Schools now closed through May 1

SANDUSKY — Students and teachers may not return to classrooms for the rest of the school year. Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday announced the Ohio Department of Health will extend its order to keep schools closed through the end of April. The new order will extend through May 1. Ohio's previous order was set to expire on Friday. "There is the real possibility that our schools could stay closed longer than this, but we want to give parents and teachers as much notice and flexibility as we can," DeWine said. "Schools should continue to do what they're doing now — providing the best remote learning that they can, serving meals to students in new ways and planning for what the rest of the year may look like." With that news, Sandusky Schools superintendent Eugene Sanders said Monday, in a video on the district's Facebook page, packets of assignments through May 1 will become available soon. Breakfast and lunch will still be distributed noon to 1 p.m. every day during the extended period. Sanders and district officials will communicate the district's graduation plans when possible. "We will do everything in our power to make sure seniors have a meaningful and productive senior year," Sanders said. More updates will be given on Sandusky Schools' social media pages and through the one-call message system, if necessary. Port Clinton Schools superintendent Pat Adkins reminded families to stay in contact with teachers for assistance. Updates can be found on the district's mobile app, via email and on social media. "These are unusual times as we work through this pandemic," he said. "There is so much to be proud of in how our Port Clinton School District staff continues to serve our students in the best way we can under the circumstances. Parents, you should be proud of how you embraced your new role in your child's education. Teachers and students will continue lessons remotely during the mandatory shutdown."