Dear Williams Valley Parents/Guardians:
As a reminder, in an abundance of caution, the Williams Valley School District will implement virtual learning Wednesday, December 2, 2020, through Friday, December 4, 2020. Monday, November 30, 2020 and Tuesday, December 1, 2020 are scheduled days off on the school calendar. The online learning that will occur December 2 through December 4 will allow teachers and students to practice using the online synchronous (live) learning format and also provide a little extra time for potential COVID-19 direct contacts/symptoms to come to light prior to returning to school in an attempt to reduce the number of students/staff that may require quarantine upon return.
With that in mind, we respectfully ask for your help to maintain in-person learning by considering temporary virtual instruction for your child/children if your family travels this holiday season. Voluntarily remaining home for virtual learning (to monitor the health of your child/children for a few days) may make the difference in keeping school open for all of us! Please communicate your intentions to remain home with your child’s building principal. If you think there was any chance of exposure to COVID-19, keep your child/children home until appropriate contact tracing/testing is completed. The resources used by the District while conducting contact tracing can be found at the following links https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/Documents/HAN/2020-PAHAN-533-10-26-ADV%20-%20Additiona.pdf and https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Guidance/Contact-Tracing-FAQ.aspx and the WVSD Pandemic Coordinator, Dr. Pipech, (717.647.2167 x 1224) can assist families to work through the Department of Health’s protocols, if you feel you may have been exposed to COVID-19.
Partial in-person learning will begin the week of December 7 with all students receiving instruction in-person on Mondays/Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays and virtually on Wednesdays of each week. If you have not picked up your child’s device, please call the school at 717.647.2167 x 1229 to make arrangements. Although we believe that in-person instruction is best for students, meaningful instruction will continue to occur virtually as teachers engage students in this new platform. Teachers will be teaching live from their classrooms, providing rich and challenging learning experiences for the Williams Valley students. In the meantime, we will continue to evaluate the status of COVID-19 in our community on a daily basis and make our decisions accordingly. Please note that this may necessitate closures or changes in schedules with very minimal notice. Thank you again for your patience and cooperation as we navigate this unprecedented time.
Wishing you an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. Stay safe and healthy!
You are invited to attend the December 3, 2020 Williams Valley School Board Meeting at 7:30 p.m. This meeting will take place in the high school library for Board members and administrators and virtually for visitors. An executive session for Board Members and Administrators will begin at 7:00 p.m. (Note: The Board will reorganize at this meeting.)
You must pre-register at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pMnVrEAsTLyiVX-NPyXA6Q to attend this meeting virtually. Once registered, an email will be sent to you with the link to connect to the meeting.
The agenda for the School Board meeting will be available on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. General public comments or questions on a specific agenda item must be emailed to PA-WilliamsValley@schoolboardmeetings.org prior to the board meeting. The school board is temporarily suspending public comment on non-agenda items.
Williams Valley Families:
The addendum to the WVSD Health and Safety Plan was Board approved at the November 19, 2020 meeting. The Board of Directors also approved implementation of the Partial In- Person Learning Schedule included in the addendum beginning the week of December 7, 2020. This schedule includes inclass instruction on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Wednesdays will be virtual for all all students. The asynchronous instructional model is still available. Building principals will be sharing additional information on scheduling details early next week. Please see important instructional schedule below.
IMPORTANT --- Instructional schedule
Health & Safety Plan - revised 11-19-2020
Williams Valley Families:
Due to the current technology issues, report cards will be available as follows: (Please note, the end of the quarter date has not changed.)
- Q1 (still) ended on 11/9.
- Q2 started 11/10.
- Online student assignments are due on 11/14.
- Parents will be able to view grades on Skyward 11/19.
- Report cards will be printed and mailed on 11/20.
(Subject to change should technology issues continue.)
Diane R. Best, Ed.D., Superintendent
Attention parents of tenth grade students who are receiving full 5 day in-person instruction.
As a temporary measure, tenth grade students receiving full in-person instruction will be given a netbook when they arrive at school on Friday, November 5th.
This notebook will be used temporarily for their use only both in school and at home. Tenth grade students will receive new touch screen Chromebooks when they arrive, as they have been delayed from the manufacturer. At that time, parents will be required to sign for that Chromebook, and that Chromebook will be the student’s to use until they graduate or leave Williams Valley.
If your full 5 day in-person student has a device they were issued at the beginning of the school year, you may either return it at your convenience, or keep it until the permanent Chromebook device is distributed.
Parents of students doing full online instruction do not have to do anything at this time.
Williams Valley Parents and Guardians:
The rising number of positive COVID-19 cases in Schuylkill County has moved the community transmission level to substantial. After careful consideration, the Williams Valley School District has decided to continue in-person learning at this time, maximizing face-to-face instruction while monitoring cases within the district’s zip codes.
It is the district’s highest priority to keep students healthy and safe, meeting their educational, social, and emotional needs. In order to accomplish this goal, we will continue to follow the WVSD Health and Safety Plan protocols which have been working based on contact tracing that is conducted as needed.
The cooperation of families taking precautionary measures, keeping children home if they show any symptoms, and conducting screenings is appreciated. These actions are all vital to our efforts to remain in schools and stay as safe as possible.
Sincerely,
Diane R. Best, Ed.D., Superintendent
lease see the Williams Valley Spectator Plan 2020 addendum (Board approved 9.10.2020) to the Williams Valley School District Athletic Department Resocialization of Sports Recommendations (Board approved June 25, 2020)
Williams Valley Spectator Plan 2020 (Updated September 24, 2020)
Williams Valley Spectator Plan 2020 (Updated and Board Approved September 24, 2020)
Please see the attached document for details regarding asynchronous online/remote learning expectations:
Asynchronous online/remote learning expectations
Williams Valley School District Covid Notice.
Please click to see the Beginning of the School Year FAQ document for important information.
WV Health Information for 2020-2021:
SYMPTOM MONITORING and temperature screening must be done by all parents/guardians at home each morning before the school day. No children with symptoms should be sent on a bus or brought to school. Students should NOT be sent to school to be evaluated by the school nurse, as this places the rest of the school community at risk of contamination. When in doubt, students should stay home and your primary care provider should be contacted.
Students with COVID-19 symptoms will be sent home and required to return with a note from their physician. Exclusion from and return to school criteria are based on current Pennsylvania Dept of Health guidelines.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- fever or chills
- cough
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- fatigue
- muscle or body aches
- headache
- new loss of taste or smell
- sore throat
- congestion or runny nose
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea
MEDICATION: If your child requires medication during the school day, you will need to make an appointment with the nurse in your child's building before the start of school. Times for bringing in the medication must be staggered. Nebulizer treatments will not be given due to the risk of aerosolization. If your child needs a nebulizer treatment, it will need to be given at home.
Williams Valley Families,
The Williams Valley School District Reopening Plan Frequently Asked Questions document has been updated. (Updates are noted in red font.)
Williams Valley School District Reopening Plan
Williams Valley Families,
The WVSD Health and Safety Plan is now available for your review. Thank you for all of your questions and suggestions which have been considered throughout the planning efforts. A question and answer document will be shared next week to answer additional questions and to serve as a reference. Any changes and updates will also be posted as changes are warranted. Please continue to send questions and suggestions to dbest@wvschools.net and thank you for your patience during the pandemic.
Williams Valley School District Health and Safety Plan Final August 20 2020
Williams Valley hosted a series of Community Informational Zoom meetings.
Past Meeting Information
Tuesday, August 11, 2020 – Review Questions from Survey/ Disinfecting, Sanitation, and Hygiene
The PowerPoint for the 8/11/2020 community meeting is posted and available for viewing. Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank You.
Thursday, August 13, 2020 - Social Distancing and Question Follow-up | Video
Thursday, August 20, 2020 - Follow-up/Start of school/Completing beginning of year paperwork | Video
Williams Valley Families,
The WVSD Reopening Plan FAQ is posted below. Please note, changes and updates will be added as they become necessary due to updated guidance and requirements that are received. Additional questions can be emailed to dbest@wvschools.net. Thank you for your patience and support.
Meet administrators and staff for the 2020-2021 school year!
WV Continuity of Education Plan
Covid-19 School Closing Information
Williams Valley Families,
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have learned that the delivery of devices for the 1:1 initiative will be delayed. Please plan to use your own device until the shipment is received and if this is not possible, call the school at 717-647-2167 x1400 to request assistance. We realize this is not ideal, but recognize our other options would put students, families, faculty, staff, and community members at risk. In order to lessen the inconvenience of the situation, an asynchronous (occurring at a time other than during the scheduled class) option will be added to the educational component of the Health and Safety Plan. Your patience and support will be appreciated as we continue to work through these times as the district is working to ensure a rigorous education recognizing the health, safety, and well being of all.