Caldwell School District Update
From Superintendent N. Shalene French
October 30, 2020
In this update:
Knowing what we know now, how should we handle instruction moving forward?
Working to expand our substitute pool
Offering support if you want to apply for funds for families
Families of Seniors: Please take advantage of our support for applying for college financial aid
Caldwell families
It is hard to believe that a quarter of the school year is behind us! Thank you for your patience during this challenging time. We’re all learning to do things differently and working hard -- our teachers, our students, our staff, our school board, -- and you. Thank you!
I believe we all share one goal: serve children in school every day. We made good progress toward this goal: emerging from remote only learning at the start of the school year to our current blended learning.
The increase in the spread of the virus, however, continues to create obstacles and we need to be nimble and adaptable.
We’re excited to welcome back Caldwell High School students next week as it is able to reopen after the short term closure.
Knowing what we know now, how should we handle instruction moving forward?
I am asking our Reopening and Continued Operations task force teams to meet again to critically review our plan through the lens of our experience during the past nine weeks in remote and blended learning.
I want to hear from parents and teachers to help inform our work. We’re surveying teachers and we have a short survey for parents. Please take a few moments and complete this survey: https://forms.gle/KL9H4oyRaWxym9nu6
We will update our plan to reflect what is working, modify or adjust what didn’t work so well, and address areas of need as we continue navigating this year.
Our plan is a “living document” and we’ve updated it along the way.
Last week, the Idaho State Board of Education Reopening Plan updated guidance for schools. The Board reflected on lessons learned since July and updated their plan in two ways. The plan:
added a fourth category “orange” between yellow and red and
expanded recommended learning model for the “red” category to include some in person learning options citing districts that are successfully holding school in the “red” in other areas of our state
I want our teams to consider whether to add “orange” to our plan. I also want them to tackle the question of whether we can continue in our blended learning model with our safety protocols in place during “red” as an option to returning to remote learning.
Sincerely,
Dr. French
Working to expand our substitute pool
When Caldwell High shifted to remote learning one of the factors considered was our limited pool of substitutes to fill in for staff who are ill or quarantining.
We welcome our parents to become substitute teachers in your child’s school.
We’ve increased the daily rate for subs and added a COVID bonus. Please consider applying and encourage those who might be interested to apply. More information posted here.
We are also working with a staffing agency to contract for some substitute positions. This is more expensive but we hope it will help.
Tracking positive COVID cases in our schools
We also are reporting positive COVID cases each week and posting them on our website: https://www.caldwellschools.org/apps/news/article/1320298
Offering support if you want to apply for funds for families
A new state grant program is available to help families with educational costs incurred because of the pandemic. This money is first come, first served - if you haven’t applied yet, please do so!
The application asks families to document their children's enrollment in a school. Our schools are prepared to help you with this.
The video explains how to apply. If you need to access a computer or scanner or need additional support please contact your school.
Here's more information about the program:
Strong Families, Strong Students Is a program funded by Idaho’s Coronavirus Relief Funds, which provides Idaho students access to grant dollars that can be used to purchase educational goods and services that their families decide their students need.
Who can apply? If you are a parent or guardian of an Idaho public, private, parochial, student(s) in grades K12— impacted by a COVID-19-related full or partial Idaho school closure or the parent or guardian of a home schooled student who experienced a COVID-19-related employment disruption— you can apply for these funds.
Eligible families can:
Receive a credit for $1,500 per child or up to $3,500 per family.
Purchase computers and technology, pay for internet access, instructional materials, fees for courses, tutoring services and educational services and therapies through approved vendors available through the on-line marketplace.
Seek reimbursement for eligible education expenses paid for between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020.
When you apply please have evidence of your child’s, or children’s, public or private school enrollment and a copy of your 2019 tax return.
Enrollment will be open from October 21, 2020 to December 8, 2020. Awards will be issued first on economic need and then on a first come first serve basis. All dollars must be allocated to families no later than December 31, 2020.
Superintendent N. Shalene French
Committed to Caldwell School District's mission, vision, and values to ensure equity and access for all students.
Email: nfrench@caldwellschools.org
Website: www.caldwellschools.org
Location: 1502 Fillmore Street, Caldwell, ID, USA
Phone: (208) 455-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caldwellschools.org/
Twitter: @CSD132Sup