Dear WSD Families,
Please find our important updates and reminders below.
Important Upcoming Dates:
October 19th – 2nd and 4th-grade students will start attending WSD in-person four days per week.
Tuesday, October 20 – 11am dismissal for all students and MHS parent-teacher conferences from 12-8pm.
Friday, October 23 – 11am dismissal for all student and MHS parent-teacher conferences from 12-3pm.
October 26th – 1st and 3rd-grade students will start attending in-person four days per week.
October 29th at 4pm – Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Capital Project (Join us via Facebook live!)
November 2nd – Kindergarten and 5th-grade students will start attending in-person four days per week.
The Challenges of Moving to Four Days per Week of In-Person Instruction for JFK Students – Staffing Shortages
Thanks to all Vermonters’ efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, we are able to move to four-days per week of in-person learning. We are starting with 2nd and 4th grade students next week (10/19).
While our teachers and the leadership team are very excited about bringing our students back to school for more days of in-person learning, we are facing some serious challenges. We must maintain our important health procedures and be nimble and ready to respond to students with symptoms as well as any eventual positive cases.
Another very serious challenge is staffing shortages. WSD, like many other districts across our state, need qualified Instructional Assistants and Support Staff. We will be monitoring our staffing levels weekly, and the decision to maintain four days per week of in-person learning for all elementary students will depend on whether we have sufficient staff.
If you, or someone you know, are looking for meaningful work and to make a difference in the life of a Winooski student, please consider applying. Rate of pay ranges from $16-25/hour, includes full benefits and schedules follow the school-break calendar.
As long as there are sufficient staffing levels, we will adhere to the schedule below for bringing students back to more days of in-person learning:
The days of instruction will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesdays will be remote for everyone. Students will continue their hybrid schedule of Monday/Tuesday or Thursday/Friday until their grade begins the four-day schedule.
October 19th – 23rd: 2nd and 4th-grade students will start attending WSD in-person four days per week.
October 26th – 30th: 1st and 3rd-grade students will start attending in-person four days per week.
November 2nd – 6th: Kindergarten and 5th-grade students will start attending in-person four days per week.
Travel Safely Over November Break
The crisp air and jaw-dropping foliage are signs that the November break is fast approaching. WSD urges all of our staff and families to exercise caution when making plans to visit friends and family over the break. The Vermont Department of Health maintains this website of places that are safe to travel without quarantine. The site also offers guidance about the quarantine protocols in place for visitors from other states.
Virus spread risk at holiday celebrations
As many of us begin to plan for fall and winter holiday celebrations, the Center for Disease Control offers these important considerations to help protect individuals and their families, friends, and communities from COVID-19.
Early dismissal days and parent-teacher conferences for the months of October and November
Tuesday, October 20 will be an early dismissal day for all WSD students. Students will be dismissed at 11am. Middle and high school student parent-teacher conferences will take place from 12-8 pm.
Friday, October 23 will also be an early dismissal day at 11am for all students. Middle high school student parent/teacher conferences will take place from 12-3pm.
Middle High School teachers will contact families the week of October 12th to schedule these conferences. All conferences will take place via Zoom this year.
There will not be any afterschool programs running on early dismissal days due to health restrictions. All JFK students must be picked up by 11am.
JFK student parent/teacher conferences will take place on November 23 and 24. All Winooski students will be dismissed at 11am on those dates.
Show your spirit in style!
The Winooski Parent Teacher Organization is excited to announce that you can now buy spirit wear online! There are a variety of sizes and styles available for elementary students right up to staff. Order online and have your purchases shipped directly to you. A portion of all sales goes to the Winooski School District PTO to keep support for our school and kids going.
Joining the Heart of Winooski Foundation Board!
We are excited to announce a new opportunity to get involved and support our schools. Heart of Winooski (HOW) Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the Ends Statement of the Winooski School District. Through fundraising from local and national grants, corporate gifts, personal donations and community involvement, HOW Foundation will collaborate with parents, teachers, students, board members and the community to achieve the goals of the district.
The HOW Foundation will be governed by a 12-member board with broad community representation. HOW bylaws require one community member to sit on the board.
Please fill out this questionnaire if you are interested in applying for a position on the board.
Thank you for your ongoing support and we strengthen our school district and family partnership.
Take care,
Sean McMannon