Communication to Families Regarding Coronavirus
March 13, 2020
Dear West Central Staff, Parents and Community Members:
As you know, we are in a period of unprecedented times and heightened awareness regarding the Coronavirus with an abundance of caution being taken within our schools and across the Nation. I continue to assure you the health and safety of our students and staff continues to be our top priority. We are continuing to closely monitor the situation as well as the health and attendance of our students and staff and are making the necessary preparations in case the COVID-19 becomes more prevalent in our community. At this time, we are not aware of any confirmed cases of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in our area. If this were to occur in the West Central School District Community, we will notify staff and parents/guardians as soon as possible.
Information and data regarding Coronavirus is being shared with us and is changing at a rapid pace. We are leaning on the Henderson County Health Department, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and State and Federal governments for direction regarding COVID-19. Currently, there has been no recommendation made to us for schools to close. It is our goal to keep our schools open as long as it is possible and safe, but we will rely on these agencies for continued guidance.
Please know we understand the burden that will be placed on families for childcare if a school closure becomes necessary. At this time, the decision to close schools is being left up to individual districts; however, things can, and have changed very rapidly over the last couple weeks. The decision to close school is taken very seriously. We must weigh the risk of the spread of all illnesses among students and staff against the loss of educational and social service opportunities as well as the burden placed on families as a result of this decision.
However, we must plan for the reality that a school closure may become necessary or mandated. If the decision is made to close schools, it will be for a period of weeks rather than days. We have created an e-learning plan in the event that we are asked or it becomes necessary to close. This plan has been submitted to the Regional Office of Education, but at this time, we are still waiting approval. Previously, there were many requirements that had to be met to have an approved e-learning plan. Due to the extenuating circumstances we are facing, many of these requirements have been set aside by the State. We express our appreciation to the State for their flexibility in this situation.
An e-learning day folder that contains two weeks’ worth of lessons will be sent home with students in Kindergarten through 2ndg rade as well as those students who do not have internet access. Some may have come home with your child today. They are not required to work on these at this time. These are being sent home in the event that an e-learning scenario becomes necessary. In the meantime, please put them up in a safe place. Students in 3rd - 12th grade are being sent home with a Chromebook and charger in a bag. Lessons will be uploaded to an e-learning platform of each teacher’s choice and has been shared with our students today. Students were to be shown how to check in with their first hour or classroom teacher today as well as how to access and submit assignments. We will provide more specific instructions in the event that an e-learning day is activated. Our teachers and students are familiar with a digital environment in which the teacher is in the room for guidance. With e-learning, email and other electronic communications will become the norm. This process will not start off perfectly, but our staff will work diligently to answer questions, learn from each electronic lesson and planned paper packet, resolve any issues, and make this learning opportunity the best it can be. We appreciate your understanding, cooperation, and patience in the event this becomes necessary.
Additionally, we are attempting to put plans in place to address the breakfast and lunch needs of our students. More information will be shared with regard to this at a later time.
As we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our entire community, we will do our best to keep you updated and informed. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we take every precaution to keep everyone safe.
Sincerely,
Paula Markey, Superintendent
West Central C.U.S.D. #235
