WCS In-Person Learners and Families,
Thank you all for your support, patience and flexibility in restarting our schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was important for our district to provide a safe, calm and successful opening for our students and staff.
WCS Next Step Planning:
With the current trend of data and the level of commitment to following safety and health protocols, we are determining if we are ready to implement a plan to increase the amount of time our students are able to attend school in-person. While no decision has been made at this time, it is our goal to develop a plan that will help increase the amount of time students are with us for in-person learning and continue to incorporate measures that help keep each other safe.
We know that consistency is important for everyone. This is why we will be detailed, cautious and prepared before making any changes. We will do our best to make informed decisions during a time when changes come at us quickly.
- Our target date to make a determination for any change of schedule is Oct 2nd. We will release details of the plan on Oct 2nd.
- If we determine we are able to move to a new schedule we will start this on Oct 19th. That will allow everyone to have two weeks to be ready for the transition.
- We will communicate with you if this timeline changes for any reason.
WCS Planning Priorities:
We will spend the next 3 weeks monitoring and planning. The tentative timeline allows for additional monitoring of school and county data as well as the ongoing research of trends across our state and region with schools being back in session. It will provide the time needed to prepare classrooms, seating assignments, curriculum adjustments, transportation, lunchroom procedures and food service operations. The timeline will allow us to be well prepared for rolling out our Green Zone of Learning.
- Studying, monitoring and learning more each day about COVID-19 to reduce the risk of spread. We will continue to work closely with our health experts and monitor any and all activity in our county and surrounding region.
- Installing Photohydroionization® (PHI) Technology and Plasma Ionization devices in the air handlers of our schools. Sanitizes the ambient air and at least a portion of one or more surfaces within the indoor space.
- Determining the best safety measures to use when students are not able to be 6 feet apart. We will teach and practice these prevention methods to layer in as much protection as possible during these times.
- Coordinating groupings that limit co-mingling of people.
- Updating seat assignments in all areas in the event of the need for contact tracing.
- Adjusting and communicating bus pick up and drop off times.
- Revising curriculum and pacing guides to add in more days of in-person learning.
WCS Current Progress:
Our hybrid model has provided us the structure and stability to teach, model, and maintain new and important protocols and processes. Our students and staff have demonstrated their strong commitment to following these new practices while at school. We have made tremendous progress in how we are able to work and learn by following multiple layers of prevention strategies. This will continue to be important as we consider moving forward into a new schedule.
- We have discovered how to play, work, learn, socialize, communicate and connect with others while wearing a face covering.
- We have practiced 6 feet of social distancing and have the ability to visualize and create as much social distancing as possible with and without visual cues.
- We have created good habits of washing hands and sanitizing common surfaces.
- We consistently monitor our health through a daily symptom check.
- We revised and adapted our essential curriculum and pacing guides to support students in all learning modes.
- We put technology devices and connectivity solutions into the hands of every K-12 student.
- We have trained staff and students on using consistent technology tools for learning and communication.
- We continue to address the social and emotional needs of our students, employees and families.
- We have taken this opportunity to make strong connections and build relationships with our students.
We have data that shows that what we are doing has worked. Together with community efforts we have helped Clinton County move from an Orange Risk Level to a Yellow Risk Level. We have had very few individuals required to be quarantined and we have had only one individual test positive with COVID-19. We will be working hard in our next phase of planning that will help us continue to see similar results.
Community On-Going Support:
Everyone’s help is needed. The following are critical for the success of our schools being able to move and stay in the Green Zone of Learning. It will take all students, family members, and friends working together to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Limit congregating in social settings that expose our students to more people that could be carrying the virus after school hours and on the weekends.
- Notify the school immediately if your child has tested positive, has symptoms or is required to quarantine.
- Follow the direction of health officials when advised to quarantine.
- Monitor your symptoms and stay home when necessary.
- Get tested when you have COVID-19 symptoms.
- Get tested when you are in close contact with someone that has tested positive for COVID-19.
- Participate in contact tracing when asked.
- Wear face coverings when out in public.
Thank you for working together to help keep our community safe. We care deeply about the wellbeing of our students, staff and families. We will do our best to keep you informed and we will continue to make informed decisions to best provide a healthy and productive learning environment at WCS during the COVID-19 pandemic.
