Dear School of the Osage Students, Families, and Community-
 
As you know if you’ve been monitoring our supplemental COVID data, the pandemic continues to pose challenges.  Masks, while optional, are encouraged for anyone who cannot socially distance. Social distancing continues to be a key component to minimizing the number of students and staff who are quarantined due to close contact with someone diagnosed with an active COVID infection. At the UE, where a recent spike in such infections was experienced, we have taken extra precautions during lunch; we have scheduled restroom breaks to minimize interactions and are continuing to be mindful of classroom spacing.  (For our COVID dashboard, please click here. This dashboard is updated every Tuesday.) While the recent trend, particularly at the UE, was upward until this past week. The trend is now going down, which is obviously a positive development. Our overall attendance last week to this week is up as noted below.  

However, it is very important for everyone to remember that we are simply not in the clear. The situation will most likely continue to fluctuate throughout the fall. We will continue to monitor the data, staying in contact with the local health authorities, and adjusting as necessary. Please continue to help us by encouraging your student(s) to maintain social distancing whenever possible, and keep students home when they are sick. We have several options to help them continue learning from home in such cases. 
 
In other news, day in and day out, really excellent teaching and learning goes on all over the district. In no particular order, here are just a few highlights I am proud to share with you. 
Today a snapshot of what some students learned includes

• the difference between a bull and bear stock market environment 
• how addition and subtraction of integers helps solve real world problems
• how the brain controls the body- and thus why the biology of the central nervous system is an important component in the study of psychology
• data science and hydroponic gardening 

 
Finally, it is homecoming week. When our team scores, the tradition is to celebrate with the school song. There is still time to learn it before Friday. 
 

We’re loyal to you, Osage High, 
With colors so true, Osage High, 
We know you will stand
‘Gainst the best in the land 
For your spirit is grand, Osage High. 
      Rah, Rah, Rah, 
On with your work, Osage High, 
Not one of us will shirk, Osage High
Our school is our greatest treasure 
We’ll strive with great endeavor
Three cheers for you, Osage High. 

• Please note, Monday, September 27, 2021 is not an Extended Learning Day. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Edwards, [email protected] or click here for more information.  
• Due to safety concerns arising from the closure of the Bagnell Dam, we have made the decision not to have the parade on the strip this year. This tradition is dear to us, and we plan to return to the strip next year. A modified version of the parade is taking place Friday afternoon on the 42 campus.
• Don’t forget that you can access our partners at the COMC clinic located next to the football field. Already the conveniently located clinic has been utilized by students, their families, and our staff for so many health issues, including immunizations, sports physicals, minor injuries, illnesses, and COVID testing and more. 
• It's not too late to submit your lunch status application. We'd like for all families in the district to fill this out this year. Any submission regardless of income level will result in free iPad insurance for the school year. This will run through September 28, 2021. After that date, iPad insurance will be charged at the rate of $10 per student. You can submit a lunch application here: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/DistrictRedirect/OSAGE_MO?langid=1
• Next month Osage students in grades 5-12 will have the opportunity to participate in a brief, 22-item survey. The Gallup Student Poll includes the following themes: Engagement, Hope, Belonging, and Social & Emotional Learning. This survey is anonymous and voluntary. That means Gallup cannot identify your student, and your student’s individual responses will not be shared with anyone. Only grade-level and school-level information will be shared with our school district. Please visit the Gallup Student Poll (http://www.gallupstudentpoll.com) to view the survey items and learn more. We have been administering this survey for the past several years, and it is directly connected to our focus on student and staff strengths, one of our core values.
• You can easily access event information by clicking here for the Osage Fan Plan. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Laura Nelson
Superintendent 
[email protected] 
*Indian Support Hotline: 
573-552-8878 or [email protected] 
 
OHS- 573-348-0115
OMS- 573-552-8326
UE-573-348-0004
HE- 573-365-5341
ECC-573-552-8899
 
Additional Community Support Resources:
Hope House Food Pantry at (573) 365-0099
Camden County Community Assistance Hotline at (573) 346-6145  
Miller County Community Assistance Hotline at (573) 692-0426