May 6, 2020
Dear WES Families,
It is with disappointment that I share that we have made the difficult decision to continue distance learning through the end of the school year. As Governor Hogan has announced today the closure of public schools through June, we felt this was the best decision to protect the health of our community. Our official last day of school will be on Tuesday, June 2, and our 8th Grade Graduation will occur on June 3.
As we shared with Grade 8 families earlier this evening, we will be moving forward with our plans to host a virtual graduation ceremony this year with a congratulatory drive-through awarding of diplomas. We dropped off Class of 2020 yard signs earlier in the week, and we will also be honoring our 8th graders on social media and at a virtual awards ceremony, among other things. Like the Dragons who have gone before them, this is a class full of wit, spirit, and drive, and promising adventures lay before them. We are so proud of their many accomplishments, and we look forward to cheering them on and hearing about all the great contributions they will make to their schools and their communities in this next chapter.
The end of the year is always a special time at WES, and we regret that our community cannot connect face-to-face to enjoy our beloved traditions. However, our faculty and staff have been working hard to develop fun and creative ways to bring our year to a close as a community. Our priority has been to provide an engaging and meaningful educational experience for our Dragons and to celebrate them to the fullest extent possible while protecting the safety and well-being of our community.
Please mark these events on your calendar. Details will be forthcoming shortly:
- May 8 - WES Family Dance Party
- May 15 - No Classes; Professional Development Day for teachers and a day to catch up on work for students
- May 22 - Community Bingo Night
- May 29 - Field Day
- June 1 - Step-Up Day and Awards Ceremony
- June 2- Closing Chapel
- June 3 - Graduation
Next week you will receive information about our plans for the summer, including Summer@WES, and we will also hold virtual parent meetings in the coming weeks to discuss our end-of-year plans and the thoughts we have for the opening of the school year in the fall. We are hopeful that we can be together on campus on September 8. We are actively planning for a number of scenarios to promote the richest educational experience possible for our Dragons while concurrently protecting the health and safety of our students, faculty, and families.
Sincerely,
