Important Message from Dr. Cain
March 27, 2020 ~ To all WSD Families
Good Afternoon,
As we wrap up spring break and head into our first week of at-home learning, we wanted to share a few reminders for kicking off our continued learning plans and share what learning will look like when we begin our extended school closure on April 6th.
Before getting into the details of learning at-home, we first want to say thank you for supporting your child(ren)’s learning at home. We know this is not an easy time. We recognize that many parents are faced with working from home, supporting families at home in new ways, and balancing school and learning time with the daily needs of the home. Our goal is to provide students with an engaging learning environment that provides a structure for learning, encourages ongoing academic growth, and most importantly, continues connections with teachers and peers during this time. We don’t expect students to spend all day on school work nor do we expect parents to “teach” their child all day. We are encouraging our teachers and we encourage you as well to go slow, be flexible, and reach out when you need help. We know this will not go perfectly. We are here to support your students and your family. Please reach out to teachers when you need support.
Continued Learning Plans-Beginning Monday, March 30th
As you know, our teachers were asked to prepare some learning plans that could be sent home or sent electronically to students to support their learning at home during our emergency school closure. These plans are meant to sustain learning for a short period of time. Teachers put their hearts and souls into this planning and are excited to connect with their students. School administrators have shared when continued learning plans can be picked up at school on Monday, March 30 or Tuesday, March 31 for those that will need a hard copy of materials. Please pay close attention to those times.
Virtual Learning Plans-Beginning on or around Monday, April 6th
As we move into this newest phase, an extended school closure, we wanted to share our next shift in learning as well. With our students being asked to learn from home for a longer period of time, we recognize that our continued learning plans will only last and support students for so long. Beginning on Monday, April 6th, we will ask that we shift our learning practices to a virtual instruction approach. In this approach, we are asking that teachers support students in a variety of ways, most of which will be delivered through virtual methods such as email, video-conferencing tools such as Google Meet and Zoom, and Canvas (for our secondary students). Be looking for more information regarding virtual learning plans coming from teachers on or around April 6th.
Chromebook Check-Out Available for Elementary Students
Elementary students will have the opportunity to check-out a Chromebook to use at home for virtual learning during the extended closure. Families can pick-up the Chromebook at their student’s current elementary school on Monday and Tuesday. Please refer to your school’s schedule for Continued Learning Plan pick-up. Chromebooks will be there as well, ready to check-out.
Each family must abide by the District 1:1 Access Initiative agreement (located on the district Technology webpage) and complete the CLP Device Signature form. In case of accident, fire, flood, loss or careless handling of the Chromebook, the borrower agrees to pay for all damages or replacement – whichever is deemed necessary by the school district. District Chromebooks may only be used by students in the Wentzville School District and will come with content filtering installed.
Need a Chromebook?
Please complete the following interest form, if you would like to reserve a device for your student. Please print, sign, and bring the following Signature form with you, when you pick-up your Chromebook at your student's elementary school. If you are unable to print this form prior to pick-up, we will have copies available at each school. Please note: Chromebooks will need a wireless Internet connection to be used.
Need Tech Support?
For technical support: parents and students can contact the Wentzville School District Technology Help Desk. Contact information, times, and details can be found on this page. The Help Desk opens on March 31 at 4pm.
What’s the difference between Continued Learning Plans and Virtual Learning Plans?
How much work should students expect during Virtual Learning?
We realize that teachers, as well as students, are in new learning environments now. We don’t expect nor can we expect the same level and amount of work to be completed at home. Teachers will be sending some instruction and assignments each day or each week, but this is not meant to fill an entire school day. If your child is overwhelmed at any time, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
When can I contact my child’s teacher?
Teachers will communicate with students and parents the best time to reach them during our extended school closure. Each teacher will have two hours of office hours daily, which are meant to be a set time to connect with students and families. During this time, teachers are available for small group and one-on-one support. They will also respond to email and communicate with parents and students during this time. Your child’s teacher will communicate these office hours. In addition to their office hours, teachers will be teaching and interacting with students throughout the school day.
Will my child(ren) receive grades during this time?
We will not be issuing any grades during our Continued Learning Plan implementation time period (March 30-Apri 3). As we shift to virtual learning, your child’s teacher will communicate how they will assess a student’s learning. In most cases, we will be working to hold students accountable to participate and complete learning tasks, but this may not result in a traditional grade. This is new for everyone and teachers are committed to doing all that they can to best support students while remaining fair and consistent.
What resources do you recommend students use at home during the extended school closure?
Beyond the resources that teachers will share with your child(ren), if you would like additional resources, we encourage you to utilize the link below to support your child(ren) at home: Parent/Student Resources
Community Resources
Speaking of resources, we understand and appreciate how difficult this closure is on many of our families. Every day we are learning of new resources in our community and we encourage anyone who needs assistance to reference the information that is being updated on the District website under the COVID-19 updates.
A Word of Caution
On another note, as the weather turns nicer and the closure extends from days into weeks, we understand and encourage folks to get some fresh air. However, we are receiving reports of large groups congregating in our parking lots and on our athletic fields. This defeats the purpose of our closure and all our efforts to work with the health professionals and keep our students, staff, and families safe. While we do not want to close down these outdoor facilities completely, we will be forced to do so if we continue to have large crowds in those spaces. Please follow the advice of our health professionals and exercise social distancing whether you are indoors or outdoors and please encourage your children to do the same.
Thank you again for your patience and support during these challenging times. We are all committed to working through this together; supporting our staff so they can best assist you and our students. Please let your child or children know that we miss them!
Curtis Cain, Ph.D.
Superintendent