Return to Learning in January 2021
December 18, 2020
Good morning West Central Families,
Today, I am emailing for two reasons. First, I want to thank our students, their families, and our staff for your support, hard work, grace, and understanding over this past semester. We understand that this has not been easy, and it has been a stressful time for all. One thing I know about West Central is we are strong, and we care about and want to do what is best for our students. During this pandemic, we have faced many obstacles and decisions. The “right” thing to do has become a gray area while trying to balance the health and safety of our students and staff as well as trying to provide for the needs of each individual student. We know we are not perfect, and we know there is room for improvement, but I am proud that we have been able to provide as much in person instruction as we have while maneuvering through this pandemic.
After much discussion and careful consideration, it has been decided that West Central will be in full remote learning from January 7 – 15, 2021. January 4, 5, and 6 will be a teacher institute for staff as well as two remote learning planning days. Please know, we want to educate our students in person, and we don’t take the decision to move to remote learning lightly. We know in person instruction is better than remote learning; however, with the holidays and the anticipation that families will be gathering in larger groups than normal and possibly traveling, the risk of exposure to the virus is much greater during that two-week period after break. We hope to mitigate any spread of that virus within our schools early on so that students can return to and remain in person for the remainder of the semester. Students will return to in person instruction on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
You will be receiving more details from each building administrator and your child's teachers in the coming days and weeks. Meals will continue to be provided during the remote learning time for those who have ordered them. More details will be sent out closer to that time.
I wish all of you happy holidays and a healthy and happy 2021!
With gratitude,
Paula Markey
Superintendent
