First Bell: 8:55 AM

Tardy Bell: 9:00 AM
Dismissal: 4:00 PM
1/2 Day Dismissal: 12:25 PM

Staggered Dismssal times:

3:45 pm begin calling Owl Pick Up numbers & Student sign out

3:56 pm Walkers & Prime time and first of three bus numbers

3:58 pm continue calling bus numbers and student names

4:07 Buses depart from Oakley Park

*Owl Pick Up numbers and student names will continue to be called throughout the dismissal period.

Dear WLCSD Families:

As you know, last week the Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) announced they will be rescinding their Emergency Order for Pandemic Control (2021-1) from August 2021 which required schools to implement universal masking. This change will take effect on Monday, February 28, 2022.

As the OCHD has determined that universal mask wearing is no longer necessary in schools, effective Monday, February 28, the Walled Lake Consolidated School District (WLCSD) will no longer require universal mask wearing in our school buildings and offices.

Please review the following information related to this update:

• Isolation/Quarantine - At this time, OCHD’s isolation guidelines will still be in effect despite the change in masking requirements. COVID-19 positive students and staff will still need to isolate themselves for the minimum five days.
• Asymptomatic students and staff and those that are exhibiting an improvement in symptoms will have the ability to return to school on days six through 10 of the isolation period provided the individual wears a mask during that time period. If mask wearing is not an option, that individual must isolate for the full 10 days before returning to school.
• Symptomatic students and staff who are not showing an improvement in symptoms will be required to continue isolating until that criteria is met, possibly up to and including day 10.
• Transportation - In accordance with the CDC Order issued February 21, 2021, masks are required for all staff and students while on school buses until further notice.
• Head Start classrooms - In accordance with federal law, students and staff in our District’s Head Start classrooms must continue to wear a mask. This program is federally funded and thus subject to federal masking requirements.
• Performing Arts/Athletics - As part of the lifted mask requirements, students involved in performing arts and athletics are no longer subject to the previous mask requirements associated with these activities.
• Rentals/Community Education - Outside groups and programs are no longer subject to the masking requirements formerly associated with utilizing our school buildings and facilities following this lifted requirement.

The OCHD strongly recommends wearing a mask while in public, indoor settings. Individual decisions related to continued masking in WLCSD will be left to the discretion of students, families, and staff members.

It should be noted that any bullying, harassment, or discrimination related to a student’s masking choices will not be tolerated. Any individuals engaging in such acts will be subject to the Code of Conduct.

Should we receive any further guidance from the OCHD between now and Feb. 28, we will be sure to share that information with you in a timely manner. For more information, please visit the OCHD website: www.oakgov.com/covid

Sincerely,

Kenneth Gutman
Superintendent of Schools
Walled Lake Schools

Beginning Monday, March 7th we will move ahead with changes to help improve safety during our dismissal time. Currently, we have over 200 families registered for Owl Pick Up and on average, about 70 families utilize this each day. We also have an average 35 students who are signed out at the front of the building. This means during the dismissal process we have well over 150 vehicles moving in and out of our parking lot within about 20 minutes!

One area MAJOR of concern is for those vehicles who are in the Owl Pick Up line but waiting to enter the parking lot. I am always grateful to our parents who offer ideas and support! Below is a message from Matt Goldsby (Oakey Park dad and District Manager for Super Car Wash) who is helping to implement the new process:

Hello Oakley Park families!

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this message! Over the past several months pick up and drop off for OPE parents has become rather challenging. With so many parents opting for pick up/drop off, we are having a very hard time containing all of these vehicles inside the Oakley Park campus.

At Oakley Park we have the utmost concern for everybody's safety. This is why we will be attempting a new procedure for pickup/drop off. Kind of like McDonald's has now added a second lane to all of their drive-thrus, we will also be adding a second lane on the east side of our parking lot.

To be as concise as possible, below is a diagram of where we will be instituting this extra lane. Please refer to picture below.

During the first week of this transition we will have volunteers assisting parents with this new procedure. It is vitally important that we keep as little space as possible between all of our vehicles, to ensure as few as possible vehicles are overflowing onto Oakley Park road. Please know that our volunteers are just trying to help keep everybody safe.

I would also like to say that I completely understand everybody's concerns and why there's been such a big influx of pickup/drop off at OPE. However we cannot deny that this said influx has created a lot of logistical issues for us. The last thing that we want is to make things more complicated for parents. We feel this is the best way moving forward to simplify things while also keeping our kids and staff safer. The amount of overflow that we currently have on Oakley Park frustrates/confuses other drivers. It is our goal, with this new process, to correct those logistical issues as best we can.

Again thank you very much for taking the time to read this email. I greatly appreciate you and your family.

Matt Goldsby

Another MAJOR safety concern is the flow of vehicles out of the parking lot. Turning left is nearly impossible at times and vehicles waiting to turn left are causing a major backup within the parking lot. PLEASE consider turning right! We have vehicles trying to enter the parking lot who are NOT using Owl Pick Up and are unable to do so with two “outgoing” lanes. As we implement the double lane plan in the parking lot, we will be evaluating the need to make changes when exiting the parking lot (such as implementing a RIGHT TURN ONLY for ALL vehicles when exciting our parking lot.) We understand this would not be ideal but could be necessary based on ongoing safety concerns. We will be coordinating with our crossing guard to help achieve the best flow possible on Oakley Park Road. The safest route to “head east” after turning right (west) is to turn right on Newton Road, then right on Richardson Road and then use either Martin Road or Haggerty Road.

We are looking for more volunteers to help in the parking lot as drivers adjust to this new process. If you are able/willing to help, please contact Kristin Froning kristinfroning@wlcsd.org. Volunteers would need to be here by 3:30 p.m.

Monday -Friday,

Hours 8:45 am - 4:15 pm (includes 30 minute duty free lunch) 7 hours per day/35 hours per week

Classification B Rate of Pay: Current WLPA Contract, $13.33 to $18.72

New Hire Starting Rate of Pay: $13.33

Email: kristinfroning@wlcsd.org for more information

• Fever/Chills
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Headache Sore throat
• Congestion
• Runny Nose
• Nausea or Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Muscle of Body Aches
• New loss of smell or taste

If your child has any of these symptoms, please err on the side of caution and keep them home until their symptoms subside. We appreciate your partnership as we continue to work together to keep our community healthy and safe! Health and Safe!