Knightly News
An Update from the Superintendent's Office - December 2021
There are also several community activities coming up. The Chamber of Commerce is hosting "Kids Christmas" at the Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch on Saturday, December 4 from 10:00 a.m. until noon. The Oakland Women's Club is continuing the fun during their Tour of Lights Saturday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m.. Pick up your maps, candy canes, and hot chocolate (donated by Memories Cafe) in the elementary parking lot. Free will donation will be accepted. Several businesses are holding Open Houses the evening of December 9. We encourage you to support our local businesses by shopping local! The excitement continues on December 12 with the Swedish Heritage Center's Sankta Lucia Program. All students are encouraged to perform in the program. Rehearsals will be at the Swedish Heritage Center after school on December 2, December 7, and December 9. There will also be a rehearsal on Saturday, December 11 with a time to be determined later. This is another great way to support our community so we hope to see you all there!
School will dismiss for winter break on December 17 with no school from December 18 until January 3. Students will return for a full day of school on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.
From all of us at Oakland-Craig Public Schools, we wish you the happiest of holiday seasons!
Facilities Closed
Supply Chain Disruption
Providing school meals has become significantly more difficult this year as school meal participation has increased. Adding to the challenges are COVID-19-related disruptions to school food service manufacturing, supply, and distribution channels. These disruptions result in frequent menu changes, reduced menu variety, and changes in meal service options. The most common problems are discontinued menu items, shortages, longer-than-normal lead times, significantly higher costs compared with pre-pandemic bids, delayed deliveries or deliveries that contain a portion of what was ordered.
In addition to supply-chain disruptions, many of our Nebraska school districts struggle with staff shortages, and these staffing limitations may restrict menu choices, reduce meal service options, and can impact the use of traditional service ware such as trays and cutlery.
These factors create unprecedented challenges for foodservice operators across Nebraska and there is no sign of relief coming soon. The food service industry predicts supply chain disruptions and staffing difficulties will persist well into 2022.
Nebraska school food service programs are continuing to provide students with nutritious meals. These meals may not be the same as what was planned due to the difficulties outlined above. Your understanding of these challenges faced by Nebraska school food service operators is appreciated.
Free/Reduced Paperwork
While everyone is receiving free meals right now, some of our district funding relies heavily on our free/reduced meal rates. Currently, 36% of our population receives free/reduced meals; however, some of our funding requires us to meet the minimum of 40%. The future of some of our programs (i.e. after school program) requires us to meet these needs so we are asking everyone to fill out an application. I have included a link to the application below. Even if you don't meet the income requirements, you can fill out the application. I realize there isn't a direct benefit to households since everyone is receiving free meals right now, but the district relies heavily on utilizing funding provided based on our free/reduced rate so we would greatly appreciate everyone completing the application. Applications can also be found in the high school and elementary offices or can be sent home with your child.
Inclement Weather
Covid Vaccinations
Those that choose to be vaccinated will complete a consent form at the time of the vaccination. In addition, you will need to bring your insurance card and your Covid vaccine card if you have already received the vaccine. They have to have the physical card. No pictures of the card will be accepted. If you do not have insurance, you will not be turned away. If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask.
Covid Update
I will continue to do my best to update you on the status of our illness and Covid-positive percentages. I have been posting this to the website on a weekly basis on the "Covid--19/ARP-ESSER III" tab.
Week 1: 3% ill, 0% Covid-Related Illness
Week 2: 3.7% ill, 0% Covid-Related Illness
Week 3: 1.6% ill, 0.4% Covid-Related Illness
Week 4: 1.4% ill, 0.2% Covid-Related Illness
Week 5: 1.9% ill, 0% Covid-Related Illness
Week 6: 1.2% ill; 0.2% Covid-Related Illness
Week 7: 3.4% ill; 0% Covid-Related Illness
Week 8: 2.7% ill; 0.2% Covid-Related Illness
Week 9: 1.9% ill; 0% Covid-Related Illness
Week 10: 2.1% ill; 0% Covid-Related Illness
Week 11: 2.6% ill; 0% Covid-Related Illness
Week 12: 2.1% ill; .26% Covid-Related Illness
Week 13: 2.4% ill; 0.8% Covid-Related Illness
Week 14: 3.5% ill; 0% Covid-Related Illness
Week 15: 1.6% ill; 0.5% Covid-Related Illness
Week 16: 1.3% ill, 1.6% Covid-Related Illness (Green)
Week 17: 8.2% ill, 2.5% Covid-Related Illness (Yellow) (Up to 4.5% Covid-Related Illness by End of Week - Orange)
Week 18: 1.4% ill; 2.9% Covid-Related Illness (Yellow)
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out via email, phone call, or schedule an in person meeting. Our goal is to keep students and staff safe and in school all year long.
Job Openings at Oakland-Craig Public Schools
School Events
December 3 - High School Band/Choir Program
December 6 - Elementary Band/Choir Program
December 10 - Little Dancers Perform at Half Time of Basketball Games
December 13 - Board of Education Meeting
December 17 - End of 2nd Quarter/1st Semester (Grades finalized Monday, Dec. 20 so no late work will be accepted after December 17)
December 18 - January 3 - No School
December 20 - Teacher Inservice
January 3 - Teacher Inservice
January 4 - Students Return
Community Events
December 4 - Chamber of Commerce Kid's Christmas, Women's Club Tour of Lights
December 5 - Chamber of Commerce Spaghetti Feed
December 10 - Lions Club Soup Supper (During OC Basketball Games)
December 11 - Lions Club Free Throw Contest
December 12 - Sankta Lucia Program at Swedish Heritage Center (5:00-7:00 p.m.)
Contact Information
Superintendent
Email: jessbland@ocknights.org
Website: www.ocknights.org
Location: 309 N Davis Ave, Oakland, NE, USA
Phone: 402-685-5661