Rocks Families,

This afternoon, Governor Holcomb announced that all Indiana schools will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. I know this news, like most of the news these days, can feel overwhelming.  

We must remember, we are Shamrocks, and we will get through this together.  

Here are some highlights from the Governor’s message:

• All Indiana schools will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year and will deliver remote instruction for the remainder of the school year.  
  
  
• School facilities (including grounds & playgrounds) will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
  
  

• All high school seniors on track to graduate before school buildings were closed on 3/19 will be provided with the flexibility they need to earn an Indiana diploma.

We know you have many questions. District leadership, which includes our principals and members of our COVID-19 response team, will be convening to plan for the extended school closure and develop our continuous learning plan.  As always, we will be in communication with you when those details are finalized after spring break as we know this situation is evolving on a daily basis.  

Keep in mind, we do have eLearning plans in place through May 1, 2020 and those plans remain unchanged. We have posted the schedule below as a reminder.

I know this news brings great sadness to our teachers and students who were planning to finish the school year together.  This is not how we envisioned the end of our school year, however these unprecedented times demand our flexibility, understanding, and patience. This is certainly a learning moment for all of us.

Finally, please visit the district website for the WWS COVID-19 FAQ, food service information, and all WWS communication on COVID-19. We will be in communication as soon as our extended closure plans are finalized.  

Stay positive and healthy Shamrocks!  

ROCK ON!!! 

Learning Plan: April 13 - May 1, 2020

April 13 - 17

Monday, April 13 - Waiver day - no student lessons - teacher planning day

Tuesday, April 14 - eLearning day

Wednesday, April 15 - eLearning day

Thursday, April 16 - eLearning day

Friday, April 17 - Waiver day - no student lessons - teacher planning day

April 20 - 24

Monday, April 20 - Waiver day - no student lessons - teacher planning day

Tuesday, April 21 - eLearning day

Wednesday, April 22 - eLearning day

Thursday, April 23 - eLearning day

Friday, April 24 - Waiver day - no student lessons - teacher planning day

April 27 - May 1

Monday, April 27 - Waiver day - no student lessons - teacher planning day

Tuesday, April 28 - eLearning day

Wednesday, April 29 - eLearning day

Thursday, April 30 - eLearning day

Friday, May 1 - Waiver day - no student lessons - teacher planning day

If you are needing access to the internet, here is a map of locations (parking lots of WWS buildings) with free WiFi access.  The internet can be accessed from vehicles while parked in the parking lots. Please remember, all WWS buildings are closed so please remain in your vehicle while utilizing the Wifi.

Map Link

Rocks Families,

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Shamrocks!  We hope you are enjoying some quality time with your family!  

As we settle into our eLearning window and extended time away from school, we would like our school community to know that our priorities at Westfield Washington School district are to do our part to keep our schools and community safe and healthy, provide the highest quality of learning possible, and maintain a level of connectedness with all students.  We want to connect, not isolate!

With those goals in mind, here are a few updates:

You should have received information from your school(s) regarding eLearning.  Today, Tuesday, March 17, is the first day of the eLearning window which will run until Friday, March 27. If you need assistance, please contact your student’s teacher via email or if you need technology support, please call 317-867- 8087.  

During this unprecedented time, we understand there are many families struggling and in need of supplies or other necessities, and also - many people who want to help!  The City of Westfield, Westfield Schools, Westfield Education Foundation, Westfield Washington Township, Student Impact, Youth Assistance and Open Doors have collaborated and created a resource “hub” for Westfield families.  The Wellbeing Coalition website will be that hub and will house information and resources for all families and it also includes ways you can help.  It’s full of great information for all families! Check it out!

If you haven't had a chance to read the FAQ document sent last Friday, click here or visit the district website for an English and Spanish version and all updates.  Also, if you are in need of a device or broadband for eLearning, please call 317-867-8087.  Finally, here is the information on our Monday food service if you’re in need.  

We are so thankful for our awesome community!  Thanks Shamrocks! Stay strong and healthy!

Rocks Families,

Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we work through this unprecedented situation.  As mentioned in yesterday’s communication, beginning Monday, March 16th, WWS will be closed through spring break.  The following information includes the plans and procedures for the next few weeks as we utilize eLearning days and Governor-issued waiver days. 

Weekly Plan:
Week 1 - Monday, March 16 - Friday, March 20
Monday, March 16, will be a waiver day, which is a day that is not required to be made up.  We will utilize eLearning for the remaining 4 days of this week, Tuesday through Friday.  You will receive communication from your school with eLearning procedures and details. 

Week 2 -  Monday, March 23 - Friday, March 27
We will utilize eLearning for these 5 days, March 23 through March 27.  You will receive communication from your school with procedures and details. 

Week 3 - Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3
This is a 4 day week - Monday, March 30 through Thursday,  April  2.  WWS spring break begins Friday, April 3.  We will utilize 4 waiver days, which are days that are not required to be made up at the end of the school year.  There will be no eLearning this week. 

Week 4 -April 6 - April 10
Spring Break - closed all week

Monday, April 13
Expected return to WWS

Tech Support for eLearning
If you need tech support for eLearning, please call 317.867.8087

BAC, All Aboard, and TOTS
BAC, All Aboard, and TOTS will also be closed through spring break. 

WWS Extracurricular Activities
All WWS extracurricular activities, including sports games and practices, will be cancelled through spring break.

Food Service
If a student(s) is in need of food during this school closure, please click this link for distribution and/or pick up information.  LINK  If you can’t access this link, please contact 317.867.8000.   

WWS Buildings - Closed
We will be working with our partners at Sodexo to begin extensive cleaning and disinfecting procedures at all nine schools, transportation and buses while the buildings are closed.  Buildings are closed to students starting today at 6 pm. Teachers have access through next week, and then, in order to deep clean, we will be closing the buildings through April  13. 

FAQ
Here is a link to a Frequently Asked Questions document you may find helpful. 
FAQ Link FAQ Spanish

As always, as changes and updates occur, we will provide timely communication.  As of right now, WWS Central Office will be open through Friday, March 20, so if you have questions or concerns that need to be addressed, please call 317.867.8000.  Stay safe Shamrocks! 

Westfield Washington Schools has been working in conjunction with state, county and local officials, as well as other Hamilton County school districts, to plan diligently for a possible COVID-19 situation. WWS has made the decision for school to be in session tomorrow (Friday, March 13).  Beginning Monday, March 16, WWS will be closed through spring break.

We will communicate with families by the end of day tomorrow with finalized plans and next steps moving forward.   Thank you for your patience as this situation is constantly changing. All of our communication will be posted on our website at COVID-19 Updates.

Westfield Washington Schools has been working diligently to plan for the possibility of a positive Coronavirus COVID-19 situation. To be clear - we are aware of no students or staff testing positive. We will continue to plan for any possible scenario and be vigilant, as ensuring a healthy learning environment is critical. 

Here are some important updates you need to be aware of:

• As the number of  individuals in Indiana testing positive continues to increase, it is important to note that once this occurs, many decisions, including school closures, are decided by the county department of health, not the school district. 

• Should a WWS student or staff member test positive for COVID-19, we will be forced to close ALL 9 schools for 14 days and institute eLearning for those 10 school days. If this occurs, families will receive communication from their schools on eLearning procedures. Please be patient because this is not a typical eLearning situation.

• Please remember, we are prohibited from sharing specific health information about students and staff. Doing so would be illegal. Please do not engage in speculation, online or in person, about neighbors or classmates. 

• We have initiated enhanced disinfecting protocols of our classrooms and buildings with our custodial service provider, Sodexo. This includes, but is not limited to, enhanced disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces, including railings/bannisters, desks and light switches. WWS buses are also being disinfected more regularly. We are also encouraging staff to allow more time for students to hand wash, knowing that soap and water is the best form of disinfecting.  

• If you are traveling to one of the countries with a CDC level 3 travel health notice, it is recommended that you self-quarantine for 14 days. Additional information, as well as a list of countries with health advisories, is available at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.

• Families planning international travel should keep in mind that this situation is rapidly evolving. International travel to areas where COVID-19 is spreading may result in delays or possibly quarantine if travel recommendations change while abroad. If you do travel internationally to a level 3 country, or believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, please notify the Hamilton County Health Department and your school’s office.

• We are not cancelling extracurricular events at this time, nor have we limited lunchtime visitors, but we will have additional hand sanitizer available, and we urge event attendees to follow CDC recommendations. Again, this situation is fluid.  As always, if you are sick, please refrain from coming to school.  

• If your student has a school-issued Chromebook please have them bring that device home every night in the event of an unexpected closure. 

• If your child is in need of a device in order to complete eLearning assignments, complete one of the following forms. English Form -  Spanish Form   If you are unable to access this form, please call 317.867.8026.

• If you do not have access to broadband, please complete one of the following forms. English Form -  Spanish Form.  If you are unable to complete this form, please call 317.867.8026.

• This is a helpful resource on how to talk  to your children about Coronavirus. 

• Should we have to close for an extended period of time, we will communicate a plan to provide food for families in need.  

This is an evolving situation and we are following this closely on an hour-by-hour basis. 

Here is what you can do to help:

We would encourage families to begin conversations about what your family plan would be in the event of an extended school closure.  If the Health Department requires us to close our schools, your family needs to have a plan in place to address an extended eLearning window. If buildings close, this would mean all programs and activities, including BAC, TOTS, All Aboard and developmental preschool, would close.  Should the Hamilton County Health Department recommend we close, we will abide by their recommendations.   

Thank you for your attention. We will keep you posted and any changes or updates. 

Dear WWS Parents and Guardians,

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is creating a lot of attention globally. We wanted to send parents/guardians an update on what WWS is currently doing in our schools to prevent the spread of any illness.

WWS custodians and staff are following CDC recommendations for cleaning during the flu season in each of our buildings.  They are concentrating on disinfecting areas that are used and/or touched frequently, such as light switches, drinking fountains and doorknobs.  This will assist in the prevention of  the spread/exposure to any types of illness.

We are encouraging frequent handwashing among students and staff, as it’s one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick.  Riverview Health/school nurses are closely monitoring students who are showing any signs or symptoms of an infectious illness.

Listed below are some additional recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help prevent the spread of germs:

Stay home until “fever free” for at least 24 hours.
Seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms that cause concern.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, or by coughing into the inside of your elbow. Throw any used tissues away in trash.
Avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose with unwashed hands.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in your home.
We will continue to consult with the Hamilton County Health Dept, Indiana State Dept of Health and Riverview Health Network to follow their recommendations on the spread of the coronavirus. In the event our schools would be closed for an extended period of time, we would utilize eLearning days for students per State recommendations.

To stay current with the most recent information from CDC related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), please utilize the following link. 

We appreciate your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Westfield Washington Schools