Ware Public Schools

Dear Ware Families,

Good day!  Hope this letter finds everyone doing well!  As we prepare for the start of the 2020/21 school year much work has been accomplished to assure a safe return this Fall.  With the closure of school on March 17, 2020 sending all students, teachers, and staff home for a blended learning model we learned a lot from that experience in our preparation for the upcoming year.

During the spring, a Return to School Planning Committee was developed for any situation that may arise this school year.  Within those documents we have planned for three learning models to meet any situation we may encounter this year.  These models include in-person, hybrid, and remote learning models.  Individual building plans along with Creating Positive Learning Environment and Guidance on Fall 2020 Special Education Services & English Learning Education Services can be found with the following link: http://www.wareps.org/covid19/reopening_plans.  There are four areas of focus that the plans are built upon to mitigate the spread of the virus which include the following:

• Wearing masks
• Social distancing
• Hand washing
• Having clean surfaces

In addition, principals have established mask and hand washing breaks within their daily schedules which can also be found within the school plans.  Desks have been arranged with six feet social distancing between each one.  Markers have been placed on the floor to help students know what six feet of space should be between classmates.  Cleaning of surfaces will take place throughout the day with a checklist of areas that need to be addressed.  The district is in weekly communication with the Board of Health Director, Judy Metcalf, to monitor the positivity rate of the town and what that might mean for the district if we see a spike in the trajectory over time.  In order to stay safe and healthy everyone must do their part to assure the health and well-being of the Ware Learning Community.  We are all in this together!

In order to assure that our remote learning is different than the Spring, the district has put in place several initiatives which include the following:

• Purchased 745 Chromebooks – all students will be issued Chromebooks this year
• Purchased Hotspots for families who need internet access
• Purchased Canvas as our Learning Management Platform
• Purchased Edgenuity for grades 7-12 and Pathblazer for grades K-6 for online content

Over the past twelve days of professional development and training, teachers and paraprofessionals have been working to become familiar with the platform and the online content.  To be sure, there will be a learning curve for all of us as we navigate this “new normal” way of existing for the time being.

As I look forward to the start of a new school year, it will be unique to say the least.  We have worked diligently to prepare for this school year and have anticipated the best possible situation of in-person learning, to the worst‑case scenario of remote learning.  Thank you for your continued patience and support throughout these challenging times.

Sincerely,

Dr. Marlene A. DiLeo

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