Willow Creek Newsletter
March 19th, 2021
Schedule for the week
Block Scheduling for Distance Learning
Also note that students will not be meeting with teachers during Target classes. Target is similar to a study hall. However, help is available via Google Meets using code: WCtarget.
April 5th - Learning Model Transition
- Student Q&A during lunch on 3/23 - Students will receive an email on Monday.
- Parent Q&A - 3/23 @ 5-6 pm
- Those that have indicated a transportation need should have received information in the mail with route details.
- Masks are required on district property.
- April 5th - First day back in the building!
A video explaining a few differences between this year and last year.
6th Grade Orientation for In Person Learning Students - March 23rd
For those students that are remaining in distance learning and will plan on returning to the school building for next school year, we will provide future opportunities for building tours and orientations.
Look for another email soon with more details.
Willow Creek Tours for New Students
If you are a new student/family in 7th or 8th grade and would like to visit Willow Creek before we return to in-person learning on April 5th, please contact your School Counselor to set up a time for a tour.
7th Grade- Tracy Lund trlund1@rochesterschools.org 328-5908
8th Grade- Dawn Johnson dajohnson3@rochesterschools.org 328-5912
The 6th grade students will have a transition day on March 23rd.
A Message From The Health Office
Hello Willow Creek families,
First and foremost, I hope that this message finds you and your family happy and healthy. It has been a crazy year full of unknowns along with new ways to navigate life. It is time to give yourself and your student a big pat on the back- we made it to the full-time, in-person learning model.
With students coming back into the building full time the health staff are requesting that all students with a medical need get their plans, medications and supplies into the health office before spring break. Medical plans can be provided to you by your students physician, or you can click here to be directed to the RPS Health website for these plans. Please note that if you get plans off of the RPS website, a physician’s signature is likely required. Willow Creek will be allowing you to drop off medical plans, medications and supplies between March 15 and March 24, from 8am-2pm. We hope to start school in April with your child’s health plan in place. Further, please remember to review the RPS Symptom Screener before visiting the building. If you or your household are ill please stay home.
In addition to getting medications, emergency action plans and supplies into the health office please make sure that your student’s immunizations are up to date. Your child will not be allowed back into the building until this is done.
Please feel free to reach out to the Willow Creek Health Office, 507-328-5906 with questions or concerns. We look forward to seeing your student in April.
Distance Learning + Supports
In-Person Support
We are able to allow students to enter the building to receive support from staff on a limited basis. If you are interested in your student receiving support in person, please contact their Counselor. Email links are below:
Jessica Olson - 6th Grade
Tracy Lund - 7th Grade
Dawn Johnson - 8th Grade
Virtual Supports
Willow Creek has several things in place to provide virtual support for your student during distance learning.
- Support during Target hours by utilizing the Google Meets code: WCTarget.
- Our Schoolwide open hour for students following their Advisory from 8:55 - 9:20 on day 1's. All teaching staff are available using the Google Meets codes attached here.
- Please connect directly with Teachers and Counselors to set up further individualized supports in specific classes as well.
Family Night with Administration
Honor's Classes for 2021-2022 School Year
It’s time for this year’s 6th and 7th grade students to sign up to take honors classes next year. We offer all students the opportunity to take Honors English, Honors Science, or Honors Social Studies. Note: students in the highly gifted program do not need to sign up for honors classes.
Please complete this form to request honors classes. Please be aware that while students will likely be placed in one honors class, it may not be possible to place them in two or three honors classes because of schedule constraints.
The standards addressed in Middle School Honors Classes will be the same as grade level classes; however, the class will move at a faster pace, go into greater depth and require a greater degree of independence on the part of the student. These courses are not intended to assign MORE work, but work matched to students’ instructional level. The MS Honors Classes are not high school classes taught at the middle school; therefore, a student will NOT earn a high school credit or a high school grade.
Click on the link to sign up for Honors classes today!
Emotional and Mental Health Well-Being Team
Grade Level Weekly Student Planners
Attendance
*Please do not only notify a teacher of an absence. They do not have a way to excuse it in the Skyward system. Please route all absence reporting through the Main Office.
COVID-19 Communications
What if I or my child are experiencing COVID symptoms?
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has provided a Decision Tree for individuals with COVID-19 Symptoms in Youth, Student, and Child Care Programs. To keep students and staff safe and healthy, Rochester Public Schools will follow this guidance to determine the length of time students will need to remain away from school when exposed or exhibiting symptoms. This exclusion guidance is designed specifically for schools and child care programs by MDH, therefore, these guidelines may differ from businesses or employers.
Prior to coming into a school building, students and staff should use the At-Home COVID Screening tool to determine if they are well enough to come to school that day. Individuals experiencing symptoms should remain home and talk to their health care provider about being tested for COVID-19. A Daily Symptom Monitoring Tool is available to help families track their child's symptom screening each day.
We understand that these are challenging times. The safety, security, and health of students and staff is our top priority. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school community safe and healthy.
Saliva Testing for COVID-19 Information
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) shared updated guidance regarding saliva testing. MDH recommends that all school-age youth returning to school, sports, or extracurricular activities, and their families, get tested for COVID-19 every two weeks through the end of the school year.
Testing, plus wearing masks and taking other precautions, such as social distancing and staying home (quarantining) when needed, are some of the best tools we have to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
There are COVID-19 community testing sites across Minnesota, in addition to local hospitals and clinics. Rochester does not have a community testing site available to residents. However, you can also use the COVID-19 test at home program. Testing is provided at no cost to you.
RPS shares this information with parents to help give you another way to support keeping your school community healthy and safe. There is no expectation or requirement that your child receives a surveillance COVID-19 saliva test. Of course, if your child is feeling ill, please have them stay home from school and contact your primary healthcare provider.
Curbside Library Pick-up
Counselors
Jessica Olson - Grade 6 Counselor
Tracy Lund - Grade 7 Counselor
Dawn Johnson - Grade 8 Counselor
School Social Workers
About us
Email: AnKappel@rochester.k12.mn.us
Website: https://wcms.rochesterschools.org/
Location: 2425 11th Avenue Southeast, Rochester, MN 55904, USA
Phone: (507) 328-5900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/WillowCreekMiddle/
Twitter: @WCreekwildcats
For assistance in (your language), please call 328-5900
Para asistencia en español, por favor marque al 328-4241.
Za pomoc na bosanskom jeziku pozovite 328-4243
"إذا رغبت في الحصول على هذه المعلومات باللغة العربية يرجي الإتصال بقسم الترجمة علي الرقم 4246-328"
Haddii aad jeclaan lahayd in aad hesho macluumaadkaan oo ku qoran Soomaali, fadlan la soo xiriir waaxda EL(bartaha ingariiska) 328 4247.
“如果需要中文援助请拨打电话 :507-328-4238 (办公室) 或者 507-398-9448 (手机)
“ Để được giúp đở bằng Tiếng Việt xin Gọi đến số 271-8366