Updates from Returning to School Task Force
New information and studies overwhelmingly support in-person school and learning - which is very encouraging! The recommended mitigation strategies (masking, distancing, hand washing, cleaning, optimal ventilation, and reinforced illness policies) are working well for schools. The CDC has recently recommended that K–12 schools be the last settings to close after all other mitigation measures have been employed, and the first to reopen when they can do so safely. The full report can be found here.
The Vernon County Health Department recommends the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan, which has recently been updated to indicate that “...every elementary school across the state may choose to operate an in-person learning model as long as they are able to implement additional mitigation strategies.” Here is a link to the latest version of Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan.
Now that we have established protocols and procedures for meeting in-person as safely as possible, the RTS Task Force has reviewed the criteria under which we would recommend a change in learning scenarios. While the State of Wisconsin does not provide specific metrics to guide movement between learning scenarios, we do meet or exceed their current recommendations for preventing outbreaks (see Section B). Also, according to this document, “...school administrators and local and tribal public health officials should weigh the benefits of school closure against the benefits of varying degrees of in-person instruction. In settings with low community incidence, where testing and effective mitigation strategies were in place, studies of in-school transmission have provided preliminary evidence of success in controlling secondary transmission in child care centers and schools. Schools provide a structured environment that can support adherence to critical mitigation measures to help prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19. When community transmission is high, cases in schools should be expected, and as with any group setting, schools can contribute to COVID-19 transmission, especially when mitigation measures, such as universal and proper masking, are not implemented or followed."
With less emphasis on case rate metrics to determine learning scenarios, you may wonder what might necessitate a different learning scenario or return to distance learning. Following are a few examples:
- A recommendation or order from the State or local Health Department due to uncontrolled community spread, or positive cases within the school or class(es)
- Staffing shortages due to any type of illness
- High levels of student absences due to illness or quarantine
A Town Hall meeting is in the works for February to check-in and address any questions that you might have. The date is still TBD, though the meeting will take place before our winter break begins. If you have questions that you would like addressed at the Town Hall, please submit them here.
The past year has required so much of us all, parents, teachers, and children alike. Thank you, each and every one, for your continued partnership, cooperation, flexibility, and grace to uphold COVID-19 policies and best practices. It takes all of us to make this work! As always, please reach out to a member of the RTS Task Force, or email the whole RTS Task Force, with questions or concerns regarding COVID-19.
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Application Period for the 2021-22 School Year Begins on February 1, 2021
PRWS has applied to participate in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program and we anticipate notification of acceptance by June 1, 2021. This innovative program helps provide access to private and independent schools to low-income families by providing qualifying families a tuition-free education via a school voucher system. The enrollment period for families to apply for the 2021-22 school year is February 1 - April 15, 2021. Families who meet eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply, with the understanding that PRWS remains subject to acceptance into the program. Eligibility requirements are based on residency, income, student age, and prior year attendance.
Students are eligible for vouchersChoice seats, provided residency, age, household income, and prior year attendance requirements are also met.
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Current PRWS kindergarten students (ages 4 and older by 9/1/21) - all other current PRWS students are not eligible per DPI
- Students currently NOT enrolled at PRWS during the entire 2020-21 school year and entering kindergarten (age 4 by 9/1/21) and/or grades 1-6 this fall
WPCP aims to increase access to educational opportunities for those whom a private or independent education would otherwise be out of reach. Eligibility requirements are determined solely by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), rather than participating schools. Of course, PRWS will continue to offer a tuition adjustment process for families who do not qualify for the Choice program (financially or otherwise) and remains dedicated to working with every family committed to providing a Waldorf education for their child(ren).
Please refer to the DPI website and this handout to determine if your family is eligible to apply. You may also contact the school office at 608-637-7828 if you are unsure or have any additional questions regarding the program.
Parents of students not currently enrolled at PRWS will also need to complete the PRWS admissions process (school tour, application, classroom visit, and meeting with teachers). Please contact our Enrollment Coordinator, Jordan Brudos, to arrange these next steps.
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Re-Enrollment for the 2021-22 School Year Begins Next Week!
February 1 – 12, 2021
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It's re-enrollment time for the 2021-22 school year at PRWS. Please plan to submit both your Re-Enrollment Application Form and Tuition Adjustment Application by Friday, February 12. If requesting an adjustment, please include a copy of your most recent tax return and any other applicable documentation as we are unable to process your application without this.
Forms are available NOW on our website and or in the document holders to the right of the main entrance to the school. Please note that forms and registration fees received AFTER February 12 will be assessed a late fee.
For questions or support, please email Jen Cassellius or call the school office at 637-7828 and we will be happy to assist you with the process. Thank you for continuing to choose Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School for your family!
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Parent-Teacher Conferences With Subject Teachers |
Subject teachers welcome an opportunity for parents to meet with them as a group for parent-teacher conferences. In the interest of safety precautions and confidence in planning, February conferences will be held via Zoom. Appointments will be available Monday, February 22 starting at 9:00 am. Please note: just as with in-person conferences, virtual conferences should be a private conversation between teachers and parents/guardians, and children should not be present. If you are interested in scheduling a time for a conference, please contact Stephanie Pedretti by Friday, February 12.
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Parent Survey from the Research Institute for Waldorf Education
The Research Institute for Waldorf Education (RIWE) is embarking on a long-term survey project that will seek to engage your broad-range perspectives on Waldorf education. Goals include:
- hearing why you chose Waldorf education.
- learning how it has shaped the development of your children.
- documenting the impact of Waldorf education on your home life and parenting styles.
- collating your views on current social issues of inclusion, diversity, equity, and association, and how your school has addressed these issues.
- asking whether you would recommend Waldorf education to your family and friends.
Since we are still in throes of the pandemic, we have decided to hold off until the fall of 2021 the comprehensive survey of parents we have been developing. Instead, we are asking you now to participate in a brief survey linked to your experiences of pandemic related issues as they have affected you and your children during the past ten months.
Below you will find a direct link to our brief survey. Please complete it as soon as possible and no later than Friday, February 5 by 10:00 a.m. PT. The survey will take 15-20 minutes of your time, depending on how many children you have in grades 1-12. Since the survey is anonymous, your responses will be completely confidential.
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Tuition Statement for Tax Purposes
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Ice Skating This Year
Each winter, the students in Grades 1 - 8 have an opportunity to ice skate at the Park Bowl during their movement class, weather and ice permitting. To make this possible, please work with your child at home teaching them to tie their own skates as we will not have skate tying volunteers this year. School skates will be tried on and signed out during school hours with the teachers. Priority will be given to children currently in movement class.
You can also find used skates at Play it Again Sports in La Crosse, and they can sharpen them too. Skates can also be sharpened at the Viroqua Community Arena. It is important for all students to have good laces, blade guards, and sharpened skate blades. All students should also have full winter outdoor gear - snow pants, mittens, warm socks, hats, and warm coats. Please call the school office at 637-7828 if you have any questions.
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Raffle! Raffle! Read all About It!
This year's raffle prizes were inspired by our collective need for rest, retreat, and renewal. This March, three lucky winners will win one of three fabulous getaways right here in the beautiful Driftless region. Big thanks to Driftless Creek Cabins, Sunrise Cabins on Washington Island, and Trillium Bed and Breakfast for partnering with us for this year's raffle.
Raffle winners may opt to either schedule a sweet getaway for up to five consecutive nights in 2021 or opt for a $1,000 cash alternative.
Need Help Selling Tickets?
It should be a breeze this year! Both an email and Facebook template are available to aid you in your efforts. Please feel free to modify and personalize the invitation for your family and friends. Also, consider enlisting the help of your children; many find selling their tickets together as a family a fun goal to achieve. It provides a good opportunity to talk with our children about what the raffle makes possible (access and inclusion), and reflect together on what we especially appreciate about our school.
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When School is Closed due to Inclement Weather
It's that time of year! Here's the scoop on winter-weather closings. PRWS follows the Viroqua Area School District when it comes to closing for inclement weather. We would only deviate in the case of a closing that is not weather-related or if the VAS school schedule is different than ours (for instance, when they may have a half day already scheduled). We rely on the bus garages, who have their eye on all the roads, to make the safest decision. Although - no matter what - if it doesn't feel safe to drive, don't!
There are many ways to find out if school will be closed or delayed:
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PRWS text/email alerts through rainedout.com
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Text message and/or email: Sign up ahead of time by going to www.news8000.com. Under the More tab, find the Weather tab, find "School Closing Text Alerts." Sign up for your county. The message will come out as soon as the decision is made
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Online: www.news8000.com. Click on School Closings, located under the Weather tab to see a listing of all the schools that are delayed/closed
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Call the school at 608-637-7828. We will do our best to have a message on voicemail by 6:45 a.m. in the case of a closing or delay. In the case of a delay, it's a good idea to check back before the 10:10 a.m. start time in case the weather has turned
- PRWS Facebook page
- TV/Radio: WDRT, WVRQ, WKBT, WTCO
Please call the front office if you have any questions about school delays and closings.
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Welcome Ellerbusch Family!
Joe and Zoe Ellerbusch
Everly (kindergarten), Gwenyth (4 months)
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"After working in education in Madison for 10 years, we returned to the area in 2017 with Everly in hopes of finding friends, and being close to family. With the addition of her best friend and sister, Gwenyth (4 months), Everly is excited to join PRWS and we are grateful for the adventure!" |
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PRWS TEXT & EMAIL ALERTS
Sign up below to receive text and/or email alerts from PRWS about school events, snow days, and other important announcements.
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Pleasant Ridge Today Podcast
New episode this week!
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Listen directly from our website or via your favorite podcast player. Questions or ideas? Please contact
us - we'd love to hear from you. Thanks for listening!
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Support PRWS when shopping from home!
Don't forget that when you designate Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School on AmazonSmile, a donation will be made to our school.
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Thoreau Garden Microgreen Shares
are Back!
By popular demand, our February Microgreen Share is back! Get your two-ounce bag of microgreens every week for four weeks starting Friday, February 5, for a one-time payment of $25. Come in and pick up your orders here at Thoreau's Garden on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-4pm. Curbside pickup is available. This mix contains favorites such as arugula, sunflower, pea shoots and more! Find more information on the February Microgreen Share Form or by emailing us at gardens@thoreaucollege.org.
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