Willow Weekly
July 8, 2020
Returning to School Plan
As you probably already know, the WCPSS Board of Education (BOE) made some decisions last week about our return to school. While the decisions provide a framework for our planning, there are many details yet to be worked out.. However, I wanted to make sure you were aware of this latest information, and hope to clear up any confusion.
The School Board has voted to start school under Plan B (a blend of face to face instruction
and remote learning, with a high level of social distancing guidelines), or Plan C (full remote
learning) depending on the governor's decision in the coming weeks. For more details about plan B, here is an overview.
Given the complicated nature of plan B, we are starting to plan for it now, should that be the plan that we begin with. Here are the major impacts for us under the Plan B option to return to school:
- WSES will operate under the single track 4 calendar. This means the first day for students will be during the week of August 17.
- In order to ensure social distancing on the bus and at school, we are limited to 1/3 of students in the building, so that means each child will be assigned to a group
- Students in each group will come to school one week and engage in remote learning for two weeks and then rotate back. (These are not track out weeks, but full blown remote learning weeks with more rigorous instruction than we experienced in the spring.)
- Elementary students will be encouraged to wear masks.. they are recommended. Staff will wear masks.
There are many details for us to work out regarding plan B, including group assignments, which will largely be determined by the county to ensure that there is adequate room on buses for each group to social distance and that siblings are in the same group across levels (elementary, middle and high.) Group assignments may impact teacher assignments, so be aware that these may also change, depending on the group you are assigned to.
We have not been given the group assignments yet, but when we get them, we will share them with you and we will ensure that we provide an avenue for Meet the Teacher before school starts.
If we start with full remote, Plan C, we will also be on the track 4 calendar. We will await the governor's decision, but we will be ready for whichever plan he determines that we will begin with....In the meantime, hold off on purchasing school supplies! Know we will stay in communication with you and keep you apprised of any changes!
In addition to Plan B or Plan C, Wake County is offering a Virtual Academy that will be totally remote learning, and they recommend if you choose this option that you sign up for the year. (See below for more information.)
Not planning on riding the Bus?
New Start Date
School Supplies
WCPSS Virtual Academy
- To the degree possible, students will be assigned teachers from Willow Springs Elementary (if we have too few at a grade level, it will be a teacher at a neighboring school.) Students will have a certified teacher, which is not necessarily the case in other virtual schools.
- Students will experience the WCPSS core instructional program online. Instruction will be standards-aligned and focused on ensuring student mastery.
- Application period is July 10-20 (see link above beginning July 10)
- You should complete a separate application for each child you wish to attend
- We recommend that you plan to attend for the year if you select the Virtual Academy Option.
- If you attend the WCPSS Virtual Academy, your child will still be considered a part of our school and that will help us retain all of our staff.