FREEMAN PUBLIC SUSPENDS ALL INSTRUCTION, ACTIVITIES UNTIL NOV. 30

Freeman Public Schools will suspend all instruction — both in-person and remote — as well as all school-related activities the week of Nov. 23. Instruction will resume Monday, Nov. 30, although the district has not determined in what form.

The announcement came from Superintendent Kevin Kunz Thursday afternoon, Nov. 19 as teachers and students in grades 5-12 neared the end of a week of remote learning only.

Instruction and activities will be suspended for all students in grades K-12.

In an email to the staff that was shared with the school board on Thursday, Kunz said the decision was made in consultation with K-8 principal Shane Voss, dean of students Will Massey and guidance counselor Josh Faulkner.

“There are a number of factors that were considered prior to making this decision,” Kunz wrote in the email. “While cases within our buildings and community certainly contributed to this decision, the general health and well-being of our staff was given the most consideration. We have all reached a point of exhaustion and frustration as a result of the circumstances we have had to deal with, not only over the course of the past few weeks, but throughout the entire semester. We all need the opportunity to get away, spend time with our families, and recover, both physically and mentally.

“Our hope is to get kids back in the building (on Nov. 30) if possible,” the email continued. “However, the holiday break is going to present a number of challenges for us, particularly if families still intend to on holding large gatherings. All I can do is ask that you make smart, informed decisions outside of the school building. The decisions you make outside of the building directly impact our ability to keep kids in the building. Please keep that in mind over the course of the next 10 days. We have hit a real rough patch this week and the only way to remedy the situation is to make good decisions and encourage others to do the same.”

The email also praised the staff for the measures they have taken.

“I know it’s easy for people to forget or neglect just how much you have done to make all of this work this year,” Kunz wrote. “I appreciate your efforts … keep up the great work, and just remember that none of this is, or would be, possible without all of you. Take care of yourselves.”