Governor's announcement is at
the bottom of this story -

THIS STORY WAS UPDATED AT 8:55 p.m. THURSDAY -

Responding to this afternoon’s announcement by Gov. Mike DeWine to close Ohio schools for three weeks, Bluffton schools sent five Ohio Alert messages from 3:49 to 4:06 p.m. this afternoon.

The Icon will continue to post those alerts are they are sent.  Watch the Icon for further updates. The Alert messages follow:

• We will not have school on Monday 3/16 thru Friday 4/3/20 which is 3 full weeks.

• The State of Ohio will reassess at a later date if the closure extends beyond 4/3/20.

• We will communicate early next week with students and parents on how education will proceed in the coming weeks.

• If your child needs a Chromebook to use at home, they can sign a Chromebook out of the school office tomorrow.

• If you do not have access to internet at home please contact the school office tomorrow.

• Elementary parents please contact your teacher if you would like a chromebook and charger sent home tomorrow.

•Students grades 6-12 contact your office tomorrow if you would like to bring home a chromebook and charger.

• HS students who were planning on a Renaissance Day tomorrow please reconsider to touch base with all your teachers

Gov. Mike DeWine's announcement
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, he has ordered that all kindergarten through 12th grade schools close for a period of several weeks.  

Beginning at the conclusion of the school day on Monday, March 16, all K-12 schools will close to students through Friday, April 3. This order includes all public, community, and private K-12 schools in the state, but does not apply to Ohio’s childcare system such as daycare centers and home-based childcare providers.

During this extended period of closure, schools should work to provide education through alternative means and school district leadership may make decisions on whether to use their school buildings. Staff members should continue to report to school as directed by administrators.

"We want to thank educators and administrators for the extraordinary efforts they will take to continue offering services during this time of national crisis," said Governor DeWine. 

Over the next 72 hours, the Ohio Department of Education will develop guidance for K-12 schools to ensure the continuity of important student services, including a strategy for providing meals.