Governor Mike DeWine announced on Thursday that schools in Ohio will be closed for at least 3 weeks beginning at the end of the school day Monday, March 16, to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Some schools may choose to close sooner. We have the answers to some of your most pressing questions.
Are private schools and charter schools required to close?
Yes. All K-12 schools including public, private, and charter schools will be closing.
What if my child depends on the school for meals?
The Ohio Department of Education is requesting a USDA waiver "to enable sponsors to serve meals in a non-congregate setting and at school sites during school closures related to the coronavirus." This site will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
I have to work! Is there any child care assistance during the closings?
It does not appear that there is a government sanctioned solution to the childcare situation. Daycare centers and home-based child care centers are not required to close and may have openings. We will share with you as soon as possible if we learn about any other solutions.
Will the children have to go to school in the summer to make up the missed days? Will they be able to work on schoolwork at home during the closing?
The answer to this is not clear. The safety of students is the most important factor, and missed instructional time, including state testing, will be addressed as needed. It is a possibility that the required instructional time will be reduced (Ohio Department of Education). It is up to each individual school if schoolwork will be available to work on at home during the closing.
Macaroni Kid intends to continue to help you find your family fun in the coming weeks. Many, if not most, events will be canceled. Keep an eye on our website and newsletter for ideas for at-home fun such as crafts, games, books to read, websites to visit, and more.
Important links:
Thank you to the Medina, Ohio publisher for putting together this great information!
