KHS goes all virtual, extracurriculars canceled; EHS cancels homecoming, sports
With new cases of COVID-19 reported at the high schools of local districts, changes — some more major than others — have been made at Both Kosciusko and Ethel high schools for the next two weeks. In both cases, the changes will be in effect through Oct. 9.
Kosciusko High School
According to a statement released by Superintendent Billy Ellzey Sunday evening, Kosciusko High School will be virtual only for the next two weeks. The move comes after two additional KHS staff members reported positive COVID-19 test results.
“Following advice from health officials and out of an abundance of caution, Kosciusko High School will switch to virtual learning beginning Sept. 28 and continue through Oct. 9,” Ellzey wrote. “Students who need devices for virtual learning will be able to pick those up on Tuesday at Kosciusko High School.”
The Superintendent said all KHS extracurricular activities will also be canceled during the same period.
“This is only for Kosciusko High School students. All other students may come to school as normal, including the siblings of high school students,” the superintendent noted before asking for support from the community. “Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work together in keeping students and staff safe.”
Asked specifically about this week’s scheduled Homecoming parade Thursday evening and game Friday evening, Ellzey said both events are canceled for this week.
“They won’t happen this week, but we will discuss rescheduling opportunities,” he said.
ETHEL HIGH SCHOOL
According to a message sent to Ethel High School parents by EHS Principal Culley Newman via the Remind system Monday night, the school has now canceled all sporting events for the next two weeks.
Earlier on Monday, after a second Ethel High School student reported COVID-19 infection to the district, homecoming events for Thursday and Friday had officially been postponed, according to Superintendent Kyle Hammond. The Homecoming parade in downtown Ethel had been slated for Thursday evening and presentation of the Homecoming Court was planned to occur during Friday night's home game.
The school had reportedly cancelled junior high football and volleyball games Monday evening, calling the volleyball team back to Ethel after its arrival in Eupora for a game.
Despite the homecoming and Monday evening sports cancellations, however, other sporting events set for Tuesday through Friday — including the homecoming football game Friday night — were still scheduled to occur, according to Hammond and Newman at the time.
Newman told The Star-Herald that no one involved in the football program has tested positive and a team practice was held Monday afternoon.
"As of 6:26 p.m. today (Monday), we are playing the game, but that is subject to change," he said.
All that did change about three hours later when Newman sent the Remind notification to high school parents.
“With the safety of our students in mind, we will cancel all athletics for this week and next. We will continue to closely monitor the COVID situation at Ethel High School,” he wrote.
Newman indicated that the district will try to reschedule the homecoming events, including Friday night’s game, at some point.
“We will attempt to reschedule the homecoming activities and football game on a later date,” the notification read. “Our number one priority is the safety of our students and their families. As soon as that date is finalized, we will let the Ethel family know. Again, pray for all those who are sick and dealing with this disease.”
