COVID-19 Updates

October 10th, 2020 at 2:41 PM

Dear Parents and Families,

The number of positive cases of COVID is beginning to rise in our school district and in Chippewa County overall.  We have had three positive cases connected to the school as of Friday morning.  We have had people quarantined due to contacts outside of the school district.  The Chippewa County Risk Level has moved to “Severe”.  This does not require us to make a change in our instructional delivery model, but we are aware of the increasing COVID numbers and the concerns that our staff and families might experience.  Our communication with the county on the measures we have implemented to reduce risk and our response to a positive case has helped us maintain face to face instruction as much as possible.

What if my student is quarantined while the district is still in face to face instruction?

We are connecting with students and families and providing virtual instruction to any students who are under quarantine.

What would trigger a move to virtual instruction for students?

We do not have a specific number of students quarantined/isolated that would require a move to all virtual instruction.  The more likely scenario would be if we have a number of staff members out without substitute coverage that we would need to use a virtual model for a time period.  It is possible that this decision could be made at a building or the district level.  We would make every effort to communicate this information ahead of time if possible.  

We know based on parent survey input, most families prefer face to face instruction.  If we need to go virtual for a time, we will work to get back to the face to face model as soon as possible.

Thank you again for your support of our schools.

Sincerely,

Jenny Starck
Superintendent

September 11th, 2020 at 2:21 PM

Dear Parents and Families,

I would like to thank everyone for their flexibility and work to help these first weeks of school be successful.  We have areas that we are still improving, but we are able to provide instruction face to face which is a blessing to us.

Changes for students who are ill at school

There are changes that will begin next week Monday, September 14, 2020.  These are to be consistent with public health guidelines and other school districts in the county.  If a student is sent home with COVID chart symptoms, they will receive this letter.  In addition, all students in the family will be sent home until the return parameters are met.

What if we find out mid-day that students might need to quarantine?

If we are informed during the school day that a student or group of students will need to quarantine, we will contact parents and ask them to pick up their child when they are able to.  We will not send them home on the bus unless the entire bus route is included in the quarantine.

Thank you again for your support of our schools.

Sincerely,

Jenny Starck
Superintendent

August 11th, 2020

Dear Parents and Families,

I am sending this update on Tuesday in the interest of getting you information as soon as
possible. At the regular board meeting last night this School Overview Plan was approved. As
a reminder, we will be following the state mask mandate until September 28th or whatever date
it would expire. The language on facial coverings would apply after the mandate has ended .

You will notice the last item under “Format” includes an online option for students to log in
virtually during class time and attend. This is a new option. We have not worked out the details
of this yet. One difference between this option and eSucceed is this option would require you to
be online during the time the class is held. We are still working out how this may apply to Phy
Ed and Technical education. As a reminder, even if you plan to attend eSucceed you still
register with the Cadott School District and just email eSucceed on the ‘contact us’ tab of their
website. Your children are still part of our membership.

Sincerely,
Jenny Starck
Superintendent

August 7th, 2002 at 3:18 PM

Dear Parents and Families,

My update is a bit shorter today.  On August 10th we have a regular school board meeting and I should be able to provide some more details after that time.  I don’t know that we will ever have a “Final Plan” for the school year.  My goal is to communicate in a transparent manner so that parents can have information to make the decisions for their students.

Mask Mandate

We do understand that especially for our youngest students it may take some time, practice, and instruction for them to wear a mask.  We will provide these supports just as we assist students in learning other school protocols like lining up, taking turns, and quiet hall voices.

School decisions

I do understand that unlike other areas of conflict, decisions made often satisfy one group or opinion and dissatisfy a different group.  In the era of COVID-19 it is likely that no one will be satisfied with decisions or recommendations made.  Some will feel we are too restrictive.  Some will feel we are too loose.  When considering the parameters and recommendations, the goal is to minimize risk while providing instruction that still allows for personal relationships and fun.  The best way for us to stay open is to reduce cases that may happen to our staff or students regardless of where it may have been contracted.

Sincerely,

Jenny Starck

Superintendent

July 31st, 2020 9:54 AM

Dear Parents and Families,

On August 1, 2020 the state of Wisconsin issued a mask mandate that will require masks to be
worn in many situations for children above five years old. There are exceptions for this
requirement. We are working to define how this will be implemented and how we can support
students and families with this. We will have a process if your child is someone who will need
an exception to the mask requirement. To avoid confusion, we will likely require masks by
grade level so that classes do not have some four year olds and some five year olds with
different expectations. We understand in the youngest grades that students might take some
time to learn this protocol similar to learning other classroom routines as they return to school.
We continue to meet and adjust to be best prepared to provide a quality education to your child
this fall while we minimize risk. We have reviewed our cleaning protocols and assessed our
inventory to ensure that we have enough cleaning supplies, gloves, and hand sanitizer for this
school year. We continue to review traffic patterns and make adjustments to the schedule to
reduce the number of students traveling or the amount of transition time. While this will make
school feel different for students and staff, it will reduce the chance that we would have to
transition to partial or virtual instruction for a time period.

At this time we plan for all students to attend in person five days a week. We continue to meet
weekly with Chippewa County Public Health to monitor the county levels. We will be prepared
for other instructional options should they be required.

Student registration is online this year. If you do not have internet access you are able to use
the hot spot in the North Parking lot at the High School. You may also come in to access a
computer in the school office August 5th-6th from 2:00-6:00 pm. If you have questions please
call your respective school office.

Sincerely,

Jenny Starck
Superintendent

• July 13th Board Meeting School Options Slides
• July 17th Parent Communication Letter
• July 24th Parent Communication Letter