Dear WES Families,
I hope you had a wonderful week. The efforts of our faculty and staff, students, and families to keep our school safe have been remarkable. As we head into our last week of on-campus instruction before Thanksgiving break, I wanted to provide you with a few updates and reminders.
Rising Case Numbers
In my last COVID-19 communication, I shared two key metrics that should guide schools’ decision-making process about on-site versus at-home learning according to the State of Maryland. Today’s Montgomery County 7-day positivity rate was 4.2%, and the new case rate per 100K people was 21.2. The hyperlocal numbers remain lower but also continue to rise. At this time, WES is scheduled to engage in at-home learning on Monday, November 24, and for the first week of December. However, because the numbers continue to rise, there is a strong possibility that we will remain in at-home learning during the weeks of December 7 and 14. We will continue to update the community on our decision making, and we will provide appropriate notice before any transition.
Testing Update
We will proceed forward with on-site testing for Friday, November 20. This testing date will be optional as we will not be on campus for at least the following two weeks. We know many families and employees were relying on this service to head into the holidays with greater confidence, and we believe it is equally important to be cautious in our personal lives as well as when we are at school.
Testing will be offered from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Early Childhood students can test after their 2:45 p.m. dismissal.
- Students in Grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 will go with their classes during the school day (Please email your division director if you do NOT want your child tested with their class).
- Grade 7 can test between 3:30 and 5 p.m.
Finishing Strong
As COVID-19 continues to spread in the community around us, we must all remain hypervigilant about protecting our own health as well as the health of our community. Please make sure your child comes to school in a well-fitted and CDC-compliant mask that stays securely in place, and remind your child of the importance of maintaining appropriate distance from their peers and washing their hands frequently. It takes all of us to keep the WES community safe; following our safety protocols is one way that we can care for one another as a community.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us as we navigate these tumultuous times. We are committed to protecting the health and safety of our children, while also providing an outstanding WES educational experience. As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I reflect often on how grateful I am to be part of this community.
Sincerely,
