Below is a copy of the parent letter sent to families on Friday, May 13, about the steps Toledo Public Schools is taking as Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine mandated all schools in the state close for at least three weeks. Here is the letter in Spanish: Parent Letter
This is a copy of the information that all families have, or will, receive from their schools.
March 13, 2020
Dear TPS Families:
Following the mandate from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Toledo Public Schools will be closing schools for three weeks, starting Monday, March 16. It has been determined that closing schools will be an effective way to disrupt widespread infection of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
As of now, this is the schedule we will follow:
- Today, Friday, March 13, is the last day of school for students until at least Monday, April 6; students will be given assignments to take home today and complete next week
- TPS staff members will report on Monday, March 16, to complete up to 10 additional days of Blizzard Bags. They will be distributed on Monday, March 23, at schools from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
- All Blizzard Bag assignments are expected to be completed as they will count toward end-of-the-year grades.
- Additional supplemental materials by grade level will be accessible on www.tps.org
- Students taking college courses will follow the policies of their university for course completion
- Students enrolled in APEX learning, iReady and Lexia may access their curriculum at www.tps.org
- During the mandated closure period, all schools will be open at least two days per week, for two-hour blocks, for students and families to come in and pick up curriculum. The schools will determine the days and times and you will receive an All Call on Monday, March 16, with those details.
- For additional questions, starting this coming Monday, March 16, please call 419-671-0001 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Current information about closings, meals, student assignments, etc., will be available to callers.
We know this is an alarming situation for everyone. We have developed the following update to provide as much practical information as possible as we navigate this unprecedented situation. Please know we understand how extremely difficult our closing will be on our students and families and we are doing everything in our power to make sure you have resources while the district is closed.
What provisions are being made for students to continue to receive free breakfast and lunch each day?
- The buildings will be open for meal distribution from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., starting on Wednesday, March 18. In order to prepare enough meals each day, parents and guardians will need to call The United Way of Greater Toledo's 2-1-1 line at least 48 hours to confirm the dates for breakfast and/or lunch for their student(s)
- Starting this Wednesday, March 18, the following schools will be open for TPS students to pick-up 'grab and go' breakfast and lunches:
- Bowsher High School - 2200 Arlington - Attendance Office Entrance
- Jones Leadership Academy - 430 Nebraska - Main Entrance
- Rogers High School - 222 McTigue - Main Entrance
- Scott High School - 2400 Collingwood - Attendance Office Entrance
- Start High School - 2010 Tremainsville - Cafeteria Door Entrance
- TTA/DeVilbiss High School - 3301 Upton - Main Entrance
- Waite High School - 301 Morrison - Career Center Entrance
- Woodward High School - 701 E. Central - Main Entrance
- Other locations may be added
Are there any resources available to help me talk to my child about this pandemic?
There are great resources provided by the National Association of School Psychologists for talking with your children. You can access those through this link: https://www.nasponline.org/
Will closing schools impact TPS spring break?
No. The Toledo Public Schools spring break will not be impacted.
We know that closing our schools will impact our most vulnerable families and we recognize that working families depend on the consistency and predictability of supports and services our schools offer. We are working with partners and the city to determine how to best mitigate the impact closing schools will have on working families.
We also recognize there are still a lot of unknowns about this virus and just how prevalent it is in our community. We will continue to stay in conversations with federal, state and local officials, as well as our community partners, and updates will be provided to families through all-calls, posts to social media and the district's website.