Mullen Public Schools

Due to some new information on possible COVID-19 cases in our region and the Center for Disease Control recommendation to not have gatherings of more than 50 people, Mullen Public Schools will not be in session on Monday March 16, 2020. As we gather more information throughout the day, we will provide communication via the public through social media, our website, and mass calls through our Thrillshare system. Please know that all of us are witnessing an unprecedented event and we are doing our best to make the decisions that are in the best interest of both the Mullen students and the Mullen community.

The MHS blood drive is still on as scheduled tomorrow! Student volunteers and donors: Please report at the same time as scheduled! The Red Cross desperately needs our drive to be successful.

Dear Mullen Families, Parents, Guardians, and Community Members This statement is to inform you of the awareness that Mullen Public School District has of the COVID-19 Virus/Coronavirus and some very tentative plans that the district is going to implement on a “day-by-day” to a “week-by-week” basis. This letter is not meant to scare anyone, but it is intended to communicate our plans and make sure all stakeholders are aware of the situation. Over the past couple of weeks, the Commissioner of Education, Matt Bloomstedt recently began online meetings with all Superintendents in the state of Nebraska. These meetings will continue to take place on Sunday afternoons for the foreseeable future. As you may be aware, several school districts in the state of Nebraska have closed for short periods due to outbreaks of the COVID-19 virus in their communities. These closures could extend for longer periods depending on the spread of the virus and more schools could close. This is an unprecedented event that is very difficult to predict. Fortunately, at this time, we have not gotten any reports of any confirmed cases in the Sandhills region. Just know, we are in constant contact with both our ESU 16 in North Platte, our regional health district, and several of our neighboring districts in order to monitor this situation. To be aware, as with any procedure, it is always subject to change based upon the direction given by any state or federal agency. As I previously stated, this will be a “day-by-day” to a “week-by-week” decision at this point in time. On the morning of Monday March 16, 2020, Mullen will have a 10:00 late start in order to meet with staff on possible strategies to implement if we are closed a significant amount of time. Governor Pete Ricketts stated during his press conference that schools could be required, by the government, to close for 6-8 weeks due to the spread of this virus if the spread reaches 1% of the population or one community spread case in our area. I am strongly encouraging you to have a plan in place for your student(s) in case this closure is forced upon our school district. At this time the administrative team has reviewed procedures and we are confident that we will be able to respond to any situation that may arise. During Monday morning’s meeting, we will meet with staff to discuss different ways that we may be able to educate your student in cases of a 6-8 week closure so that we may provide a foundation for when they start school in the Fall of 2020 should a closure happen. Some possible ways to educate may be to send packets home, utilize YouTube, utilize Canvas, utilize Zoom, and all of the google formats for some online learning. As for activities, for the foreseeable future we will not be attending activities away from Mullen. We are planning on hosting Prom, on Saturday March 21, with some limitations. One limitation is that no outside date from a school district who is closed due to precautions of the coronavirus will be allowed to attend the Mullen Prom. We are also looking at an adapted schedule to be sure the immune systems of the students are not compromised due to lack of sleep. This will be monitored on a day-by-day basis. With this virus being highly contagious, Mullen Public Schools encourages all parents/guardians to recognize flu type symptoms such as a fever above 99.5, difficulty breathing, and uncontrollable coughing. If your student has these symptoms, please keep them at home and report the symptoms to either Kris Forsen, Carolyn Hoyt, or Lauren Hollenbeck so we can track these symptoms. If a student has a 99.5 degree fever at school or is showing signs of difficulty breathing or uncontrollable coughing, they will be sent home along with anyone else who lives in your household. We will allow them to come back as soon as they are cleared by a health professional. While the COVID-19/Coronavirus has been documented to not be a huge risk to the younger population, it is feared that they are more likely to spread the virus to elderly or those immunosuppressed. One reason for concern is that Mullen has students and staff who battle respiratory issues normally and we do not want to put them at further risk. At any time if your primary care physician feels that your child needs to stay home as a safety precaution due to respiratory issues or being immunosuppressed, please contact a building administrator so we can plan accordingly. As a school, we will provide plenty of opportunities for our students to wash their hands and use sanitizers along with the cleaning of desks and classroom furniture on a daily basis. We encourage all parents/guardians to talk about the importance of hand washing and general hygiene with you students. Overall good hygiene will slow the spread of this virus. In conclusion, this statement is to put your mind at ease and let you know that the Mullen Public Schools and the Nebraska Department of Education has your student’s best interest at heart and throughout this situation we will do our best to educate your student(s). We highly encourage you to remain informed about the COVID-19/Coronavirus by visiting the website for the Department of Health and Human Services and the website for the Nebraska Department of Education. http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx https://www.education.ne.gov/publichealth/ Overall, our goal must be to slow or stop the spread of this virus to others and those who are immunosuppressed or suffer from respiratory issues. To quote another superintendent, “In the end it will be impossible to know if we overreacted or did too much, but it will be QUITE apparent if we under reacted and did too little.” Thank you for your support and cooperation The Mullen Administrative Team

The Nebraska School Athletic Association announced it is suspending district and state speech contests "until further notice."

The Mid-Plains Inter High Scholastic contest that was scheduled for March 18 has been canceled.

Broncos get the early game in tomorrow's consolation game versus Parkview Christian at 8am mst. Come cheer them on at the Hilltop Gym. The Friendly Bean crew will offer their specialty drinks and breakfast options of burritos and cinnamon rolls. Go Broncos!

We're at it again at the Hilltop Gym. A lot of the same faces in the same places but it is a picture from today:) Go Broncos!!

Watch Party at the Hilltop Gym as your #4 Mullen Broncos take on #1 Humphrey St. Francis in the boys state bball semifinals. Game time is 1pm mst. Limited concessions available. #MullenBroncos

Watch your #4 Broncos take on #1 Humphrey St. Francis Friday at 1pm mst from the Hilltop Gym! Limited concessions available.

Two messages regarding the blood drive scheduled for Monday, March 16: -The Red Cross will be checking all individuals entering the drive for a fever. Anyone (volunteers included) with a temperature above 99.5 will not be allowed inside. - Please use the NORTH doors to enter the gym in order to minimize disruptions to the school. Please contact Mrs Hardin if you have any questions.

The Hilltop Gym & weightroom will be unavailable the remainder of today (Thursday), Friday, & Saturday. Thanks for your understanding.

The Mullen faithful cheering on the boys basketball team 1st round of state bball. We cant be there in person but we're there in spirit!

Your Mullen Broncos are taking on O'Neill St. Mary's in the 1st round of the boys state basketball tournament today. Come watch the live action at the Hilltop Gym. The Friendly Bean crew will be on site to provide specialty coffee drinks and limited concessions. Tip off is 945!

Birthday selfie with the principal!

Thursdays Boys State Basketball game can be watched for free at https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/associations/nsaa

Mullen schools will be showing the games live at the Hilltop gym for anyone wanting to come watch free of charge. 1st Game Thursday 9:45 am.

State Basket Ball Update

NSAA Boys basketball update: Mr. Kuncl is in charge of gathering a list of immediate family members and others who will be allowed to attend the games down in Lincoln. Unfortunately, everyone can not attend. He will personally reach out to each family and get their list. Not only do you have to be on the list, but Mr. Kuncl will have to allow you access to buy tickets. This is a very difficult predicament that both the NSAA and all qualifying schools have been given. As far as we know, all media coverage NFHS and radio will not be interrupted. Please support the boys virtually. Please stay tuned for more updates to come.

Senior Art Exhibit.

Good morning, this is Chris Kuncl from Mullen Public Schools. We have an announcement from the Mayor of Lincoln, the Nebraska Department of Education, and the NSAA. The Boys State Tournament will go on but with limited spectators. At this time, we have been told that immediate family will be allowed to attend. We are not sure what the exact definition of immediate family is at this point. NSAA is meeting to discuss these parameters and they will let us know what has been decided. Once we know, we will let everyone else know the stipulations. Please stay posted to social media and once we are aware we will send another call.