December 10, 2020,

BENTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Dr. Mike Skelton, Superintendent


Dear Parents and Community,
With the increase of COVID-19 numbers across the state and Saline County, we know there may be times when school changes must occur. While COVID-19 has disrupted all of our lives, please know that we remain committed to the safety and health of all students and staff. As such, there may be times when schools or parts of a school must close. Please know that such decisions are only made under the guidance of the Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).

While we do not currently have any schools shut down, with increasing COVID-19 numbers, school closure could occur. If a school closure does happen, please know that you will be contacted as soon as possible through a text to all parents and posted on the district/school social media channels.

Please remember to encourage your children to wash their hands, wear a mask, and maintain social distance whenever possible. By doing all three of these things, you could be reducing the spread of the virus and avoiding a potential quarantine situation. If your child is not feeling well or displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 or are awaiting test results, please keep them at home.

If your child is quarantined or tests positive for COVID-19, please contact our Head Nurse immediately at 501-304-5140 or 501-778-4861 EXT 1023. Various links to the regulations and guidance from DESE, ADH, and the Center for Disease Control can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the Nurse's Corner Page on our website.

While we understand these are trying times, please know that we are committed to providing services for the students and the community. We will continue to open our doors and provide those services for as long as possible. After receiving feedback on Virtual Friday’s success, we will be continuing to have them when we return in January. As we continually evaluate our current plan, we will let you know if anything changes as soon as possible.

Thank you for all the support you have shown to the schools and district during this time, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

Sincerely,
Dr. Mike Skelton