Divide County School District

Divide County School District is currently working under the Governor's directives to make plans for a variety of scenarios going forward. This includes planning for possible re-entry into school and also exploring options of virtual learning for our students if an extended school closure is recommended. DCSD families will be receiving a phone call from a school representative inquiring as to each family's ability to connect to the internet as well as their access to a device. Paper/pencil options are also being reviewed in case of an extended closure. The Governor is expected to make an announcement on Friday offering guidance as to how schools in ND will proceed.

Good morning, Due to the current school closure, Divide County School District understands that there may be families who need assistance providing meals for their children. If your family is on free or reduced lunches at school and you need assistance during this time, please call the district office at 701-965-6313 by 4:00 today. We will make available a brown bag breakfast/lunch for pick-up at the school on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Guidance Update: Governor Burgum has announced that ND K-12 schools will be closed for 5 school days. DCSD classes will resume on Monday, March 23, 2020. The Governor has recommended practicing good hygiene and social distancing during this time.

Update from Divide County School District Divide County School District will remain open, as advised by the NDDOH, NDDPI, and the Governor’s Office. As a proactive measure, DCSD will be suspending all after-school activities indefinitely. This includes the elementary after-school KIDSS program. NDHSAA has suspended all sports practices, game contests, and fine arts activities. All outside community members and organizations who have been using school facilities including the gym, weight room, lunchroom, etc. and parents volunteering with any school related activity will not have access at this time. DCE Banking and Junior Achievement activities will also be postponed. The Missoula Children’s Theater will also be postponed or cancelled. The Divide County Library will only be open to the general public from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon until further notice. The district has suspended all school-related student and staff travel at this time including field trips. In addition, until further notice, DCSD will be restricting access to school buildings during the school day to permit only parents and essential services such as food service and necessary supply deliveries. We ask parents to come into the school only when there is an absolute need to do so. Parent-Teacher Conferences, that are scheduled for March 23, 24, and 26, will be conducted via phone, email, or other form of communication during the scheduled dates from 4:00-7:30 p.m. More information will be forthcoming as we approach the scheduled conference dates. The Scholastic Book Fair scheduled at DCHS during this time will not be open to the public. Other options for public sale are being explored. DCE and DCHS will suspend all attendance incentives for semester test exemptions. Other considerations for semester test exemptions may be considered by the administration and staff as we continue into the rest of the school year. This includes perfect attendance awards. Students and staff who are ill are strongly advised to stay home. Looking into the future, decisions regarding prom and spring concerts have not been made. It is possible these activities could be streamed for the public to view. Thank you for your cooperation and consideration regarding the actions being taken in response to COVID-19. As additional guidance becomes available, the district will continue to update any changes to plans.

NDHSAA Statement Please see the statement below from the NDHSAA regarding the postponement of all sports practices, game contests, and fine arts activities. March 13, 2020 2:45 pm FARGO – On Friday, March 13, due to the Emergency Declaration issued by President Trump the NDHSAA will postpone play until further notice at the 2020 NDHSAA Class A Basketball State Tournament and all remaining 2020 NDHSAA Winter Postseason State Tournaments including the 2020 NDHSAA Class B Boys Basketball State Tournament. In addition to the remaining 2020 NDHSAA Winter Postseason Basketball State Tournaments being postponed, all remaining fine arts and spring sports seasons have been postponed indefinitely, which includes practices and game contests until further notice. Further information will be released as it becomes available next week. Refund Policies for 2020 NDHSAA Class A Basketball State Tournament and 2020 NDHSAA Class B Boys Basketball State Tournament will be announced at a later date on www.ndhsaanow.com. https://ndhsaa.com

In accordance with guidance from NDDPI, NDDOH, and the Governor's Office, Divide County School District has been advised to remain in session and keep our schools open. The district will continue to follow the guidance of these departments as new information becomes available. To find up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, please visit the following websites: https://www.health.nd.gov https://www.cdc.gov https://www.nd.gov/dpi/

Today's Elementary Basketball Practice: Due to the Emergency Declaration announced by NDHSAA, elementary boys' and girls' basketball practice is cancelled today. Please pick your student up at the elementary school. We are calling buses back to the elementary to pick up bus students.

Boys' and Girls' Elementary Basketball Jamboree scheduled for tomorrow (3/14/2020) in Powers Lake has been cancelled.

Coronavirus Guidance

Grades K-6 students will be attending the Kenny Ahern performance on Friday, March 13 at 2:00. He is a comedian loved by kids! Students will be transported by bus to Divide County High School. Thank you to the Meadowlark Arts Council for sponsoring this event for our students!

The book fair is coming soon! March 23-26 at the high school. Stay tuned for more details.

Good Luck the Boys' Basketball Team and coaches as they take on Lewis and Clark North Shore in the first round of the Region 8 Basketball Tournament in New Town. Game time is approximately 7:30 P.M. The game will be broadcast on BEK sports.

DCE Families - Be sure to login to Living Tree on a regular basis. Much of our parent information will be shared through this platform. We would eventually like to send home fewer notes. :) Currently, many teachers have created calendars to sign up for conferences. Please call the office (701-965-6324) to let us know if you are not able to login or are not seeing all of your students. We want to make sure every has access.

There will be NO Elementary GIRLS' Basketball on Monday March 9th. Get out and support the Maroons at their Regional Tournament.

Hi DCE Families! Corrections have been made and the second round of Living Tree email invites went out this morning. Your username/password is included in this email. Please login and join us on Living Tree! We have so much to share with our DCE Families! If you don't receive login information or have any difficulties logging in, please give us a call so we can help you.

8th grade FACS using our newly learned knife skills.

Region 8 Boys Basketball Tournament at the New Town Event Center on March 9,10,12, 2020. DC will play Lewis and Clark North Shore at 7:30 on Monday, March 9th.

Grades 4-6 Boys' Basketball Practice this week at DCHS: Thursday and Friday 3:45-5:00 and Saturday 11-12:30.

NO Elementary BOYS Basketball practice today due to gym conflicts.

Divide County Maroons take 3rd place in the District 16 Tournament.