April 1, 2020,

Dear Verdigris families:

Our administrators, teachers and instructional support staff are working hard to develop a continuous learning plan that will help our students finish the school year strong. As you can imagine, this planning has presented its own set of trials, as most of it has occurred digitally or at a distance so we can protect ourselves just as you are at home. We will meet the challenge, however, because that is what we do as Cardinal’s. Our students deserve a learning plan that will help them grow academically this spring, and that is what we are determined to give them.

The last few weeks have made me even more proud to be the superintendent of Verdigris Public Schools. We had a “wave parade” last week with teachers preparing signs letting student’s know how much they miss and care for them as they drove through neighborhoods.  What was unexpected and touching are the signs that students made for their teachers.  I am also proud of the outpouring of staff and community members willing to volunteer to prepare and handout meals to our students.  All of this has occurred while Verdigris residents and Verdigris Public School employees have also taken the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. There is nothing we cannot accomplish when we work together as a team.

We know you and your child have many questions about what the remainder of the school year will be like. We will post documents in the next few days with details of our Continuous Learning Plan. While this is not how we expected to end the school year, we believe our continuous learning plan will allow us to keep students on track, while also protecting what is most important – their health and well-being.

A change of this magnitude will not occur without bumps in the road; however, with your help, I am confident we can offer the best services possible for our students.

We miss our students a great deal, but we are trying to make the best of the situation for everyone.  Thank you for helping us rise to the challenge.  We could not do it without all of you. 

United for Education

Mike Payne

Superintendent