Friday, November 20, 2020

Weekly Briefing 11.20.20

 Lewis County Metrics


Cases are on the increase again in Lewis County and are currently predicted to breach the 200/100,000 mark. We are beginning to get reports of students who have been exposed to adults who are testing COVID-positive. We are grateful to those families who are voluntarily isolating their children who have been exposed. As of this writing, no students or staff have tested positive for COVID. We believe that this is the result of our community masking, keeping distant and practicing hand hygiene. Our staff has been diligent at cleaning and disinfecting spaces as well as promoting "hands, face, space" in our buildings. As a team, we're doing our part to keep schools open in the buildings.

Holidays

Traditional times for gathering are here. This year, we ask that everyone is mindful that the virus does not observe holidays. Large, indoor gatherings will only put us further behind in our efforts to reopen our schools fully and see a return of athletics and activities. While it is painful to be away from our loved ones during the holidays, this sacrifice will help us not overrun our healthcare systems and will help us get our local businesses reopened.

TMS/THS

We are currently planning to bring students back to TMS on December 1. We're also planning to bring the Class of 2021 and students with special needs to THS the same day. We continue to be on track to bring all high school students back to the new classrooms in January. 

Until December 14, all indoor athletic activities are suspended. We're hoping that infection rates will subside enough that the Governor will lift those restrictions in December. 

We encourage parents to stay in contact with their students and teachers to help support learning remotely. We still have a number of disengaged students who will struggle when we come back to regular order if they haven't engaged in studies now.  

Our fall achievement scores were consistent with what we would have expected if we had been in school through the past spring. In spite of the shutdown, students have continued to grow. We note gaps in their skills and knowledge, but not as many or as profound as we were imagining. This is great news. It means that the learning losses can be overcome as long as students stay engaged.

Regular Order

I want to be certain that we don't begin to accept our current situation as something that will always be. Teaching and learning remotely is more difficult. Attending on a hybrid schedule is more difficult. Eating by yourself is unpleasant.

At some point, the impact of the virus will subside and we will return to all students learning on campus in regular groups. We'll have athletics, activities, music and community events. We are always pointing toward that goal of reducing the spread to levels where it is possible to have regular order again. Like young children on a long drive, I find myself asking, "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" We thank you for your partnership in this effort. If everyone does their part, we'll get back to regular order.

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