Let me begin by saying thank you to the staff, students, and parents for your flexibility over the last several weeks. I am aware that sudden changes in school schedules are not easy on families and upset everyone's daily routines. Please know that such decisions are not made lightly. These decisions are made based on the best information available at the time and in conjunction with local health officials. We will continue to make decisions with the best interest of our staff and students in mind and will keep their health and safety at the forefront. Please know that we will continue to work with each of you to provide the best education to your child in these trying times that we possibly can.

I would like to share with you exactly what happens if a positive case of COVID is identified among staff or students within a school system. If we receive notification that someone associated with the school has tested positive, we immediately begin working with the Dunklin County Health Department. The health department asks us to determine what students or staff were within six feet of the person for longer than 15 minutes. Those people are then identified as a close contact and will be notified by the health department of the length of time they will need to quarantine and monitor their symptoms. Simply passing someone in the hall who may be positive does not constitute a close contact and that person is therefore not quarantined. This procedure follows CDC guidelines and is prescribed by the local health department. This is not up to the individual school districts. Also per federal and state law, we are not allowed to share with you identifying information of anyone who has tested positive. Each person is entitled to a right to privacy where their individual health information is concerned. I realize this may be frustrating but please know that if you or your child has a need to know, either the school or the health department will contact you. That being said, I would like to remind everyone that just because we are out or on an alternative schedule, it is not necessarily COVID related.

I hope we can return to our new normal soon. We have many fun activities planned for students throughout the month and cannot wait for all of them to return to campus when the situation allows for this to happen. If at any time you have concerns or questions, please feel free to call the office. I am happy to talk to you at any time. Together, we will get through this and take care of the needs of all our kids.

Beginning October 5, grades 4-12 will begin attending on alternating days. The students in the purple group will attend in person on Monday and Tuesday. They will attend virtually Wednesday through Friday. Students in the white group will attend virtually Monday through Wednesday and in person on Thursday and Friday. This will allow for the buildings to be sanitized on Wednesdays. Preschool through third grade will continue attending in person every day. We plan to continue this schedule through October 23. Vo-tech students will continue attending their vo-tech classes at Kennett everyday.

Just before getting out of school last March, Mrs. Hobbs's kindergarten class created these beautiful cactus paintings. Students used oil pastels to create the background and painted the cactus using black tempera paint. They then carved a reduction relief in their cactus painting. We hope the first graders enjoy seeing their work from last year on display in the cafeteria!

If you are graduate of Clarkton C-4, the Alumni Association would love to have you join their ranks. Recently, letters were sent out to alumni for the annual membership drive. If you are interested in joining, the dues are $10. The dues fund two scholarships--the Shirley Corn Ryman Scholarship and General Alumni Scholarship--that are given to seniors each year. Each scholarship is worth $500. The next meeting of the Alumni Association will be September 4, 2021. If you are interested in joining or need additional information, please contact Lisa Newton at lnewton@clarktonschools.org.

Clarkton C-4 is a Title I district. The focus of the Title I program is to help eligible students meet the same high academic standards expected of all children regardless of socioeconomic status and background. Parents and guardians are an important part of our Title I team. We value your input and ideas as to how we can better serve students and meet the needs of all families in our district. At Clarkton, Title I funds are used to reduce class sizes in the lower grades, provide supplemental instruction in reading, and offer after school tutoring programs for grades K-12. If you have additional ideas or suggestions, please feel free to contact the superintendent's office at (573) 448-3712.

October 10, 2020

October 17, 2020
October 24, 2020

October 25, 2020

https://my.act.org/account/signin?location=https://my.act.org

Registration Deadline: October 5; If you need assistance with the registration process, please contact Ms. Jones.

If you’re anything like me, you’re sick of hearing about these “unprecedented times”, but the mental health crisis going on across the nation during the pandemic is targeting a specific group of people more than any others - our students. Uncertainty about school and the ever changing policies, fear of loved ones or themselves contracting COVID, and a new social normal of keeping distant has lead to young people needing mental health support more than ever. The simple fact is that our children have been traumatized by what’s going on around them, as a global crisis has changed their everyday lives and continues to do so.

A brain at rest can take many challenges and keep going on, but when a student faces trauma small situations can seem overwhelming. The emotions that are associated with trauma - shock, confusion, fear, numbness - are normal but all encompassing. Our children’s sense of security is being actively attacked and while we strive to keep consistency and safety in our students’ lives, many students are not able to actively be in our buildings at this time, and because of that I’d like to offer some at-home and community resources for students and parents.

• Zoom counseling can be arranged with school counselors

• Even when students are virtual, they are welcome to schedule a time to come meet with the school counselors in person

• FCC offers small group and individual counseling

• Practicing mindfulness via guided meditation is a great way to help kids self-regulate, youtube and apps like “Headspace” are a good place to start with this.

• Allowing children opportunities to identify and express their emotions helps lead to self-regulation

• Being honest with your children about fears and stresses that you are facing while relating how that might affect them as well helps to build trust and decrease conflict

• Provide plenty of opportunities for your child to have imaginative play