Why Whitewater?
03-08-2020
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A Message from Dr. Pate-Hefty
July 31, 2020
We want to start by thanking our district families, students, staff and community for your continued patience and flexibility. As the Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) plans for the start of the 2020-21 school year, the changing course of the COVID-19 pandemic has required us all to think outside a box none of us knew existed not many months ago. Our goal is to continue to provide a high-quality educational experience, regardless of the format. After seeking input from families, staff, and other stakeholders, as well as receiving guidance from our healthcare professionals, the School Board approved a plan that works to meet the needs of our students while also meeting the recommended safety guidelines. Please know that with the ever-changing status of the COVID-19 case numbers, any plans could potentially be altered without much, if any, lead time due to outbreaks, states of emergency, or other variables. We will make every effort to communicate the most current information in a timely fashion.
The following approved plan is currently in place from September 1 through September 11:
ELEMENTARY:
Virtual learning will occur in the morning with synchronous and asynchronous lessons. Students will, on a rotating schedule, attend one afternoon per week for in person instruction. Each teacher will have face to face contact with approximately one quarter of their class each day. Every effort will be made to schedule family members on the same day to make it easier for families.
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
On September 1, 6th grade students will attend school in person to meet with their teachers, go over expectations, and pick up materials. After this day, learning will be done virtually through synchronous and asynchronous lessons. Similarly, on September 2, 7th graders will attend in person and on September 3, 8th graders will attend in person. The remaining time, until September 11, learning will be done virtually.
HIGH SCHOOL:
On September 1, 9th grade students will attend school in person to meet with their teachers, go over expectations, and pick up materials. After this day, learning will be done virtually through synchronous and asynchronous lessons. Similarly, on September 2, 10th graders will attend in person, on September 3, 11th graders will attend in person, and on September 4, 12th graders will attend in person. The remaining time until September 11, learning will be done virtually.
If a student has special education needs, EL needs or if they are not engaged, a teacher will communicate with parents and a differentiated schedule will be created on a case-by-case basis complying with enhanced safety requirements.
ATHLETICS/EVENTS:
Rock Valley Conference met earlier today to discuss a number of items related to fall sports. It was decided by the conference to have the athletic directors of each school within the conference develop an equitable schedule for sports programs, delaying fall sports to the conclusion of the winter sports season, to have spring sports season start after the fall sports season concludes, including truncated seasons as appropriate. We understand the need to be flexible, adaptable, and use creative thinking as we move forward and appreciate the understanding of our school community as we continue to work together to navigate the COVID-19 situation. The high school administration will begin to prepare for alternative in-house extracurricular activities. We are committed to offering opportunities to our students, assuming it is safe and allowable as determined by public health. The health and wellbeing of students, staff, and families is of utmost priority. The decision made by the Rock Valley Conference was not made lightly and preserves the possibility of participating in typical fall activities in what we all hope is an environment less susceptible to the spread of COVID-19.
As we have received continued and updated guidance from Public Health, along with both city and state government officials, we are still unable to hold large group school events on school grounds. Unfortunately, this includes the High School Back to School Dance which was scheduled for August 29, 2020, is now officially cancelled.
We hope everyone remains safe and healthy. We ask that you wear a mask, be kind, stay connected, have empathy, support each other, and stay together when physically apart. We will be back stronger than ever, when the time is right.
With Community in Mind,
Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty
WUSD District Administrator
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Queremos empezar agradeciendo a las familias, estudiantes, personal y comunidad de nuestro distrito por su continua paciencia y flexibilidad. Mientras el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Whitewater (WUSD) planea el comienzo del año escolar 2020-21, el cambio de curso de la pandemia COVID-19 ha requerido que todos pensemos fuera de una caja que ninguno de nosotros sabía que existía no hace muchos meses. Nuestro objetivo es continuar proporcionando una experiencia educativa de alta calidad, independientemente del formato. Después de solicitar la opinión de las familias, el personal y otras partes interesadas, así como de recibir la orientación de nuestros profesionales de la salud, la Junta Escolar aprobó un plan que funciona para satisfacer las necesidades de nuestros estudiantes y al mismo tiempo cumplir con las pautas de seguridad recomendadas. Por favor, sepan que con el estado siempre cambiante de los números de caso de COVID-19, cualquier plan podría ser potencialmente alterado sin mucho, o ningún, tiempo de espera debido a brotes, estados de emergencia u otras variables. Haremos todo lo posible para comunicar la información más actualizada de manera oportuna.
El siguiente plan aprobado está actualmente en curso desde el 1 de septiembre hasta el 11 de septiembre:
PRIMARIA:
El aprendizaje virtual ocurrirá por la mañana con lecciones sincrónicas y asincrónicas. Los estudiantes asistirán, en un horario rotativo, una tarde por semana para la instrucción en persona. Cada maestro tendrá contacto cara a cara con aproximadamente un cuarto de su clase cada día. Se hará todo lo posible para programar a los miembros de la familia en el mismo día para que sea más fácil para las familias.
ESCUELA INTERMEDIA / MIDDLE SCHOOL:
El 1 de septiembre, los estudiantes de 6º grado asistirán a la escuela en persona para reunirse con sus maestros, revisar las expectativas y recoger los materiales. Después de este día, el aprendizaje se hará virtualmente a través de lecciones sincrónicas y asincrónicas. Del mismo modo, el 2 de septiembre, los estudiantes de 7º grado asistirán en persona y el 3 de septiembre, los estudiantes de 8º grado asistirán en persona. El tiempo restante, hasta el 11 de septiembre, el aprendizaje se hará virtualmente.
PREPARATORIA / HIGH SCHOOL:
El 1 de septiembre, los estudiantes de 9º grado asistirán a la escuela en persona para reunirse con sus maestros, revisar las expectativas y recoger los materiales. Después de este día, el aprendizaje se hará virtualmente a través de lecciones sincrónicas y asincrónicas. Del mismo modo, el 2 de septiembre, los estudiantes de 10º grado asistirán en persona, el 3 de septiembre, los estudiantes de 11º grado asistirán en persona, y el 4 de septiembre, los estudiantes de 12º grado asistirán en persona. El tiempo restante hasta el 11 de septiembre, el aprendizaje se hará virtualmente.
Si un estudiante tiene necesidades de educación especial, necesidades de EL o si no está participando, un maestro se comunicará con los padres y se creará un horario diferenciado para cada caso en cumplimiento de los requisitos de seguridad mejorados..
ATLETISMO / EVENTOS:
Conferencia de Rock Valley se reunió hoy temprano para discutir un número de temas relacionados con los deportes de otoño. La conferencia decidió que los directores deportivos de cada escuela dentro de la conferencia desarrollen un programa equitativo para los programas deportivos, retrasando los deportes de otoño hasta la conclusión de la temporada de deportes de invierno, para que la temporada de deportes de primavera comience después de que concluya la temporada de deportes de otoño, incluyendo temporadas acortadas según corresponda. Entendemos la necesidad de ser flexibles, adaptables y utilizar el pensamiento creativo a medida que avanzamos y apreciamos la comprensión de nuestra comunidad escolar a medida que continuamos trabajando juntos para navegar por la situación de COVID-19. La administración de la high school comenzará a prepararse para las actividades extracurriculares internas alternativas. Nos comprometemos a ofrecer oportunidades a nuestros estudiantes, asumiendo que es seguro y permisible según lo determinado por la salud pública. La salud y el bienestar de los estudiantes, el personal y las familias es de máxima prioridad. La decisión tomada por la Conferencia de Rock Valley no fue tomada a la ligera y preserva la posibilidad de participar en las típicas actividades de otoño en lo que todos esperamos sea un ambiente menos susceptible a la propagación de COVID-19.
Como hemos recibido una orientación continua y actualizada de la Salud Pública, junto con los funcionarios del gobierno de la ciudad y del estado, todavía no podemos celebrar eventos escolares de grupos grandes en los terrenos de la escuela. Desafortunadamente, esto incluye el Baile de Regreso a la Escuela que estaba programado para el 29 de agosto de 2020, ahora está oficialmente cancelado.
Esperamos que todos permanezcan seguros y saludables. Les pedimos que se pongan una máscara, sean amables, se mantengan conectados, tengan empatía, se apoyen unos a otros y permanezcan juntos cuando estén físicamente separados. Volveremos más fuertes que nunca, cuando sea el momento adecuado.
Con la comunidad en mente,
Dra. Caroline Pate-Hefty
Administradora de Distrito de WUSD
All Graduation Videos and Photos Available for Download
Graduates and families, if you wish to download any of the senior celebrations, please access the public folder that hosts the Class of 2020 celebration videos and photos (including photos taken from last Saturday's Drive-through ceremony). Please contact kmcnulty@wwusd.org if you have any problems navigating the folders.
The Class of 2020 has been honored and recognized with many events and presentations this spring. We're proud of you, Class of 2020!
Important Upcoming Dates at WHS:
Thirteen Ferradermis members were officially awarded the first ever Whitewater High School Activity Letters at the team’s virtual ice cream social in early June, but the actual letters have just arrived, and delivery began today. Congratulations to 2020 graduates Colin Chenoweth, Rosie Aschenbrener, Gwynne Sahyun, Brian Apgar, Shawn Chan, Jenna Lee, Morgan Stillwagon, and Sophie Olson and returning members Reilly Aschenbrener, Shane Kinson, Elijah Grall, Andrew Rollette, and Morgan Hartwell! Team members needed to meet a minimum attendance requirement during build season and accumulate at least 20 points earned based on participation in events and contributions to the team.
Thank you to The SweetSpot Bakehouse and Nelson’s Bus Service for going above and beyond in helping make our non-traditional graduation festivities that much more festive for the Class of 2020. SweetSpot donated a beautiful individual graduation cake to each senior that walked across the outdoor stage on Saturday, June 6, and Nelson’s Bus staged a special tribute, moving 22 buses into perfect formation in the Central Office parking lot to form a 2020. A video of the bus tribute became part of the virtual graduation ceremony on Sunday, June 7, as one more surprise for students.
The National Honor Society at Whitewater High School is proud to announce their new officers for the 2020-2021 school year! Carson Ellenwood was elected President and said, "I am deeply honored to be the next President of the National Honor Society at WHS. Throughout this next year, I hope to put an emphasis on building a better, more mentally healthy community at WHS." Carson has been an outstanding student leader spreading positivity and a sense of community at WHS and helping others achieve academic success in the after school tutorial program. Catherine Skindingsrude was elected Vice President and said, "As Vice President, I will do my best to help everyone feel included and have their opinions heard. I hope to make the National Honor Society a fun & welcoming club to join!" Catherine has been an outstanding student leader at WHS and has been on the high honor roll her entire high school career. Jenna Caldwell was elected Secretary of NHS and said, "Serving as Secretary next year I hope to increase our involvement in our elementary schools and elderly community. We will continue fundraising to aid families living in poverty and work to benefit our community in any way we can." Jenna has also been an outstanding leader and role model for her peers at WHS and is very proud to serve as an officer in the coming year. Kacie Carollo was elected Treasurer of NHS and shared, "I am so excited to have been given this opportunity to work with my fellow officers to encourage a sense of community within the school and organize new exciting events!" Kacie has been a three sport varsity athlete, a high honor roll student throughout her high school career and co-president of the WHS Student Council. Congratulations new officers & best wishes for a successful year leading the National Honor Society! Selection of new junior & senior members will begin in September. Please see the WHS National Honor Society website for information regarding the selection process and requirements for membership which are different for the Class of 2021 and the Class of 2022.
Each year a senior demonstrating the characteristics of Americanism is selected to be awarded the American Legion Americanism Award. Americanism is love of America; loyalty to her institutions as the best yet devised by people to secure life, liberty, individual dignity, and happiness; and the willingness to defend our country and Flag against all enemies, foreign and domestic. It is a vital, active, living force. Americanism means peace, strength, the will and the courage to live as free men in a free land. It means a friendly hand to people everywhere who respects our institutions and our thinking. It is not a word; it is a cause, a way of life – the best way of life ever known – a challenge and a hope in this world. Americanism is an ideal of loyal patriotism, religious tolerance, righteous freedom, fearless courage, honest integrity, abiding faith in the commanding destiny of the United States, and a fathomless love for the principles that led our forefathers to found this country. It is complete and unqualified loyalty to the ideals of government as set forth in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. It is respect for, and ready obedience to, duly constituted authority and the laws of the land. It is freedom without license, religion without bigotry, charity without bias, and a desire to secure the blessings of liberty for our nation and for our posterity. Morgan Stillwagon is the Whitewater High School recipient of this year’s American Legion Americanism Award. In her nomination, Morgan was described as a loyal friend and someone who cares deeply for everyone around her and looks out for the little guy. She is dedicated to her studies and became a three-sport athlete in her senior year in addition to taking a leadership role on the robotics team. Morgan has a true desire to serve and is considering pursuing a career in firefighting. On June 5, during materials drop-off for the seniors, Morgan was presented with an American flag that had flown over the state capitol. Congratulations, Morgan!
Some students enjoyed the beautiful weather and got outside to participate in the Chalk Challenge last week, and Student Council thanks those participants. WHS Students, have a safe and healthy summer!