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Superintendent Update for 1-15-2021

January 15, 2021

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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. 

  • 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:

    • Nebraska Medicine COVID-19 Vaccine Q & A

    • Mayo Clinic COVID-19 Vaccine Q & A

  • 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:

Directed Health Measures: 

“No School” Reminder: 

  • This is just a reminder that there is no school for students on Wednesday, February 3rd. 

Have a great weekend,

Mike