School districts began supplying meals to their students while closures are in effect until April 20. Jamestown Public Schools officials estimate that about 1,000 meals were provided Tuesday. P-J photos by Jordan W. Patterson

Schools are closed until April 20, but work on behalf of students continues in Chautauqua County.

While instructional plans and child care efforts were being sorted out during a time of uncertainty, meals were readily provided to students and families who needed it on Tuesday.

“Everything went very smoothly,” said Jeff Smith, JPS director of food services.

At Jamestown High School more than 1,000 meals were ready and by 11 a.m. 40 bags had already been taken by students. The Jamestown Public Schools District made meals available from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at JHS and Washington, Jefferson and Persell middle schools. In total, Smith, said about 1,000 students participated districtwide while school officials were prepared to feed around 2,000. Love Elementary School cafeteria staff handled preparation of breakfast meals for all pick up locations.

“We’re all working together because we’re here for the children and our students, and everything we’ve asked for (the cafeteria staff has) done,” Smith said. “I can’t tell you how proud I am.”

Smith noted that district families can visit any of the pickup locations to receive a meal and do not have to make multiple stops if their children attend different schools.

Jamestown school officials began Saturday preparing for a life without students coming to school. Although the Chautauqua County state of emergency and subsequent closing of schools was not announced until Sunday, preliminary work was started to get ahead of any potential closure.

For Leslie Greene, JHS cafeteria manager, and her staff at the high school, the work is “completely different” from a typical day.

Instead of preparing food in a traditional method for students to eat in the cafeteria, JPS employees are preparing lunch and breakfast for the next day to be taken home. Additionally, each meal’s shelf life is considered when packaged. Assembly lines were formed with staff members to quickly fill each bag.

Learning that Jamestown schools would be closed for a month left uncertainty among the Greene’s staff. Some worried about the the status of their jobs and more importantly child care for their children. Greene said employees were worried of the potential risk of getting sick by coming to work, but added that getting through the first day of the previously uncertain schedule helped morale. JPS has followed a plan that was developed weeks in advance by administrators in case the current course events unfolded like they have.

“Today was much better,” Greene said, adding that now her staff knows what to expect going forward. “We’re able to take a break and wait and see.”

People could be seen walking and driving to the high school pickup site early Tuesday to receive their meals. Teachers and paraprofessionals assisted district families with their meals, too.

Dr. Bret Apthorpe, JPS superintendent, said there were about 50 meals delivered to people who were unable to travel to the pickup sites. Additionally, Apthorpe said the district is stocked for weeks to come and Greene added that supply deliveries have yet to be delayed.

“We ordered a week or two ago food and critical supplies that’s why we have enough food and soap for example to get through this event that we’re in,” Apthorpe said.

School buildings remain available to students today to collect supplies and educational materials for future learning at home. As for the anticipated home and online education, students began to receive learning packets that will be provided each week by their teachers. Middle school students have were being provided iPads to access resources online. At the high school level, students may be issued a Chromebook or an iPad to be used to complete online assignments provided by teachers.

Apthorpe said today is the final day for students to collect supplies. After today, school facilities will be closed to non-essential staff. Cafeteria staff will remain in buildings as food will continue to be prepared for students.

Greene said her staff will be operating with their current methods “until further notice.”

Additionally, child care will be provided in all nine of JPS’ buildings to avoid grouping too many students together.

“Childcare is open and ready to go,” Apthorpe said.

Childcare services will be provided five days a week beginning Thursday from 7:30 a.m to 5 p.m. For any JPS student in grades K-5, childcare will be provided at Ring by the YMCA and Fletcher by the YWCA. For any JPS student ages 3 and 4, childcare will be provided by the YWCA and A Children’s Place.

Apthorpe said there are at least 50 individuals signed up for the district’s child care service.

“We’ll be continuing to do this for the foreseeable future,” Apthorpe said.