Thursday, August 13, 2020
Dear Parents, Caretakers, Students, and Families of Woodland Public Schools:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our return to education this fall looks different than in the past. Health and safety must be the top priority for our students and staff in addition to providing a quality education for our students. With these important goals in mind, I am writing to share an update on our plans to deliver education this fall.
In early August, state leaders and the state Department of Health (DOH) announced a “decision tree” framework to guide school districts as they determine how to resume learning this fall. The framework emphasizes that community transmission must be low in order for schools to reopen safely for in-person learning.
Using the DOH’s “decision tree” framework and recommendations from the public health leaders of both Clark and Cowlitz County, we have developed a plan for school reopening as approved by the Board of Directors:
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- School Reopening Stage 1: Woodland Public Schools will start this school year in Stage 1 — Distance Learning for all students K-12 and limited in-person learning will be offered for at-risk students who need it most – such as children with disabilities – in groups no larger than four (4) students.
- In order to move to Stage 2, the Public Health Officials will monitor the rate of positive COVID-19 tests over an extended period (3-4 weeks past Labor Day). If the case counts continue to decline and remain below 75 per 100,000 in population in that period along with positive trends in other metrics the officials continue to review, they will advise that we should consider moving to Stage 2.
- In order to move to Stage 2, the Public Health Officials will monitor the rate of positive COVID-19 tests over an extended period (3-4 weeks past Labor Day). If the case counts continue to decline and remain below 75 per 100,000 in population in that period along with positive trends in other metrics the officials continue to review, they will advise that we should consider moving to Stage 2.
- School Reopening Stage 2: Students in grades K-4 will take part in a hybrid model with students spending a majority of the day in school and one hour a day dedicated to at-home learning. Students in grades 5-12 will engage in distance learning with face-to-face support options for groups of up to five (5) students; and at-risk learners such as those with disabilities will receive additional in-school support.
- In order to move to Stage 3, the Public Health Officials must see the rate of positive COVID-19 tests over an extended period (3 or more weeks) remain below 25 per 100,000 in population during that period along with positive trends in other metrics the officials continue to review. When this occurs, they may advise that we should consider moving to Stage 3.
- In order to move to Stage 3, the Public Health Officials must see the rate of positive COVID-19 tests over an extended period (3 or more weeks) remain below 25 per 100,000 in population during that period along with positive trends in other metrics the officials continue to review. When this occurs, they may advise that we should consider moving to Stage 3.
- School Reopening Stage 3: Students in grades K-4 in-person every day with a reduced schedule. Students in grades 5-12 in a hybrid, alternating-day schedule.
- The decision to move to Stage 4 will be based on the recommendations of Clark/Cowlitz County Health Departments, the Governor’s Office, OSPI, and available local data on the progression of the virus.
- The decision to move to Stage 4 will be based on the recommendations of Clark/Cowlitz County Health Departments, the Governor’s Office, OSPI, and available local data on the progression of the virus.
- School Reopening Stage 4: The full and complete reopening of schools.
- School Reopening Stage 1: Woodland Public Schools will start this school year in Stage 1 — Distance Learning for all students K-12 and limited in-person learning will be offered for at-risk students who need it most – such as children with disabilities – in groups no larger than four (4) students.
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To review the district’s Fall Reopening Plan in its entirety, please click this link:
https://district.woodlandschools.org/storage/file/7086/WPS%20Reopening%20Plan.pdf
Remote/Distance Learning 2.0
Many parents and community members have expressed concerns that the learning experienced this spring lacked structure and one-on-one lessons from our teaching staff. These concerns were also expressed by our teachers.
Over the summer our administrative team along with dedicated workgroups of teaching staff have revamped the district’s approach to distance learning. As such, we have developed new approaches to learning at each grade level. Teachers will receive additional training in distance learning before the school year begins. Each student will be issued a Chromebook and we will work with families who have difficulties obtaining high-speed internet access.
Attendance will be required and structured learning will be provided from each of our schools with live lessons taught at each grade level. Teachers will be available to help students as needed and guide students through their academic learning. The district’s grading model has also been returned to pre-pandemic grading with grades A-F provided in respective classes.
More information will be sent to you shortly from your students’ respective schools. Families whose children cannot attend live lessons during the school day due to scheduling conflicts from work or other responsibilities need to reach out to their student’s teachers to arrange for asynchronous learning options (learning performed from recorded lessons).
Stay Up-to-Date
As we all know, plans and information will change as the coronavirus progresses through our lives. We pledge to keep you informed with regular updates as we move forward together. You can stay up-to-date with the most recent status updates by visiting our COVID-19/School Reopening Headquarters at www.woodlandschools.org/covid-hq. In addition, Cowlitz County Health posts the latest information each Monday at: http://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/2750/COVID-19-Data-Reports-and-Presentations
Thank you for your patience as we navigate Back to School 2020.
If you have questions, I encourage you to reach out directly to your child’s principal. In addition, please feel free to reach out to me directly at greenm@woodlandschools.org.
Sincerely,
Michael Z. Green
Superintendent – Woodland Public Schools