Schools to provide meal delivery, internet zones

Graduation and prom are uncertain

Administrators in the Siloam Springs School District are working on plans for school bus meal delivery and internet safe zones for students when digital learning resumes on Monday after spring break.

Schools across the state are closed for on-campus instruction through April 17 due to covid-19 concerns.

The school closings and ban on large gatherings have left end-of-year events such as prom and graduation up in the air. In Siloam Springs, prom has been postponed indefinitely but not canceled, according to Shane Patrick, director of operations for the district. The University of Arkansas announced that local high schools, including Siloam Springs, will not be able to use Barnhill Arena for commencement ceremonies this year, he said.

The district is looking at other options for graduation locations, such as the high school football stadium, as it tries to determine what will be best for the safety of the students as well as the other parties involved, Patrick said. It is still unknown if large gatherings will be allowed in May, he said. The district may also get direction from the state Department of Education on graduation, he said. All options are on the table, including postponing the event, he said.

“We know how important it is and what an important day it is for seniors and their families, and we want to make sure they have that opportunity,” Patrick said.

Secretary of Education Johnny Key announced Friday that Arkansas high school seniors who are in good standing at the conclusion of the third nineweek grading period will meet state graduation requirements, according to a report in the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Patrick said that most school districts have higher graduation requirements than the state. Siloam Springs has not made any decisions on graduation requirements and seniors will still be required to do classwork after spring break, he said.

Arkansas students will be excused from taking state and federally required testing, including end-ofyear exams for high school students and ACT Aspire tests for students in grades three through 10, Key announced Friday. There is a possibility that students taking Advanced Placement courses will be able to take their tests online at home and earn credit for their classes, Patrick said.

Siloam Springs Schools plan to deliver free meals by bus route starting Monday, Patrick said. School buses will run their regular routes between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and deliver lunches along with breakfasts for the following day to any child under the age of 18,