Check "Mid-Missouri coronavirus-related school closings, announcements" for continuous updates regarding school closures and announcements.
More Mid-Missouri schools are shutting their doors in response to concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak.
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The Cole County R-1 (Russellville), Cole County R-5 (Eugene), Eldon R-1 and Jamestown C-1 school districts have announced they will be closing.
Each district made announcements Wednesday, two days after the Jefferson City School District, Blair Oaks R-2 School District and Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City announced school closures.
Schools at Eugene will be closed starting Friday until at least April 3. School officials said they will assess the situation weekly thereafter. All events and activities are canceled until April 14. District leaders are working on a plan to provide instruction and meals to students, and more information will be available in a few days, according to the district's website.
Schools at Russellville will be closed starting Thursday until at least April 3. All events and activities are canceled. At-home learning materials are available on the district's website, and teachers will update them each week during the closure. Students who requested paper copies were provided with them. To have school meals delivered to your home, call the district office at 573-782-3534.
The Russellville Board of Education decided at a meeting Tuesday evening to take precautionary measures by closing schools, Superintendent Perry Gorrell said. Attendance had dropped by about 5-6 percent Tuesday and even more by Wednesday, he said.
Schools at Eldon will be closed starting Friday until at least April 3. All events and activities are canceled. Students will be sent home with learning materials, and the district will implement plans for at-home learning March 23, Superintendent Matt Davis said in an email.
Staff will also distribute meals to students at certain school and neighborhood sites. The locations and additional details will be provided on the district website by Friday. A counselor will be available if needed.
Davis decided to close schools after discussions with local health professionals, he said in an email to the News Tribune.
"We know closing our schools will have a significant impact on our families, but we also believe this action must be taken to prevent the spread of this disease and to protect lives," Davis said.
The Jamestown C-1 School District closed Wednesday and plans to open April 3. Teachers will provide instructional materials with the option of receiving paper packets or online materials, according to the district's website. If a student qualifies for free or reduced meals, breakfast and lunch will be delivered to the student's home between 8-10 a.m.