Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
October 28, 2020 - Newsletter
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Westwood Families,
From snow last week to a full moon on Halloween this week, and, unfortunately, the need to transition grades 7-12 to distance learning, the year has been a test in flexibility.
I have several updates for our families this week depending on your student’s grade level and learning model.
For all families of students in grades 5 and 6
In both our Modified Campus (hybrid) and Extended Flexible Learning (distance) models. There are NO changes for you at this time. We’d consider a shift for 5-6 if we were to near the threshold of 50 cases per 10,000 provided by public health experts. As of late last week, Anoka County reported 33.16 cases per 10,000. As a district, we are meeting often with county and state officials to understand and respond to the public health situation in our area as we need to and will keep you updated.
For all families in grades 7 and 8
I hope you saw the message last Friday about the transition of grades 7-12 to distance learning. After consulting with county and state officials about the wide community spread of COVID-19 in Anoka County, we were provided direction to make this transition and were compelled, like neighboring school districts, to follow the guidance. No one wants this scenario, and we hope we can work as a community to address the spread and open our school buildings further soon.
With our colleagues at the high school, we’ve been planning for a successful transition. Please take a few minutes to review what to expect over these next weeks.
Next week: Students in grades 7 and 8, check weekly overviews
For all students in grades 7 and 8 – in both the Modified Campus (hybrid) and Extended Flexible Learning (distance) model – learning will look a little different early next week. Monday through Wednesday, teachers in both learning models will be focused on this transition.
While teachers are not expected to provide learning activities for students on these days, a number of teachers will be planning to continue momentum on current units and providing activities. Students and parents should check their weekly overviews, posted in Schoology by the end of the day Friday, Oct. 30, to see their schedule for early next week. We’re grateful for the expertise of our current distance learning teachers in helping support this transition.
What to expect: Grades 7 and 8 transitioning to Distance Learning from Modified Campus (Hybrid)
We know many families making this transition to distance learning now aren’t doing so by choice. We’ve specifically heard questions and concerns about how this will be different from the spring and from this fall’s “learning at home days.”
As a school community, we’ve worked hard to continue to improve our model over the summer and this fall taking all of the feedback into consideration. Learning this fall is going well, and among other things, you can expect your student to have daily interaction with teachers. See a brief 1-pg overview of the model for more details on the experience.
On Thursday, November 5, we will be fully transitioned to the Extended Flexible Learning (distance) model. Students should log on at their course start time for a full day of learning. We’ll have more information on transportation, meal service changes and more next week.
What will continue in person, at school for grades 7 and 8
Based on the state’s learning plan, we can and will offer in-person opportunities for those services that cannot be offered meaningfully through distance learning. We’ll bring students into school by invitation, with transportation provided, starting Monday, Nov. 9. There are three categories for learning at school. They will provide:
- Additional support for learners who need it, this may include students receiving special education services, English learners and students who have identified interventions to support their learning needs. Families of students who meet criteria will be contacted with what the plan is for your student’s support by Nov. 6.
- Learning experiences that can’t be provided at a distance, including some labs, music, art, assessments, and others. Students and families should check weekly overviews from their teacher(s) each Friday. Overviews will include when/if a student has an invitation for an in-person component in their next week’s schedule.
- Access to additional support outside of the curriculum, including the continuation of mental health services and counseling for students receiving this support as well as providing learning space and access for students whose home environment presents challenges to learning.
This Friday will be school spirit day. Wear your Panther Gear at home and at school. We are all in this together and are excited to continue to show our pride whether we are at home learning or in school learning.
Tom Larson
Principal
Wear Your Panther Gear/School Colors This Friday for Spirit Day
Voter Turnout project
The next Westwood PTO Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 16 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
We are looking forward to working with all of our parents and families this year to support the staff and students at Westwood.
Visit the PTO Facebook page: Westwood Intermediate and Middle School PTO
- Click here to receive email notifications about Westwood PTO.
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