CHS Cougar News
August 9, 2020
From the Principal's Office
What a whirlwind the last few months have been for us all in anticipation of the upcoming school year! The administrative team has been meeting continuously to work on a plan that will allow for a safe return to school for our students and staff. A spectrum of risk-based program models have been identified in order to provide us the flexibility that we will need to navigate the ever-changing landscape that we are certain to face this school year. Last week Wednesday, our School Board voted to begin the 2020-2021 school year in the "Moderately High Risk" program model. This means that families will be able to choose between full-blown virtual learning through the Clinton Connect platform or a Cohort Model, where students will attend face-to-face instruction for part of the week in one of two groups. The primary purpose of this newsletter is to BEGIN to inform you more about both options to aid you in making the choice that will be best for your student(s). As always, we will continue to keep families in the loop as we work out additional specifics.
I would be remiss if I did not say that as a parent of two school-age children myself, I fully understand how unsettling it is to not have a total picture of what this year will look like. However, even amidst all of the uncertainty, I am so comforted by the enormity of support and love that abounds in Clinton. Cougars, WE ARE STRONG! While I know that this will be a year for the record books, I am confident that we will pull through this TOGETHER! I am so excited for the opportunity to again work with all of the students, staff, and families at CHS and cannot wait for another year to begin!
Mrs. Franz
School Reopening Information
Important Information Regarding School Reopening
Please review Dr. Brewer’s previous emails for important information regarding the reopening of our schools. Some helpful links can also be found below:
Clinton Connect vs. Cohort Model
Option 1: Clinton Connect Virtual Learning:
- Families that choose to do 100% virtual learning will be enrolled into Clinton Connect, our district's online learning platform.
- This is a self-paced, module completion curriculum based on the WI teaching standards and written by licensed WI educators.
- Clinton staffers will assist students with choosing appropriate courses, pacing, and tech issues, but instructional support will not be provided.
- Students who enroll in Clinton Connect will take two classes each quarter, completing one semester of each class each quarter.
- Clinton Connect is intended to be a full-year enrollment commitment. We realize this is a big decision so we are allowing genuinely interested students to “test drive” Clinton Connect for the first three days of school to determine if this will work for them. If they find that this is not working for them, then they can still enroll in the Cohort Model option at CHS.
We will also allow students an opportunity to change to the model currently in place at CHS Semester 2 if this is the preference of the family. (Example: If we are in the Cohort Model at the start of semester 2, families will be able to choose to change from Clinton Connect to cohort at that time.)
The Clinton Connect curriculum will not be identical to the curriculum used at CCSD, so a transition between virtual and face-to-face may pose some difficulties.
- Families who have not yet notified CHS that they wish to enroll in Clinton Connect are encouraged to do so as soon as possible by calling the main office.
Option 2:Cohort Model: Any remaining CHS students who do NOT opt for the Clinton Connect model will be put assigned to one of two groups or "cohorts" for in-person learning.
In the Cohort Model, students will be divided into two groups or "cohorts".
Students with the last names “A-K” will be Cohort A and students whose last names are “L-Z” will be Cohort B.
For households with students who have different last names, all students in that household will be cohorted together. Details on how this will be done are being finalized this week.
- Every school day will have a designation of “A-Day” or “B-Day.” On “A-Days,” students in cohort A will be in attendance at school and on “B-Days,” students in cohort B will be in attendance at school.
- On days where students are not scheduled to be in the building, meaningful academic work will still be expected to be completed as either practice/extension of classroom learning OR foundational background work to be completed as a preview to the learning activities that will be happening the next scheduled in-person day.
Students will be enrolled in the courses they requested last Spring, and learning will be supported by a CHS teacher. We will move to a Co-teaching model for student support as much as possible using our Special Education teachers and EL Staff.
Students will follow a scheduled 4-period block day to minimize movement and focus on continued learning in all classes. Click the button below for a sample Cohort Model Schedule.
August Office Hours
School Supplies
The CHS office is also taking school supply donations. We are specifically looking for: NEW spiral notebooks, pocket folders, markers/colored pencils/crayons, glue bottles/sticks, dry erase markers; and NEW OR USED scientific calculators, protractors, compasses, rulers, dry erase mini erasers, dry erase mini whiteboards, and scissors. Donors can drop off supplies at any time at the CHS main office, during regular office hours from Monday, August 10 to Wednesday, August 26th. Thanks so much in advance for your generosity!
Press the button below to view this year's school supply list and additional information regarding free supplies available for families!
Social Emotional Health
Safety Measures
Supplies:
Shared classroom supplies will not be provided.
Clear backpacks with essential school supplies will be provided by CHS on a first come first served basis.
Hallways:
We will have one-way hallways at CHS where we can.
Hallways that must remain two-way hallways will be set up like roadways with dotted lines and students walking on the left.
Bathrooms:
Students will be able to use the restrooms as needed.
Hand washing signage will be placed in all bathrooms as a reminder to wash hands with soap and warm water for at least twenty seconds.
Desks/Classroom Setup:
Students will each have their own desk/workspace in each of their classes.
These spaces will be socially distanced as much as possible.
All nonessential furniture will be removed from classrooms or not used to protect the health and safety of our students and staff.
Phy Ed. Classes:
Masks will not be needed when students are participating in activity.
Students will be allowed to change in the locker rooms but will not have lockers unless there are extenuating circumstances. Students will be asked to carry clothing with them before and after gym class.
Students may want to consider wearing clothes to school appropriate for gym class, or bringing a t-shirt and shorts to change into.
Lockers:
In order to minimize touch points and keep kids socially distanced, students will not be using lockers at this time. We will revisit the use of lockers as the year progresses.
AM Arrival:
Students will report to CHS through the front doors as normal. Students who arrive to school earlier than 8:10 a.m. will report directly to the gym. They will be asked to sit in the bleachers socially distanced (6ft.) apart from their peers. Social distancing dots will be used to mark areas that students can sit on the bleachers. Students may be on their phones, computers, reading, or working on any school work at this time. We will allow for socializing, but will also ask that as much social distancing take place as possible for the safety of all.
Students arriving to school after 8:10 will report to their first class, where social-distancing will be required.
The Commons will be used for breakfast.
Breakfast:
Will be served in the Commons. Students will be socially distanced, two students per table.
Social distancing dots will be used to mark the seats that students can sit at.
Late arrivals will still be able to take breakfast to their classroom.
Staff will make sure all tables and seats get wiped down after each use.
Lunch:
Will be served in the Commons. Students will be socially distanced, two students per table.
Social distancing dots will be used to mark the seats that students can sit at.
Staff will make sure all tables and seats get wiped down after each use.
Bussing:
Students that ride the bus will be asked to sit one to a seat, next to the window, as much as possible.
Students from the same families will be asked to sit together.
Face masks will not be required at this time, but are highly encouraged.
There are still some unknowns that will be addressed in the next few weeks. Families can expect weekly updates with my CHS Cougar News officially starting today. Please keep in mind that these times are ever changing and we will all need to be flexible and understanding throughout this year. I truly appreciate all of the communication that I have already received from those that have questions and I would highly encourage you to continue reaching out to our office at any time with any questions or concerns.
Announcements
Donations Needed for Alden Meadow Park
The Clinton FFA and DECA are running a donation drive through the month of August in order to put care packages together for Alden Meadow Park residents. As we all know, it is a strange time, so we wanted a way to help put a smile on some individuals' faces that may be struggling during this time! Some items we are collecting include:
- Cards (thinking of you)
- Photos of pets with fun descriptions (no personal photos)
- 2021 Calendars
- Word search books
- Crossword puzzle books
- Decks of cards
- Adult coloring books
- Coloring pencils
- Treats (prefer sugar free)
- Stuffed animals
- Marbles
- Small baskets for care package assembly.
- Any other items that might brighten their day and are not “childish”
We will be collecting donations August 13th and 20th from 10-11am and 6-7pm outside the CHS Greenhouse. Contact Mrs. Kueter for questions: kekueter@clintonwis.com.