to work in light of coronavirus restrictions.Board member Allen Park asked why the district only received one bid on the project.Lindsay said Commercial Builders has been the only contractor willing to bid on such small projects.

 USD 489 approves bid for Roosevelt secure entrance

The Eagle Radio of Hays Online Auction is currently underway!

There are several great items to bid on including:

$50 Certificate from Broadway Automotive

This $50.00 gift certificate to Broadway Automotive in Hays
can be used towards any services. From a basic oil change and lubrication to a
major engine overhaul they can do it....Things like getting your AC or heater
working, to brakes, to finding out what that annoying check engine light means,
this $50.00 gift certificate can be applied. Walk-ins and appointments always
welcomed. Limit: 1 per customer per visit, no cash value. Good thru April 30,
2021.

Current Bid: $5.00 Retail Price: $50.00

$100 Certificate for Tires from Davis Automotive

Davis Automotive wants to make sure that your tires are safe
and ready for you to hit the road. Use this certificate towards replacing those
worn out tires that make travel dangerous even in good weather conditions.
Davis Automotive can get your vehicle ready to go with almost any brand of
tires. Davis Automotive, just north of the railroad tracks on Vine in Hays.

Current Bid: $16.00 Retail Price: $100.00

$50 Certificate from Gene's Service

This certificate is good towards vehicle maintenance, wheel
alignment, tires, automotive repair, and other services. THIS CERTIFICATE IS
NOT GOOD FOR GAS!!!!

Current Bid: $16.00 Retail Price: $50.00

The Eagle Radio of Hays Online Auction is currently underway!There are several great items to bid on including:$50 Certificate from Broadway Automotive This $50.00 gift certificate to Broadway Automotive in Hays
can be used towards any services. From a basic oil change and lubrication to a
major engine overhaul they can do it....Things like getting your AC or heater
working, to brakes, to finding out what that annoying check engine light means,
this $50.00 gift certificate can be applied. Walk-ins and appointments always
welcomed. Limit: 1 per customer per visit, no cash value. Good thru April 30,
2021.Current Bid: $5.00 Retail Price: $50.00$100 Certificate for Tires from Davis AutomotiveDavis Automotive wants to make sure that your tires are safe
and ready for you to hit the road. Use this certificate towards replacing those
worn out tires that make travel dangerous even in good weather conditions.
Davis Automotive can get your vehicle ready to go with almost any brand of
tires. Davis Automotive, just north of the railroad tracks on Vine in Hays.Current Bid: $16.00 Retail Price: $100.00$50 Certificate from Gene's ServiceThis certificate is good towards vehicle maintenance, wheel
alignment, tires, automotive repair, and other services. THIS CERTIFICATE IS
NOT GOOD FOR GAS!!!!Current Bid: $16.00 Retail Price: $50.00

Eagle Radio Online Auction is underway!

An Overland Park developer is still on track to purchase the former Washington school building, Hays USD 489 superintendent Ron Wilson said Monday.

The building was vacated in the fall when the Early Childhood Connections moved to its new home on 13th Street.

The school board extended a contract in July with&nbsp;Overland Property Group to purchase the school for $500,000.

The developer wants to renovate the former school into apartments, but the purchase is contingent on the developer receiving tax credits for the renovation.

Wilson told the board Monday he had spoken to the developer, and it is still on track on its application for tax credits.

Board member Allen Park asked why the district was under contract to sell the school for $500,000 when the building was appraised at $1.3 million.

Board member Lance Bickle, who was on the board when the district entered into the contract, said OPG's bid was the highest at the time the district entered into the contract.

The district has also determined the building would be too expensive to renovate for other uses, Mike Walker, board president, said.

The Washington building was being used by the Learning Center before schools were closed by the governor. OPG told Wilson even if the developer buys the property, the school district could keep the Learning Center in Washington through fall 2020.

By CRISTINA JANNEYHays PostAn Overland Park developer is still on track to purchase the former Washington school building, Hays USD 489 superintendent Ron Wilson said Monday.The building was vacated in the fall when the Early Childhood Connections moved to its new home on 13th Street.The school board extended a contract in July with&nbsp;Overland Property Group to purchase the school for $500,000.The developer wants to renovate the former school into apartments, but the purchase is contingent on the developer receiving tax credits for the renovation.Wilson told the board Monday he had spoken to the developer, and it is still on track on its application for tax credits.Board member Allen Park asked why the district was under contract to sell the school for $500,000 when the building was appraised at $1.3 million.Board member Lance Bickle, who was on the board when the district entered into the contract, said OPG's bid was the highest at the time the district entered into the contract.The district has also determined the building would be too expensive to renovate for other uses, Mike Walker, board president, said.The Washington building was being used by the Learning Center before schools were closed by the governor. OPG told Wilson even if the developer buys the property, the school district could keep the Learning Center in Washington through fall 2020.

Developer still hopes to buy Washington for apartment project

The physical portion of the Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo has been canceled because of Covid 19, but that doesn’t mean it’s cancelled entirely! As with many other events and programs, the creators of the Expo have gotten creative and moved the entire Expo online! The vendors will still be on their Facebook page to help and assist you with your farming, ranching, and hemp needs. Along with this, K-State Research and Extension will still have educational programs for you! On April 8th-10th at noon, join us at starexpos.net for a Zoom lunch and Learn with KSRE!

On Wednesday, April 8th, join Romulo Lollato, K-State Research and Extension’s Wheat and Forage Specialist. He will be on the Zoom to discuss his research projects at the Great Bend Coop’s wheat research plot. He will discuss his current research on site that includes: different wheat varieties and how they respond to different management practices, growth regulators, seed treatments, seeding rates, and others. He will also be available to answer any questions that producers have about the 2020 wheat crop.

April 9th at noon will be Hemp research update by Jason Griffin, Professor &amp; Director, John C. Pair Horticultural Center, Kansas State University, Dept. Horticulture &amp; Natural Resources. Jason leads the Hemp research the Kansas State University conducted in 2019 that he will report on as well as give an update on what they will be researching in 2020. He will also be available for questions after his presentation.&nbsp;

On April 12th, Dan O’Brien, K-State Research and Extension Associate Professor in the Agriculture Economics Department will give a grain Marketing update. Dan will give a brief overview of the current grain market report and important information for your marketing decisions. As with the other specialists, he will be available for questions after his presentation.

Whatever your interests are when it comes to farming, there is a subject and specialist that can help you with information. Our specialists are happy to work with technology and new ideas to share the latest information and research to help you be able to succeed at your farm. Join us during the lunch hour at the Great Bend Farm and Ranch show April 8th through the 10th for all of K-State Research and Extension’s programming. For further information, like the Great Bend Farm, Ranch, and Hemp Expo at https://www.facebook.com/GBFarmRanchExpo

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>The physical portion of the Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo has been canceled because of Covid 19, but that doesn’t mean it’s cancelled entirely! As with many other events and programs, the creators of the Expo have gotten creative and moved the entire Expo online! The vendors will still be on their Facebook page to help and assist you with your farming, ranching, and hemp needs. Along with this, K-State Research and Extension will still have educational programs for you! On April 8th-10th at noon, join us at starexpos.net for a Zoom lunch and Learn with KSRE!On Wednesday, April 8th, join Romulo Lollato, K-State Research and Extension’s Wheat and Forage Specialist. He will be on the Zoom to discuss his research projects at the Great Bend Coop’s wheat research plot. He will discuss his current research on site that includes: different wheat varieties and how they respond to different management practices, growth regulators, seed treatments, seeding rates, and others. He will also be available to answer any questions that producers have about the 2020 wheat crop.April 9th at noon will be Hemp research update by Jason Griffin, Professor &amp; Director, John C. Pair Horticultural Center, Kansas State University, Dept. Horticulture &amp; Natural Resources. Jason leads the Hemp research the Kansas State University conducted in 2019 that he will report on as well as give an update on what they will be researching in 2020. He will also be available for questions after his presentation.&nbsp;On April 12th, Dan O’Brien, K-State Research and Extension Associate Professor in the Agriculture Economics Department will give a grain Marketing update. Dan will give a brief overview of the current grain market report and important information for your marketing decisions. As with the other specialists, he will be available for questions after his presentation.Whatever your interests are when it comes to farming, there is a subject and specialist that can help you with information. Our specialists are happy to work with technology and new ideas to share the latest information and research to help you be able to succeed at your farm. Join us during the lunch hour at the Great Bend Farm and Ranch show April 8th through the 10th for all of K-State Research and Extension’s programming. For further information, like the Great Bend Farm, Ranch, and Hemp Expo at https://www.facebook.com/GBFarmRanchExpoAlicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Great Bend ag expo will proceed online

By KIRBY ROSS, Phillips County Review

During the final week of March 2019, the price of a barrel of oil was running around $60, and we had $2.50 a gallon gasoline.

Fast forward a year later to the final week of March 2020.&nbsp; A barrel of oil is now bouncing around the $20 mark.

The last time oil was this low was in 2002.

A perfect storm of events, that’s what.

Just as coronavirus stories were leaking out of China earlier this year and were being called a “hoax” in some quarters, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was meeting to set prices. &nbsp;

Keep in mind that one thing had nothing to do with the other.

With worldwide oil prices already on the slide due to American companies’ success in using fracking to tap into hard-to-access petroleum deposits, most members of OPEC expected the meeting to be routine in setting the quotas that keep oil production in check, resulting in artificially-high prices.

Basic supply and demand economics — OPEC keeps supply low, so demand is drives prices up.

At the OPEC meeting Russia dropped a bombshell which took the producers by surprise — it announced it was going to refuse to adhere to the quotas being imposed on it.

Russia, seeking to drive oil prices down to financially injure U.S. oil interests who are utilizing fracking practices, has decided to dramatically increase its own production.&nbsp; In addition to wiping out fracking, at the same time Russia hopes to grab a larger share of the world market. &nbsp;

If their gambit is successful, under normal circumstances oil prices will soon rebound and Russia will make a killing with the combination of increased share and higher prices.

Saudi Arabia, angry at Russia for defying OPEC quotas, has responded by dumping millions of gallons extra onto the world market, attempting to increase its own market share and put Russia into a huge financial squeeze itself.

As the Saudis gambled, they are calculating they can better handle a prolonged oil price war than Russia can.

So with prices skidding downwards, the Coronavirus pandemic, which had been lurking unnoticed and hovering in the background, is now exploding.

With coronavirus emerging just as the Saudis and Russians started trading punches with each other, the world economy is going into a tailspin, resulting in a massive decline in demand for oil.

So now, Russia and Saudi Arabia are competing with one another to see who can dump the most oil on the market to try to grab share from one another, combined with a huge decline in demand for that oil as a result of the world economy taking a nosedive, now there is no place to store the large glut of it.

With no place to store it, and with more oil flooding the stream of commerce every second, price is diving diving diving.

Right now the price of oil is floating around $20.&nbsp; Oil observers predict it will go even lower.&nbsp; Possibly much lower.

The last time there was $20 oil, gasoline cost around a buck and a quarter a gallon.

Gas is not there yet this go around, with retailers holding up prices in order to pocket profits for as long as they can before competitive forces make them reduce it. &nbsp;

But prices are poised to drop, and drop deeply.

One dollar gasoline, and maybe even lower, is now possible as the triple whammy of Russia, Saudi Arabia and coronavirus do their thing.

Kirby Ross is editor of the Phillips County Review. Republished with permission.

Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/andreas160578-2383079/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2157211">andreas160578</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2157211">Pixabay</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585680635524.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KIRBY ROSS, Phillips County ReviewDuring the final week of March 2019, the price of a barrel of oil was running around $60, and we had $2.50 a gallon gasoline.Fast forward a year later to the final week of March 2020.&nbsp; A barrel of oil is now bouncing around the $20 mark.The last time oil was this low was in 2002.So what’s going on?A perfect storm of events, that’s what.Just as coronavirus stories were leaking out of China earlier this year and were being called a “hoax” in some quarters, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was meeting to set prices. &nbsp;Keep in mind that one thing had nothing to do with the other.With worldwide oil prices already on the slide due to American companies’ success in using fracking to tap into hard-to-access petroleum deposits, most members of OPEC expected the meeting to be routine in setting the quotas that keep oil production in check, resulting in artificially-high prices.Basic supply and demand economics — OPEC keeps supply low, so demand is drives prices up.At the OPEC meeting Russia dropped a bombshell which took the producers by surprise — it announced it was going to refuse to adhere to the quotas being imposed on it.Russia, seeking to drive oil prices down to financially injure U.S. oil interests who are utilizing fracking practices, has decided to dramatically increase its own production.&nbsp; In addition to wiping out fracking, at the same time Russia hopes to grab a larger share of the world market. &nbsp;If their gambit is successful, under normal circumstances oil prices will soon rebound and Russia will make a killing with the combination of increased share and higher prices.Saudi Arabia, angry at Russia for defying OPEC quotas, has responded by dumping millions of gallons extra onto the world market, attempting to increase its own market share and put Russia into a huge financial squeeze itself.As the Saudis gambled, they are calculating they can better handle a prolonged oil price war than Russia can.So with prices skidding downwards, the Coronavirus pandemic, which had been lurking unnoticed and hovering in the background, is now exploding.The perfect storm of events has now hit.With coronavirus emerging just as the Saudis and Russians started trading punches with each other, the world economy is going into a tailspin, resulting in a massive decline in demand for oil.So now, Russia and Saudi Arabia are competing with one another to see who can dump the most oil on the market to try to grab share from one another, combined with a huge decline in demand for that oil as a result of the world economy taking a nosedive, now there is no place to store the large glut of it.With no place to store it, and with more oil flooding the stream of commerce every second, price is diving diving diving.Right now the price of oil is floating around $20.&nbsp; Oil observers predict it will go even lower.&nbsp; Possibly much lower.The last time there was $20 oil, gasoline cost around a buck and a quarter a gallon.Gas is not there yet this go around, with retailers holding up prices in order to pocket profits for as long as they can before competitive forces make them reduce it. &nbsp;But prices are poised to drop, and drop deeply.One dollar gasoline, and maybe even lower, is now possible as the triple whammy of Russia, Saudi Arabia and coronavirus do their thing.Kirby Ross is editor of the Phillips County Review. Republished with permission.Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/andreas160578-2383079/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2157211">andreas160578</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2157211">Pixabay</a>

ANALYSIS: What's up with gas prices?

<a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575929617735.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1585784786640.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Three-day weather outlook

K-State child development specialist offers tips to help families during COVID-19 outbreak

MANHATTAN – In this most uncertain of times, many of us are experiencing anxiety for a number of reasons. Who will take care of the children if I don’t get home before my spouse goes to work? How quickly will my unemployment benefits kick in? What if a family member gets sick?

A Kansas State University child development specialist says it’s understandable for you and your children to have anxiety right now, but there are steps you can take to manage it, for yourself and for your children.

“When it comes to managing anxiety, the most important component is taking care of one’s self. Just like when we’re on an airplane, you should put your own mask on before you put someone else’s mask on,” said Bradford Wiles, a K-State associate professor in the College of Health and Human Sciences.

“None of us are going to be perfectly calm and easy going during difficult times,” he said. “But as we’re working through things with our children, making sure we can respond in intentional and kind and compassionate ways, is really critical.”&nbsp;

He encourages parents to be honest to the extent appropriate for their age: “The most authentic thing is to be honest. Now, obviously, you’re not going to talk about disease transmission with your two-year-old. But you can say ‘Mommy and Daddy or Grandma and Grandpa don’t want to get anyone sick.’”

The idea isn’t to scare them, rather be positive, using words they can understand.

“Little ones won’t understand words like ‘pandemic’ or ‘coronavirus.’ But they’ll understand that by staying home right now, we’re helping keep our neighborhood and community safe,” Wiles said.

With the closure of Kansas schools through the end of the school year, districts are scrambling to take the learning online so teachers can teach and students can learn at a distance. That means parents or other family members are playing a much greater role in the day-to-day teaching.

“One thing I have learned is that schoolteachers don’t get paid nearly enough,” said Wiles, who added that he himself had been home with his own children for several days at the time of this interview. “I should be as equipped as anyone to be able to homeschool my children. It’s very difficult.”

“There’s a lot of anxiety. There’s a lot of restlessness. There’s a lot of sleeplessness. Things that wouldn’t normally get to us, get to us,” Wiles said. “It’s not anything that any of us want. I don’t want to be Pollyanna-ish at all, but making the best of it is no joke.”&nbsp;

He encourages parents to consider this time an opportunity to learn what their children are learning.

“During these long school days, when we want our children to keep learning, and this is so critical, we need to honor that people are paid full time, day in and day out, five days a week (to teach) our children, and so to try to take on all that, and keep our normal routines is just simply undoable. Something has to give.”

Parents can’t expect to teach children everything they would normally learn in school in the next six weeks, “but what you can do is teach them how to handle things and learn from their activities, and also learn what it’s like to be a strong, helpful, and competent human beings.”

Wiles said physical activity is important, not only for children but also their parents. Get the energy out. Take a walk. Go fishing.

Striking the right balance with how much screen time children can have is always a challenge, but Wiles believes it’s better to let children have a little more screen time than for adults to be on edge and unable to handle the parent and educator role. He encourages parents to check out online educational programming by zoos, museums and aquariums.

“Yeah, they’re on a screen, but they’re walking you through the life of a hippopotamus or some of the great works of art, so those can be useful tools,” Wiles said. “What we don’t want is some of the mindless programming on screen time. It’s when we just plop our kids in front of it and hope for the best that things go quite wrong.”

Wiles said he’s dealing with the same challenges other parents with young children are facing: “There are so many worrying things that are going on, but I can promise you that I will likely never in my lifetime have an opportunity to spend this much time with my family all at once. And they grow up fast. Everyone who has kids knows it. Blink and you’ll miss it.”

“It’s not easy. None of this is easy. Parenting itself isn’t easy,” he added. “It’s very hard, but it’s a really good time to recognize and take stock in how beautiful our families are and how important they are to us and just how much we’ll do to help them and make everybody feel a little bit safer, a little happier and stay healthy.”

Cover photo by Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/Alexas_Fotos-686414/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3582986">Alexas_Fotos</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3582986">Pixabay</a>

K-State Research and Extension<h2>K-State child development specialist offers tips to help families during COVID-19 outbreak</h2>MANHATTAN – In this most uncertain of times, many of us are experiencing anxiety for a number of reasons. Who will take care of the children if I don’t get home before my spouse goes to work? How quickly will my unemployment benefits kick in? What if a family member gets sick?A Kansas State University child development specialist says it’s understandable for you and your children to have anxiety right now, but there are steps you can take to manage it, for yourself and for your children.“When it comes to managing anxiety, the most important component is taking care of one’s self. Just like when we’re on an airplane, you should put your own mask on before you put someone else’s mask on,” said Bradford Wiles, a K-State associate professor in the College of Health and Human Sciences.“None of us are going to be perfectly calm and easy going during difficult times,” he said. “But as we’re working through things with our children, making sure we can respond in intentional and kind and compassionate ways, is really critical.”&nbsp;He encourages parents to be honest to the extent appropriate for their age: “The most authentic thing is to be honest. Now, obviously, you’re not going to talk about disease transmission with your two-year-old. But you can say ‘Mommy and Daddy or Grandma and Grandpa don’t want to get anyone sick.’”The idea isn’t to scare them, rather be positive, using words they can understand.“Little ones won’t understand words like ‘pandemic’ or ‘coronavirus.’ But they’ll understand that by staying home right now, we’re helping keep our neighborhood and community safe,” Wiles said.With the closure of Kansas schools through the end of the school year, districts are scrambling to take the learning online so teachers can teach and students can learn at a distance. That means parents or other family members are playing a much greater role in the day-to-day teaching.“One thing I have learned is that schoolteachers don’t get paid nearly enough,” said Wiles, who added that he himself had been home with his own children for several days at the time of this interview. “I should be as equipped as anyone to be able to homeschool my children. It’s very difficult.”He suggests parents:<ol>
 <li>Lay out a lesson plan that’s reasonable. You don’t have to always get to everything, but know what you’re going to learn. Children, as with everyone, like to know what to expect.</li><li>Take advantage of help. Some resources can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/about-us/covid-19-extension.html">online</a>.&nbsp;</li><li>Cooking and baking are not just to keep our bodies nourished, they can be ways to incorporate chemistry, math and reading skills.</li><li>Have meals together and make them social science lessons. Even talk (and listen to what your kids think) about the benefits of having meals together.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Give yourself a break. Children and adults both need them. None of us right now under these conditions are at our optimal performance, Wiles said.</li>
 </ol>“There’s a lot of anxiety. There’s a lot of restlessness. There’s a lot of sleeplessness. Things that wouldn’t normally get to us, get to us,” Wiles said. “It’s not anything that any of us want. I don’t want to be Pollyanna-ish at all, but making the best of it is no joke.”&nbsp;He encourages parents to consider this time an opportunity to learn what their children are learning.“During these long school days, when we want our children to keep learning, and this is so critical, we need to honor that people are paid full time, day in and day out, five days a week (to teach) our children, and so to try to take on all that, and keep our normal routines is just simply undoable. Something has to give.”Parents can’t expect to teach children everything they would normally learn in school in the next six weeks, “but what you can do is teach them how to handle things and learn from their activities, and also learn what it’s like to be a strong, helpful, and competent human beings.”Wiles said physical activity is important, not only for children but also their parents. Get the energy out. Take a walk. Go fishing.Striking the right balance with how much screen time children can have is always a challenge, but Wiles believes it’s better to let children have a little more screen time than for adults to be on edge and unable to handle the parent and educator role. He encourages parents to check out online educational programming by zoos, museums and aquariums.“Yeah, they’re on a screen, but they’re walking you through the life of a hippopotamus or some of the great works of art, so those can be useful tools,” Wiles said. “What we don’t want is some of the mindless programming on screen time. It’s when we just plop our kids in front of it and hope for the best that things go quite wrong.”Wiles said he’s dealing with the same challenges other parents with young children are facing: “There are so many worrying things that are going on, but I can promise you that I will likely never in my lifetime have an opportunity to spend this much time with my family all at once. And they grow up fast. Everyone who has kids knows it. Blink and you’ll miss it.”“It’s not easy. None of this is easy. Parenting itself isn’t easy,” he added. “It’s very hard, but it’s a really good time to recognize and take stock in how beautiful our families are and how important they are to us and just how much we’ll do to help them and make everybody feel a little bit safer, a little happier and stay healthy.”Cover photo by Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/Alexas_Fotos-686414/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3582986">Alexas_Fotos</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3582986">Pixabay</a>

Manage your own anxiety to help your kids’ stress, too

With almost all social events canceled in light of COVID-19 precautions, Billy Briney, owner of Briney Motorsports, has created a contest with the aim of getting people out and about — while maintaining social distancing.

The Sunflower Scavenger Hunt is set to begin Saturday and end at 4 p.m. Easter Sunday.

"This is an event get everybody away from each other, but do something together," Briney said.

"About this time every year, we have racing going on, so everybody's going to the races or the kids are in sports. Now everybody is stuck at home," Briney said. "We came up with this idea to get out into the country and get some fresh air."

Anyone interested in participating will start by visiting the Briney Motorsports website,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brineymotorsports.com/">brineymotorsports.com</a>.

After registering, participants will be directed to download an app to play.

"On that app, there will be a series of missions," Briney said. "On those missions, you are going to get out and ride, get out in the country. You are going to do things like take a picture by a windmill with your UTV, you are going to take a video of driving through water with your UTV, maybe take a picture of a historical marker in your area."

For every submission, you will be awarded points, and every 100 points earns an entry into the grand prize drawing.

"It's just a bunch of fun things to go out and do," Briney said.

They will also be offering challenges on their Facebook page that will offer even more chances to win.

"It's simple. Let's get out and ride," Briney said.

"Having an 'event' is what is cool about it, especially with the app. You are competing and trying try to win prizes, but you are away from everybody," he said.

"It's pretty simple, but I think it's going to be fun," Briney said. "I think everyone is going to enjoy it."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585675703113.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostWith almost all social events canceled in light of COVID-19 precautions, Billy Briney, owner of Briney Motorsports, has created a contest with the aim of getting people out and about — while maintaining social distancing.The Sunflower Scavenger Hunt is set to begin Saturday and end at 4 p.m. Easter Sunday."This is an event get everybody away from each other, but do something together," Briney said."About this time every year, we have racing going on, so everybody's going to the races or the kids are in sports. Now everybody is stuck at home," Briney said. "We came up with this idea to get out into the country and get some fresh air."Anyone interested in participating will start by visiting the Briney Motorsports website,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brineymotorsports.com/">brineymotorsports.com</a>.After registering, participants will be directed to download an app to play."On that app, there will be a series of missions," Briney said. "On those missions, you are going to get out and ride, get out in the country. You are going to do things like take a picture by a windmill with your UTV, you are going to take a video of driving through water with your UTV, maybe take a picture of a historical marker in your area."For every submission, you will be awarded points, and every 100 points earns an entry into the grand prize drawing.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fbrineymotorsports%2Fvideos%2F514623275867571%2F&show_text=0&width=267" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>"It's just a bunch of fun things to go out and do," Briney said.They will also be offering challenges on their Facebook page that will offer even more chances to win."It's simple. Let's get out and ride," Briney said."Having an 'event' is what is cool about it, especially with the app. You are competing and trying try to win prizes, but you are away from everybody," he said."It's pretty simple, but I think it's going to be fun," Briney said. "I think everyone is going to enjoy it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585675752412.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Sunflower Scavenger Hunt to bring people together while keeping them apart

At this time, the 2020 Auction for Christian Education (ACE, originally scheduled for April 25 is postponed to a date that has not been determined.

Gifts given through ACE are absolutely vital to the operations of TMP-Marian and a new date will be announced when the&nbsp;time is right and benefactors are once again confident in their ability to contribute.

The Alumni Association remains committed to having a successful ACE 2020 and is requesting continued payments for ads, auction tickets, penny donations and other donations as able. 

When ACE 2020 is rescheduled, those with purchased tickets or previous reservations will have the first opportunity to&nbsp;confirm their tickets, advertisements will be printed in the updated catalog, donated items will be&nbsp;reviewed and auctioned, raffle winners will be drawn, and we will all celebrate and give thanks for being together again.

The staff of the Alumni and Advancement offices is grateful for the dedication shown to Thomas More&nbsp;Prep-Marian and its long history of excellence in Catholic education. 

We recognize at this time that much has changed and our support is focused outward through prayer for health and God's healing for those&nbsp;affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specific questions regarding ACE 2020 or other ongoing support to Hays Catholic Schools can be&nbsp;directed to Troy Ruda, advancement director, at 785-625-5427 or ​rudat@tmpmarian.org​. 

TMP-MarianAt this time, the 2020 Auction for Christian Education (ACE, originally scheduled for April 25 is postponed to a date that has not been determined.Gifts given through ACE are absolutely vital to the operations of TMP-Marian and a new date will be announced when the&nbsp;time is right and benefactors are once again confident in their ability to contribute.The Alumni Association remains committed to having a successful ACE 2020 and is requesting continued payments for ads, auction tickets, penny donations and other donations as able. When ACE 2020 is rescheduled, those with purchased tickets or previous reservations will have the first opportunity to&nbsp;confirm their tickets, advertisements will be printed in the updated catalog, donated items will be&nbsp;reviewed and auctioned, raffle winners will be drawn, and we will all celebrate and give thanks for being together again.The staff of the Alumni and Advancement offices is grateful for the dedication shown to Thomas More&nbsp;Prep-Marian and its long history of excellence in Catholic education. We recognize at this time that much has changed and our support is focused outward through prayer for health and God's healing for those&nbsp;affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.Specific questions regarding ACE 2020 or other ongoing support to Hays Catholic Schools can be&nbsp;directed to Troy Ruda, advancement director, at 785-625-5427 or ​rudat@tmpmarian.org​.

TMP-Marian ACE auction postponed

TOPEKA -&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Ellis County RWD 1C located in Ellis County.

The city of Hays is not part of Rural Water District 1C.

The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Laboratory testing samples collected from Ellis County RWD 1C indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.&nbsp;

For consumer questions, please
contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer
Information webpage: http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579816186796.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KDHETOPEKA -&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Ellis County RWD 1C located in Ellis County.The city of Hays is not part of Rural Water District 1C.The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.Laboratory testing samples collected from Ellis County RWD 1C indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.&nbsp;For consumer questions, please
contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer
Information webpage: http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm

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