Bellevue Public Schools has made Nov. 23 and 24 professional work days for staff, meaning no students in the buildings. 

“COVID has been very stressful on our staff members and students,” Rippe said in an email. 

Adapting to block scheduling, new sanitization guidelines, and the accommodation of quarantined students, along with the unknowns of the future are examples of new stresses for teachers and students. 

“Taking the full week off of Thanksgiving break provides everyone an opportunity to re-energize as we return to school on December 1st,” Rippe said.