Dear WES Families,
I am writing to you today with more information about our return to campus next week.
On-Site Learning
As I mentioned to you earlier, we believe that children learn best through on-site learning and we are committed to providing as much on-site instruction as possible. Consequently, we will resume on-campus learning on Monday, January 10.
We do not have all of the results from yesterday’s testing; however, we believe we will be able to adequately staff on-campus learning. This week we have 15 employees in quarantine, but many of them will be able to return to campus next week. We will provide updated data to the community once all of the COVID test results are in.
As we seek to maximize on-site learning during a time of unusually high community transmission, returning to campus will also require flexibility from all of us. When faculty are required to quarantine, it may require us to momentarily pause some subject areas. At all times we will seek to optimize instruction in core subjects such as language arts and mathematics.
Pause in Before Care
As we redistribute staff to provide on-site instruction and assist with programs such as Test to Stay, we will need to pause Before Care for the next two weeks. At that time, we will revisit if we are able to resume the program. Early Childhood and Elementary children can be dropped off beginning at 8:15 a.m.
Our After-School Enrichment Program (ASEP) and Extended Day will resume next week as scheduled.
Virtual Learning
As outlined in our handbook, virtual learning is available to those who are quarantining due to a positive test. Teachers have one work day to prepare virtual learning materials after receiving notice of a student’s positive test result.
As I mentioned in an earlier communication, students who are out sick for other reasons may access virtual learning beginning the third day of their absence; we expect they will use the first two days of their absence to rest and recuperate.
iPads and Chromebooks
Early Childhood and Elementary students returning to school Monday should bring their Chromebooks and iPads fully charged. They should also bring their chargers. Middle School students should keep their chargers at home.
COVID Testing Policy
In collaboration with Capital Diagnostics, we are revising our testing policy.
According to the CDC, people who test positive have strong immunity for roughly 90 days after the onset of infection. Additionally, according to the CDC, individuals may continue to test positive for the 90 days, even if they have recovered from the illness. A positive PCR test without new symptoms during the 90 days after the initial positive result most likely represents shedding of viral RNA, not reinfection. If someone remains asymptomatic during this 90-day period, then any re-testing is unlikely to yield useful information.
Consequently, we will no longer require testing for asymptomatic individuals for the 90-day period after their first positive test. Families can opt-in for testing for their children if they so choose.
Booster Vaccination Clinic
The booster vaccine was just approved for those 12 and up. WES will host a booster clinic for our eligible students on January 24; time and registration details will be forthcoming shortly. You are welcome to take your child elsewhere if you prefer. We are offering this service as a convenience for our community.
Thank you so much for your patience and flexibility during this process. I am excited to return to campus next week and I cannot wait to see our Dragons!
Sincerely,
