Important Upcoming Dates:
- WSD Fully Remote Learning 12/9 through 12/23. The current plan is for all students to return to the previous in-person schedule 1/4/21.
- December 23 through January 3 – No School
- Student Meal Kit distribution – Tuesday, 12/22 from 9-10am and Tuesday, 12/29 from 9-10am (more details below).
- Find the WSD’s updated school calendar here.
- January 6, 2021 and February 3, 2021 – WSD Staff COVID-19 Surveillance Testing (additional details TBD)
Dear WSD Families,
The last few weeks have been tough for all of us. 31 members of our learning community have tested positive for COVID-19. Our amazing staff have rushed to fill the academic, emotional, and nutritional needs of our students. The WSD COVID-19 Co-Coordinators have meticulously made line lists and called families and staff. This is challenging work, both mentally and emotionally.
Based on the information we have now, there has been no transmission of COVID in our school district and the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) will notify us if this changes. Everyone who is considered a close contact of the COVID-positive people has been notified.
Some positive news is that we seem to have contained the spread of the virus within our learning community, preventing other people from becoming infected with COVID-19. Families are getting the support they need, staying home and quarantining. Our district’s health and safety procedures are working. We look forward to welcoming our students back to in-person learning as soon as it is safe.
Our leadership team will be working with the WSD COVID-19 Response Team and the Vermont Department of Health to make a decision by December 30 about remote or return to 4-days of in-person instruction for our Kindergarten through 5th graders, and our previous hybrid schedule for WMHS students. As soon as a decision is made we will notify families.
Struggling through the pandemic? You are not alone.
There are two ways to get the help you need: free one-on-one counseling, for emotional support and a listening ear, as well as connections to community resources, and weekly Wellness Groups to learn self-care strategies for coping and relaxing.
Other COVID Resources
- Free COVID-19 Testing Winooski
- Additional resources on the City of Winooski website.
Meal kits available for all children in Winooski
During remote learning, WSD will provide meals for all children in Winooski. Meal Kit distribution will take place on TUESDAY, December 22 from 9-10am and TUESDAY, December 29 from 9-10am so families have meals during the break.
Is your child’s Chromebook/iPad not working?
Read about the IT team’s process for repairs and/or replacement devices.
Basketball Updates from Athletic Director Dennis Barcomb
Hello Winooski Students and Families, Thank you for your interest in our basketball programs for this winter season. For the safety of our students and coaches the Winooski School District has decided that the earliest date for which the basketball season would start would be Monday, January 4th. If there are any changes to this date we will send out another message. Any students who have not submitted their required athletic paperwork can scan the forms to [email protected] or fax them to 383-6097.
Safety and Security – Presentation and Public Forum
- What: Presentation and discussion about safety and security in the Winooski School District (WSD). Each public forum will include a 30 minute presentation by WSD Superintendent Sean McMannon and City of Winooski personnel about the current state of school safety and security, followed by an hour of community input and discussion. The public forum will take place via Zoom. Please note, all public comments and questions will be submitted via a Q&A chat box feature and will be asked live via a meeting moderator. If you are not able to attend either forum, you may submit a comment or question.
- When: Monday, December 21 and Tuesday, December 29 from 6-7:30pm.
- Where: https://wsdvt.zoom.us/j/92977627353
- Who: All Winooski community members are encouraged to attend. Interpreted meetings will be held for families with limited English proficiency at a separate date.
School Board Update
On Wednesday, December 16 the board rescinded their prior appointment of Tula Kadariya as a board member because he is not legally eligible to hold this position. Later in the meeting, the board appointed Steven Berbeco to our fifth board member position. Welcome, Steven!
The board will be meeting Wednesday, December 30 for their next budget meeting. All board agendas and FY22 budget information can be found by clicking on these individual links.
Thank you for reading this information and strengthening our school and family partnership.
Take care,
Sean McMannon