It’s been four weeks since my last installment in the SchoolBell. As you may know, our leadership team rotates through taking these articles from week to week so that each of us has an opportunity to share our voices with you. It also provides a variety of perspectives and lenses through which we are communicating. We think this offers a richer picture of our story as a community. So much has happened in these past four weeks, yet it also seems a bit of a blur.
On Friday, you received a weekly letter from Superintendent, Rene Sanchez, with an update related to case activity and Covid-related information. One of the highlights of this update is that we have experienced significantly fewer positive cases this week as compared to the previous three weeks. In fact, we have not received notice of a new positive case since last Sunday, 9/26. This has provided a desperately needed respite for our system and has provided the leadership team a chance to take a breath and try to return its focus on providing the school leadership that our students, staff, and families need and deserve. With this optimistic news shared, I don’t want to minimize the disruptive force of this virus on our school and community nor overlook the fact that we still had four classes remote on Friday as I write this message. I also can’t overstate just how continuously impressed I am with our faculty and staff - many of whom have had to pivot to remote instruction at a moment’s notice.
NEW PROTOCOL FOR QUARANTINING STUDENTS
In addition to classes who are experiencing remote instruction, we have had a number of other students having to quarantine as a result of being close contacts, but not associated with a case that caused a class to pivot to remote. This results in a student being home while their classmates are at school learning in person. I am now pleased to report that starting this week, the Williston Schools will offer optional daily learning opportunities for students who are quarantining without their class and teacher. For each school day of the week, there will be two types of learning opportunities that can be accessed by students; “Meets” with teachers and learning menus. The activities completed during the “Meets” and through the learning menus will not directly connect to the lessons happening at school, but they will allow students to access productive and engaging grade-appropriate learning opportunities. This slide deck contains more information about these opportunities including the “Meet” schedule and links to math, science, and literacy activities., I want to thank Math Coordinator, Caitlin Bianchi, and Literacy Coordinator, Abby Reynolds, for their efforts in putting this protocol together.
OPPORTUNITY TO HELP:
Do you enjoy the feeling you get when lifting somebody else’s spirits? Keep reading! This is an opportunity for you. These last 4-5 weeks have taken their toll on all of us, and our faculty and staff have not been immune. As we all know, to support the physical, mental, and emotional health of others, including our students, we first need to be well ourselves. As one leader in this learning community, I am intentionally modeling that it’s okay to demonstrate vulnerability here and let you know that we could use your support. We are seeking an enthusiastic and creative group of community volunteers who would be interested in taking on the mission of lifting the spirits of our staff throughout the year. If you are interested in being part of such a group, or perhaps even lead or coordinate the efforts, please email me at gmarino@cvsdvt.org.
Partnering with Families to Combat TikTok Challenges
There is currently a disturbing trend on the TikTok social media platform that we want to make parents aware of. You may have seen stories about this in the mainstream media recently. The trend includes monthly challenges encouraging its users to do various devious, destructive, disrespectful, and illegal behaviors at school or in the community. We have seen behaviors at our CVSD schools, including at WCS, associated with these challenges, leading to the destruction and theft of school property. The monthly challenges include disturbing themes like trashing bathrooms, slapping a school staff member, jabbing a member of the opposite sex, making a mess in the courtyard or cafeteria, and more. The school will be sending a clear message to our middle school students that these behaviors are unacceptable, are in violation to our school conduct code, and in some cases illegal. Behaviors associated with these challenges will be investigated and treated very seriously by the school. Having to use time, resources, energy, and effort to process these disrespectful behaviors is especially troubling when we need to be doubling our efforts to focus on health, safety, and learning. We want parents/caregivers to be aware of this trend and ask that you talk to your children about it. This is a timely opportunity to talk as families about social media influences, both positive and negative, and support our child(ren) in navigating these complicated social dynamics and risks.
Though the themes of this week’s note certainly had their ups and downs, I want to end with a spirit of optimism and gratitude. Optimism that we will continue to work together collaboratively as a community to provide our students with the safe, healthy, and engaging learning opportunities they need - and gratitude to be part of this incredible team that never stops growing, learning, and lifting each other.
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