After talking to officials at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and several school superintendents from rural and urban areas across the state, Governor Mike Parson announced Friday that all Missouri public and charter school buildings will remain closed through the remainder of the academic year. The announcement immediately put local school officials into discussions about what to do about prom and graduation.
St. James News
Tickets still available for gun raffle
The St. James Chamber of Commerce is holding a gun raffle to raise money to pay for the new carnival coming to the annual Grape and Fall Festival. To help offset the additional cost the Chamber is raffling off a commemorative Henry “Goldenboy” H004 .22 Long rifle. Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased before the June 20 deadline.
St. James schools to use newspaper for student assignments
Last week, the St. James School District announced it will remain closed through May 1, with the district planning on reopening schools on May 4. To ensure student learning, staff members will provide contact with students and parent through Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) and providing learning opportunities in the Saint James Press beginning this week. Every family in the district will receive a newspaper free to them to use during starting this week.
Chamber providing signs for open businesses
The St. James Chamber of Commerce is providing signs for open Chamber businesses to help indicate which businesses are still providing services during this time. Large signs with “We Are Open” have already been distributed to help customers easily identify which businesses are open.
Chamber postpones spring events
The St. James Chamber of Commerce announced it will be postponing a spring demolition derby, Sip n’ Savor, and a job fair due to state and local shelter in place orders.