To East Families,
On March 15, students currently in the hybrid learning model will transition to a 100% in- person learning model. It has been a year since this learning model was used. This communication is intended to provide necessary information about this transition.
We will be following the middle school digital day calendar. March 15 will be a Day 1. Music will follow the Skyward schedule even if they are enrolled in the distance choice option.
Nuts and Bolts
- March 5 and 12 are teacher preparation days. There will be no school on those days for any EMS students so the teachers can get ready for the new learning model.
- On March 15, Group A and Group B hybrid students will board their buses at their usual time for a 9:10 a.m. start at EMS. If you elect to pick up and drop off, please note that there will be increased traffic and patience will be important.
- Bus information will be communicated to families by the WPS Transportation Department the week of March 8-12.
- Students will attend school Monday-Friday.
- Music teachers will communicate details directly to their classes with information about the week of the 15th.
Safety Precautions
- Students and staff must wear a face covering. This includes PE/Health classes and afterschool sports and activities.
- Bringing more students to campus means a reduction in social distancing space. Rooms in the building have been set up to provide as much social distancing as possible. A minimum of 3 feet spacing is required. It is important that students space themselves according to the plan the teacher provides.
- Six feet of spacing or more will be maintained in Band and Choir. Band students will use a device called a bell cover to help contain aerosols. Choir classes will be held in the Auditorium for additional space.
- Lunchroom procedures have been modified in order to maximize distancing. The most notable change includes utilizing the locker banks for eating lunch. Students will be assigned to an area where they can choose their seat. We will be maintaining a record of where they sit in case this is needed for contact tracing purposes.
- Hall lockers and PE lockers will not be used. To keep the hallways clear, we will continue to allow students to carry backpacks. Band and Orchestra instruments can be dropped off in the music rooms.
- Passing time will be very limited as it has been all year.
- Only students and staff will have access to the building during school hours.
Health Screening and Quarantining
- Please make sure your student is healthy before sending them to school. If they are ill, do not send them to school. Contact the Health Office for advice at (763) 745-6215.
- Please screen your student at home by asking them how they feel and taking their temperature if they are not well. Due to the increase in arrival traffic, we will no longer take temperatures as students enter. Teachers will send students to the Health Office for a check if they suspect the student is not feeling well.
- If your student has to quarantine, teachers have a number of ways to help your student keep up with the class. When a quarantine situation occurs, the Health Office and Student Services Office will work together to notify your student's teachers so they can implement plans.
We are excited to be returning to a fully in-person model. In the event that COVID numbers rise or we have some type of serious issue at EMS, we will return to the A/B hybrid or even resort to distance learning. Together, we can do our parts to make this reopening as healthy as possible.
Thanks!
Paul Paetzel