BILLINGS — All Billings Public Schools will be closed to students and teaching staff from March 16 through March 27 in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, school Superintendent Greg Upham confirmed over the phone Sunday.
“This is a very unique time. We need to pull together and not panic. It’s going to require something different than we’ve ever seen in our lives before, but we just need to take care of eachother in this," Upham said.
Governor Steve Bullock directed all K-12 schools across Montana to close from March 16 through March 27 on Sunday in an effort to mitigate the viruses spread through social distancing.
The only people who will be at school Monday are administrative staff and custodial staff, Upham said.
Meal services for kids will still be available in a grab-and-go style from three school locations. The district is updating its web site with the latest information on school closures and meal plans.
Below is the latest on meal procedures for the school district.
In the event of a full District closure:
- Nutrition Services will complete non-congregational waiver from USDA/ OPI. Serving sites must be approved SFSP sites. (the three identified are approved)
- Breakfast and Lunch will be offered as a “grab and go.”
- Nutrition Services will operate the Meal Service at a curb side kiosk for parents/ students to drive up and receive meals. All children ages 0 – 18 may receive meals free of charge.
The following sites will be open for meal pick-up at the following times:
- Castle Rock 1441 Governors Blvd Breakfast: 7:45 – 8:30 Lunch: 11:00 – 12:30
- Riverside 3700 Madison Breakfast: 7:45 – 8:3 0Lunch: 11:00 – 12:30
- Lewis and Clark 1315 Lewis Ave Breakfast: 7:45 – 8:30 Lunch: 11:00 – 12:30
Communication:
- Menus and service updates will be posted to the Billings Public Schools Nutrition Services webpage.
- If closure continues, we will evaluate the participation and may need to adjust sites and/or deliveries.
- All changes will be communicated at sites and on our webpage.
- If a parent has a dietary needs form on file please contact Elizabeth Terrel @
- Elizabeth.Terrel@sodexo.com to notify which site you will be picking up from and the dietary need.
- **Backpack Meals will be distributed to feeding sites for pick-up for weekend meal coverage.
Operations:
- Sysco, Franz, Meadow gold milk will be delivered by vendors as needed.
- Staffing will follow Union seniority scale. All other employees will be placed on Temporary Unit Closing.
- Staffing schedules will be posted by Operations Manager once needs are determined.
- District Commodities will be delivered weekly by District warehouse.
Upham said the district may add more sites for lunch pickup depending on the amount of traffic the first three see on Monday.
In addition, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County is closing all five of it's clubhouses from March 16 through March 20.
Yellowstone County Boys and Girls Club CEO Brian Dennis issued the following statement Sunday night:
"The Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County makes the safety and well-being of our members, staff and volunteers a top priority so we will close all five Clubhouse from March 16 through March 20. During this closure the Boys & Girls Club will identify additional safety protocols and service schedules we can implement to serve those who need us most while protecting our members, staff and community. We appreciate your understanding during this difficult time and for the latest information please check our website at www.begreatyellowstone.org [begreatyellowstone.org] or on follow us on Facebook."
