COVID-19 UPDATES
June 24 Press Release – On Tuesday, June 23, Fond du Lac County K-12 school leaders (public and private listed below) met with the Fond du Lac County Health Department to discuss how to best work together to ensure the safety of our students, staff and families of our districts. The discussion centered around summer activities as well as planning for the upcoming school year.
As we work together, we know that we will not be able to completely eliminate the risk of COVID-19 but try to mitigate risk while delivering an effective education. As a group we have agreed to these three main topics:
- The Fond du Lac County Health Department will provide supporting metrics to help determine at what level of capacity activities and school can safely take place. Schools will be provided ongoing, additional recommendations and guidance to ensure best practice.
Description of Capacities:
*Open with precautions (In-Person Learning)
*Partially Open with precautions (Blended Learning)
*Fully Remote – all school buildings are closed (Virtual Learning)
NOTE: Each District, school, classroom, etc. will be impacted differently because of positive COVID-19 cases. This will be fluid and based on testing, contact tracing and the ability to mitigate risk because of increased infection in each unique environment.
- The group will work to identify areas of commonality to provide consistent and predictable expectations.
- This group is dedicated to meet throughout the summer to plan together. The Fond du Lac County Health Department and school leaders are dedicated to creating a data driven, collaborative plan to make the best decisions possible.
Together we strive to open our schools and facilities to provide the best education, social and emotional experiences for our students, families and community. We are all responsible for our health, the health of our children and participating in practices that mitigate the spread of virus and disease. Only together will we be able to open schools and keep them open. What we do matters!
Campbellsport School District Oakfield School District
Fond du Lac Christian School Ripon School District
Fond du Lac School District Rosendale-Brandon School District
Lomira School District Saint Mary Springs Academy
North Fond du Lac School District Winnebago Lutheran Academy
June 22 – I am sure there are lots of questions about what “school” will look like in September. As a district, we have been holding off finalizing plans until we received much needed guidance from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). That guidance was released this morning and can be viewed at https://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/2019-novel-coronavirus. Please note that the DPI has stressed this guidance should be considered “fluid” as the health situation in the state changes.
The administrative team and school board will be utilizing this guidance, as well as input from families and staff, as we construct a plan to return to school this fall. Parents, please watch for survey information in our upcoming parent emails. There is much to consider when creating a plan that keeps students and staff physically safe; cares for student and staff social-emotional and mental health needs; and meets the educational needs of every student. As you will see in the guidance document, one of the assumptions regarding public health is that a COVID-19 vaccine is not likely to be in broad circulation during the next 12-18 months. This means our education plans need to be more fluid than ever as we will likely see periods of quarantine over the next two school years.
We will work diligently over the next few weeks to develop a plan of action so we can all get our minds wrapped around what school will look like moving forward. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we work through this process. As always, communication is important during any uncertain times. Please reach out to your child’s building principal with any questions or input you may have.
June 16 –After much deliberation it is with great disappointment that we have made the decision to alter our normal Summer School experience this year. In considering the recommendations provided by the Health Department and CDC, we have determined that it is not feasible to offer an in-person experience at this time. We will be offering some structured activities to help prepare students for the upcoming academic year. CLICK HERE TO VEIW THE OPTIONS.
May 19 – While our school buildings and grounds remain closed to school-sponsored instructional and extracurricular activities through June 30, our outside property is now open for public activities the same as prior to the Safer at Home Order. Please note that our buildings are still closed to all school-sponsored (other than those considered essential services) and non-school sponsored activities.
May 11 – The district has set aside the first 4 days of June for parents/students to pick up student materials left at the school and to drop off any materials the District provided to you. Parents/Guardians were sent an email today with a link to SignUpGenius, allowing you to select a 15-minute time slot that best fits your schedule to pick up items and drop off Chromebooks, chargers and any other devices or textbooks the District may have provided. Your building principal will soon follow up with directions about which parking lot to use for this curbside pick up/drop off process. Please watch for these emails.
May 5 – Due to Governor Evers’s announcement on April 16, 2020 that all Wisconsin school buildings and grounds be closed until June 30th, we have no option but to cancel our traditional graduation ceremony planned for May 31st. We know this spring has brought numerous disappointments to our seniors; it is for this reason that it was important to us that we work with them in an attempt to find a solution. Over the course of the last two weeks, the head senior advisor, Mr. Froseth, along with Ms Raue and Mr. Thomas, have met with the Senior Class Commission members to discuss alternative plans. In accordance with their wishes, we have tentatively planned an in-person graduation ceremony for Friday, July 10th at 7:00 pm assuming that restrictions prohibiting gatherings have been lifted by that time. This date change will require School Board approval and will be discussed at the May 18th meeting. If restrictions are still in place, the students have decided to proceed with a virtual ceremony as a final option. Keeping in mind the various schedules of their classmates leaving for school, the military, or other commitments, along with the need to bring closure to their high school experience and take the next step in their lives, a virtual option was seen as a last resort. Thank you for your continued patience as we work within the constantly changing and evolving circumstances in which we find ourselves. VIEW PAST COVID-19 UPDATES HERE
ANOTHER SHOUT OUT!
Superintendent Wayne Weber
In last month’s article, I gave a shout out to our teaching staff for their efforts in coming up with a means to educate our students during this time of school closure. This month, I believe another shout out is in order. This time, it’s a shout out to our parents!
When the initial school closure was announced,
COVID-19 UPDATES
April 22, 2020 – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) recently launched a customer service phone line for people who need help locating phone or internet service during the COVID-19 public health emergency. More information available here.
April 16, 2020 – Mr. Weber emails this letter to parents based on today’s update from Gov. Evers.
April 15, 2020 – Help Us Help You! Find out more here.
April 6, 2020 – Families with district-provided MiFis are reminded that students should be using their assigned Chromebook with the MiFi. All district owned devices do run internet content filtering software for the protection of our students. Thank you for your cooperation during this time.
March 27, 2020 – Sometimes staff/students will need to work on their Google Drive files when access to the internet is not available. This document will show you how! https://bit.ly/33R6JCR
March 17, 2020 – Governor Evers announced all WI public schools are closed indefinitely.
March 16, 2020 – Beginning on Wednesday, March 18, all buildings and grounds in the Rosendale-Brandon School District will be closed for all events, school-related or not. The District will remain closed until face-to-face classes resume April 14. (Spring break is April 9-13.) April 14 is our projected date of reopening which is subject to change based on the fluidity of the situation. Virtual learning experiences will begin on Thursday, March 19. School office staff will be available for phone calls and email correspondence but buildings will be closed to walk-in visitors.
All 5K-12 students have been issued a Chromebook as a resource for virtual learning. Our 4K students will have other materials sent home. If you do not have reliable internet access, please respond to the internet survey previously shared in our parent emails, or contact your child’s school office. Your child’s teacher(s) may have already been in contact with you regarding what to expect during this virtual learning experience, but if not, he/she will be shortly. We have encouraged staff to be flexible as this is uncharted territory for all–students, teachers, parents. We ask the same of you. There will be a learning curve for all of us. As always, two-way communication is the key as we work through situations that may arise. Please communicate with your child’s teacher(s) with questions, concerns, or compliments. If students have technology trouble, they (or an adult) should contact their teacher. If they are not able to contact their teacher, they should call the appropriate school office. The teacher/office personnel will contact the appropriate technology support.
One thing to keep in mind is setting limits for the use of Chromebooks and other electronic devices as well. Students will not be required to be on a device 24/7 for educational purposes, regardless of what they may try to tell us parents ;). For our students grades 6-12 we are aiming for daily lessons of 20-25 minutes per content area and shorter times for our younger students.
In addition to virtual learning, the Rosendale-Brandon School District will be providing free meals to students in need while schools are closed due to COVID-19. At this time, the District will be offering free meals to Rosendale Brandon School District families thanks to support from private donors. If those funds are depleted, additional information will be shared.
- Free meals for school-aged children can be picked up outside the Laconia High School main entrance, Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning Wednesday, March 18. This location was chosen because it is centrally located in the District.
- All meals will be served in a grab-and-go fashion and will include milk. Individuals will not be allowed to enter school buildings, and meals should be taken off site to be consumed.
- All meals will be free regardless of current eligibility status or location of school enrollment. No identification or proof of enrollment is needed.
- For special diet restrictions, please contact our Food Service Director Andrea Schneider at schnand@rbsd.k12.wi.us or 920-872-5305.
- Delivery can be arranged for special circumstances. Please contact our Food Service Director Andrea Schneider at schnand@rbsd.k12.wi.us or 920-872-5305.
- IMPORTANT: Meal pickup times and details may be adjusted as needs are evaluated. Please visit our website or Facebook page for updated information as it becomes available.
Please know that we are dedicated to serving our students and families and look forward to your continued support and our continued partnership as we provide the best possible experience for our children.
March 13, 2020 – The Wisconsin Department of Health Service has called for statewide school closings beginning Wednesday, March 18, and extending through at least April 6. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as work through this evolving situation. We will continue to keep you informed as this situation continues to unfold.
Who Would Have Thought…
Superintendent Wayne Weber
Never in my wildest dreams…or nightmares…would I have thought that a Safer at Home Order would be put in place, essentially shutting down all but essential services! It seems like one of the fictional shows that my kids watch. Unfortunately, it is our reality. No one enjoys it, but it is our reality at the moment.
As I write this article,
COVID-19 UPDATES
April 22, 2020 – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) recently launched a customer service phone line for people who need help locating phone or internet service during the COVID-19 public health emergency. More information available here.
April 16, 2020 – Mr. Weber emails this letter to parents based on today’s update from Gov. Evers.
April 15, 2020 – Help Us Help You! Find out more here.
April 6, 2020 – Families with district-provided MiFis are reminded that students should be using their assigned Chromebook with the MiFi. All district owned devices do run internet content filtering software for the protection of our students. Thank you for your cooperation during this time.
March 27, 2020 – Sometimes staff/students will need to work on their Google Drive files when access to the internet is not available. This document will show you how! https://bit.ly/33R6JCR
March 17, 2020 – Governor Evers announced all WI public schools are closed indefinitely.
March 16, 2020 – Beginning on Wednesday, March 18, all buildings and grounds in the Rosendale-Brandon School District will be closed for all events, school-related or not. The District will remain closed until face-to-face classes resume April 14. (Spring break is April 9-13.) April 14 is our projected date of reopening which is subject to change based on the fluidity of the situation. Virtual learning experiences will begin on Thursday, March 19. School office staff will be available for phone calls and email correspondence but buildings will be closed to walk-in visitors.
All 5K-12 students have been issued a Chromebook as a resource for virtual learning. Our 4K students will have other materials sent home. If you do not have reliable internet access, please respond to the internet survey previously shared in our parent emails, or contact your child’s school office. Your child’s teacher(s) may have already been in contact with you regarding what to expect during this virtual learning experience, but if not, he/she will be shortly. We have encouraged staff to be flexible as this is uncharted territory for all–students, teachers, parents. We ask the same of you. There will be a learning curve for all of us. As always, two-way communication is the key as we work through situations that may arise. Please communicate with your child’s teacher(s) with questions, concerns, or compliments. If students have technology trouble, they (or an adult) should contact their teacher. If they are not able to contact their teacher, they should call the appropriate school office. The teacher/office personnel will contact the appropriate technology support.
One thing to keep in mind is setting limits for the use of Chromebooks and other electronic devices as well. Students will not be required to be on a device 24/7 for educational purposes, regardless of what they may try to tell us parents ;). For our students grades 6-12 we are aiming for daily lessons of 20-25 minutes per content area and shorter times for our younger students.
In addition to virtual learning, the Rosendale-Brandon School District will be providing free meals to students in need while schools are closed due to COVID-19. At this time, the District will be offering free meals to Rosendale Brandon School District families thanks to support from private donors. If those funds are depleted, additional information will be shared.
- Free meals for school-aged children can be picked up outside the Laconia High School main entrance, Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning Wednesday, March 18. This location was chosen because it is centrally located in the District.
- All meals will be served in a grab-and-go fashion and will include milk. Individuals will not be allowed to enter school buildings, and meals should be taken off site to be consumed.
- All meals will be free regardless of current eligibility status or location of school enrollment. No identification or proof of enrollment is needed.
- For special diet restrictions, please contact our Food Service Director Andrea Schneider at schnand@rbsd.k12.wi.us or 920-872-5305.
- Delivery can be arranged for special circumstances. Please contact our Food Service Director Andrea Schneider at schnand@rbsd.k12.wi.us or 920-872-5305.
- IMPORTANT: Meal pickup times and details may be adjusted as needs are evaluated. Please visit our website or Facebook page for updated information as it becomes available.
Please know that we are dedicated to serving our students and families and look forward to your continued support and our continued partnership as we provide the best possible experience for our children.
March 13, 2020 – The Wisconsin Department of Health Service has called for statewide school closings beginning Wednesday, March 18, and extending through at least April 6. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as work through this evolving situation. We will continue to keep you informed as this situation continues to unfold.
Who Would Have Thought…
Superintendent Wayne Weber
Never in my wildest dreams…or nightmares…would I have thought that a Safer at Home Order would be put in place, essentially shutting down all but essential services! It seems like one of the fictional shows that my kids watch. Unfortunately, it is our reality. No one enjoys it, but it is our reality at the moment.
As I write this article,
Wisconsin internet customers unable to pay due to circumstances related to Covid-19 (the pandemic, coronavirus or the Public Health Emergency) may request their internet service remain on for the duration of the Keeping Americans Connected pledge, currently through June 30. In order to keep internet service on the customer must call their provider and indicate their inability to pay their bills due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic and mention the company’s commitment to the Keeping Americans Connected Pledge.
The Keeping Americans Connected Pledge only relates to internet and telephone service, not video or cable service.
Wisconsin residents with questions or concerns about the pledge or issues remaining connected related to non-payment should call the Commission’s Internet and Phone Helpline 608-267-3595.
