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Community Update for Friday, January 15th, 2021
Good afternoon Panther families,
I hope all of you are staying warm on this blustery day. After several weeks of fairly decent weather and unseasonably warm temps, it seems like we might be back to winter again. I am hopeful that the weather stays mild, but we live in Nebraska so we will continue to be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws at us. Stay warm!
Student Meal Reminder:
This is just another reminder that we will continue to offer free breakfasts and lunches for all of our students through the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
Please contact our school offices if you have additional questions regarding meals here at school.
COVID Numbers as of 1.15.2021:
Including our new cases, here are the updated numbers for our district as of 1.15.2021.
This week, we did have one confirmed positive student case at the elementary school.
28 positive staff cases (11 HS/ 17 Elementary) since the beginning of school in August.
36 positive student cases (22 HS / 14 Elementary) since the beginning of school in August.
Total positive COVID cases for the district since the beginning of school in August is now at 64.
Current public health information for Otoe and Lancaster Counties is listed below:
Here is a link to information for Lancaster County.
Here is a link to information for the Southeast District Health Department.
Students or staff impacted by positive COVID cases will continue to quarantine or self-monitor for symptoms in alignment with local health department and district protocols.
COVID Testing Opportunity for High School Students:
On Wednesday, January 27th 2021, District OR-1 will be offering free COVID-19 testing for high school students and district staff members from 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the high school in Palmyra.
This “pilot” testing opportunity is made available, at no cost, thanks to a partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Nebraska Department of Education, and the Operations Team with Test Nebraska.
This testing opportunity is strictly voluntary for high school students and district staff.
The reason we are offering this testing opportunity is that when younger individuals develop COVID-19, they’re less likely to feel sick (commonly termed “asymptomatic”). If students are less likely to feel sick, they might not seek testing and are less likely to stay home from school. Since “asymptomatic” individuals with COVID-19 can still spread the virus to others, we hope to use this testing “pilot” to help identify asymptomatic individuals and further prevent possible transmission at an early stage.
At this time, this is a “pilot” program and there are not any follow up testing dates scheduled. Once tested, results would be sent back to students and staff within 72 hours.
Why are only high school students involved in the “pilot”? COVID-19 incidence among high school-aged individuals appears higher than their younger elementary school counterparts. Additionally, due to staff and time limitations, there is a set number of tests that can be performed each day and this testing will be done on a first-come, first serve and volunteer basis. We understand that not all students and staff will take the opportunity to be tested, but we wanted to offer the opportunity.
If any District OR1 student or staff member would like to sign up for this testing opportunity, you can do so by signing up in the Palmyra Principal's Office. Students must download the document linked at the right and turn it in when signing up. Click HERE for parental Permission for COVID Test
If you have additional testing questions, please send them to the following individuals:
Amanda Borecky: amanda.borecky@us.af.mil
AnnaMarie Griffiths: annamarie@585strat.com
COVID-19: Mitigation Strategies:
We ask that you continue to inform our building principals and office staff if your child tests positive for COVID-19 or needs to quarantine because of “close contact” exposure to someone testing positive for COVID-19.
This proactive communication helps us to ensure we are continuing to provide a safe school experience for all of our students and staff.
This is also a reminder that we need to continue to practice the following strategies to limit the transmission of the virus.
Wear a mask that covers your entire nose and mouth and fits snug around the sides of your face.
Keep your distance (6+ Feet) from others whenever possible.
Avoid the 3 C's - Crowded, confined, and closed spaces.
Practice good hand and personal hygiene.
Stay home if you are sick.
COVID -19 Vaccination Information:
For further information on COVID-19 vaccinations in Nebraska, click here to access the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 vaccine dashboard.
The State of Nebraska’s COVID-19 Vaccine Plan is listed here.
If you are interested in learning even more about the COVID-19 vaccine, please check out the following links:
Just a reminder that there will be a “virtual” informational session on the COVID-19 vaccine (the session is hosted by Children's Hospital & Medical Center) next Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. You can access the presentation using the Zoom meeting information provided below:
https://childrensomaha.zoom.us/j/96540128744?pwd=ZWNGSUdQVUsxbjlobnNTQTB1YnJlUT09
Meeting ID: 965 4012 8744
Passcode: 258654
Directed Health Measures:
Here are some links to the current Directed Health Measures: These DHM’s went into effect on December 24th, 2020 and are in effect until January 31st, 2021.
“No School” Reminder:
This is just a reminder that there is no school for students on Wednesday, February 3rd.
Have a great weekend,
Mike
Welcome to our first installment of the Counselor's Corner! Our Yearbook/Striv course, Applied Communications, will be working with the counseling office to provide you with bi-monthly updates via video to keep you and the students in the loop. Wondering what your student should be doing as a senior? Has your junior been studying for his/her Spring ACT? Take a moment to check in with Mr. Chaffee and Mrs. Wells here on the school website and via Striv broadcasts for regular updates.
District OR1 Weekly
(Bennet Elementary and Palmyra High School) News
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12-22-2020 High School
12-04-2020 Combined
08-14-2020 High School
This year marks the 25 year recognition of the champions of the MUDECAS Basketball Tournament. In 1996 the Palmyra Boys defeated Adams for the Class B MUDECAS Basketball Championship 61-43.
Members of that team included: Front row left to right-Corey Roeder, Nate Hill, Darren Donovan, Shane King, Brandon Desh, Kyle Genuchi, Back row left to right-Mike Severson, Tylor Mapson, Paul Hazard, Jake Vollersen, Jason Seeman, Chris Tipton. Not pictured-Head Coach Lonnie Goodrich and Assistant Coach Bill Moates
Interested applicants may obtain an application from the office of the superintendent. These positions will be open until filled. Contact Michael Hart at 402-780-5327, or e-mail at hart.mic@districtor1.net with any questions. E.O.E
Click HERE to download application for teachers/certified staffing
Click HERE to download high school SCIENCE teacher job description
Click HERE to download elementary teacher job description
Click HERE to download application for support personnel
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1-20-2020
Become Part of the Education Team at Palmyra/Bennet, District
OR-1 Schools. District OR-1 is seeking applications for a high school
science teacher, two (2) elementary school teachers, and a food service
director. Interested applicants may obtain an application in the
Palmyra High School or Bennet Elementary School offices, or
applications are available for download at www.districtor1.org.
These positions will be open until filled.
Click on the link below for calendar. 2020-2021 Calendar -------------------- R-School Activities Calendar : This Calendar is Mr. Hoeft's OFFICIAL ACTIVITIES CALENDAR.
read moreFind pictures and movies from graduations of the past. Class of 2009 Video Slideshow ______________________________________________________________ Class of 2008 Slideshow Movies Class of 2008 Slideshow Movie (small) Class of 2008 Slideshow (all the pictures-Broadband) Class of 2008 Slideshow (all the pictures-HTML _______________________________________________________________ CLASS OF 2007 Slideshow (Movie) CLASS OF 2007 Slideshow (Pictures) CLASS OF 2007 Graduation Ceremony . . .
read moreDistrict OR-1 Public Schools 425 F Street Palmyra, NE 68418 Phone: 402-780-5327 FAX: 402-383-4008 Twitter: @DistrictOR1 Mascot: Panthers Colors: Navy Blue and Red District OR1 Administrative Team: Michael Hart, Superintendent Linde Walter, Bennet Principal Heath Johnson, Palmyra Principal Aaron Hoeft, Athletic Director Burke Brown, Technology Coordinator Click Here to E-mail Staff Member
read more