POSTED: 05/28/2020

Padres y estudiantes,

Durante estos tiempos inciertos, Liberal USD # 480, Liberal High School, Eisenhower Middle School y Seymour Rogers Middle School desean alentar a todos y cada uno de los estudiantes que deseen participar en atletismo, ingresando de 7 ° a 12 ° grado, para programar una cita con su médico de cabecera para su examen físico previo a la participación 2020-2021 (EPP). Con este virus impredecible y sus efectos desconocidos a largo plazo en los afectados, creemos que es importante hacer un seguimiento con su médico de cabecera. Si es nuevo en Liberal o actualmente no tiene un proveedor de atención médica, la siguiente lista le dará opciones para una decisión. A continuación está una lista de los proveedores médicos locales que ofrecen exámenes físicos de deportes escolares a estudiantes de Liberal del 7o a 12o grado que ingresan al año escolar 2020-2021. ¡Estos exámenes físicos son solo para fines de participación deportiva! ¡Estas citas no pretenden ser un examen físico completo o ponerse al día con las vacunas y estos servicios no serán proporcionados! El primer grupo de proveedores acordó proporcionarle los exámenes físicos deportivos por un costo de $ 25.00. Debe proporcionar el pago (efectivo o tarjeta) al momento de su visita, no se les puede mandar factura por el servicio. Si desea presentar una solicitud a su compañía de seguros, puede hacerlo, pero eso requerirá que pague las tarifas regulares cobradas por su asegurador y se le facturará como tales si hace su cita para la facturación del seguro. Otros proveedores tienen descripciones de sus ofertas de PPE. ¡NO espere hasta el último minuto para programar su examen físico ya que estos proveedores atienden a pacientes regularmente y pueden tener clínicas llenas y no poder verlo de inmediato!

* Padres / Estudiantes, por favor devuelva los formularios físicos originales y no una copia al Departamento de Atletismo de su escuela. ¡Asegúrese de que todas las líneas de firma estén firmadas!

Comuníquese con el proveedor de su elección y programe una cita para realizar su examen físico.

Dr. Brandi Boller 11 W. Parkway (620) 624-0142 Dr. Rick Fitzgerald 1031 N. Kansas Ave. (620) 624-7550 Dr. Varinder Gill 111 E. Tucker Rd. (620) 624-1100 Dr. Nargis Husainy 117 W. 4th St. (620) 624-5066 Dr. Juvenal Jabel 102 E. 11th St. (620) 624-2565 Juvy Jabel, APRN 102 E. 11th St. (620) 624-2565 Heidi Riley, APRN 102 E. 11th St. (620) 624-2565 Jayme Applebee, APRN 2132 N. Kansas Ave. St. C (620) 765-1255 Melia Stoll, APRN 222 W. 15th St. (620) 624-3811 Dr. Van Trinh 555 W. 15th St. (620) 624-0702 Tracy Fowler, APRN 555 W. 15th St. (620) 624-0702 Britt Short, APRN 555 W. 15th St. (620) 624-0702 Lindsey Carter, APRN 555 W. 15th St. (620) 624-0702 Laura Kane, APRN 555 W. 15th St. (620) 624-0702 Dr. Desai 305 W. 15th St. Suite 101 (620) 624-0732 Dr. Kawtharani 305 W. 15th St. Suite 101 (620) 624-0732 

Dr. Mitchell 13 Village Plaza (620)624-0604 Proporciona exámenes físicos por $35.00 o factura seguro a solicitud. 

Dr. Lucero 2132 N. Kansas Ave. Suite B (620)624-7400 Ofrece exámenes físicos sin cargo a quienes no tienen seguro. Para aquellos que tienen seguro o Medicaid, su seguro/Medicaid se facturará sin costo alguno para el paciente.

Xpress Wellness Urgent Care 445 W. 15 St. (620)417-9012 Ofrece exámenes físicos de $30.00 con $10.00 devueltos al Departamento de Atletismo cuando un estudiante devuelve la forma de reclamo de Xpress Wellness Urgent Care a su escuela.

POSTED: 05/28/2020

Parents and Students,

During these uncertain times Liberal USD #480, Liberal High School, Eisenhower Middle School and Seymour Rogers Middle School would like to encourage each and every student wishing to participate in athletics, entering grades 7 thru 12, to set up an appointment with their individual primary medical care provider for their 2020-2021 Pre-Participation Physical Exam (PPE). With this unpredictable virus and its unknown long term effects on those affected, we feel it is important to follow up with your primary medical care provider. If you are new to Liberal or do not currently have a primary medical care provider the following list will give you options for an informed decision. Listed below are local Medical Providers who offer School Sports Physicals to Liberal 7th thru 12th graders entering the 2020-2021 school year. These physicals are for sports participation purposes only! These appointments are not intended to be a complete physical or catch up for vaccinations and these services will not be provided! The first set of providers listed have agreed to provide Sports Physicals to you for the cost of $25.00. You must provide payment (cash or card) at the time of your visit, you will not be billed for the service. If you wish to file with your insurance company you may do so, but that will require you to pay the regular fees charged by your insurer and will be billed as such if you make your appointment for insurance billing. Other providers listed have descriptions of their PPE offers. DO NOT wait until the last minute to schedule your physical as these providers are seeing patients regularly and may have full clinics and not be able to see you immediately!

*Parents/Students please return original physical forms and not a copy to your schools Athletic Department. Make sure all signature lines are signed!

Please contact the provider of your choice and set up an appointment to get your physical done.

Dr. Brandi Boller 11 W. Parkway (620) 624-0142 Dr. Rick Fitzgerald 10

31 N. Kansas Ave. (620) 624-7550 Dr. Varinder Gill 111 E. Tucker Rd. (620) 624-1100 Dr. Nargis Husainy 117 W. 4th St. (620) 624-5066 Dr. Juvenal Jabel 102 E. 11th St. (620) 624-2565 Juvy Jabel, APRN 102 E. 11th St. (620) 624-2565 Heidi Riley, APRN 102 E. 11th St. (620) 624-2565 Jayme Applebee, APRN 2132 N. Kansas Ave. St. C (620) 765-1255 Melia Stoll, APRN 222 W. 15th St. (620) 624-3811 Dr. Van Trinh 555 W. 15th St. (620) 624-0702 Tracy Fowler, APRN 555 W. 15th St. (620) 624-0702 Britt Short, APRN 555 W. 15th St. (620) 624-0702 Lindsey Carter, APRN 555 W. 15th St. (620) 624-0702 Laura Kane, APRN 555 W. 15th St. (620) 624-0702 Dr. Desai 305 W. 15th St. Suite 101 (620) 624-0732 Dr. Kawtharani 305 W. 15th St. Suite 101 (620) 624-0732 

Dr. Mitchell 13 Village Plaza (620) 624-0604 Provides physicals for $35.00 or bills insurance at patient request. 

Dr. Lucero 2132 N. Kansas Ave. Suite B (620) 624-7400 Offering no charge physicals to those who do not have insurance. For those who have insurance or Medicaid, their insurance/medicaid will be billed at no cost to the patient.

Xpress Wellness Urgent Care 445 W. 15 St. (620) 417-9012 Offering $30.00 physicals with $10.00 returned to the Athletic Department when a student returns Xpress Wellness Urgent Care claim form to their school.

POSTED: 05/15/2020

Please join us on 05/16/2020 for a special video tribute to the Liberal High School Graduating Class of 2020 in which we will honor the hard work and dedication that our graduates have put in throughout their high school careers. Though these are difficult times, we still hope to congratulate them on their achievements with this token of recognition.

Please follow this link to see our video tribute to our graduates:

• DPG Wichita YouTube: Click Here

• LHS YouTube: Click Here

• USD 480 YouTube: Click Here

After the tribute has concluded, please stay tuned for a baccalaureate presentation from the Liberal Ministerial Alliance.

POSTED: 05/12/2020

This year we will do the 1:1 Chromebook check-in for EMS, LHS and SRMS on a schedule at the McKinley building, located at 615 W 7th. The East entry and South entry to McKinley will accept students, 1 at a time into the building to turn in their devices, the West entry will have a representative from the school to accept payments and turn in other materials. When waiting outside of McKinley please continue to follow CDC recommended social distancing guidelines, face masks are highly encouraged.

May 11 – 15, 8a-4p – Early Device Check-In LHS, by appointment only
   - contact tech.support@usd480.net or call 620-604-2526 to make an appointment
   - This is for devices only, no other materials or fees will be accepted

May 18, 8a-4p – Open to all EMS, LHS, SMRS students, no appointment needed
   - This is for devices only, no other materials or fees will be accepted

May 19, 8a-4p – SRMS Students turn in, no appointment needed 

   - West entrance will have a SRMS representative to accept fees and textbooks.

May 20, 10a-6p – SRMS Students turn in, no appointment needed 

   - West entrance will have an SRMS representative to accept fees and textbooks.

May 21, 10a-6p – EMS Students turn in, no appointment needed 

   - West entrance will have a EMS representative to accept fees and textbooks.

May 22, 8a-3p – EMS Students turn in, no appointment needed 

   - West entrance will have a EMS representative to accept fees and textbooks.

May 25, 8a-4p – LHS Senior Day turn in, no appointment needed 

   - West entrance will have a LHS representative to accept fees and textbooks.

May 26, 10a-6p – LHS Junior Day turn in, no appointment needed 

   - West entrance will have a LHS representative to accept fees and textbooks.

May 27, 10a-6p – LHS Sophomores turn in, no appointment needed 

   - West entrance will have a LHS representative to accept fees and textbooks.

May 28, 10a-6p – LHS Freshmen turn in, no appointment needed 

   - West entrance will have a LHS representative to accept fees and textbooks.

May 29, 8a-1p – Open to all EMS, LHS, SMRS students, no appointment needed 

   - This is for devices only, no other materials or fees will be accepted

June 1 – 4, 8a-4p –Device Check-In, by appointment only 

   - contact tech.support@usd480.net or call 620-604-2526 to make an appointment - This is for devices only, no       other materials or fees will be accepted

Starting June 5, a late fee of $50 will be incurred by those students who have not turned their Chromebooks in by this time or have been identified by their principle to keep the device for an extended period. This late fee will increase to $100 on July 6th. If you have been asked to quarantine because you, or someone you have come in contact with has been identified as COVID-19 positive please let us know at tech.support@usd480.net or 620-604-2526 and we will make arrangements for you to come in at a later date.

Este año haremos la entrega del 1:1 Chromebook para EMS, LHS y SRMS por horario en el edificio de McKinley, ubicado en 615 W 7th. La entrada Este y la entrada Sur a McKinley aceptarán estudiantes 1 a la vez en el edificio para entregar su dispositivo, la entrada Oeste tendrá un representante de cada escuela para aceptar pagos y entregar otros materiales. Cuando espere fuera de McKinley, por favor siga las pautas de distanciamiento social recomendadas for CDC, mascarillas son altamente recomendadas.

Mayo 11 - 15, 8:a - 4:00pm - Entrega Temprana del Dispositivo de LHS, Solo por cita
   -Contacte tech.support@usd480.net o llame al 620-604-2526 para hacer una cita
   -Esto es solo para dispositivos, no se aceptarán otros materiales o pagos

Mayo 18, 8:00am - 4:00pm - Abierto a todos los estudiantes de EMS, LHS, SRMS, No se necesita cita
   -Esto es solo para dispositivos, no se aceptarán otros materiales o pagos

Mayo 19, 8:00am - 4:00pm - Estudiantes de SRMS entregan dispositivo, No se necesita cita
   -La entrada Oeste tendrá un representante de SRMS para aceptar pagos y libros.

Mayo 20, 10:00am - 6:00pm - Estudiantes de SRMS entregan dispositivo, No se necesita cita
   -La entrada Oeste tendrá un representante de SRMS para aceptar pagos y libros.

Mayo 21, 10:00am - 6:00pm - Estudiantes de EMS entregan dispositivo, No se necesita cita
   -La entrada Oeste tendrá un representante de EMS para aceptar pagos y libros.

Mayo 22, 8:00am - 3:00pm - Estudiantes de EMS entregan dispositivo, No se necesita cita
   -La entrada Oeste tendrá un representante de EMS para aceptar pagos y libros.

Mayo 25, 8:00am - 4:00pm - LHS Seniors (12th) entregan dispositivos, No se necesita cita
   -La entrada Oeste tendrá un representante de LHS para aceptar pagos y libros.

Mayo 26, 10:00am - 6:00pm - LHS Juniors (11th) entregan dispositivos, No se necesita cita
   -La entrada Oeste tendrá un representante de LHS para aceptar pagos y libros.

Mayo 27, 10:00am - 6:00pm - LHS Sophomores (10th) entregan dispositivos, No se necesita cita
   -La entrada Oeste tendrá un representante de LHS para aceptar pagos y libros.

Mayo 28, 10:00am - 6:00pm - LHS Freshmen (9th) entregan dispositivos, No se necesita cita
   -La entrada Oeste tendrá un representante de LHS para aceptar pagos y libros.

Mayo 29, 8:00am - 1:00pm - Abierto a todos los estudiantes de EMS, LHS, SRMS, No se necesita cita
   -Esto es solo para dispositivos, no se aceptarán otros materiales o pagos

Junio 1 - 4, 8:00am - 4:00pm - Entrega de dispositivo, Solo por cita
   -Contacte tech.support@usd480.net o llame al 620-604-2526 para hacer una cita
   -Esto es solo para dispositivos, no se aceptarán otros materiales o pagos

A partir del 5 de Junio, los estudiantes que no hayan entregado sus Chromebooks o que hayan sido autorizados por su Principal para retenerlos por un tiempo prolongado, se les agregara una tarifa de $50. Esta tarifa aumentará a $100 el 6 de Julio.

Si le pidieron que se pusiera en cuarentena porque usted, o alguien con quien ha tenido contacto, ha sido identificado como positivo del COVID-19 por favor háganoslo saber a tech.support@usd480.net o llame al 620-604-2526 y haremos los arreglos necesarios para que pueda venir en una fecha diferente.

Posted: 05/08/2020

Liberal High School is excited to announce the hiring of Brandi Fowler as its next Head Women’s Basketball Coach. She currently teaches at Eisenhower Middle School. She is married to Mike Fowler, who also coaches in the district.

Fowler earned her B.A. from Western State University in Gunnison, CO, and is currently working on her master's degree through Newman University. She has taught in the USD480 school system for 15 years. Fowler has been a basketball coach since graduating college in some capacity, including as a head coach and most recently an assistant varsity coach for the last six years at Liberal High School. She has coached a variety of other sports, most notably Cross Country for 12 years and track for five years, both at the middle school level.

“I am so excited about the hiring of Coach Fowler as the next Women’s Basketball Coach at Liberal High School,” Liberal High School Activities Director Nathan Smith said. “Coach Fowler is the perfect fit for where the program currently is and where she and the administration see it going. Coach brings a combination of new ideas to integrate into the program while having continuation of things that have made the program successful in the past.”

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity.” Fowler said. “The town of Liberal is a wonderful place to be and the people of this town are second to none. I can't wait to get into the gym with the girls and continue to prepare them for our next season together and to encourage them for life.” 

Posted: 05/08/2020

On Monday May 4, 2020 the USD 480 Board of Education approved Mikhail Yeremin as the new vocal music director at Liberal High School. Mr. Yeremin comes to LHS after a distinguished academic career at Friends University where he participated in a number of ensembles, including Jazz Vocal Ensemble and the Singing Quakers. Also while at Friends, Mr. Yeremin served as president of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education in 2019-2020 and the Weber Vocal Scholarship recipient. Mr. Yeremin comes to LHS after director Tony Claus’s retirement and is excited to continue the tradition of excellence in the vocal music program.

“I am thrilled to work with the Liberal High students. Their talent and tradition of excellence is an honor to continue and I do not take this lightly. It is also exciting to work alongside Liberal's great teachers and administrators to provide a fantastic education for our students. I look forward to meeting everyone in August.” - Mikhail Yeremin, LHS Vocal Music Director

"We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Yeremin to the Liberal High School family and the Liberal community. He brings a great deal of energy and passion to vocal music and the education profession. We look forward to what he can do for the program and for the students of LHS.” - Ashley Kappelmann, LHS Principal

POSTED: 05/01/2020

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

As many of you may know, Governor Laura Kelly provided the state with a “Plan to Reopen Kansas” on Thursday, April 30. With the rollout of this plan, it has provided us a little more clarity and direction for our planning efforts, graduation in particular. The purpose of this letter is to outline tentative plans and answers to questions that we previously have been unable to answer.

Graduation - We have given the seniors a vote to postpone graduation until July 25, but if we are not able to resume activities by June 25, we will cancel and provide an alternate form of recognition/ceremony during the fall homecoming weekend (Sept. 25). Or, we could indefinitely postpone the graduation and provide alternate dates well in advance for planning purposes to be selected by the class. As of Thursday evening, 68% of the class voted to postpone the ceremony indefinitely. Either way, we know from a previous survey, the class’s ultimate wish is to have a traditional ceremony.

Given the input from the senior class and the new information from the governor that has been provided after the students have voted, the high school administration has decided to move forward with scheduling the graduation for Saturday, July 25 at 8:30 AM, at Redskin Field, and we will hand out diplomas as we have traditionally done at that time. To honor the majority vote of the seniors, we will postpone again if we are not able to move to the Phase Out stage by June 25. In the event that we do have to postpone beyond the July 25 date, we will make arrangements to give diplomas out to students and save their folders (diploma holders) to be given at the postponed ceremony.

Because we, as a school, would like to ensure that students are honored during their originally scheduled graduation date and time, we will be releasing a video slideshow on Saturday, May 16, at 9:30 AM on our school’s YouTube channel. We will send a link via all of our communication channels throughout that week.

Prom - The prom committee met at the beginning of the COVID-19 restrictions and have been waiting to make more definitive plans once we had more direction from the state and county. They will meet again soon to discuss options and alternatives. They too will use our communication channels to notify students and parents of the decision that was made.

Grades/Credits/End of the Semester - The semester ends Thursday, May 21. Students have until that time to complete assignments, projects, and any other task that will help to improve their grades and allow them to earn credits in all of their classes. Students have an opportunity to make significant improvements to their grades

Fees- Mrs. Gray, our bookkeeper, has mailed out balance statements to all of the seniors who owe fees. This information is also available for all students in PowerSchool. At this time, fees may be paid by mailing a check or money order to the high school (P.O. Box 949, Attn: Bookkeeper - Liberal, KS 67901) or by waiting to pay in person at the southwest ticket gate at Redskin Field from 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 12 or Wednesday, May 13. All other in-person fee payments are to be by appointment only (call 620-604-1200), beginning Monday, May 11.

Returning Tech and Books - We are in the process of finalizing this plan and are working to coordinate efforts to allow students to turn in all of their belongings in one location. Please look for information to be released soon on our social media accounts, One-Call-Now system, and student emails.

Collecting Belongings from Lockers - Beginning May 18, we will be allowing students to sign up for time slots to come to the high school and retrieve all of their belongings from their lockers. Each time slot will last 20 minutes so that we are able to allow all of our students the opportunity to come to retrieve their belongings in a timely fashion.

Summer Driver Education - We will proceed with the summer driver education course for those who have already been enrolled. This will be a combination of online assignments (as students are currently doing) and traditional driving time. Students who are enrolled in summer driver education should be checking their email accounts for further information and directions from Mr. Dowell, our driver education teacher. Parents will also be contacted to confirm that students have received the information that they need and that they understand the requirements and expectations.

Summer School - We will be offering summer school to those students in need of credit recovery through our online platform, Edgenuity, and supervised virtually by two of our staff members. Seniors in need of completing graduation requirements and current juniors will be given priority in terms of available spots. We will be contacting those students and parents via email and phone later in May.

Summer Athletics Programs - We will also be proceeding with offering summer weights and open gym opportunities for students, albeit with a possible delayed start time and/or restrictions to class sizes. More specific information of days and times will be sent out via all of our communication channels.

Schedules for the 2020-2021 School Year - We are happy to report that we have been able to begin the editing phases of students’ schedules for the upcoming school year. This will allow us to take more time to work with students to make decisions regarding overlaps as well as to ensure that students’ schedules have well-spaced and less frequent PLT time. Counselors may be in contact with students and parents sometime during the summer if changes needed to be discussed.

Thank you for your continued patience, support, and grace as we have worked to provide our students with the very best educational experience possible, despite any challenges that may occur. And, we are very proud of the efforts of our students who have risen to the occasion and problem-solved their way around any and every obstacle in their way. This has been a true demonstration of the Angry Red Advantage!

Take care,

Ashley Kappelmann

POSTED: 04/11/2020

To show solidarity with the Liberal High School class of 2020, the lights over Redskin Field shined for twenty minutes from 8:20 PM to 8:40 PM. We look forward to the day that we can gather again and recognize all of their efforts during this time. Their strength, resiliency, and desire for an education will truly place them at the forefront of our years to come. 

POSTED: 03/30/2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

During this time, USD 480 is here and ready to provide social/emotional support. Teachers have been and will be reaching out to students, asking specific social/emotional questions. LHS Social Worker Cara Payton is available via email at cara.payton@usd480.net, Zoom meeting, or phone call with students and/or parents.

You may also contact your student’s guidance counselors as well. Their information is as follows:

• Mr. Kerri Miles (Freshman Counselor) - kerri.miles@usd480.net

• Mrs. Settlemyer (Sophomore Counselor) - beth.settlemyer@usd480.net

• Mr. Pat Atkins (Junior/Senior Counselor) - pat.atkins@usd480.net

Our school also has a list of local and state/federal resources that will be on the USD 480 website. Keep in mind we have seen these resources change almost daily over the last few weeks. We will keep the list updated as much as possible. If you belong to an organization or group who is helping provide for physical or emotional needs and you do not see yourself on the list, please email Cara Payton.

We know students will talk more with their peers via social media than adults about feelings or concerns, so we have also sent out some basic guidelines for students to help support one another to LHS staff for review. This information will be sent to students via email and/or other social media outlets as well.

Three key suggestions from this email for students to keep in mind when dealing with their peers are as follows:

1. If a friend is sharing a lot of sad and dark posts on social media, reach out to them. They may be struggling or this may be your friend's way of coping. You won't know if you don't ask.

2. If you or a friend are struggling with social/emotional difficulties, there are free anonymous national resources:

   1. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor

   2. Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

(If they reach out to these resources, the counselor will attempt to share local resource information with the person.)

1. If a friend is talking about self-harm or suicide, please let an adult know immediately. This could be a teacher, parent, or other trusted adult. Do not hesitate to inform someone!

Parents you know your children best. If you need help, please reach out to your child’s school or refer to the resource list online to find the support you need. Stay safe, stay healthy!

POSTED: 03/28/2020

As part of ongoing efforts to limit the spread of novel coronavirus in Kansas, today Governor Laura Kelly issued Executive Order 20-16, making Kansas the 22nd state in the nation to institute a temporary, statewide stay-home order. It will exist in conjunction with the Kansas Essential Function Framework for COVID-19 response efforts and will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 30. The measure will be in place at least until Sunday, April 19.

“Our modeling continues to suggest that the number of confirmed positive coronavirus cases in Kansas could reach as high as 900 over the next week,” Kelly said. “While I left these decisions to local health departments as long as possible, the reality is that the patchwork approach that has developed is inconsistent and is a recipe for chaos and, ultimately, for failure in our statewide fight to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Under Executive Order 20-16, Kansans are directed to stay home unless performing one of the following essential activities:

• Obtaining food, medicine and other household necessities;

• Going to and from work at a business or organization performing an essential function as identified in the Kansas Essential Function Framework;

• Seeking medical care;

• Caring for children, family members or pets, or caring for a vulnerable person in another location;

• Engaging in an outdoor activity, provided individuals maintain a distance of six feet from one another and abide by the 10-person limitation on gathering size.

“I know this is hard, and I can’t tell you how much I wish it weren’t necessary,” Kelly said. “But we have a small window to ensure that Kansas does not suffer the same terrible fate of other hard-hit states like New York and Missouri. We’ve all got to do our part to help stop the spread of the disease. Stay home. Stay Safe.”

In a public address to Kansans on Saturday morning, Kelly explained that this action became necessary for three key reasons:

• To provide statewide uniformity in response efforts;

• To prevent overwhelming hospitals – especially rural hospitals – who may not have the same capacity to handle an influx of COVID-19 patients;

• To buy Kansas more time as the state officials work with federal partners to secure badly needed protective personal equipment (PPE), additional ventilators and COVID-19 testing supplies.

Kelly also commended federal efforts in recent days to support state and local response efforts in the form of an historic emergency relief package. More details about implications the federal stimulus bill will have for Kansas will be released as they become available.

Please visit kdheks.gov/coronavirus for additional virus-related information, and visit getkansasbenefits.gov for federal stimulus benefits updates or to file for Unemployment Insurance benefits.

The executive order can be viewed here.

POSTED 03/26/2020

UPDATED: 03/28/2020

The parents/guardians of current Liberal High School students were invited to join us for an additional virtual communications meeting on March 27, 2020. In this meeting, we discussed how the remainder of the semester will proceed and addressed many of the concerns of the public. While we are still working to answer questions that may arise due to recent news, please review this short YouTube presentation of "The Redskin Rundown." 

Parent/Guardian Virtual Communications Meeting - English

Parent/Guardian Virtual Communications Meeting - Spanish

From: Tech Support <tech.support@usd480.net>

Date: Wed, Mar 25, 2020 at 7:24 PM
Subject: Tech Support - During COVID 19
To: DW Students < dwstudents@usd480.net>

Good Afternoon Students,

As we adjust to our new norm, one of the main areas we are being mindful of is the number of people in each building at any given time. In an effort to not add to these numbers during this time we will begin operating all Tech Support out of McKinley - Located at 615 W 7th. We have created an email, phone number and scheduling system to assist with this change.

We wanted to make this change for a few reasons:

- not adding to the numbers of other buildings

- central location for community members coming from their homes (staff/students)

- expected influx of requests involving technology no longer located in our buildings

- we need to be mindful of our numbers here in McKinley as well

- gives us the ability to quarantine the devices brought to use for 3 days before handling

Going forward we would like you to contact  tech.support@usd480.net or 620-604-2526 for any tech support needs you encounter during this distance learning time and we will get you scheduled for a remote session or a time you can bring your device by our office. 

POSTED 03/24/2020 

UPDATED 03/25/2020

Immediate Questions:

We recognize that many parent and guardians have immediate and pressing questions. These are the links to the meetings that took place. 

• Parent Communications Virtual Meeting - English

• Parent Communications Virtual Meeting - Spanish

We will have future informational meetings/recordings. Please check back here, as well as social media outlets, for links and updates. 

POSTED 03/24/2020

ATTN: Students need to complete this form by Wednesday afternoon (03/25/2020) in order to retrieve their belongings. 

• Student Belongings Pickup Form

POSTED 03/24/2020

• LHS Continuous Learning Question Form

Posted 03/24/2020

• Letter to Students and Parents/Guardians Concerning Continuous Education

POSTED 03/24/2020

Center for Disease Control Website

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick

• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

• Throw used tissues in the trash.

• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.

• If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

• If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

POSTED 03/17/2020

This afternoon Governor Laura Kelly announced two additional measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and better position Kansas to combat this unprecedented emergency in the months to come.

First, in consultation with the Kansas State Department of Education, the Kansas Board of Education, the Kansas Association of School Boards, the Kansas School Superintendents Association, United School Administrators of Kansas and Kansas National Education Association, Kelly officially extended the closure of K-12 schools for the duration of the 2019-2020 school year by Executive Order # 20-07.

“This was not an easy decision to make,” Kelly said. “It came after close consultation with the education professionals who represent local school boards, school administrators and local teachers. These unprecedented circumstances threaten the safety of our students and the professionals who work with them every day and we must respond accordingly.”

Kelly emphasized the need for students to continue to receive high-quality education during this closure. On Sunday, March 15, Governor Kelly tasked the Department of Education to convene a group of experts to develop a comprehensive education plan for students for the remainder of the year.

Additionally, effective Monday, March 23, Kelly directed state employees to stay home on administrative leave to minimize additional risk of exposure to the virus for two weeks. The break will allow agencies to assess their essential functions to ensure that they can safely continue to serve the core needs of Kansans. This directive only applies to executive branch agencies under jurisdiction of the governor. This does not include agencies such as the Office of the Attorney General, the Insurance Department the State Treasurer or the Secretary of State’s office. Additionally, the order does not apply to legislative or judicial branch employees. Those branches will issue their own, separate, guidance to employees.

Kelly has directed Cabinet agencies, boards and commissions to develop an internal plan that will ensure a seamless transition. They will each identify which employees can work remotely, which will need to be placed on administrative leave, and how to best ramp operations back up at the appropriate time.

“The steps we are announcing today will create the space we need at the state level to develop a more strategic, resilient infrastructure so that we can get ahead of this threat and limit its long-term impact to Kansans,” Kelly said.

To See Executive Order #20-07, Click Here.

To See More Press Releases from the Governor, Please Click Here