Kegonsa Family Newsletter
2021-2022
December 11, 2021
- Tuesday we will have our WFK meeting via zoom at 6:15.
- Friday is "wear something bright" as our optional dress-up day.
We will make sure to remind students to bring home any boots, coats, gloves for the winter holidays in the hopes that we get a bit of snow.
As always, please reach out with any questions. Have a wonderful weekend - Erin
12/8 COVID-19 Mask & Quarantine Updates at SASD
Changes to Masking After Winter Break
We will begin to unwind required masking in the new year by grade level:
Grades K-5 - Monday, January 24 (This is us!)
Starting Monday, January 24, while not required, masking is strongly recommended and encouraged for grades K-5 students and staff in any indoor school setting.
Grades 6-12 - Monday, January 10
Starting Monday, January 10, 2022, while not required, masking is strongly recommended and encouraged for grades 6-12 students and staff in any indoor school setting, including extracurricular activities. You’ll notice that this goes into effect on Monday, January 10 rather than January 3. This is in hopes of reducing post-holiday transmission.
4K
Check with your site directors for site-specific guidance.
For all students and staff members, masking on school buses and district vehicles is required by the Transportation Security Administration through March 18, 2022.
Close Contacts & Quarantine Clarification
We made a quarantine change which took effect on Saturday, November 27. We’d like to offer some additional clarification and adjustments after putting this plan into practice.
Close Contacts in a School Setting
Any student or staff member who is a close contact of someone with a positive COVID-19 case
in a school setting and does not have symptoms will not be required to quarantine or be tested but is recommended to wear a mask.
This is because in a school setting, we can better ensure that students and staff members were fully masked. (As we know, in practice this is not always the case.)
We will continue our diligent contact tracing and notify close contacts of their close contact status. If a student or staff member has symptoms, they will still be required to quarantine and test using the existing protocol.
Close Contacts Outside of School
Any student or staff member who is a close contact outside of school will be required to quarantine if they are unvaccinated. We cannot ensure that the close contact was in a fully masked setting outside of school.
Household Close Contacts
If an individual lives with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, the individual must quarantine regardless of their vaccination status. This is because there is an increased risk of transmission due to sustained exposure.
Close Contacts & Quarantine - When Masks Are No Longer Required
When masks are no longer required in our schools (January 10 for grades 6-12 and January 24 for grades K-5), we may see an increase in close contacts. We will provide you with more details after winter break.
Commitment to Adjustment As you know, we commit to adjusting our procedures, as we’ve done in the past few weeks and past few school years. We must continue to be diligent in monitoring in-school transmission of COVID-19.
Antiracism Project: December Resources
SASD Inclement Weather Procedures for 2021-22 School Year
As we are transitioning to winter, it is important to monitor the weather and its impact on school operations. Each year, it is not uncommon for snow, ice, or cold to lead to district-wide school closure.
While last year we had the procedures and technology equipment in place to consider turning snow days into virtual days, this year we will use traditional “snow day” inclement weather procedures, as are most other Dane County districts.
If the need for snow days this year becomes excessive, then the district will consider other options, as it has in previous years, to ensure we meet the Department of Public Instruction’s required minutes for instruction.
In the event of inclement weather, we will communicate to families and staff in the following ways by 6 a.m.:
Phone call, text message, and email
Local radio or TV station in the school closing information
District website
District social media channels
We will use these communication methods if there is a two-hour delay or any other impacts to the school day.
Families, please be sure that your contact information is up-to-date in Infinite Campus.
How to Receive Texts from SASD
If you’d like to receive texts from SASD, use your mobile device to text “Y” or “Yes” to our district’s short code number, 67587. If this is unsuccessful, most likely your phone number is not accurate in Infinite Campus. Send us an email at info@stoughton.k12.wi.us, and we'll help you out.
Thank you for your commitment to the education of our children and for your flexibility amid Wisconsin’s winter weather.
Dr. Tim Onsager, District Administrator
Your vigilience helps keep our students safe - COVID-19 Information
Where can I get tested for COVID? See our new COVID-19 Testing Resource Sheet on our COVID-19 Health & Safety page.
Using the Student COVID-19 Form: If a student tests positive for COVID-19, has symptoms of COVID-19 symptoms, or has been identified as a close contact, start by keeping your student at home, calling your school’s attendance line, completing the Student COVID-19 Form, then contacting your health care provider. We will help you through the process.
SASD COVID Health & Safety page (Data Dashboard)
Family Resources
Reach out to Kayla McDermot with any questions!
Kayla McDermot (Kegonsa Elementary and Sandhill Elementary) 608-440-0270
Office and School Hours
Office hours: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30p.m.
School hours: 7:45 a.m. - 3:00p.m. Doors open at 7:35 a.m.
3 Million People Can’t be Wrong
Last week we shared information about Laurie Santos’ Yale- Psychology and the Good Life based on this Newsweek article from December 2020. One of the reasons that Newsweek did a piece on her, was because ‘the class she created in 2018- one that gave students practical, evidence-based tips for reducing their stress and improving their well-being, was the most well-attended class in Yale’s 300-year history. The first week, over 1,000 students attended Psychology and the Good Life, forcing a change in location to a concert hall. The popularity of the class prompted Yale to share the happiness class more broadly. They put a six-week version of the course online so that anyone in the world could take it for free. Hundreds of thousands of people signed up. And then COVID hit. In March 2020, enrollment in the online course doubled, then tripled- then octupled. In the middle of a pandemic, more than THREE MILLION people signed up to take an Ivy League class about how to feel happier. And the feedback and results were amazing!’ Hence the reason for spending another week telling you about it is to emphasize the point that these easy, daily habits are really important for supporting your children’s mental health.
In addition, the “Susan” referenced in the article, is a Stoughton resident and Stephanie Stokes’ mom. She was the first AP Psychology teacher at Stoughton High School and was one of the participants who took the online course.
We hope that all of the evidence of success, both worldwide and locally, will prompt you to practice these strategies with your children and yourself.
To your REGULATION, GREATNESS, Humanity, & Significance
Amy, (Karla & Sara Jane )
TAHER foodservice
Meal Account Balance Reminders
Automatic low balance and past due email reminders will start up again after winter break. Reminders will go out on Tuesday and Fridays.
To avoid reminders, please maintain at least $10 in your account at all times. $0 balance accounts will not receive reminders. Note: Adding a recurring payment will help you to avoid any reminders at all.
Questions may be directed to jenny.mckenna@stoughton.k12.wi.us or jacob.kleven@stoughton.k12.wi.us
Take the Food Service Survey
Help Taher Food Service better serve you and your family! Please complete this survey with your input. Thank you.
Kegonsa Elementary School
Ms. Conrad, Principal (877-5201)
Mrs. Sannes, Dean of Students (208-3468)
Mrs. Cole-Wells, Admin Assistant (877-5202)
Mr. Schultz, School Counselor (877-5229)
Mrs. McDermot, School Social Worker (440-0270)
Ms. Menon, School Psychologist
Ms. Hart, Health Assistant (877-5204)
KEGONSA STAFF BIOS here!
IC Parent Portal: Need assistance with your IC parent portal? Please complete the IC parent portal support form linked here.
Email: erin.conrad@stoughton.k12.wi.us
Website: http://www.stoughton.k12.wi.us/page.cfm?p=619
Location: Kegonsa Elementary School, Vernon Street, Stoughton, WI, United States
Phone: 608-877-5202
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stoughtonschools/
Twitter: @WeAreStoughton