The Ocosta School district is providing meals for all kids age 18 and younger starting Thursday, March 19.

“The Ocosta School District will provide breakfast and lunch each weekday from Thursday, March 19 until April 24, including the scheduled week off of school for spring break,” said Ocosta Superintendent Heather Sweet.” Meals will be delivered to the currently established bus stops.

All children age 18 and younger will have access to meals, but must be at the bus stop to pick up the meal. Meals will be delivered on the “Wednesday late start schedule,” said Sweet.

According to a Facebook post by Ocosta Elementary School Tuesday, the district is working in coordination with Ocosta Cares to continue the weekend brunch bunch food program, providing weekend meal bags for students who were signed up for that program, and expects to begin delivering those bags Friday, March 27.

Other county school districts have been setting up child care options for their first responders and medical personnel. Sweet said the district has reached out and has not yet been notified of any such need in the Ocosta School District.

“Currently, the district has not had requests, after contacting first responders or medical personnel for child care,” she said. “If this situation changes, we will then make a plan to provide for those in need.”

Teachers will be available by telephone, email and the Remind App beginning Monday March 30, said Sweet, adding, “Staff will not be available from April 1-April 10, as these are non-contracted days for our staff. We anticipate that the school year will now run until June 19.”

The closure, per Gov. Jay Inslee’s emergency declaration, will continue through April 24. School is anticipated to resume April 27, but that date could change as the progression of the COVID-19 virus continues.

Parents have been wondering about accessing technology for students during the closure. According to the elementary school Facebook post, beginning on March 23, the district will have a form for families to complete if they need a Chromebook. Many teachers have already contacted families to determine the need for these. More information will be available by Friday, March 20, according to the post.

Sweet has been keeping district students and parents up-to-date via live Facebook presentations and held a community leader meeting for the South Beach Tuesday, March 17. The information provided in this story was current as of Wednesday, March 18, and dates can change. Follow the Ocosta Elementary and High School Facebook pages, and the Ocosta PTO Facebook page, for updates.