KEMPER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 159 Main Avenue, DeKalb, MS 39328 THE WILDCAT WAY! Schools Employment About Calendar Quick Links School Food Services For Parents Contact More...

District Level Employees & Central Office Staff District Level Employees and Central Office Staff Dr. Hilute Hudson Superintendent Amanda Hailey Exceptional Education Director Douglas Newton Transportation Director Anglee Coley Elementary EL A/Social Studies Instructional Coach Marshetta Little Administrative Assistant to the Superintend Chiquta Brown Curriculum Director Dave Sanders Student Services Rachelle McCalebb Federal Programs Bookkeeper/ Fixed Assets Dr. Mary Nell Woolery Federal Programs Director & District Foster Care Point of Contact Sandra Clark SEL Director/Behavior Specialist Delisa Cole MTSS Coordinator/Test Coordinator Toni Brown Payroll Clerk Dr. Matilda Miller Business Manager Tammy Cross Child Nutrition Director Elton Rash Secondary ELA/ Social Studies Instructional Coach Kameko Holliday Accounts Payable Tweets by @KemperSchools

COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION ON COVID 19 KCSD Communication to Community/Families - November 16, 2020" Families of Kemper County School District: The safety and welfare of our students, staff, families and community are our top priorities at Kemper County School District (KCSD). As we are noticing the current rise in coronavirus cases in our state, KCSD is modifying its school schedules as follow: • PreK - 6th grade students (currently enrolled as face-to-facelearners) will participate in the virtual learning platform from November 30th - December 4th; and will return to school for in-person learning from December 7th - December 18th • PreK - 6th grade students (currently enrolled as virtual learners) will continue to participate in the virtual learning platform from November 30th - December 18th • 7th - 12th grade students will participate in the virtual learning platform from November 30th - December 18th For additional information or help, please contact your schools. Superintendent's message to Community - May 16, 2020" Dear Kemper County School District Families, Friends and Community: Many people will remember the second half of our school year as being unprecedented, unnerving, and disruptive for the lives of millions of people in the world, including the Class of 2020. This is because we envisioned our seniors going to prom, attending awards banquets, sending out graduation invitations and celebrating a traditional graduation with friends and family. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19’s impact on our schools, families and community as a whole, we could not conduct ourselves and host our celebrations in the usual fashion. Instead, we had to adapt quickly to the uneasiness and uncertainties surrounding the pandemic. In spite of our current circumstances, I want to take a moment to tell all of you how proud I am of your accomplishments. As superintendent, I will forever remember the second half of our school year by looking through rose-colored glasses. When you were faced with challenges, you delivered on your commitment. When our school buildings were closed, you continued your education by remote learning. When your activities were postponed or canceled, you found alternative routes. When the world around you was quarantined and falling apart, you held it together. There are two words that come to mind that describes you – humble and resilient. This reminds of the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling, that basically says if you can take everything that life throws at you and hold onto who you are, then the world is yours and everything in it. And as you go on to pursue the next chapter in your life, know that you can adapt to life’s unexpected changes and come out stronger on the other end. As we look ahead to our summer and next school year, I know everyone is wondering what exactly will that look like. I do not have all of the answers, but I will share with you where we are today. First, we are building a plan for reopening schools and buildings by June 1st with safety and health precautions being deployed. Over the past several weeks, we have been working with our school leadership to reflect on what has worked well and to assess what is needed to best support teachers and students over the summer and the next school year. We are also leading a task force for athletics and welfare comprised of administrators, teachers, coaches, social workers, medical experts and parents, which will focus on how we safely return to school and socially engaged each other. Our goal is to produce plans for our schools, students and athletes to follow to ensure all precautions are taken to keep everyone safe and mentally healthy. When it comes to our classrooms, we are unsure whether this will include our regular full in-person classes, distance learning experiences, or a hybrid of the two. However, we do know that our schools will be clean, staff properly trained and have the proper health and safety protocols in place. Our future in Kemper County is bright. Like the class of 2020, we are humble and resilient. When we return next school year, we will be stronger together. I look forward to this journey together as we continually seek to prepare our students to be the successful leaders of tomorrow. High School Principal message to KCHS Parents/Families - May 11, 2020" Greetings everyone, I hope you are safe and well. Please continue observing the rules as we know them – washing hands, wearing masks, socially distancing ourselves, and staying home as much as possible. Most of my attention has been directed toward our seniors and graduation; however, students, you know that I’m concerned about you and your academics. It is important that you continue reading. Thanks to Ms. Turner, you can download the books to your phones so keep reading. You know the benefits of “world wide reading” – that’s an inside joke. You will continue school in some form next year – traditional, on line, or a combination of the two (blended). Parents, this has not been decided yet, but students need to be ready. Students, this means you must continue reading and studying. If you have been working on the assignments since we’ve been out of school, you will have that credit added to your grades for the first, second, and third nine weeks. Make sure you do the best you can do and get all you can get. You are responsible for you so do right by yourself. Everyone, look for a message from me very soon concerning our future. Take care and contact me if you need me. The same goes for any of your teachers. High School Principal message to KCHS - April 28, 2020" Dear Wildcat Family, There is an old African proverb that says, "If you want to run fast, run alone; if you want to run far, run with others." Because we have a great distance to cover, I choose to run with you. We shall get through this together. Please go to our page, Kemper County High School, and see the latest updates including graduation information. Please click this link to see the flyer concerning purchasing adds for the Meridian Star for your graduate. Thank you for all you do and thank you for being a Kemper County Wildcat. Superintendent Message to Parents/Families about Final Grades: April 27, 2020" Dear Parents/Families: We hope you are being safe during these uncertain times. Kemper County School District has adopted the following final grading procedure for the 2019-2020 school year term based on guidance received from the Mississippi Department of Education. Final Grades All Kemper County students will receive an End-of-Year grade based on: (a) the average of the student’s first, second, and third nine-week grades; and (b) extra credit for online and offline assignments completed during the school closure. Students in second semester classes (predominantly seniors) will receive a passing credit, but this credit will not affect overall GPA calculations. Students who are at-risk of failing a subject/grade/course will be required to attend a 4-week summer program or an after-school program in the fall contingent on the timeline of the current Shelter-In-Place ordinance. Submitting Information Packets Parents can either return completed packets by placing them in a dropbox located at each school site or send them electronically via email or fax to the school. The final day to submit packets is Thursday, May 7, 2020. The email and fax information to submit information packets for each campus is listed below: School / Email / Fax Number East Kemper Elementary ekepacks@kemper.k12.ms.us 601-476-8000 West Kemper Elementary wkepacks@kemper.k12.ms.us 601-743-4232 Kemper County Middle School kcmspacks@kemper.k12.ms.us 601-743-5952 Kemper County High School kchspacks@kemper.k12.ms.us 601-743-5952 CTE ctepacks@kemper.k12.ms.us 601-743-2351 Superintendent Message to School Community: April 15, 2020" Dear Kemper County School District Community: Yesterday, Governor Tate Reeves announced that schools would remain closed until the end of the school year to slow the spread of COVID-19. While we fully support this decision in face of healthcare and safety for our community, it is not the news we were hoping to hear because our teachers and students miss each other in the actual classroom. What does this means for Kemper County School District? Thanks to our administrators and teachers, we were prepared for this announcement. Although our schools are closed, our school district has built a strong distance learning program that will continue through the end of the school year. Students will continue to receive and complete their weekly instructional assignments. These assignments can be found on our website at www.kempercountyschools.org or students will receive packets via mail. Also, we will continue our Grab and Go meals during this time, which will be available for pick-up only on Mondays and Thursdays at our Lower and Upper Elementary locations. On behalf of Kemper County School District, I am exceptional proud of the way we have handled this crisis. Our dedicated staff and teachers have collectively put in thousands of hours of sacrifice, dedication, compassion, and love from meal preparations and building cleanings to virtual lesson plans, texts and phone calls. All of this continues to be done in support of our fundamental belief, which is Students First. Together, we will get through the current COVID-19 pandemic and we will emerge stronger and more committed than ever to the education of our students. Stay safe and healthy. Superintendent Message to Administrators and Staff: April 14, 2020" Dear Kemper County School District Administrators and Staff: I hope that everyone is doing well during this difficult time. Since the onset of the pandemic, Kemper County School District have partnered with local and state health officials to guide our responses to COVID-19. On today, I have received confirmation of our first two cases of COVID-19 within our school community. While this news may generate anxiety and concern, rest assured that we are working collaboratively and closely with our local health officials to support students, staff and families that are impacted. We are doing our part to share information as well as continue with protocols and precautions to prevent further spread or exposure. As you know, privacy is critical when it comes to students, staff and health care. Therefore, I am asking everyone to respect and protect the right to privacy these members of our school community are afforded under the law. Kemper County Health Department will contact anyone who may have risked exposure. In general, if you feel you have been exposed to COVID-19, it is recommended that you watch for symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath). If you develop these symptoms, call your doctor or Kemper County Health Department. Also, I continue to urge everyone to adhere to social distancing practices and healthcare guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19. All of our campuses will remain closed until further notice. Our Grab and Go meals will continue on Mondays and Thursdays, exclusively for pick-up only. Distance learning for all students will be ongoing and accessible via our website at www.kempercountyschools.org. All teachers will continue to be in regular contact with students, parents and families via School Status. Our primary goal is the safety and welfare of all students, staff and community members. Our Crisis Response Plan for COVID-19 outlines several steps promoted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help prevent the spread of the virus if you are sick, which is shared in this communication via this link. We are now entering the most critical phase of our statewide mandated shelter in place order. As the number of positive cases continues to rise, it remains critical that we all do our part. It is important that we all stay at home and be safe. We will get through this together and we will be stronger as a result. Principal Wilson to KCHS Students: April 6, 2020" Greetings, I miss all of you terribly, but I believe this, too, shall pass. I need several things from you. First of all, because you are all terribly gifted in so many ways, I know you understand how important it is that we practice social distancing and that we limit our contact with others. You do not want to be responsible for causing your loved ones to become infected with COVID-19. Wash your hands often, use disinfectant, and refrain from being with others outside of your immediate family. Do not gather with friends to play electronic games, basketball, listen to music, etc. Follow the rules. Next, I need you to continue your educational gains by completing the assignments you have – electronic or paper. Hold on to your paper work because we will collect it at some point. These are uncertain times, and therefore, we don’t have answers for everything. Go to our page, find your assignments and work as best as you can. Contact your teachers if you need to – email or School Status. Remember, dual credit/dual enrollment students must maintain a “C”average in order to receive credit. If you fail your class, it means you won’t get the high school credit either. Contact your teachers or any of us if you need any assistance. Your School Board members have created a policy that allows students to borrow computers. If you have internet service but need an electronic device, let us know. It is evident that we won’t have prom on April 25thbut remain hopeful for a future date. The same is true about graduation exercises - remain hopeful. Now, in order to graduate, those of you who have been given assignments for classes you have failed MUST complete those assignments (Edgenuity). While it is true that end of course testing requirements have been waived, obtaining credits is a requirement. Find instructions and information in the Counselor’s Section on our page. We are about to begin reading assignments for each grade level. You know I love school wide reading!! We will not lose the ground we have covered. We will not get behind others in this state. We will continue learning, growing, and getting better. Finally, be kind to others and watch out for signs of stress. Little children as well as some of you might become overwhelmed by this situation. Check out this link - mentalhealthms.com. It can help. As always, it’s a great day to be at Kemper County High School, a successful school where we bleed blue and gold. Superintendent Folllow-up to Families/Community: April 1, 2020" Dear Families, Friends, and Community Members: Today, Governor Tate Reeves issued a statewide “shelter-in-place” order for the state of Mississippi due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This order goes into effect Friday, April 3 at 5 p.m. until Monday, April 20 at 8 a.m. For our school district, this means all school buildings/campuses will be closed during this time, except during the allotted time period for Grab and Go meals, which are Mondays and Thursdays between 10 am and 12 pm. Grab and Go meals can be picked up from the campuses of East Kemper and West Kemper Elementary Schools. We will continue our focus on distance learning for all students through electronic communications at www.kempercountyschools.org. Paper packets will not be mailed. Students and families are encouraged to communicate frequently with your teachers and schools via email or School Status. Mostly importantly, it is crucial that all of us do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 by following the health recommendations, maintaining social distancing and shelter-in-place. We are looking forward to the time when we can safely open ourdoors again. Thank you for your continued support of Kemper County School District. Stay safe and be well. Superintendent Folllow-up to Families/Community: March 25, 2020" Dear Families, Friends and Community Members: As promised, I wanted to share information with you as quickly as it is received to keep you accurately updated and informed. Please find below the most recently information for Mississippi State Board of Education concerning school and educational impacts of COVIC-19. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us. Hilute Hudson, Superintendent of Education Kemper County School District ### Mississippi State Board of Education Suspends Key Policies to Manage Impact of Extended School Closures JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) today suspended several statewide policies to manage the impact of extended school closures due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health crisis. The policy suspensions apply only to students and educator candidates in the 2019-20 school year and educator preparation program applicants through December 2021. Below is a summary of the key statewide policy suspensions enacted today. View the SBE meeting back-up material on the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) website for full details and a complete list of SBE policy suspensions for the 2019-20 school year. Graduation for the Class of 2020 Current seniors who meet all district and state requirements may graduate this school year. The requirement that students take end-of-course assessments in Algebra I, English II, Biology and U.S. History has been suspended for seniors because these assessments cannot be administered in spring 2020. Statewide, students are required to earn a minimum of 24 Carnegie units to graduate. Students Scheduled to Take High School End-of-Course Assessments Any student in grades 7 through 12 who is currently enrolled in Algebra I, Biology, English II and/or U. S. History during the 2019-20 school year will not be required to take and/or pass the corresponding end-of-course subject area test(s) or meet one of the options in lieu of passing the test(s) to meet graduation requirements. High School Credits (Carnegie Units) School districts shall determine a process for awarding a Carnegie unit credit for courses that are incomplete for school year 2019-20. Local school boards have the authority to suspend or amend their graduation policies for the 2019-20 school year, provided the policies continue to meet state standards. 3rd Graders Current 3rd graders will be promoted to 4th grade for the 2020-21 school year if the student meets all other district requirements for promotion. Education Preparation Program Entry Candidates seeking admission to an SBE-approved traditional or nontraditional educator preparation program on or before December 31, 2021, are exempt from the educator preparation program entry testing criterion. The exemption extends through the 2021 calendar year to mitigate the impact of a prolonged suspension of candidate testing nationwide. Education Preparation Spring 2020 educator licensure candidates no longer need to meet the minimum of 12 weeks of full-day student teaching to become licensed. The MDE will continue to work collaboratively with Education Preparation Providers (EPP) to determine the acceptable experiences necessary for student teaching and demonstration of teaching competency prior to licensure. Previous SBE Actions The SBE voted on March 19 to suspend all required federal and state assessments for the 2019-20 school year, to seek a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for federal accountability requirements and to allow school districts to forego the requirement of a 180-day school year per state law. ED informed MDE on March 20 of its intention to issue a formal approval of MDE’s waiver request in the coming weeks. Local Policies Local school districts have the authority to establish additional policies regarding grading, promotion, retention and graduation. Contact school districts for details on local policies. Visit the MDE COVID-19 update webpage for additional guidance and Q&A information. High School Parent Letter - Principal Wilson: March 25, 2020" Parents/Families: As you know, Kemper County High School is closed until April 17th. Because we are devoted to "Every student, every day - The Wildcat Way," we are providing opportunities for students to continue the learning process. You and your student(s) can access these learning opportunities by clicking the Continuous Learning Resources tab below: https://sites.google.com/kemper.k12.ms.us/kempercountyhighschool/home?authuser=0 Please click on the tab for your subject/teacher and do your best work. Seniors should access the Counselors' Section for all deadlines (College registration, Financial Aid, Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment, and Credit recovery). Remember, this too shall pass, and when it does, we will be ready. The day looks a bit different, but it is always a great day to be a Wildcat at Kemper County High School where we bleed Blue and Gold. Superintendent Letter: Parent/Family Update - March 23, 2020" Dear Kemper County School Families, Friends, and Community: I wanted to provide you with an update as we continue to monitor the COVID-19 event as it applies to our students, families, schools, district and community. School Closing Last week, Governor Tate Reeves signed an executive order to close all public schools until April 17th due to the coronavirus COVID-19. All Kemper County Schools, offices and buildings will be closed to the public. This closing includes school activities, field trips and use of facilities, which will not occur during this time. Weekly Instructional Packets At Kemper County School District, we are committed to helping our students stay connected to their education during this difficult time where they may feel stressful and isolated. We know they are missing their teachers, friends and school activities, as much as we are missing them. Our teachers, staff and administrators have done a tremendous job of preparing weekly educational resources and instructional material to share with all students and families either by paper packets or online technology. As you explore this information, please be mindful of the following: • All weekly instructional materials are meant to serve as a review, reinforcement, or enrichment and will have a focus on content and skills that have already been taught in school. • Students are being given the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge with extra practice while schools are closed. • Families and students should anticipate communication from their teachers during this time. The goal of communication with students is to help them maintain a sense of normalcy and connection. • Free WIFI access will be available Mondays through Thursdays, 9am - 7pm at all KCSD campuses. We are strongly encouraging our students to use the resources provided in order to minimize any loss of knowledge and/or skills they have worked so hard to develop since last August. Grab and Go Meals During the school closure, our Child Nutrition Services team will continuing to prepare Grab and Go meals for students (breakfast and lunch), which will either be delivered by bus drivers along the regular bus routes and stops or available for pickup at East Kemper Elementary or West Kemper Elementary between 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Monday, March 23, 2020 through Thursday, March 26, 2020. Starting next week, our pickup days at these locations will change to Mondays (6 meals per student) “and” Thursdays (4 meals per student) between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. during the school closure. Updates via Website – www.kempercountyschools.org Kemper County School District has created a website at www.kempercountyschools.org to ensure that all messages reaching our school community are accurate in regard to COVID-19 and its direct effect on our schools and district. Also, visit the site to find answers to frequently asked questions. The safety and health of our students, staff and community has always been and will always be our top priority at Kemper County School District. We are taking every precaution recommended by the various health agencies to keep our schools, buses, and facilities clean and safe. We will continue to provide you with up to date information as we all look forward to opening our school doors again. New Media - Press Release - March 23, 2020" Kemper County Schools Bus Drivers deliver meals during closure Bus drivers for Kemper County Schools are delivering Grab and Go meals to students during the school closure. Last week, Governor Tate Reeves announced that all public schools would be closed until April 17th due to the coronavirus pandemic. Kemper County School District quickly implemented a plan to support families and students who depend on the free and reduced breakfast and lunch program. “We refuse to let a child go hungry,” said Hilute Hudson, Superintendent of Education for Kemper County School District. “Hundred of our students would have been missing meals they regularly depend on during school. We simply were not going to let that happen.” Kemper County School buses are running across the county, but instead of picking up students, they are dropping off Grab and Go meals, which includes breakfast and lunch. “Our bus drivers are traveling their normal routes and making stops to deliver meals to every child that wants it, not just those who are in the free meal program,” said Doug Newton, Director of Transportation for Kemper County Schools. “We are happy to do this and we can tell the families really appreciate it because the kids faces light up when we pull up.” Grab and Go Meals are prepared by Kemper County Child Nutrition Services team who also offers two pickup locations for meals at the campuses of East Kemper Elementary and West Kemper Elementary schools from 10 am – 12 pm, Mondays and Thursdays, during the school closure. "I am very proud of how all of our staff quickly stepped in and stepped up to support our students,” said Hudson. “We will continue to help our families and students through this crisis, no matter how long that lasts.” AIMS Message to Families - March 19, 2020" To Students, Parents, Family Members and Kemper County School District Community: This morning Governor Reeves signed an executive order and announced that all public schools in the State of Mississippi will be closed until April 17 due to the spread of the Coronavirus. At Kemper County School District, the safety and welfare of our students, employees and community is our top priority. We will continue to closely monitoring and evaluate the situation and provide you with updates as quickly as possible. Again, all Kemper County Schools will be closed until April 17. Superintendent Letter: Families, Staff & Community - March 17, 2020" Dear Kemper County School Families, Staff, and Community: I would like to share some important messages with you as we enter our week of school closures. First, I want to say that we at Kemper County School District hope that each and every one of you are well, and that you are listening to and responding appropriately to the directions regarding everyday healthy practices and social distancing. It is crucially important that we all do what we can to slow the spread of COVID-19, protect ourselves, our families, and our neighbors. Second, as you know, all Kemper County schools will be closed from March 16th – 20th with classes. If there are any updates on additional school closures, we will notify you immediately. We know firsthand how disruptive school closure is for families, especially for primary caregivers and those who rely on our schools for nutrition and other services. Given that, we have been working tirelessly with our school leaders and staff to ensure continued delivery of critical services, such as children nutrition and continuous learning opportunities. Specifically: CHILD NUTRITION: We are proud to let the you know that our school leaders and child nutrition services team are moving quickly to support children in this time of crisis by offering food services. Starting Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, we will deploy our school buses to deliver pre-packed grab and go meals to students along the regular bus routes and stops. Bus drivers will hand out breakfast and lunch bags to students from 10am to 12pm. In addition, families can pick up grab and go meals from 10am to 12pm at the following locations: o East Kemper Elementary School, 132 Binnsville Rd, Scooba, MS 39358 o West Kemper Elementary School, 364 John C. Stennis Ave, DeKalb, MS 39328 CONTINUOUS LEARNING: Our schools have been planning to support ongoing learning in case of school closure. Each school will be communicating directly with families on the steps and resources that will be provided to support on-going student learning during this time. Kemper County School District will be identifying additional system-wide needs to support learning. And lastly, it is vitally important we all stay informed as the situation continues to evolve. The safety of our students, staff and community is our priority and know that we will continue to take the necessary precautionary steps as our community faces this health challenge. Our maintenance department and custodial services remains focused on deep cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, countertops, etc.). For the latest information and resources on COVID-19, families are encouraged to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov/coronavirus We will continue to monitor the situation and update you as we have more information. On behalf of our schools and my entire team, I thank you for actions you may be taking to serve others in this time of need and hope you stay healthy and strong. News Media Press Release - March 15, 2020" For Immediate Release: All Kemper County Schools will be closed from Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20th. Only staff members are required to report to their respective schools on Monday, March 16th by 8am. "The safety and welfare of our students, employees and community is our top priority at Kemper County School District," said Hilute Hudson, Superintendent of Education. "We have been closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking actions in conjunction with the Governor’s recently declared State of Emergency for Mississippi. Please note that this is a very fluid situation and our goal as a school district is to keep everyone informed with accurate information as quickly as possible." AIMS Message to Students, Families and Community - March 14, 2020" To Students, Parents, Family Members and Kemper County School District Community: The safety and welfare of our students, employees and community is our top priority at Kemper County School District. We have been closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking actions in conjunction with the Governor’s recently declared State of Emergency for Mississippi. Due to the concerns related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), all Kemper County Schools will be closed from Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20th. Again, all Kemper County Schools will be closed from Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20th. Please note that this is a very fluid situation and our goal as a school district is to keep you informed with accurate information as quickly as possible. AIMS Message to Staff - March 14, 2020" To Staff Members of Kemper County School District Community: The safety and welfare of our students, employees and community is our top priority at Kemper County School District. We have been closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking actions in conjunction with the Governor’s recently declared State of Emergency for Mississippi. Due to the concerns related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), all Kemper County Schools will be closed from Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20th. Only staff members are required to report to their respective schools on Monday, March 16th by 8am. Again, all Kemper County Schools will be closed from Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20th. Only staff members are required to report to their respective schools on Monday, March 16th by 8am. Please note that this is a very fluid situation and our goal as a school district is to keep you informed with accurate information as quickly as possible. What is COVIS-19? COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus that has not been found in people before. Based on reports from places where it has circulated, COVID-19 presents a range of illnesses. While many cases may be mild to moderate with symptoms similar to colds and flu, some cases may be more severe. The risk of severe illness seems to be higher for older people and those with underlying health conditions. So far, very few children have fallen sick due to COVID-19. Because this is a new virus, there are still things we do not know, such as how severe the illness can be, how well it is transmitted between people, and other features of the virus. How were decisions made to close Kemper County Schools? Per an executive order from Governor Tate Reeves, all public schools including Kemper County School District are closed for four weeks until Friday, April 17, 2020. All Kemper County school activities, field trips, and use of facilities will not occur during this period. Will KCSD still hold prom and graduations for all schools? As of now, all events that were scheduled or postponed after April 17th will still take place. What about students who are in sports or extra curricular activities? All practices, games, meetings and events will be canceled while school is not in session. What proactive cleaning measures are in place at KCSD? As recommended by the Mississippi State Health Department (MSHD), the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kemper County Schools has increased focus on cleaning and disinfecting, and implemented social distancing practices. KCSD’s maintenance department and custodial services focused on deep cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, countertops, school buses, etc.). KCSD also contracted and outside cleaning company to provide additional support. What actions should I take to protect myself and my family? Coronaviruses, including COVID-19, spread between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) via coughing or sneezing. It may also spread by touching a surface or object with the virus on it. The same good health habits that prevent other viruses like the flu also prevent the spread of COVID-19 and decrease the risk of getting sick: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, with 60% alcohol, if soap and water are not available. Cough into a tissue or your elbow (not your hand), then throw tissue away and wash your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick. Keep students home if they are running a temperature or they report not feeling well or appear weak or ill. Consult your health care provider if you or your child has health conditions that put you at increased risk. How does KCSD learn about confirmed cases of COVID-19 in KCSD students and staff? As of right now we have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among KCSD students or staff. If there were to be confirmed cases, we would be officially notified by the Mississippi State Health Department (MSHD), though we do ask families and staff to contact us as well. What about KCSD students and families who travel outside of the area or country? Kemper County School District does not have the authority or the means to monitor the personal travel of students and families or to restrict school attendance as a result of travel. We request that families be aware of, and comply with, the recommendations of the CDC with regard to travel abroad, particularly to countries with Level 3 Travel Health Notices. If families choose to travel to countries on the list, the CDC recommends a 14-day self-imposed quarantine. School districts do not have authority to impose or monitor quarantines for individual students or families but request that families comply with these recommendations. How should I stay informed? This is a fluid situation. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Mississippi State Health Department’s website at https://msdh.ms.gov/. KCSD continues to follow the guidance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Mississippi State Health Department in our response to COVID-19, including decisions to close schools and whether students or staff would need to be quarantined. KCSD will provide updates on any changes as quickly as possible. What resources are available for talking to kids about COVID-19? Here’s an informative graphic resource from NPR. Guidance from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network on talking to kids in a way that will reduce stress and help calm anxieties. Tips from the Washington State Department of Health for teaching proper handwashing techniques. Covid Case Tracker Kemper County School District remains committed to the health and safety of our students, staff, visitors and community. We are reporting data that show the impact of COVID-19 on our district every week throughout the pandemic to keep our school community informed. Confirmed cases remain a small fraction of our entire student body, teachers, and staff across the district. Kemper County School District is ahead of the curve with coronavirus testing, compared to many school districts across the country. The district has extensive protocols for safety protection, deep cleaning practices, social distancing, handwashing, temperature scanning, and personal protective equipment. We are also in partnership with local and state county health officials to provide frontline access to COVID-19 testing and care for students and staff experiencing symptoms. It is important to note that the information here includes positive cases reported by any student or staff member, regardless of where they contracted COVID-19. COVID-19 UPDATES & INFORMATION CORONAVIRUS KEMPER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 159 Main Avenue, DeKalb, MS 39328 THE WILDCAT WAY! Schools Employment About Calendar Quick Links School Food Services For Parents Contact More... COVID CASE TRACKER COVID RESPONSE MANUAL MASK MANDATE Case Tracker

Kemper County Elementary School Dr. Jeri Cawthorn Principal Up Up Welcome to Kemper County Elementary School Our new elementary school, Kemper County Elementary School, is a great opportunity for students to grow and excel both socially and academically. Our classroom sizes are smaller and our faculty and staff are devoted to all students and families. At KCES, we believe that the more the school and family are joined as partners in education, the greater our children's chances for success. There are many opportunities for engagement in the school community beyond the actual school day. We thank you for your interest in Kemper County Elementary School and invite you to join us. If you would like additional about our school Please call us 601-743-2432 Email me at jcawthorn@kemper.k12.ms.us . COVID Updates News Staff Quick Links District Upcoming Events View In Calender Staff Genetrice Doss Assistant Principal Aletha Little Clerical Paula McDaniel Interventionist Jessica Pulivarthi STEM LaShondra McDonald Talented & Gifted Karetha Oliver Inclusion Terrica Cross Exceptional Education Teacher Assistant Heather Westerfield Speech Pathologist Telicia Bohannon Kindergarten Teacher Jane Bell 1st Grade Teacher Kasi McIntosh 2nd Grade Teacher Brittany Hickman 3rd Grade Teacher Roxie Little 4th Grade Teacher Elitra Hudson 5th Grade Teacher Bobbie Wilkins Teacher Assistant Lontae Jones Clerical Jalynn Glaspie Teacher Assistant Cynthia Dawkins Lead Teacher Monica Chamberlin Custodian Cristal Turner Interventionist Katricia Steele Computer Science Jimeka Dancy Inclusion Sonya McGraw Dyslexic Therapist Carmella Grace Exceptional Education Teacher Assistant Jenny Evans Speech Pathologist Paulette Jones Kindergarten Teacher Kieyschmen Evans 1st Grade Teacher Olivia Presley 2nd Grade Teacher Pam Dawkins 3rd Grade Teacher Anastasia Bryant 4th Grade Teacher Clalaisha Cole Teacher Assistant Tydashia Little Teacher Assistant Kendra Grady Teacher Assistant Judy Rankin Clerical Janice Neal Counselor Robert Johnson Custodian Patrice Roberts Interventionist Candace Sanders Librarian Rebekah Loving Inclusion Laura Mosley Exceptional Education Sherry Arrington Exceptional Education Teacher Assistant Marquita Geeter Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Cynthia Little Kindergarten Teacher Wendy Pilgrim 1st Grade Teacher Ashley Maxwell 2nd Grade Teacher Loretta Paige 3rd Grade Teacher Jaimie Calvert 5th Grade Teacher Shantae Jennings Teacher Assistant Rubbie Brown Teacher Assistant Annie Midcalf Teacher Assistant Emmanuel Smoot Teacher Assistant Jonetta Slaughter Counselor Dora Moore Nurse Shalanda Moore Support Staff Orien Dailey P. E. Cynthia Bourrage Inclusion Ashton Clark Exceptional Education Patricia Williams Exceptional Education Teacher Assistant Kenya Hopson Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Destinie Merwin Kindergarten Teacher Abby Watson 1st Grade Teacher Lauren Robbins 2nd Grade Teacher Christina Briggs 4th Grade Teacher Shatamia Fulton 5th Grade Teacher Pam Black Teacher Assistant Veronica Winston Teacher Assistant Carla Dansby Teacher Assistant Nicolle Forcier P.E. staff Quick links Up Active Parent Up Employee Connect Up GMail Up Integrity Financial Up iReady Up IXL Up Magnolia Up Maintenance Help Desk Up McGraw-Hill Up MDE Up P3 Campus Up Ready Teacher Tool Box Up Renaissance Up SAMs Up School Status Up Zaner-Bloser Up Technology Help Desk links Tweets by @KEMPER_ELEM

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COVID-19 Updates & Information Up COVID Response Manual Up Mask Mandate Communication & Information On COVID 19 KCSD Communication to Community/Families - November 16, 2020" Families of Kemper County School District: The safety and welfare of our students, staff, families and community are our top priorities at Kemper County School District (KCSD). As we are noticing the current rise in coronavirus cases in our state, KCSD is modifying its school schedules as follow: • PreK - 6th grade students (currently enrolled as face-to-facelearners) will participate in the virtual learning platform from November 30th - December 4th; and will return to school for in-person learning from December 7th - December 18th • PreK - 6th grade students (currently enrolled as virtual learners) will continue to participate in the virtual learning platform from November 30th - December 18th • 7th - 12th grade students will participate in the virtual learning platform from November 30th - December 18th For additional information or help, please contact your schools. Superintendent's message to Community - May 16, 2020" Dear Kemper County School District Families, Friends and Community: Many people will remember the second half of our school year as being unprecedented, unnerving, and disruptive for the lives of millions of people in the world, including the Class of 2020. This is because we envisioned our seniors going to prom, attending awards banquets, sending out graduation invitations and celebrating a traditional graduation with friends and family. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19’s impact on our schools, families and community as a whole, we could not conduct ourselves and host our celebrations in the usual fashion. Instead, we had to adapt quickly to the uneasiness and uncertainties surrounding the pandemic. In spite of our current circumstances, I want to take a moment to tell all of you how proud I am of your accomplishments. As superintendent, I will forever remember the second half of our school year by looking through rose-colored glasses. When you were faced with challenges, you delivered on your commitment. When our school buildings were closed, you continued your education by remote learning. When your activities were postponed or canceled, you found alternative routes. When the world around you was quarantined and falling apart, you held it together. There are two words that come to mind that describes you – humble and resilient. This reminds of the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling, that basically says if you can take everything that life throws at you and hold onto who you are, then the world is yours and everything in it. And as you go on to pursue the next chapter in your life, know that you can adapt to life’s unexpected changes and come out stronger on the other end. As we look ahead to our summer and next school year, I know everyone is wondering what exactly will that look like. I do not have all of the answers, but I will share with you where we are today. First, we are building a plan for reopening schools and buildings by June 1st with safety and health precautions being deployed. Over the past several weeks, we have been working with our school leadership to reflect on what has worked well and to assess what is needed to best support teachers and students over the summer and the next school year. We are also leading a task force for athletics and welfare comprised of administrators, teachers, coaches, social workers, medical experts and parents, which will focus on how we safely return to school and socially engaged each other. Our goal is to produce plans for our schools, students and athletes to follow to ensure all precautions are taken to keep everyone safe and mentally healthy. When it comes to our classrooms, we are unsure whether this will include our regular full in-person classes, distance learning experiences, or a hybrid of the two. However, we do know that our schools will be clean, staff properly trained and have the proper health and safety protocols in place. Our future in Kemper County is bright. Like the class of 2020, we are humble and resilient. When we return next school year, we will be stronger together. I look forward to this journey together as we continually seek to prepare our students to be the successful leaders of tomorrow. High School Principal message to KCHS Parents/Families - May 11, 2020" Greetings everyone, I hope you are safe and well. Please continue observing the rules as we know them – washing hands, wearing masks, socially distancing ourselves, and staying home as much as possible. Most of my attention has been directed toward our seniors and graduation; however, students, you know that I’m concerned about you and your academics. It is important that you continue reading. Thanks to Ms. Turner, you can download the books to your phones so keep reading. You know the benefits of “world wide reading” – that’s an inside joke. You will continue school in some form next year – traditional, on line, or a combination of the two (blended). Parents, this has not been decided yet, but students need to be ready. Students, this means you must continue reading and studying. If you have been working on the assignments since we’ve been out of school, you will have that credit added to your grades for the first, second, and third nine weeks. Make sure you do the best you can do and get all you can get. You are responsible for you so do right by yourself. Everyone, look for a message from me very soon concerning our future. Take care and contact me if you need me. The same goes for any of your teachers. High School Principal message to KCHS - April 28, 2020" Dear Wildcat Family, There is an old African proverb that says, "If you want to run fast, run alone; if you want to run far, run with others." Because we have a great distance to cover, I choose to run with you. We shall get through this together. Please go to our page, Kemper County High School, and see the latest updates including graduation information. Please click this link to see the flyer concerning purchasing adds for the Meridian Star for your graduate. Thank you for all you do and thank you for being a Kemper County Wildcat. Superintendent Message to Parents/Families about Final Grades: April 27, 2020" Dear Parents/Families: We hope you are being safe during these uncertain times. Kemper County School District has adopted the following final grading procedure for the 2019-2020 school year term based on guidance received from the Mississippi Department of Education. Final Grades All Kemper County students will receive an End-of-Year grade based on: (a) the average of the student’s first, second, and third nine-week grades; and (b) extra credit for online and offline assignments completed during the school closure. Students in second semester classes (predominantly seniors) will receive a passing credit, but this credit will not affect overall GPA calculations. Students who are at-risk of failing a subject/grade/course will be required to attend a 4-week summer program or an after-school program in the fall contingent on the timeline of the current Shelter-In-Place ordinance. Submitting Information Packets Parents can either return completed packets by placing them in a dropbox located at each school site or send them electronically via email or fax to the school. The final day to submit packets is Thursday, May 7, 2020. The email and fax information to submit information packets for each campus is listed below: School / Email / Fax Number East Kemper Elementary ekepacks@kemper.k12.ms.us 601-476-8000 West Kemper Elementary wkepacks@kemper.k12.ms.us 601-743-4232 Kemper County Middle School kcmspacks@kemper.k12.ms.us 601-743-5952 Kemper County High School kchspacks@kemper.k12.ms.us 601-743-5952 CTE ctepacks@kemper.k12.ms.us 601-743-2351 Superintendent Message to School Community: April 15, 2020" Dear Kemper County School District Community: Yesterday, Governor Tate Reeves announced that schools would remain closed until the end of the school year to slow the spread of COVID-19. While we fully support this decision in face of healthcare and safety for our community, it is not the news we were hoping to hear because our teachers and students miss each other in the actual classroom. What does this means for Kemper County School District? Thanks to our administrators and teachers, we were prepared for this announcement. Although our schools are closed, our school district has built a strong distance learning program that will continue through the end of the school year. Students will continue to receive and complete their weekly instructional assignments. These assignments can be found on our website at www.kempercountyschools.org or students will receive packets via mail. Also, we will continue our Grab and Go meals during this time, which will be available for pick-up only on Mondays and Thursdays at our Lower and Upper Elementary locations. On behalf of Kemper County School District, I am exceptional proud of the way we have handled this crisis. Our dedicated staff and teachers have collectively put in thousands of hours of sacrifice, dedication, compassion, and love from meal preparations and building cleanings to virtual lesson plans, texts and phone calls. All of this continues to be done in support of our fundamental belief, which is Students First. Together, we will get through the current COVID-19 pandemic and we will emerge stronger and more committed than ever to the education of our students. Stay safe and healthy. Superintendent Message to Administrators and Staff: April 14, 2020" Dear Kemper County School District Administrators and Staff: I hope that everyone is doing well during this difficult time. Since the onset of the pandemic, Kemper County School District have partnered with local and state health officials to guide our responses to COVID-19. On today, I have received confirmation of our first two cases of COVID-19 within our school community. While this news may generate anxiety and concern, rest assured that we are working collaboratively and closely with our local health officials to support students, staff and families that are impacted. We are doing our part to share information as well as continue with protocols and precautions to prevent further spread or exposure. As you know, privacy is critical when it comes to students, staff and health care. Therefore, I am asking everyone to respect and protect the right to privacy these members of our school community are afforded under the law. Kemper County Health Department will contact anyone who may have risked exposure. In general, if you feel you have been exposed to COVID-19, it is recommended that you watch for symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath). If you develop these symptoms, call your doctor or Kemper County Health Department. Also, I continue to urge everyone to adhere to social distancing practices and healthcare guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19. All of our campuses will remain closed until further notice. Our Grab and Go meals will continue on Mondays and Thursdays, exclusively for pick-up only. Distance learning for all students will be ongoing and accessible via our website at www.kempercountyschools.org. All teachers will continue to be in regular contact with students, parents and families via School Status. Our primary goal is the safety and welfare of all students, staff and community members. Our Crisis Response Plan for COVID-19 outlines several steps promoted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help prevent the spread of the virus if you are sick, which is shared in this communication via this link. We are now entering the most critical phase of our statewide mandated shelter in place order. As the number of positive cases continues to rise, it remains critical that we all do our part. It is important that we all stay at home and be safe. We will get through this together and we will be stronger as a result. Principal Wilson to KCHS Students: April 6, 2020" Greetings, I miss all of you terribly, but I believe this, too, shall pass. I need several things from you. First of all, because you are all terribly gifted in so many ways, I know you understand how important it is that we practice social distancing and that we limit our contact with others. You do not want to be responsible for causing your loved ones to become infected with COVID-19. Wash your hands often, use disinfectant, and refrain from being with others outside of your immediate family. Do not gather with friends to play electronic games, basketball, listen to music, etc. Follow the rules. Next, I need you to continue your educational gains by completing the assignments you have – electronic or paper. Hold on to your paper work because we will collect it at some point. These are uncertain times, and therefore, we don’t have answers for everything. Go to our page, find your assignments and work as best as you can. Contact your teachers if you need to – email or School Status. Remember, dual credit/dual enrollment students must maintain a “C”average in order to receive credit. If you fail your class, it means you won’t get the high school credit either. Contact your teachers or any of us if you need any assistance. Your School Board members have created a policy that allows students to borrow computers. If you have internet service but need an electronic device, let us know. It is evident that we won’t have prom on April 25thbut remain hopeful for a future date. The same is true about graduation exercises - remain hopeful. Now, in order to graduate, those of you who have been given assignments for classes you have failed MUST complete those assignments (Edgenuity). While it is true that end of course testing requirements have been waived, obtaining credits is a requirement. Find instructions and information in the Counselor’s Section on our page. We are about to begin reading assignments for each grade level. You know I love school wide reading!! We will not lose the ground we have covered. We will not get behind others in this state. We will continue learning, growing, and getting better. Finally, be kind to others and watch out for signs of stress. Little children as well as some of you might become overwhelmed by this situation. Check out this link - mentalhealthms.com. It can help. As always, it’s a great day to be at Kemper County High School, a successful school where we bleed blue and gold. Superintendent Folllow-up to Families/Community: April 1, 2020" Dear Families, Friends, and Community Members: Today, Governor Tate Reeves issued a statewide “shelter-in-place” order for the state of Mississippi due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This order goes into effect Friday, April 3 at 5 p.m. until Monday, April 20 at 8 a.m. For our school district, this means all school buildings/campuses will be closed during this time, except during the allotted time period for Grab and Go meals, which are Mondays and Thursdays between 10 am and 12 pm. Grab and Go meals can be picked up from the campuses of East Kemper and West Kemper Elementary Schools. We will continue our focus on distance learning for all students through electronic communications at www.kempercountyschools.org. Paper packets will not be mailed. Students and families are encouraged to communicate frequently with your teachers and schools via email or School Status. Mostly importantly, it is crucial that all of us do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 by following the health recommendations, maintaining social distancing and shelter-in-place. We are looking forward to the time when we can safely open ourdoors again. Thank you for your continued support of Kemper County School District. Stay safe and be well. Superintendent Folllow-up to Families/Community: March 25, 2020" Dear Families, Friends and Community Members: As promised, I wanted to share information with you as quickly as it is received to keep you accurately updated and informed. Please find below the most recently information for Mississippi State Board of Education concerning school and educational impacts of COVIC-19. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us. Hilute Hudson, Superintendent of Education Kemper County School District ### Mississippi State Board of Education Suspends Key Policies to Manage Impact of Extended School Closures JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) today suspended several statewide policies to manage the impact of extended school closures due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health crisis. The policy suspensions apply only to students and educator candidates in the 2019-20 school year and educator preparation program applicants through December 2021. Below is a summary of the key statewide policy suspensions enacted today. View the SBE meeting back-up material on the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) website for full details and a complete list of SBE policy suspensions for the 2019-20 school year. Graduation for the Class of 2020 Current seniors who meet all district and state requirements may graduate this school year. The requirement that students take end-of-course assessments in Algebra I, English II, Biology and U.S. History has been suspended for seniors because these assessments cannot be administered in spring 2020. Statewide, students are required to earn a minimum of 24 Carnegie units to graduate. Students Scheduled to Take High School End-of-Course Assessments Any student in grades 7 through 12 who is currently enrolled in Algebra I, Biology, English II and/or U. S. History during the 2019-20 school year will not be required to take and/or pass the corresponding end-of-course subject area test(s) or meet one of the options in lieu of passing the test(s) to meet graduation requirements. High School Credits (Carnegie Units) School districts shall determine a process for awarding a Carnegie unit credit for courses that are incomplete for school year 2019-20. Local school boards have the authority to suspend or amend their graduation policies for the 2019-20 school year, provided the policies continue to meet state standards. 3rd Graders Current 3rd graders will be promoted to 4th grade for the 2020-21 school year if the student meets all other district requirements for promotion. Education Preparation Program Entry Candidates seeking admission to an SBE-approved traditional or nontraditional educator preparation program on or before December 31, 2021, are exempt from the educator preparation program entry testing criterion. The exemption extends through the 2021 calendar year to mitigate the impact of a prolonged suspension of candidate testing nationwide. Education Preparation Spring 2020 educator licensure candidates no longer need to meet the minimum of 12 weeks of full-day student teaching to become licensed. The MDE will continue to work collaboratively with Education Preparation Providers (EPP) to determine the acceptable experiences necessary for student teaching and demonstration of teaching competency prior to licensure. Previous SBE Actions The SBE voted on March 19 to suspend all required federal and state assessments for the 2019-20 school year, to seek a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for federal accountability requirements and to allow school districts to forego the requirement of a 180-day school year per state law. ED informed MDE on March 20 of its intention to issue a formal approval of MDE’s waiver request in the coming weeks. Local Policies Local school districts have the authority to establish additional policies regarding grading, promotion, retention and graduation. Contact school districts for details on local policies. Visit the MDE COVID-19 update webpage for additional guidance and Q&A information. High School Parent Letter - Principal Wilson: March 25, 2020" Parents/Families: As you know, Kemper County High School is closed until April 17th. Because we are devoted to "Every student, every day - The Wildcat Way," we are providing opportunities for students to continue the learning process. You and your student(s) can access these learning opportunities by clicking the Continuous Learning Resources tab below: https://sites.google.com/kemper.k12.ms.us/kempercountyhighschool/home?authuser=0 Please click on the tab for your subject/teacher and do your best work. Seniors should access the Counselors' Section for all deadlines (College registration, Financial Aid, Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment, and Credit recovery). Remember, this too shall pass, and when it does, we will be ready. The day looks a bit different, but it is always a great day to be a Wildcat at Kemper County High School where we bleed Blue and Gold. Superintendent Letter: Parent/Family Update - March 23, 2020" Dear Kemper County School Families, Friends, and Community: I wanted to provide you with an update as we continue to monitor the COVID-19 event as it applies to our students, families, schools, district and community. School Closing Last week, Governor Tate Reeves signed an executive order to close all public schools until April 17th due to the coronavirus COVID-19. All Kemper County Schools, offices and buildings will be closed to the public. This closing includes school activities, field trips and use of facilities, which will not occur during this time. Weekly Instructional Packets At Kemper County School District, we are committed to helping our students stay connected to their education during this difficult time where they may feel stressful and isolated. We know they are missing their teachers, friends and school activities, as much as we are missing them. Our teachers, staff and administrators have done a tremendous job of preparing weekly educational resources and instructional material to share with all students and families either by paper packets or online technology. As you explore this information, please be mindful of the following: • All weekly instructional materials are meant to serve as a review, reinforcement, or enrichment and will have a focus on content and skills that have already been taught in school. • Students are being given the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge with extra practice while schools are closed. • Families and students should anticipate communication from their teachers during this time. The goal of communication with students is to help them maintain a sense of normalcy and connection. • Free WIFI access will be available Mondays through Thursdays, 9am - 7pm at all KCSD campuses. We are strongly encouraging our students to use the resources provided in order to minimize any loss of knowledge and/or skills they have worked so hard to develop since last August. Grab and Go Meals During the school closure, our Child Nutrition Services team will continuing to prepare Grab and Go meals for students (breakfast and lunch), which will either be delivered by bus drivers along the regular bus routes and stops or available for pickup at East Kemper Elementary or West Kemper Elementary between 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Monday, March 23, 2020 through Thursday, March 26, 2020. Starting next week, our pickup days at these locations will change to Mondays (6 meals per student) “and” Thursdays (4 meals per student) between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. during the school closure. Updates via Website – www.kempercountyschools.org Kemper County School District has created a website at www.kempercountyschools.org to ensure that all messages reaching our school community are accurate in regard to COVID-19 and its direct effect on our schools and district. Also, visit the site to find answers to frequently asked questions. The safety and health of our students, staff and community has always been and will always be our top priority at Kemper County School District. We are taking every precaution recommended by the various health agencies to keep our schools, buses, and facilities clean and safe. We will continue to provide you with up to date information as we all look forward to opening our school doors again. New Media - Press Release - March 23, 2020" Kemper County Schools Bus Drivers deliver meals during closure Bus drivers for Kemper County Schools are delivering Grab and Go meals to students during the school closure. Last week, Governor Tate Reeves announced that all public schools would be closed until April 17th due to the coronavirus pandemic. Kemper County School District quickly implemented a plan to support families and students who depend on the free and reduced breakfast and lunch program. “We refuse to let a child go hungry,” said Hilute Hudson, Superintendent of Education for Kemper County School District. “Hundred of our students would have been missing meals they regularly depend on during school. We simply were not going to let that happen.” Kemper County School buses are running across the county, but instead of picking up students, they are dropping off Grab and Go meals, which includes breakfast and lunch. “Our bus drivers are traveling their normal routes and making stops to deliver meals to every child that wants it, not just those who are in the free meal program,” said Doug Newton, Director of Transportation for Kemper County Schools. “We are happy to do this and we can tell the families really appreciate it because the kids faces light up when we pull up.” Grab and Go Meals are prepared by Kemper County Child Nutrition Services team who also offers two pickup locations for meals at the campuses of East Kemper Elementary and West Kemper Elementary schools from 10 am – 12 pm, Mondays and Thursdays, during the school closure. "I am very proud of how all of our staff quickly stepped in and stepped up to support our students,” said Hudson. “We will continue to help our families and students through this crisis, no matter how long that lasts.” AIMS Message to Families - March 19, 2020" To Students, Parents, Family Members and Kemper County School District Community: This morning Governor Reeves signed an executive order and announced that all public schools in the State of Mississippi will be closed until April 17 due to the spread of the Coronavirus. At Kemper County School District, the safety and welfare of our students, employees and community is our top priority. We will continue to closely monitoring and evaluate the situation and provide you with updates as quickly as possible. Again, all Kemper County Schools will be closed until April 17. Superintendent Letter: Families, Staff & Community - March 17, 2020" Dear Kemper County School Families, Staff, and Community: I would like to share some important messages with you as we enter our week of school closures. First, I want to say that we at Kemper County School District hope that each and every one of you are well, and that you are listening to and responding appropriately to the directions regarding everyday healthy practices and social distancing. It is crucially important that we all do what we can to slow the spread of COVID-19, protect ourselves, our families, and our neighbors. Second, as you know, all Kemper County schools will be closed from March 16th – 20th with classes. If there are any updates on additional school closures, we will notify you immediately. We know firsthand how disruptive school closure is for families, especially for primary caregivers and those who rely on our schools for nutrition and other services. Given that, we have been working tirelessly with our school leaders and staff to ensure continued delivery of critical services, such as children nutrition and continuous learning opportunities. Specifically: CHILD NUTRITION: We are proud to let the you know that our school leaders and child nutrition services team are moving quickly to support children in this time of crisis by offering food services. Starting Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, we will deploy our school buses to deliver pre-packed grab and go meals to students along the regular bus routes and stops. Bus drivers will hand out breakfast and lunch bags to students from 10am to 12pm. In addition, families can pick up grab and go meals from 10am to 12pm at the following locations: o East Kemper Elementary School, 132 Binnsville Rd, Scooba, MS 39358 o West Kemper Elementary School, 364 John C. Stennis Ave, DeKalb, MS 39328 CONTINUOUS LEARNING: Our schools have been planning to support ongoing learning in case of school closure. Each school will be communicating directly with families on the steps and resources that will be provided to support on-going student learning during this time. Kemper County School District will be identifying additional system-wide needs to support learning. And lastly, it is vitally important we all stay informed as the situation continues to evolve. The safety of our students, staff and community is our priority and know that we will continue to take the necessary precautionary steps as our community faces this health challenge. Our maintenance department and custodial services remains focused on deep cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, countertops, etc.). For the latest information and resources on COVID-19, families are encouraged to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov/coronavirus We will continue to monitor the situation and update you as we have more information. On behalf of our schools and my entire team, I thank you for actions you may be taking to serve others in this time of need and hope you stay healthy and strong. News Media Press Release - March 15, 2020" For Immediate Release: All Kemper County Schools will be closed from Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20th. Only staff members are required to report to their respective schools on Monday, March 16th by 8am. "The safety and welfare of our students, employees and community is our top priority at Kemper County School District," said Hilute Hudson, Superintendent of Education. "We have been closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking actions in conjunction with the Governor’s recently declared State of Emergency for Mississippi. Please note that this is a very fluid situation and our goal as a school district is to keep everyone informed with accurate information as quickly as possible." AIMS Message to Students, Families and Community - March 14, 2020" To Students, Parents, Family Members and Kemper County School District Community: The safety and welfare of our students, employees and community is our top priority at Kemper County School District. We have been closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking actions in conjunction with the Governor’s recently declared State of Emergency for Mississippi. Due to the concerns related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), all Kemper County Schools will be closed from Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20th. Again, all Kemper County Schools will be closed from Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20th. Please note that this is a very fluid situation and our goal as a school district is to keep you informed with accurate information as quickly as possible. AIMS Message to Staff - March 14, 2020" To Staff Members of Kemper County School District Community: The safety and welfare of our students, employees and community is our top priority at Kemper County School District. We have been closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking actions in conjunction with the Governor’s recently declared State of Emergency for Mississippi. Due to the concerns related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), all Kemper County Schools will be closed from Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20th. Only staff members are required to report to their respective schools on Monday, March 16th by 8am. Again, all Kemper County Schools will be closed from Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20th. Only staff members are required to report to their respective schools on Monday, March 16th by 8am. Please note that this is a very fluid situation and our goal as a school district is to keep you informed with accurate information as quickly as possible. What is COVIS-19? COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus that has not been found in people before. Based on reports from places where it has circulated, COVID-19 presents a range of illnesses. While many cases may be mild to moderate with symptoms similar to colds and flu, some cases may be more severe. The risk of severe illness seems to be higher for older people and those with underlying health conditions. So far, very few children have fallen sick due to COVID-19. Because this is a new virus, there are still things we do not know, such as how severe the illness can be, how well it is transmitted between people, and other features of the virus. How were decisions made to close Kemper County Schools? Per an executive order from Governor Tate Reeves, all public schools including Kemper County School District are closed for four weeks until Friday, April 17, 2020. All Kemper County school activities, field trips, and use of facilities will not occur during this period. Will KCSD still hold prom and graduations for all schools? As of now, all events that were scheduled or postponed after April 17th will still take place. What about students who are in sports or extra curricular activities? All practices, games, meetings and events will be canceled while school is not in session. What proactive cleaning measures are in place at KCSD? As recommended by the Mississippi State Health Department (MSHD), the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kemper County Schools has increased focus on cleaning and disinfecting, and implemented social distancing practices. KCSD’s maintenance department and custodial services focused on deep cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, countertops, school buses, etc.). KCSD also contracted and outside cleaning company to provide additional support. What actions should I take to protect myself and my family? Coronaviruses, including COVID-19, spread between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) via coughing or sneezing. It may also spread by touching a surface or object with the virus on it. The same good health habits that prevent other viruses like the flu also prevent the spread of COVID-19 and decrease the risk of getting sick: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, with 60% alcohol, if soap and water are not available. Cough into a tissue or your elbow (not your hand), then throw tissue away and wash your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick. Keep students home if they are running a temperature or they report not feeling well or appear weak or ill. Consult your health care provider if you or your child has health conditions that put you at increased risk. How does KCSD learn about confirmed cases of COVID-19 in KCSD students and staff? As of right now we have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among KCSD students or staff. If there were to be confirmed cases, we would be officially notified by the Mississippi State Health Department (MSHD), though we do ask families and staff to contact us as well. What about KCSD students and families who travel outside of the area or country? Kemper County School District does not have the authority or the means to monitor the personal travel of students and families or to restrict school attendance as a result of travel. We request that families be aware of, and comply with, the recommendations of the CDC with regard to travel abroad, particularly to countries with Level 3 Travel Health Notices. If families choose to travel to countries on the list, the CDC recommends a 14-day self-imposed quarantine. School districts do not have authority to impose or monitor quarantines for individual students or families but request that families comply with these recommendations. How should I stay informed? This is a fluid situation. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Mississippi State Health Department’s website at https://msdh.ms.gov/. KCSD continues to follow the guidance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Mississippi State Health Department in our response to COVID-19, including decisions to close schools and whether students or staff would need to be quarantined. KCSD will provide updates on any changes as quickly as possible. What resources are available for talking to kids about COVID-19? Here’s an informative graphic resource from NPR. Guidance from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network on talking to kids in a way that will reduce stress and help calm anxieties. Tips from the Washington State Department of Health for teaching proper handwashing techniques. Covid Case Tracker Kemper County School District remains committed to the health and safety of our students, staff, visitors and community. We are reporting data that show the impact of COVID-19 on our district every week throughout the pandemic to keep our school community informed. Confirmed cases remain a small fraction of our entire student body, teachers, and staff across the district. Kemper County School District is ahead of the curve with coronavirus testing, compared to many school districts across the country. The district has extensive protocols for safety protection, deep cleaning practices, social distancing, handwashing, temperature scanning, and personal protective equipment. We are also in partnership with local and state county health officials to provide frontline access to COVID-19 testing and care for students and staff experiencing symptoms. It is important to note that the information here includes positive cases reported by any student or staff member, regardless of where they contracted COVID-19. Tweets by @KemperSchools

Elementary Middle & High School CTE Success School Our Superintendent Welcome to the 2025 - 26 school year. We’re excited for the start of a new year and the opportunity it presents for setting new goals, reigniting neglected passions, and putting our individual and collective best selves forward. Kemper County School District is an incredible place for students to learn and grow. View More Dr. Hilute Hudson Superintendent of Education Our Schools & District Policies & Procedures Approved school board policies, documents and procedures View More Career Opportunities Looking to join a dynamic & high performing school district View More District Calendar Keeping you informed about activities and events View More Strong Readers Teachers screen all children’s reading skills at the beginning View More Central Office Staff Dr. Hilute Hudson Up Superintendent Dr. Matilda Miller Up Business Manager Marshetta Little Up Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Dr. Mary Nell Woolery Up Federal Programs Director & Point of Contact View More Annual Needs Assessment Esser Funds Input Kemper County School District (KCSD) uses their local data and comprehensive needs assessment process to determine the best uses of funds for their students and staff. KCSD plans for these funds over the entire covered period to facilitate a more comprehensive long- term approach to learning acceleration. The Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) contains the Data Analysis Areas. The Data Analysis Areas contain four Multiple Measures of Data. The four Multiple Measures of Data are Demographics, Student Academic Achievement, District Processes & Programs, and Perceptions. The Data Analysis Areas each include: Summary, Strengths, and Needs. KCSD addresses the intent and purpose of the ARP Act of 2021, ESSER III funding which is to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students. View More Upcoming Events View In Calendar Mississippi Succeeds Report Card Kemper County School District Kemper County High School Kemper County Middle School Kemper County Upper Elementary Kemper County Lower Elementary Tweets by @KemperSchools

KEMPER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 159 Main Avenue, DeKalb, MS 39328 THE WILDCAT WAY! Schools Employment About Calendar Quick Links School Food Services For Parents Contact More... Departments Doug Newton Transportation Director Stacey Peeler Director of Food Services Marcus Wilson Maintenance Supervisor Nurse Kandria Green Health Services Brice Ford Systems Administration Jake Bohannon Computer Technician Nurse Dora Moore Health Services Brian Scott Technology Coordinator Chris Little Computer Technician

Kemper County School District serves over 900 students Pre-K through 12th grade in Kemper County Mississippi. KSCD offers a comprehensive academic curriculum, career technical education classes and competitive athletics. Every Student Every Day The Wildcat Way! growing through innovation KCSD Leadership Team KCSD Leadership Team 1/5 Breakfast Menu K-12 Lunch Menu - Lower Lunch Menu - Upper Lunch - Middle/High Press Release Active Parent Child Find Letter Device Policy District's Digital Resources Dropoff Instructions Dropout Prevention Plan Pre K & Kindergarten Pre-Registration Parent Survey - School Counseling Parent Survey - School Engagement SPED - IDEA Part B & Preschool Application Parent Consent Form for SEL Services Summer Food Program Ext Student Handbook Drivers & Routes Schools LOWER ELEMENTARY UPPER ELEMENTARY MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL CTE SUCCESS SCHOOL POLICIES & PROCEDURES Approved school board policies, documents and procedure s CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Looking to join a dynamic and high performing school district DISTRICT CALENDAR Keeping you informed about activities and events STRONG READERS 01 DISTRICT CALENDAR 02 THE WILDCAT WAY ANNUAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT ESSER FUNDS INPUT MORE INFO Let us hear from you by completing the survey 03 ACCOUNTABILITY DATA Kemper County School District Kemper County Lower Elementary Kemper County Upper Elementary Kemper County Middle School Kemper County High School OUR Mississippi Succeeds Report Card Calendar Highlights and Spotlights Tweets by @KemperSchools The Wildcat Way Contact

Transportation Transportation Laws & Rules 01 2019 Mississippi Code Title 37 - Education Chapter 41 - Transportation of Pupils In General 02 2019 Mississippi Code Title 37 - Education Chapter 41 - Transportation of Pupils Purchase of School Transportation Equipment and Employment of Drivers 03 2019 Mississippi Code Title 37 - Education Chapter 41 - Transportation of Pupils Safety Council 04 Nathan's Law 05 Bus Rules Tweets by @KemperSchools

KEMPER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 159 Main Avenue, DeKalb, MS 39328 THE WILDCAT WAY! Schools Employment About Calendar Quick Links School Food Services For Parents Contact More... District Level Employees and Central Office Staff Hilute Hudson Superintendent Dr. Matilda Miller Business Manager Doulas Newton Transportation Director Anglee Coley Elementary ELA/Social Studies Instructional Coach Kamekao Holliday Accounts Payable Tammy Cross Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Amanda Hailey Exceptional Education Director Marcus Wilson Maintenance Director Marcia Bennett Math/Science Instructional Coach Marshetta Little Exceptional Education Administrative Assistant Dr. Fredrick Hickmon Assistant Superintendent Food Services Director Chiquta Brown Curriculum Director Delisa Cole MTSS Coordinator/Test Coordinator/21st Century Coordinator Rachelle McCalebb Federal Programs Bookkeeper/Fixed Assets Dr. Mary Nell Woolery Federal Programs Director & Point of Contact (homeless students, students in foster care, and EL students) Sandra Clark SEL Director/Behavior Specialist Elton Rash Secondary ELA/Social Studies Instructional Coach Toni Brown Payroll Clerk