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January 2021
Pandemic Learning. Two words that created a phrase of unimaginable meaning in 2020!
Their meaning evolves again in 2021 as Greendale Schools continues its work to educate its students within the school buildings, and in their homes, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following winter break, Greendale Middle and High School students returned to their virtual classrooms to end the first semester. On January 11, our elementary students (whose families selected in-person learning) entered our school houses again for the first time in 2021. We are pleased to see their smiling eyes behind the required face coverings and appreciate their excitement for learning. The second semester begins on January 20, for our 6th through 12th graders. The term will begin in a fully-virtual format for all students while we complete course scheduling and course section/ classroom space audits to maximize space and minimize risk for students and staff in the in-person learning environment. Students whose families selected in-person learning will return to the schools on Monday, February 1. You can read more about the schedule and learning plans on the ReOpening Greendale Schools webpage.
As plans to reopen our schools for in-person learning proceed, please understand completely that Greendale Schools has made safety a PRIORITY to all reopening efforts. Information on the mitigation strategies we have in place are shared here. We continue to monitor the indicators on the Dashboard for Moving Learning Environments and will make decisions on how to safely provide for student learning in our schools based on these markers.
Our practices in providing virtual instruction have expanded and we are able to provide instruction to all of our elementary and middle school students choosing virtual learning in real-time digital classrooms. Elementary and middle school students whose families selected virtual learning are placed in dedicated virtual classrooms for school this year. For high school students’ varied schedules, the district has assigned virtual sections of courses with enough students enrolled to be taught remotely by a GHS teacher. For other requested courses, some GHS virtual students will be provided with daily, synchronous instruction from an in-person Greendale classroom. Courses we are unable to provide a GHS teacher for will be pursued through Wisconsin Virtual School. Our in-person learning model will follow the regular school schedule four days per week, with a virtual Wednesday schedule of compressed classes and resource periods for students.
The year 2020 was an extremely difficult and emotional year for all of us. The uncertainty in so many facets of our world challenged our feelings of safety and our mental health. I am proud of the resilience shown by Greendale staff and students. Recently, some staff and family concerns have been shared on a public level with the community. It is important for all to know that I have been listening. I am continuing to listen and make adjustments. We all need something different to feel safe, to feel respected, and to be ready to move forward. I will continue to share how we can make plans that honor the concerns of everyone impacted.
We continue to address the safety needs of our staff and students while balancing those with our responsibility to provide the best educational experience to students in our schools. I take all of these responsibilities very seriously and I thank the Greendale community for its continued support of our work to do what’s best for kids.
Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Kim Amidzich, Superintendent
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