Good evening everyone,
It was great to see so many of you today at Clark Lane for meal and device pick-up this morning. Know that we appreciate all that you are doing in your households to keep your children grounded and staying as positive as possible. That is really important during this time. Please continue your vigilant focus on maintaining your families’ safety and well-being during this time. I wanted to provide a few updates and reminders for you as we head into the weekend.
Distance Learning
You received a separate email from me yesterday regarding our district entering a new learning phase next week. Beginning Friday, March 27, teachers will be reaching out to students, establishing times and schedules and expectations, and begin distribution of distance learning tasks. In large measure, these distance learning tasks will involve a significant amount of independent work, but will also include regular contact with teachers that will take place primarily through email, the Google Classroom platform and SeeSaw at the younger grades. We will be providing information to help you and your student access these platforms next week. Please expect direct communication from your child’s teacher(s) by next Thursday, March 26 in preparation for Friday’s “launch”.
Elementary Reports Cards
As you are aware, under normal circumstances, elementary report cards were to be distributed today. Due to the situation, elementary report cards will be mailed to your home next week. If you have any questions before or after receiving your child’s report card, please reach out directly to your child’s principal via email.
Meal Assistance for Families During Closure
Waterford Public Schools will continue serving FREE (for students and household siblings) Grab & Go meals for Breakfast and Lunch three days a week during school closure. Breakfast and Lunch may be picked up from 9AM-11AM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Monday and Wednesday pickup will contain 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches per student; Friday pickup will contain 1 breakfast and 1 lunch per student. Adults may purchase a breakfast for $3.00 and/or a lunch for $4.00 (cash only).
Device Pick-up
We will continue to distribute devices to households that need one especially as we launch a distance learning environment next Friday, March 27, 2020. We have tablets available for students in grades PK-1 for families who do not have a device at home. Tablets may be picked up at CLMS on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays between 9AM-11AM. You do not specifically need a tablet for grades PK-1 as any Chromebook, desktop, or laptop will also work. Chromebooks for students in grades 2-12 may be picked up at CLMS on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays between 9AM-11AM. Again, a Chromebook is not required if you have a comparable device already at home. If you have a technical problem operating the district device, you can reach the WPS IT Department at 860-625-5688 between 8:00AM and 4:00PM.
Internet Offers During COVID-19
Many internet providers are now offering free internet to qualified families in an effort to support school districts and families in maintaining engagement in learning. Comcast’s online application for free internet can be found here: https://www.internetessentials.com/Apply Please see the attachment at the bottom of the email for Internet offers from a multitude of companies.
Internet Provider Information during Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Sincerely,
Thomas W. Giard III
Superintendent
Waterford Public Schools