Hello Waterford School Families,
Attached please find the 2020 - 21 school year welcome letter along with important information on school routines. We look forward to getting started!
Chris Miller
Principal
This is the blog of Waterford School Principal Chris Miller. Its purpose is to communicate important information and news about the Waterford School Eagles to the Waterford community and beyond.
Hello Waterford School Families,
Attached please find the 2020 - 21 school year welcome letter along with important information on school routines. We look forward to getting started!
Chris Miller
Principal
** This is the second update that includes Remote Device Pickup
On Thursday September 3rd and Friday September 4th students in grades Kindergarten - 8th Grade who will start the school year remotely can pick up their Chromebooks from school at the following times:
Thursday September 3
9:00 a.m - 10:30 a.m
12:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m
Friday September 4
9:00 a.m - 10:30 a.m
12:00 p.m - 2:00 p.m
In order to take the device home Acceptable Use paperwork will need to be completed. Please note all visitors to the school will be required to wear masks.
We look forward to seeing you!
Chris Miller
Principal
** This is the second update that includes the Re-Opening Structures FAQ
This Frequently Asked Questions document outlines a series of questions as they relate to the opening of school options. The questions are a combination of questions we posed at the school level as well as questions posed by parents. It is a fluid document that will be updated periodically as questions arise. Please monitor for updates. If you have questions that are not addressed through this document please refer to the Waterford School Parent Question/Feedback Form.
Respectfully,
Chris Miller
Principal
Waterford School
** This update includes School Meals for Onsite and Remote Students
** This update includes fall opening structures/survey
Shortly we will begin the 2020-21 school year in what is sure to be an opening of school unlike any other in our personal and professional experience. COVID -19 has presented many health and logistical challenges we have not had to consider. There are no easy solutions to these challenges. As parents you may have concerns about returning your children to school. I want to validate your concern for your children and also inform you that we are working to develop a plan that supports your students well being and promotes a healthy transition back to Waterford School.
It is evident that Waterford School Staff are an amazingly dedicated and gifted group of educators. Soon we will be together as a school community ready to educate the children of the Waterford Community during unprecedented times. I am confident, even in this short time of getting to know Waterford Staff and larger community that you are THE group I want to navigate this with!
During the weeks leading up to the start of school there will be many important decision you will have to make. Please view the attached presentation for details on student options for learning this fall and take the survey attached. The deadline for the survey is Tuesday August 11. Your responses are important to us and help us continue to plan for the school year.
A downloadable version can be found here: Fall Opening Structures
A link to the survey can be found here: Fall Planning Survey
*This update includes information regarding new start date, face coverings, busing and a preview of fall options in preparation for the reopening of school.
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.
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.
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.
Chris Miller
* 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 .
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
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.
Sincerely,
Chris