Distance Learning Starts Monday, April 6, 2020

Dear Howe Families: 

Our administrators, teachers and instructional support staff have been working hard to develop a continuous learning plan that will help our students finish the school year strong. As you can imagine, this planning has presented its own set of trials, as most of it has occurred digitally or at a distance so we can protect ourselves just as you are at home. We will meet the challenge, however, because that’s what we do as Howe Lions. Our students deserve a learning plan that will help them grow academically this spring, and that is what we are determined to give them. You can view our Distance Learning Plan at bit.ly/howeparentguide Spanish: bit.ly/howeparentguidespanish. Teacher resources and enrichment activities/plans can be found at bit.ly/howecontinuoslearningresources on Monday, April 6 at 8 AM. Please also check for messages from your child(ren)'s teachers via email and/or other communication platforms they use. All staff emails can be found at bit.ly/howecontacts.

The last few weeks have made me even more proud to be the Superintendent of Howe. From our recent Lion Strong community parade on March 27 to handing-out over 2,700 meals during our weekly Grab-and-Go breakfast and lunch distribution, our school community has worked to provide children with basic needs, as well as lift their spirits. All of this has occurred while Howe residents and Howe Public Schools’ employees have also taken the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. There’s nothing we can’t accomplish when we work together as a team.

We know you and your child have many questions about what the remainder of the school year will be like. The purpose of this letter is to share what we know and to ask you for your help as we prepare for this significant transition. While this is not how we expected to end the school year, we believe our Continuous Learning Plan (Distance Learning Plan) will allow us to keep students on track, while also protecting what is most important – their health and well-being.

A change of this magnitude will not occur without bumps in the road; however, with your help, I am confident we can offer the best services possible for our students. There are several ways that you can help us at this time:

Office Hours: If you have questions about the remainder of the school year or you need assistance with something at the building, please call your child’s school office between the hours of 8 am - 12 pm, M-TH. We are happy to assist you on a one-on-one basis so it is safe for you and members of our staff. Elem Ofc 918-658-3508; HS Ofc 918-658-3368 Supt Ofc 918-658-3666

Other Resources: Please visit our website at www.howeschools.org for information about free breakfast and lunch for all children, as well as for resources regarding the prevention of COVID-19, and to access our Continuous Learning Resources for all students. More resources will be launching soon!

Schools are at their best when the community works together, and now is the perfect time for us to shine. You were and continue to be your child’s first and most important teacher. While our faculty and staff will be leading the way, we know you will be encouraging, supporting and teaching your child side-by-side with us.

Here are two upcoming events to help celebrate the launch of our transition to the Continuous Learning schedule and wrap-up the 2019-20 school year!

On Monday, April 6 at 2 pm, Howe Public Schools will host a community-wide VIRTUAL assembly LIVE-STREAMED on our Howe Facebook Page. Visit http://facebook.com/howeschools/ to view from anywhere! Our assembly will include messages from myself, and our Elementary and High School Principals and special student guest speakers! We also want to invite the first five students from each grade level that respond to this form to JOIN our assembly via WebEx Video Chat! Please complete this form by Saturday, April 4 at NOON to be considered: bit.ly/howelionstrongassembly

Virtual Graduation Ceremonies are being planned for our Kindergarten, 8th Grade and Senior graduating classes. More details will be shared soon!

We miss our students terribly, but we are trying to make the best of the situation for everyone. Thank you for helping us rise to this challenge. We could not do it without you. 

Sincerely,

Scott L. Parks, Superintendent

Howe Public Schools