Please visit the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement website at: https://achi.net/covid19/ for the lastest information regarding COVID-19 for school districts in Jonesboro and the Jonesboro community. Thank you.

Jonesboro Public Schools COVID Update

June 15, 2020

The Jonesboro School District received notification of a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 concerning one of our students. Health Department officials will notify any student who has been in close contact with the individual. For the privacy of students and staff, Jonesboro Schools will not be sharing any personal information publicly.  We have suspended activities at the location in order to sanitize and disinfect for the return of our students. We are committed to providing a safe environment and will follow the guidance provided by the Arkansas Department of Health, CDC and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

SUMMER MEAL Information: May 25 - 29 we will be closed for meal service and resume on June 1st.  Summer service will be Mon-Thurs and we will provide four breakfast and four lunch on Thursday to take families through the weekend. Locations will remain the same. Thank you.

• Letter to JHS Class of 2020

• JPS End of Year Plan due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Elementary K-6 AMI:

Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) will continue through the remainder of the school year. Students in grades K-6 will continue with the PBS curriculum until May 1st.  During the weeks of May 4-15, the JPS Curriculum Team will work with lead teachers to create a video series that is similar to Arkansas AMI. The instructional materials and expectations for student work will be comparable to the PBS materials. Teachers will use the week of May 18-22 to collect student materials, devices, and upload grades.

Students will be given a Pass or Fail for submitted weekly assignments. Teachers will assign a Pass or Fail for the end of quarter and semester grades.

Secondary:

Students in grades 7-11 will continue with Google Classroom or Edgenuity until May 15th. No semester exams will be given. Teachers will use the week of May 18-22 to collect student materials, devices, and upload grades. Regular grading will remain in place through the end of the school year. Students will receive additional information on the collection of technology devices. 

Seniors (and students enrolled in CTE, Concurrent or AP courses): 

Seniors will attend school, virtually, until April 15, 2020, if they are in good standing to graduate. During this time, our expectation is that assignments made through Google Classroom, AP Classroom, or Edgenuity will be completed to the best of your ability. We also expect that any missing work will be submitted. You should expect grades and feedback to be rendered for these assignments.  

• Seniors currently enrolled in CTE courses preparing for industry certifications will be contacted by their instructors concerning the format for those assessments. A “completer” designation is still solely dependent upon the completion of coursework. 
• Seniors enrolled in concurrent courses will still receive college credit so long as the coursework assigned by teachers via Google Classroom is fully completed and submitted on time. 
• Students enrolled in AP courses will still have the ability to test for college credit. Students will be taking online-based, 45-minute exams during the weeks of May 11-22. These exams can be taken from home using school-issued computers, personal tablets, or personal smartphones. Expect more correspondence concerning concurrent and AP courses from your teachers and administrators as the year progresses.

You will receive communication concerning how to turn in your computers in an orderly fashion before your diplomas are issued. Graduation is a topic currently being discussed by JPS administrators, and you should expect more details concerning how diplomas will be issued as we move closer to your last day.

Breakfast and Lunch Program:

The district will continue to provide meals at multiple sites through the district.  Please share this information. 

Food Sites Include:

MicroSociety: 11:00-12:00
Annie Camp Jr. High School: 11:00-12:00
AC is now a WALK-UP Site. 
Word Baptist Church: 11:00-12:00
Cedar Heights: 11:00-12:00
Parker Park: 11:00-12:00
Arrowhead and Duncan Roads 11:00-12:00
Fire Station at Brazos: 11:00-12:00

Important Dates to Remember:

April 15 - Last Day for Seniors

May 1 - Last Day for PBS delivery of AMI

May 4-15 - District delivery of AMI (more info to follow)

May 15 - Last Day for AMI instruction

May 18-22 - Turn in all assignments, Collect Technology Plan Awards Ceremonies and Celebrations

An Announcement Regarding 2020 Graduation From:

Bay School District - Bobby Hutchison, Superintendent

Brookland School District - Keith McDaniel, Superintendent 

Buffalo Island School District - Gaylon Taylor, Superintendent

Greene County Tech School District - Gene Weeks, Superintendent

Jonesboro School District - Kim Wilbanks, Superintendent

Nettleton School District - James Dunivan, Superintendent

Paragould School District - Debbie Smith, Superintendent

Riverside School District - Jeff Priest, Superintendent

Valley View School District - Bryan Russell, Superintendent

Westside School District - Scott Gaunt, Superintendent 

April 6, 2020

Earlier today, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced that due to the continued impact of the Covid-19 virus upon our country, our state, and our local communities, and in order to remain in compliance with recommendations from the Office of the President of the United States and national health organizations, public school districts in Arkansas will remain closed for the foreseeable future, thereby bringing an end to the 2019-2020 school year.  

Local school districts will now begin sharing plans with their teachers, parents, and students on how to complete any unfinished business for the school year effectively, efficiently, and as soon as possible. As Superintendents of the local school districts, we understand the importance of these tasks, but we also understand the sensitive nature of ending the year so abruptly, and under such downhearted and challenging conditions. We recognize the unprecedented circumstances that we are all facing in education and are working diligently to make decisions that are both thoughtful and respectful. However, at all times these decisions must ensure the integrity of our learning environments and the health of our school patrons. As such, we have come to a joint decision that as of today, graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 are postponed indefinitely.  

We do not make this decision lightly or without the deepest consideration for our seniors and their families.  We know the commitment and achievement that high school graduation symbolizes and do not wish to lessen the significance of this milestone due to the lack of a ceremony. Even though we may not be able to ceremoniously say “good-bye” as we have before, this in no way minimizes the pride and confidence we have in our graduating seniors...they are more than ready to go out and be the change in our world!

We thank you all for your understanding. Until we see you again, we wish our school families, and especially the Class of 2020, to be strong and be well. 

JPS FREE Student Meal Locations/Times:

Annie Camp (in front - 1814 W. Nettleton - 11- 11:30am
MicroSociety - 1110 W. Washington - 11am - 12pm
Parker Park - 1506 North Church - 11am - 12 pm
Word Baptist Church - 416 Calion Street - 11 am - 12pm
Arrowhead Farm Road - 12:15pm
Duncan Road - 12:15pm

JPS Parents: AMI information for students K-12 for March 30 - April 17 is attached HERE.

Internet WIFI Access Information click HERE

JPS Parents of Special Education Students Notice:
Sunday, March 29, 2020

The Jonesboro Special Education Department remains committed to our standard of excellence to our students with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers have provided AMI packets for their students with individualized instruction geared to their IEP’s .

Therapies will be provided by our contract provider Cynergy for a seamless continuity of services as set out by IDEA. Cynergy will be contacting parents to begin these services following Spring Break.

Annual Reviews will be conducted as scheduled by alternate means such as Zoom. We are being creative while following all state and federal guidelines. Thank you for your patience as we are all navigating in uncharted waters. We are confident JPS will shine as Best of the Best. Please stay safe.

JPS Parents: AMI information for students K-12 for March 30 - April 17 is attached HERE.

Internet WIFI Access Information click HERE

JPS Parents of Special Education Students Notice:
Sunday, March 29, 2020

The Jonesboro Special Education Department remains committed to our standard of excellence to our students with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers have provided AMI packets for their students with individualized instruction geared to their IEP’s .

Therapies will be provided by our contract provider Cynergy for a seamless continuity of services as set out by IDEA. Cynergy will be contacting parents to begin these services following Spring Break.

Annual Reviews will be conducted as scheduled by alternate means such as Zoom. We are being creative while following all state and federal guidelines. Thank you for your patience as we are all navigating in uncharted waters. We are confident JPS will shine as Best of the Best. Please stay safe.

Due to order from Governor Hutchinson, AR schools closure has been extended to April 17.

•  Under the authority granted by Governor Hutchinson’s amended emergency proclamation, the AR Department of Education is expanding the use of Alternative Method of Instruction days, through April 17.

• As part of the nationwide effort to keep students and families connected during the COVID-19/Coronavirus, Suddenlink will be extending free Altice Advantage Internet offering to any student in our service area who does not currently have internet connectivity. Attached HERE, you will find extensive information related to the offer, including qualifications, terms and how to apply for the services. 

Thank you we understand this is a stressful time for all. Please check back here for future updates.