March 26, 2020 - Letter from the Superintendent
Dear Greendale Schools Families:
A lot has happened since I was in touch with you the last time. I wanted to send you this update with our plans for the next few weeks. This message replaces the April 1 update that I promised in my message to you on March 13.
First off, I want to thank everyone for making an effort to continue student learning in the digital format! I am proud of the work of our teachers, school support staff, food service team, custodians, construction partners, administrators, students and families. Everyone is doing the best they can to be safe and still get the work done to provide learning and support services to students. Thank you all so much!
I also wanted to let you know about plans for digital learning now that Governor Evers’ has issued the “Safer at Home” order. With this order, you should plan that Greendale Schools will continue digital learning through April 24. Right now, we have a plan for digital learning through April 13. This includes a plan for NO Digital Learning Days during the week of our Spring Break, from April 6 through 10. Now that we have the order from the State to stay home through April 24, we are looking at what is the best way for our digital learning to continue. To do this, we need your help.
At the end of this week, we will be asking students and families for feedback on how our digital learning plan is working so far. We will also continue to monitor how students are participating in online assignments and how they are using online tools. A link to a survey form will be shared with you in the Principal's Weekly this week. This survey will help us to make sure we are doing the best to meet student needs. Once we have the survey information, we may make updates to the digital learning plan that begins after Spring Break.
We have revised the scheduled return from break slightly and April 13 will be a Virtual PD Day for staff. Students will return to Digital Learning on Tuesday, April 14. Digital learning plans will be shared again with students and families by principals and teachers that day.
Please watch for the Principal’s Weekly with the survey link and please share your thoughts with us on how the learning plan format is working for your family. School meal service continues, Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at either College Park or Greendale High School from now through April 3. There will be no school meal distribution during Spring Break (April 6-10), but we will be back with meal service on April 13.
Please stay safe and be well. We miss seeing our students and families at school and we hope to be back in our classrooms soon!
Sincerely,
Kim Amidzich
Superintendent
March 25, 2020
MEAL SERVICE PROCEDURAL UPDATE
As we work to meet social distancing guidelines, we have revised the weekday meal service distribution process. Please note this process when you come to one of our sites to pick up meals for students 18 and under who are enrolled in our schools:
- A table is set up at each meal distribution location.
- Food Service staff at the table asks each family how many meals are needed and places the meals on the table.
- Persons picking up the meals will remove meals from the table themselves.
Meal service CONTINUES to be provided Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from the circle drives of College Park and GHS. Drive up and walk up service is available. If you have questions regarding this FREE meal program, please call Cindy Kacmarcik at 414-423-0110, extension 4314.
Meal Service Offered from TWO SITES EFFECTIVE MARCH 23
Greendale Schools offers meal service FREE of CHARGE to all children 18 and under who are enrolled in one of our schools. Grab and go meals are distributed from College Park Elementary School, 5701 West College Avenue, and from Greendale High School, 6801 Southway, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This service will run from now through April 3. Families do not need to preregister. Two meals, a lunch and as well as a breakfast pack for the next day, are provided each day.
Participating families (with students) should come to the main entrance doors of College Park, facing College Avenue along the circle drive near the flagpole. If using the high school service, the pick-up will be located on the front circle-drive in front of the cafeteria windows. A food service worker will greet you at those doors and will provide the FREE grab and go meal bag. If you have questions regarding this FREE meal program, call Cindy Kacmarcik at 414-423-0110, extension 4314.
March 16, 2020 - Letter from the Interim Superintendent
Dear Greendale Schools Families:
Greendale staff and administration met today to complete plans for digital learning for our students during our three-week closure from now through April 3. This letter includes a variety of items you should know during this closing period. GHS and GMS students will begin their digital days on Wednesday, March 18. Students in all three Greendale elementary schools will begin digital learning on Monday, March 23.
During the closure period, your school principals and students’ teachers will be contacting you and your students regarding updates to learning plans and the day-to-day management of the digital learning process.
Pupil Services Support Services
With the upcoming weeks of digital learning, pupil service support staff are here and accessible to you during pre-determined hours. Student Services staff will be available via email or phone on a rotating schedule during this time to support students and families with academic support (help structuring time and study; practicing ways to advocate/communicate with teachers; etc.) and social/emotional support (stress reduction strategies; management of concerns; soft skills; community resource connections, etc.) Information from our school pupil services teams is shared here:
We know this time could be difficult for families, particularly if they are worried about health and safety as well. We have posted resources to help families on the School Safety & Student Wellness webpage.
Meal Service
Greendale Schools offers meal service FREE of CHARGE to all children 18 and under who are enrolled in one of our schools. Grab and go meals are distributed from College Park Elementary School, 5701 West College Avenue, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This service will run from now through April 3, during the three-week, school closure period. Families do not need to preregister. Two meals, a lunch and as well as a breakfast pack for the next day, are provided each day.
Participating families (with students) should come to the main entrance doors of College Park, facing College Avenue along the circle drive near the flagpole. A food service worker will greet you at those doors and will provide the FREE grab and go meal bag. If you have questions regarding this FREE meal program, please call Cindy Kacmarcik at 414-423-0110, extension 4314.
The Importance of Social Distancing
Social distancing is a deliberate, scientific public health strategy based on research to allow our healthcare system to manage treating patients by spreading out the volume and pace of spread. While it appears that children are not vulnerable to this virus, public health has indicated that children can contract COVID-19, have mild symptoms that are not recognized, and then pass it on. The early data on the spread is indicating that most people who get it have mild symptoms. A small percentage need healthcare and in 3.5% of the cases, patients die. That is significantly higher than the rate of the flu. The elderly, people with underlying health conditions, and immunosuppressed are most at risk.
We are reminding families that we are away from school because of a public health emergency and to please take the idea of social distancing seriously. Outdoor play in your yard with members of the immediate household, walks in the neighborhood (keeping the six (6) foot distance from others), riding bikes and scooters in the driveway, and car rides with immediate family members are within the social distancing guidelines. You can read more about the social distancing strategy in these news stories: from National Public Radio and this article from Johns Hopkins.
Special Education
Greendale Schools special education staff will reach out to families of students with disabilities over the coming days to establish communication regarding student access to educational materials. The special education staff will work to modify and accommodate to the best of their ability the content which is available to all students to the maximum extent possible. Follow up communication regarding the provision of all special education services within students' Individualized Education Plans will be delivered electronically in the near future.
Spring Election April 7 Early Voting
As of now, the April 7 2020 Spring Election Day in Wisconsin is scheduled as planned. Early voting in Greendale begins on March 23 and is available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at Village Hall. The last day for early voting is Friday, April 3. The Village is asking that voters request absentee ballots by mail. You can do so by going to https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/VoteAbsentee. Visit the Village website if you have any other questions about absentee voting. A copy of your photo ID is required with your absentee ballot.
We strongly encourage families to follow the guidance and recommendations provided by the CDC regarding social distancing, safe hygiene and travel. Students and staff who travel to any Level 2 or Level 3 country, or any area in the United States with a significant outbreak, may be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to school or work. More information on COVID 19 is available on the CDC website.
Once again, I am grateful for the support of our families and the community as we work with local, state, and national authorities to make decisions in the best interest of our students, staff, and the greater community. We recognize this closing is a significant burden this places on our families and community, but feel this is the right thing to do in response to an unprecedented health crisis. We are in close communication with our local public health officials and are committed to ensuring we are doing our best to slow the spread of COVID-19.
We will keep you notified of updates to our plans through emails and the Greendale Schools website. Please check the website frequently for additional information.
Sincerely,
Kim Amidzich
Interim Superintendent
Beginning Monday, March 16, Greendale Schools will be offering meal service FREE of CHARGE to all children 18 and under who are enrolled in one of our schools. Grab and go meals will be distributed from College Park Elementary School, 5701 West College Avenue, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This service will run from now through April 3, during the three-week, school closure period.
Each meal bag will include two meals, a lunch and as well as a breakfast pack for the next day.
Participating families should come to the main entrance doors of College Park, facing College Avenue along the circle drive near the flagpole. A food service worker will greet you at those doors and will provide the FREE grab and go meal bag. If you have questions regarding this FREE meal program, please call Cindy Kacmarcik at 414-423-0110, extension 4314.
March 13, 2020 - Letter from the Interim Superintendent
Dear Greendale Schools’ families and community members,
With the constantly changing impact of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Greendale Schools continues to monitor the information shared by public health officials in an effort to protect the health and well-being of our students, their families, our staff, and the community who use our facilities.
After further discussion with public health officials and understanding the full data surrounding the CDC recommendation of social distancing to slow the spread of the COVID-19, Greendale Schools will be closed effective Monday, March 16. I do want to stress that there are no known cases of COVID-19 in Greendale at this time.
Schools will be closed and the buildings shut down for a three-week period from March 16 through April 3. We will re-evaluate the need for continued closing and communicate to families, staff and the community on or before Wednesday, April 1 of the plans to reopen Greendale Schools. Greendale Schools 2020 Spring Break remains scheduled April 6 through 10.
Digital Learning
Digital learning for grades 6 through 12 will begin for students on Wednesday, March 18. School principals for those grades will communicate directly with students and families with additional information on digital learning access and expectations via email by noon on Tuesday. Digital learning will begin on Wednesday, March 18 for those students. We will work individually with those students who indicated in the survey taken at school today that they have limited or no access to the internet at home.
Our Elementary Team is meeting on Monday to discuss how we will proceed with elementary school learning during this closing period. More information on this will be provided to families early next week.
Access to Lunch Service
The District will have lunch available beginning Monday, March 16, for any families in need. This lunch service will be served at College Park Elementary from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. weekdays. More information on this will be provided over the weekend.
Bridge for Kids and Care 4 Kids Child Care
Bridge for Kids and Care 4 Kids programs will offer child care for students who are CURRENTLY ENROLLED in these programs on Monday and Tuesday, March 16 and 17. Families enrolled in these child care programs will receive information directly from the Bridges/Care4Kids program. Beginning March 18, Bridge for Kids and Care 4 Kids will be closed through April 3, 2020.
We strongly encourage families to follow the guidance and recommendations provided by the CDC regarding safe hygiene and travel. Students and staff who travel to any Level 2 or Level 3 country, or any area in the United States with a significant outbreak, may be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to school or work. More information on COVID 19 is available on the CDC website.
Once again, I am grateful for the patience and support of our families and the community as we work with local, state, and national authorities to make decisions in the best interest of our students, staff, and the greater community. We recognize this closing is a significant burden this places on our families and community, but feel this is the right thing to do in response to an unprecedented health crisis. We are in close communication with our local public health officials and are committed to ensuring we are doing our best to slow the spread of COVID-19.
We will keep you notified of updates to our plans through emails and the homepage of the Greendale Schools website.
Sincerely,
Kim Amidzich
Interim Superintendent
Guidelines: Is your child is too ill to go to school
March 12, 2020 - Letter from the Interim Superintendent
Dear Greendale Schools’ families and community members,
As a valued member of our school community, we want to reach out regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on our community, families, and staff. We would like to reassure you that we are adhering to the CDC Guidelines as the health and well-being of our students, their families, our staff, and the community who use our facilities are our top priority. We will continue to monitor and implement the local, state, and federal regulations as they are announced.
With changes to CDC guidelines and the declaration of a Public Health Crisis in the State of Wisconsin, Greendale Schools continues to review and consider cancelations of upcoming events and activities. The CDC recommends social distancing to slow the spread of the COVID-19. This means it has become necessary to cancel or postpone gatherings of 250 people or more taking place in Greendale Schools. Beginning Monday, March 16, large gatherings of 250 or more, will be suspended through at least April 6.
The following District events are canceled:
- Canterbury Raffle Basket Night on March 18
- Senior Night at the Theater on March 19
- Honk! The Musical on March 20 and 21
- All District Concerts on March 24, 25, and 31
- Park & Rec Dance Recital on March 28
We are reviewing other upcoming gatherings and will continue to update the list. Information on refunds or credits will be addressed from the group organizing the event.
At this time, school will remain in session. Child care through Park and Recreation will remain open as long as school is in session. Only students and staff will be permitted in the schools to limit exposure. All scheduled field trips that include gatherings of 250 or more will also be canceled.
I want to stress that there are no known cases of COVID-19 in Greendale at this time. All steps are intended to slow the spread of the virus through social distancing. Parents have the ability to excuse their student from school using the regular school attendance procedures. Please refer to this letter that offers guidelines on how to decide if your child is too ill to go to school.
We appreciate the patience and support of our families and the community as we work with local, state, and national authorities to make decisions in the best interest of our students, staff, and the greater community. We will keep you notified of these plans through emails and the homepage of the Greendale Schools website.
Sincerely,
Kim Amidzich
Interim Superintendent
3-6-2020 District Wellness Update:
Our school nurse is working closely with the Greendale Health Department in monitoring the CDC directives regarding COVID-19. While we are told the immediate health risk to the general public in Wisconsin and the U.S. is low, families and communities are asked to consider their preparedness plans in case the disease begins to spread. District administrators are updating plans and processes and following the directives of the health department and CDC.
Greendale Schools has clear processes for cleaning and sanitizing our school buildings. Our district maintenance team uses hospital-grade sanitizer as part of its daily cleaning of our classrooms and all classrooms are equipped with disinfectant wipes that can be used throughout the day to wipe surfaces. Hand sanitizer stations are found throughout the buildings for staff and student use in addition to conventional hand washing with soap and warm water. Teachers give students reminders of regular hand washing during times of increased risk of illness (such as cold and flu season). We have been told that no additional precautions are necessary regarding the Coronavirus. We will continue to monitor the situation and will follow any additional sanitation protocols recommended.
Influenza and other respiratory viruses are common in Wisconsin at this time of year. Please refer to this letter that offers guidelines on how to decide if your child is too ill to go to school. Feel free to contact your school principal with any questions. Additional information and prevention guidelines from the CDC can be found here: COVID-19 Fact Sheet.
CDC Stop the Spread of Germs Flyer
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