Friday Communication - March 18, 2022

Friday Communication September 24, 2021

Friday Folder Inserts 

Friday Communication - September 3, 2021

Friday Communication August 27, 2021

Friday Folder Communication 4/30/21

Friday Folder Communication April 16, 2021

Friday Communication March 12, 2021

Friday Folder Update - December 18. 2020

 

Friday Folder Communication 12/4 and Multi Household Gatherings FAQ

 Please see below an updated FAQ on Multi Household Social Gatherings:

Updated Guidance -- Multi Household Gatherings and Quarantine

Good afternoon Waterford School Families,

In my Friday Folder Communication on November 20 I alerted you of new state travel and quarantine restrictions. 

This afternoon Governor Scott's announced an update as it relates to his Executive Order on multi-household gatherings and quarantine. Multi household gatherings are now considered an extension of the state's travel guidance. As a result we will need to incorporate as part of our arrival screening a question about whether students have participated in a multi-household gathering. This means anyone who participates in a multi-household gathering will need to quarantine for up to 14 days and cannot be at school. Below I have included the guidance from the state if you are interested. 

As always I appreciate your support and commitment to Waterford School. 

Chris 

Friday Folder Update 11/20

Updated Arrival Procedure: Inclement Weather

Whenever the weather allows us to conduct screens outdoors we will continue to do so. We have been fortunate to have weather that allowed us to have morning arrival occur with students lining up outside for their health screens. 

This week looks like we will need to implement our inclement weather arrival procedure. Below is the procedure if the weather will not allow us to line up outside:

• All elementary school students will enter through the gym entrance. We will have socially distanced lines for each class where screenings will occur. 
• All middle school students will line up under the eave starting at the side door. Screenings will occur inside the lobby area of the main entrance. 

Reopening Waterford School Update -- New Start Date, Busing, Face Coverings, Preview of Fall Options

*This update includes information regarding new start date, face coverings, busing and a preview of fall options in preparation for the reopening of school. 

New Start Date -- September 8th

On July 28, Governor Scott announced September 8th as the universal start date for instruction of students. Please note, as a result the following adjustments have been made:

August 21 - September 4: Teacher In-service

September 8th: First student day

Face Coverings

All staff and students are required to wear facial coverings while in the building, as well as outside where physical distancing cannot be maintained. CDC recommends facial coverings in settings where other physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Adults doing drop-off and pick-up should wear facial coverings. Instructions for making, wearing and washing facial coverings can be found on the CDC website. PreK students require special consideration regarding age and child development when wearing masks. 

It is the responsibility of each family to provide masks for their children. 

The following stipulations are for students, as well as staff, where applicable and come from State of Vermont guidelines 

• Facial coverings are developmentally appropriate when children can properly put on, take off, and not touch or suck on the covering. 

• Students who have a medical or behavioral reason for not wearing a facial covering should not be required to wear one. These decisions should be made in partnership with the health care provider and school nurse. 

• Students/staff should not wear facial coverings while sleeping, eating or swimming (or when they would get wet). 

• Facial coverings with ties are not recommended for young children as they pose a risk of choking or strangulation. 

• Facial coverings may be removed during outdoor activities where students and staff can maintain physical distancing and have ready access to put them back as needed when activity stops. 

• Staff may take off their facial covering in select circumstances to accommodate specific needs, for example: when an individual is hearing impaired and reads lips to communicate. It is also recommended to use facial coverings with clear plastic windows to support communication when there is ongoing contact with individuals who are hearing impaired. 

• The use of clear facial shields for students and adults is allowable as long as they meet all of the health guidance of the Vermont Department of Health. Face shields should extend below the chin and to the ears laterally, and there should be no exposed gap between the forehead and the shield’s headpiece.

Busing

It is my understanding that this information along with the below survey may not have reached all parents. If you have already responded to this survey you do not need to submit another response.

Please complete this survey by August 7

We are currently planning the transportation needs for our upcoming school year. It is important for our school and Butler’s Bus Company to determine whether your child will require transportation or if you will transport your child to and/or from school. The state has shared specific guidelines for student transportation and social distancing while on the bus. Butler's will be designing bus routes and assigning seats on their buses based on these guidelines. Having a specific count of how many children will ride the bus to and from school will assist them in designing bus routes for our students. 

If you can provide transportation to your child, please consider doing so. A more limited ridership will allow us to provide a safer experience for those students who need bus transportation to get to school.

If your child(ren) will require the school provided transportation, please be aware of the following changes and requirements based on State guidelines:

• Buses will need to make multiple runs. This will result in delayed entry time for some students as well as early dismissal for others. Please keep track of when your children will be picked up and dismissed.

• Students on the buses will be physically distanced from each other as much as possible. Six feet of distance may not be the reality.

• Students will have assigned seats.

• Masks will be required of every person on the bus regardless of age.

• Each morning, students will need to have a slip signed by their parent stating to the best of their knowledge, the student does not have a high temperature or any symptoms of COVID 19.

• Failure to provide such a slip may result in students losing their bus privileges. 

• Parents will be responsible for their child(ren)’s care when they are not able to board the bus.

• Buses will be cleaned between runs and at the end of the day.

Please complete this survey by August 7. It is critical that you complete this survey whether you intend on having your child ride the bus or not. We only need one response per family. 

Preview of Fall Instructional Options --

For clarity, below are the three Instructional Options for Waterford students:

Option 1 - Return to Waterford School Building -- On Site, Full Day/Full Week

Option 2 - Full-Time Remote Learning with Instruction provided by a Waterford/CCSU Teacher

Option 3 - Enrollment in the Vermont Agency of Education Home Study Program

The details for each option above will be shared with you later this week. During the course of this week, both CCSU teacher representatives and administrators will be planning what the Remote Learning Option could look like and I will meet with Waterford Staff to review the plan. I will then share with families the full details. I will also be including a survey: The purpose of the survey is to learn more about your intentions regarding where your child(ren) will be accessing their schooling given the latest update on fall structures.

Respectfully,

Chris Miller

Reopening Waterford School -- Update on Return to School Plan, State Guidelines and Parent Question/Feedback Form

* This update includes CCSU progress on a return to school plan, general Department of Health & Agency of Education guidelines for reopening schools and introducing the Waterford School Parent Question/Feedback Form .

CCSU Return to School Update

As a parent of school age children myself, the thought of returning to school during these difficult times with many unknowns is somewhat stressful. What the return to Waterford School is going to look like for you and your children is also understandably stressful.

The CCSU Leadership Team has been working on what the return to school options will be. We are developing options that will provide clear and consistent information to families in each school. We are close to determining the return to school plan. Once it is finalized, you will be notified.

What we do know at this time is the school calendar has been adjusted to provide teachers 3 additional in-service days to start the school year. The first week of school for students will now be Monday August 31 - September 4. These will be early release days for students and allow allow for additional planning and adjustments. Dismissal this will be 1:00. For more detailed information please refer to Superintendent Mark Tucker's blog post here.

Below is the updated opening of school schedule:

• August 21 - 28: Teacher in-service and professional development 

• August 31 - September 4: Student early release (1:00 dismissal)

• Week of September 8: Full days of school begin

Department of Health & Agency of Education Guidelines

We take the physical health and well-being of students and our community very seriously. In order to open school safely, we have to follow certain rules and guidelines from the Department of Health & Agency of Education.

Based on these guidelines we are planning for the following adjustments for the upcoming school year:

• Students will be required to have their temperature screened prior to riding on the bus.

• Students will be required to wear masks and physically distanced while on the bus. Members of the same family can be seated together.

• All students and staff will be required to wear masks at school.

• Students will stay with their classes all day, even during meal times.

• Students and staff must maintain safe physical distancing.

• We will need to limit the public from entering the school. Those entering school will have temperature taken and be asked screening questions. If sick, students and adults must be sent home.

• Sick children or adults are required to stay home.

Waterford School Parent Question/Feedback Form

The purpose of the form is to provide Waterford School Parents/Guardians a place to ask questions and provide feedback as it relates to the reopening of Waterford School. Questions will be collected and responded to in a separate FAQ document. You can find the form here -- Waterford School Parent Question/Feedback Form

Sincerely,

Chris