On April 16, Governor Tony Evers extended the safer-at-home order to May 26. This order has also closed all K-12 school buildings through the end of the school year.

Due to the order, students are not allowed on school grounds through the end of June. “(This) came as a clarification from the state DPI (Department of Public Instruction) as it relates to school closure,” CHS Principal Mr. Shawn Rude said. “Also, that is the current interpretation of the order that, like so many things, could change as circumstances change.”

The school offices are still open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is possible to get items from students’ lockers. The district is asking for students or their parents to call the office at least half an hour beforehand, and the staff will have the student’s belongings waiting in the office.

“At first I was excited that school was cancelled, but then I started to miss seeing all of my friends and teachers on a daily basis,” freshman Alex Bowe said. “I understand that this (quarantine) is important for everyone’s health.”

Frequently asked question documents are available at the Chilton School District website: www.Chilton.k12.wi.us. Both “Chilton School District FAQ Regarding COVID-19 Closure” and “Chilton High School Parent FAQ Document” links are posted in the banner at the top of the webpage.

“During challenging times like this, I think it is important to follow the advice of the scientists and doctors,” Mr. Russ Wurm, a social studies teacher, said. “They know a lot more than the general public. It is important to just deal with the changes and keep a good attitude.”

According to an update that Superintendent Mrs. Sue Kaphingst sent out on April 16, the school district will continue online school for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

This means that graduation, prom and summer school are all up in the air. Mrs. Kaphingst’s update states, “As we continue to work through this unprecedented time, please know that our focus continues to be making decisions that are in the best interest of our students, staff and community.”

Many high schoolers have been looking forward to prom, which was planned to take place April 25. Many juniors are hoping that their junior prom will still happen later in the year.

“I’m really sad and disappointed that prom is not going to take place as planned this year,” said junior Allyson Mueller. “It’s something that I, along with many others, have been looking forward to for a long time, especially the junior class. However, I am hopeful that maybe we’ll still be able to have it at a later date, even if that’s during the summer.”

Earlier this year, Ms. Michelle Kochan, the middle and high school band teacher, announced that she is joining the Army National Guard Band. Ms. Kochan’s initial shipping departure to basic training was March 30. However, it has been pushed back due to the pandemic.

“To be honest, I’m a bit bummed about it being delayed because it delays the whole following processes,” Ms. Kochan said. “However, I am also really glad to be able to be here, going through this virtual learning process with everyone and also being able to easily contact family and friends when I wouldn’t be able to do that if I was at training. I’m a little nervous about next year as I don’t know when they’re going to send me.”

On April 21, the WIAA (Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association) announced that all spring sports seasons and tournaments are canceled. According to the WIAA website, the Board decided to permit school teams that include current seniors to hold practices and compete for 30 days until the start of a student’s fall sports season.

The public library is now open for curb-side pick-ups Tuesday through Friday from noon to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To view the library’s procedure, visit www.chiltonlibrary.org/curbside.

To read the full safer-at-home extension order, go to https://evers.wi.gov/Documents/COVID19/EMO28-SaferAtHome.pdf.