All area school districts will be shut down at least until early April, fully aware of the difficulties that will fall on many families already stressed by the COVID-19 coronavirus and the undoing of everyone’s daily lives.

“This was a difficult decision in light of the problems this will create for children and families in our community,” said Kenny Southwick, executive director of the Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City. “But the districts acted together in order to try to save lives.”

LINC’s partner districts — Kansas City Public Schools, Hickman Mills, Grandview, Center, Fort Osage, North Kansas City and Independence — will keep children out of school beyond spring break at least until April 3. And LINC’s before- and after-school sites therefore are also closed.

The landscape for child care is also changing quickly. Some parents who can’t stay home during the schools shutdown need help, but many child care programs are also taking the precaution to close.

The statewide service Childcare Aware of Missouri can help families in searching for an available provider by calling 800-200-9017, emailing referralcenter@mo.childcareaware.org, or visiting the webpage.

The disruption to the school year has prompted Missouri to forego state performance tests this year.

“There is a time and a place for required statewide testing; now is not the time,” Missouri Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven said in a virtual announcement to educators across the state on Thursday. “We will be canceling required statewide assessments” for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.