April 1, 2020
Dear Walters Public Schools families:
Our administrators, teachers and instructional support staff are working hard to develop a continuous learning plan that will help our students finish the school year strong. As you can imagine, this planning has presented its own set of trials, as most of it has occurred digitally or at a distance so we can protect ourselves just as you are at home. We will meet the challenge, however, because that’s what we do in Walters. Our students deserve a learning plan that will help them grow academically this spring, and that is what we are determined to give them.
The last few weeks have made me even more proud to be the superintendent of Walters Public Schools. From the grab and go meal program to the video created by elementary staff, this school community has worked to provide children with basic needs, as well as lift their spirits. All of this has occurred while Walters residents and our school employees have also taken the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
We know you and your child have many questions about what the remainder of the school year will be like. The purpose of this letter is to share what we know and to ask you for your help as we prepare for this significant transition. While this is not how we expected to end the school year, we believe our continuous learning plan will allow us to keep students engaged, while also protecting what is most important – their health and well-being.
A change of this magnitude will not occur without bumps in the road; however, with your help, I am confident we can offer the best services possible for our students. There are several ways that you can help us at this time:
• Contact Information – Please contact your child’s school to ensure we have the most up-to-date phone number, email and address on file for your family. This will be important so that we can communicate often. Building and Administration office hours are 8:00-10:00 for the remainder of the week and 8:00-12:00 beginning next week.
• Technology Survey – We know some students may need assistance with access to technology devices and internet access. We are working to help fill this gap for students. Earlier this week we put out a connectivity survey for parents to complete. We received over 250 responses but we need to hear from everyone. If you haven’t completed it please contact your child’s office as soon as possible to provide the required information. Those who do not complete it will be contacted by phone in order to determine student needs.
• Office Hours – If you have questions about the remainder of the school year or you need assistance with something at the building, please call your child’s school office between the hours of 8:00-12:00 Monday-Thursday starting next week. We are happy to assist you on a one-on-one basis so it is safe for you and members of our staff.
• Other Resources – Please visit our website at Blued.org or our school Facebook page for information about free breakfast and lunch for all children, as well as for other school updates.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff, we will resume services to students on April 6 using our continuous learning plan. We understand this ongoing instruction cannot be delivered through a one-sizefits-all approach. We hope as you read the information below you can see how we are working to help meet the needs of all students:
• Elementary Learning Plan
The plan for continuous learning will be multi-faceted. Online instruction will be provided through Class Dojo and Google Classroom. Activities and assignments will be shared on these platforms for parents and students to access. Those without the ability receive instruction online will be provided learning packets. We are currently in the process of determining how to safely develop packets and make them accessible to the students. In addition, teachers will initiate opportunities to communicate with their students to help continue the relationships that have been built, to check on the student progress, and to see how they are doing. You can expect to hear from your child’s teacher at the beginning of next week. Please do not worry if you haven’t heard from your child’s teacher this week as they are preparing for this continuous learning plan. Each grade level offers a unique challenge and each class is different in terms of student needs. Your teacher WILL be reaching out to you at the beginning of next week to share your child’s continuous learning plan.
• High School and Middle School Learning Plan
High School & Middle School student continuous learning plan will have many of the same methods as the elementary. Online instruction will use platforms like Google Classroom that will utilize the students google email they have for school. Those without connectivity or devices will be supplied learning packets. Core subject areas will be the focus on the continuous learning plan. Your student will hear from their teachers early next week as well.
• Special Education Plan
Special Education services will continue as well. IEP meetings and related services will be conducted virtually. Our special education department is in the process of developing plans and procedures to ensure the students receive the appropriate services.
I want to assure everyone that your students health, safety, and well-being is our number one priority! We realize the difficulty involved in changing to a virtual continuous learning plan on such short notice. We also understand that many families have life-altering circumstances going on in their lives today and we want this plan to be a benefit to your child and not a burden.
Schools are at their best when the community works together, and now is the perfect time for us to shine. You were and continue to be your child’s first and most important teacher. While our faculty and staff will be leading the way, we know you will be encouraging, supporting and teaching your child side-by-side with us.
We miss our students terribly, but we are trying to make the best of the situation for everyone. Thank you for helping us rise to this challenge. We could not do it without you.
Sincerely,
Jimmie Dedmon Superintendent
**Please Note**
Classes that will be using Google Classroom will require students to login with their school email address.
Format & accessing student email:
Email: first initial last initial last name 4 digit graduation year@waltersps.org
Example: Susan Smith, 2017 - ssmith2017@waltersps.org
Password: first initial last initial student id (student id can be found in gradebook)
Example: ss123456
Students can go to blued. org and click Email (on the left) or they can go to gmail. com. They will login with the complete email address.
If the password needs to be reset, call the HS office, 580-875-3257