Tuesday Talk with Dr. Dain
August 9th, 2022
Dear Pirate Nation,
Welcome to the 2022.2023 School Year! I hope everyone found some time to recharge their batteries. We are ready for an EPIC school year! Over the last week we have welcomed back over 325 teammates including custodians, food service, bus drivers, teachers, educational support staff, and administrators. Included in that number are 35 new teachers embarking on their first year in the Piper School District. Of those 35, six are Piper High School Alums!
As the first day of school is rapidly approaching, I wanted to share some last-minute updates and reminders to try to ensure the first day of school goes as smoothly as possible for students, teachers, and parents. If you have questions that have not been addressed in this weekly update, please reach out to your building principal.
I want to publicly thank everyone who has worked tirelessly over the summer to ensure we are ready for the 2022.2023 School Year! Let’s get this party started!
Proud to be a Pirate!
Dr. Jessica Dain
Superintendent of Schools
Changes in Breakfast and Lunch Offerings
As a reminder, the federal government is no longer utilizing COVID-relief funding to offer free breakfast and lunch for all students. As such, students who may qualify for free and reduced lunch will need to complete the necessary home economic paperwork which can be attained in any of our school offices. Beginning Thursday, August 11th, all students still have the option to purchase breakfast or lunch, but only students qualify for free and reduced lunch status will receive those meals at no cost. Please make sure to add funds to your child’s lunch account if they do not qualify for free or reduced lunch and plan to eat school lunch.
Bus Transportation Information
At the current time, Skyward has been updated with the correct bus numbers, bus stops, and pick up/drop-off times. Bus Drivers will have a list of the students who should be riding each bus and school administrators have received the list of bus riders from DS Bus Lines. Please check Skyward for your child(ren)’s bus information and then contact Kathy German, Director of Transportation, at 913.721.9019, if you see any issues.
COVID-19
We will continue to have COVID-19 tests available should your child become ill at school, and you wish to provide consent for them to be tested. If your child is exhibiting 2 or more COVID-19 symptoms, our nursing staff would highly recommend having them tested. As always, best practice is to keep your child home if they are feeling unwell.
Should your child test positive for COVID-19, we will be following CDC recommendations for exclusion. The date of the test will count as day zero and your child will need to remain home for five additional days beyond the date of the positive test, assuming symptoms are resolving. Upon return to school, it is recommended that your child continue to wear a mask for 5 additional days.