Parent Newsletter
June 28, 2020
Message from Dr. Ulrich
Re-Entry Planning for 20-21
We are committed to a safe first day of school on August 24 for middle and high school students and August 26 for elementary students. We love being in school with our students. The school environment is where we do our best work and our students thrive. While a modified in-person learning plan is our intention, it is clear we need plans in place to pivot quickly depending on the infection spread within St. Louis County, or if a student or staff member within our schools test positive for the coronavirus. We are working on those plans.
The survey results received from parents, staff members, and middle and high school students, along with our Guiding Principles for the 2020-21 School Year Re-entry Plan will inform our planning. It is important for us to use every opportunity to review the guiding principles driving our decision making for the safest plan to return to school for the Kirkwood School Community.
It is my intention to build confidence and trust by communicating information related to our planning process frequently with the understanding that a re-entry plan will be released mid-July.
Thank you for your continued feedback, understanding, and support.
Dr. David Ulrich
Summer Reading with Dr. OH
Get to Know One Another
For the format of the meeting, I am flexible. It can be an open format and you and your child(ren) may share whatever you'd like or ask whatever questions you'd like. However, if you would like me to share a structure, I like the hopes and dreams format. This format has you share the child's strengths, and what you hope/dream for your child for this school year. With only 15 minutes, it is hard to get a lot of depth, but we can always follow up via email or phone if needed.
Use this Sign Up Genius Link to pick a slot for July 6-9. There will be additional sign ups each week.
$302 for School Age Children- Deadline June 30
Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, families that qualify for free or reduced-priced meals at school may be eligible for a new one-time Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) of up to $302 per child (Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 12) to help cover the cost of meals students have eaten at home on days that schools have been closed. Students can receive P-EBT benefits even if they have been or continue to receive meals provided by the school district during the school closure. If your child was not previously eligible for free or reduced-price meals, but you have now lost income, you may be eligible to receive P-EBT benefits (review the P-EBT Eligibility Criteria link).
Re-Entry Survey Results
KSD Launched a ThoughtExchange Survey with parents and guardians, staff members and middle and high school students on June 11 and 12, 2020. The survey closed on June 15. The June survey was the third survey conducted since the quarantine. The survey was developed to gather broad information and feedback to help inform KSD’s re-entry planning.
The themes created during the survey process were: Choice and Flexibility, Equitable Access to Learning, Rigorous Academics and Consistent Communication, Safety and Health, and Social and Emotional Wellbeing.
To view the survey results, please click the links below or watch the video from the June 22 Board of Education Meeting.
Parent & Guardian Survey. Link to view results
Staff Survey. Link to view results
High School & Middle School Survey. Link to view results
Tracks Reopening
In following St. Louis County’s First Phase of Reopening, we are slowly reintegrating the student body and public to school’s outdoor facilities beginning with the high school and middle school tracks. Temporary restrictions to playgrounds are still enforced pursuant to the St. Louis County because they are high touch areas.
KSD Current Graduation Plans
Plans are underway to provide an in-person, social distancing, graduation for the Kirkwood High School class of 2020 on Saturday, July 11 at 10 am in the E.L. Lyons Memorial Stadium on the campus of Kirkwood High School. The graduation is for students, parents or guardians, and staff members. The plans are contingent upon St. Louis county guidelines regarding COVID-19 and will be re-evaluated prior to the ceremony. The ceremony will be modified in length, social distancing recommendations will be used and enforced, and guest attendance will be limited per graduate. The ceremony will be live-streamed on the internet. Save the link now and join in the celebration!
We are all looking forward to celebrating our students’ accomplishments as well as families and staff members for providing the support, love, and guidance to our graduates.