| |
Learning Model Shift – November 10, 2020
Dear WPS Families and Staff,
As we shared last week, the number of positive COVID-19 cases is significantly increasing in Hennepin County and in the cities that make up our school district. In addition, the number of staff and students who have tested positive or have had to quarantine has also increased. As a result, our ability to provide appropriate staffing and a consistent learning experience is becoming more and more challenging.
At Monday night's School Board meeting, we outlined a preliminary plan to shift to distance learning for early learning, elementary and middle school students starting on Monday, November 30. Wayzata High School will continue to operate in its current learning model, with the possibility that some classes meeting on the hybrid schedule may meet less frequently or go to full distance learning. The Wayzata School Board will affirm their support of this plan at a special meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, November 11 at 6 p.m.
In order to give our teachers and staff the time necessary to implement this shift, please mark your calendars with the following dates:
- November 23 and 24 - No school for students in grades Pre-K-8 - These days will be used for early learning, elementary and middle school staff to plan for the shift to distance learning.
- November 25 - 27 - No school for students, Thanksgiving Holiday Break
- Monday, November 30 - Distance learning starts for grades Pre-K-8. Childcare will continue to be provided for tier 1 families only. Current Wayzata Kids tier 1 families will receive a follow-up communication with more details, or visit our website. Wayzata Kids full-day preschool, as a licensed DHS child care program, will continue to be offered in person.
- Distance learning in grades Pre-K-8 will continue through at least winter break. We will continue to monitor the situation to determine what will happen in January.
- Pre-K-8 distance learning plans have been enhanced from last spring, and further improvements are being finalized based on feedback and learning from our hybrid and distance choice experiences this fall. Student learning schedules will be communicated with families by their schools when they are finalized.
- We plan to keep our students receiving special education, English Learner and other targeted services in person for as long as we can; perhaps up until the time when another Stay at Home order might be implemented by the State.
- Information about athletics, activities and community rentals will be shared if any changes are required to be made.
We sincerely hope to be able to stay in our current learning models until November 30, but the reality is that we have no control of the rapid spread of COVID-19 currently happening outside of our schools. It may be necessary to close individual schools earlier in response to significant spread or staffing issues. If it is necessary to shift learning models in a school or the district prior to November 30, you will receive an emergency message with additional details.
From the beginning of the pandemic, our primary goal has been to provide the best possible learning experience for our students while ensuring student and staff safety. We need everyone's help like never before to keep schools open through Friday, November 20. This means staying home when sick, getting tested for COVID-19 when symptomatic and avoiding activities outside of school where the spread of the virus is more likely to occur for the next two weeks.
Teachers and staff will begin preparing students and families for the transition this week. This may include sending home items with students or reminding them to bring certain items back-and-forth from home to school regularly that they may need for distance learning. More details will be shared with you by teachers, principals and program managers.
We do not take this decision lightly and truly appreciate your continued patience and understanding during these most challenging times.
Be well,
Chace B. Anderson
Superintendent
| |
|
