Dear WES Families,
I hope your week is going well. We have heard many remarks from our Dragons about how excited they are to be at school, and we are incredibly grateful to have them in classrooms again. Our students are doing amazingly well adhering to our safety and health protocols, and we want to continue this positive momentum.
I write to you today to share some very important updates.
Rising COVID-19 Cases in Montgomery County
Unfortunately, positive COVID-19 cases in Montgomery County are on the rise. We are monitoring the Montgomery County COVID-19 Data Dashboard daily. Currently, the 7-day new case average is 14.8 per 100,000 people, and the 14-day average test positivity rate is 3.3%. According to the COVID-19 Guidance for Maryland Schools, which was issued in late August, schools should reassess their status when the test positivity rate is greater than 5% or the 7-day new case average is 15 per 100,000 people or higher. We are also monitoring hyperlocal numbers and are aware that the new case average where most of our family members live is lower than the county average.
After having many conversations with the independent school community, Montgomery County Health Department, and various WES task forces, we have decided to continue with our current plans, which include welcoming Grades 2-5 on campus next week in the 4+ 1 hybrid model. However, please understand, this could change in the weeks to come.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely. Our Continuous Learning Plan enables us to move quickly between different learning models if the situation demands. However, we are working hard to keep our students on campus.
Revised Schedule for Thanksgiving Week
Due to the rising number of cases in the Greater DC area, we have revised our schedule for Thanksgiving week. On Monday, November 23, all students will learn from home. We will share more information about this virtual learning day in the near future. On Tuesday, November 24, school will be closed. This revised schedule will help us protect the safety of our community during the busiest travel season of the year.
Additional Holiday Safety Measures
As we have mentioned in earlier communications, we all must remain vigilant in our adherence to the safety guidelines - both when we are at school and when we are at home - to help us keep our community safe and sustain on-campus learning. As we approach the holidays, please remember the WES Community Compact and please remember to report all holiday travel, including house guests who have traveled by airplane or train, through this FORM. You can review the WES travel and high-risk event policy HERE.
As previously communicated, the entire student body will learn virtually the week after Thanksgiving and the week after winter break to enable us to conduct another round of testing before on-site learning resumes. Please do not use this time to extend your holiday travel; all students should return home prior to the virtual learning weeks, participate in COVID testing on campus, and quarantine, if necessary.
Reminder: Upcoming Testing Schedule
November 6
November 20
December 4*
December 11
January 8*
*These two testing days will be held on virtual learning days. Consequently, we will end virtual learning at noon to allow time for students to test on campus during the afternoon. More details about the testing schedule on these days will be forthcoming.
Revised Continuous Learning Parameters
Over the last few months, members of the WES team worked to develop a Continuous Learning Plan that would foster high-quality teaching and learning in both on-campus and virtual environments.
The first two months of the school year has taught us much about our Continuous Learning Plan. We have learned that it is challenging for both our students and teachers when students move back-and-forth from on-campus learning to virtual learning with very little planning or preparation.
To that end, we have developed some parameters around our continuous learning program that will go into effect on November 9.
Any family wishing to move to virtual learning or to on-site learning must communicate that desire to the homeroom teacher and the division director so that a conversation can be had and plans can be made.
The following are acceptable reasons why a student would access virtual learning:
- The student must quarantine
- The student does not have recent/valid COVID test results
- The student has an extended illness that does not impact the student’s participation in classes*
- The family temporarily relocates
The following are not acceptable reasons why a student would access virtual learning:
- The student has a medical or other type of appointment
- The student has a short-term illness*
- The student is traveling or on vacation
- The family has temporary transportation challenges
*Students who are ill may access virtual learning beginning on day 3 of not being on-campus. If a student is unwell, we expect that they will take the time to rest rather than attend virtual learning. Students will need to make up any missed work as usual for any days missed.
We understand that families are impacted differently by this pandemic and that families may not view on-campus learning as an appropriate environment for their child. Therefore, families may move from on-campus learning to consistent, long-term virtual learning at any time throughout the school year. In this spirit, virtual learning should be viewed as a long-term commitment, not a convenience.
Thank you for partnering with us to make this the best year that it can be for our Dragons. I am so grateful for our community and our resilience to not only endure, but also thrive, in challenging circumstances.
Sincerely,
