All public and non-public schools in Cole County have extended school closures through April 10.
Cole County school leaders have collaborated to extend the closures by one week to allow students and staff returning from travel to meet the recommended 14-day self-quarantine.
All school events and activities are also canceled.
The Cole County Health Department issued two technical advisories March 23. The first advisory recommends people stay at home as much as possible, with exceptions for essential activities. The second advisory recommends people returning from travel outside Central Missouri should self-quarantine for 14 days.
"We feel it is necessary to extend our current district closure by one week to protect the health and well-being of our staff and students," Cole County public and non-public school district leaders said in a joint statement, shared by Jefferson City School District officials.
The Jefferson City School District will continue to provide meals and online learning to students during the extended closure. Next week, JC Schools staff will mail paper packets to students who prefer hard copies. This will include work for April 6-10.
JC Schools Grab-and-go meals will be provided to students again beginning March 30 through the duration of the closure. Meals are available from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lewis and Clark Middle School; Thomas Jefferson Middle School; and East, South, West, North, Pioneer Trail and Thorpe Gordon elementary schools. District staff will continue to drop off meals at students' homes if the family indicated they do not have transportation on the survey district leaders provided to families.
"We are keenly aware that this extended closure will continue to have a significant impact on our families, but we feel it is a necessary step to aid in the health and well-being of our community during this unprecedented situation," district officials said in a letter distributed to JC Schools staff and families.
Blair Oaks district and Helias Catholic High School staff will continue to provide online instruction, and paper packets are available to those who prefer hard copies. Blair Oaks also will continue to provide meals to students.
Cole County schools include the Jefferson City School District, Blair Oaks R-2 School District, Cole R-1 School District in Russellville, Cole R-5 School District in Eugene, Calvary Lutheran High School, Helias Catholic High School, Immanuel Lutheran School, Lighthouse Preparatory Academy, Immaculate Conception School, St. Joseph Cathedral School, St. Peter Interparish School, River Oak Christian Academy, Trinity Lutheran School, St. Martin School in St. Martins, St. Stanislaus School in Wardsville, St. Francis Xavier School in Taos, Our Lady of the Snows Catholic School in Marys Home and St. Thomas School in St. Thomas.
This article was updated at 4:35 p.m. March 26, 2020, with additional details.