April 17, 2020
Dear WHEC Parents/Guardians,
As we are moving along with our on-line learning, please know that we are all here to help support you in any way that we can.
This letter contains important updates that we are working on. I appreciate your kindness and patience as we navigate our new learning world.
Closure:
Governor Wolf stated that all PA schools are closed indefinitely. This means that all events, extra-curricular activities, athletics and community use of district facilities are also canceled until schools are permitted to open. We will monitor information and share updates as they are available.
Online Education:
- Our teaching staff will continue to utilize ClassDojo and school e-mail to connect with families during this time. Please also utilize school e-mail to connect with school counselors and school health services as needed.
- Please check ClassDojo daily to review classroom specific student assignments and other classroom updates provided by our classroom teachers. If your family is not currently connected to ClassDojo, please e-mail the classroom teachers in order to provide assistance and ensure you are connected and receiving assignments and messages.
- Please continue to e-mail and message teachers through ClassDojo when assistance is needed regarding the navigation of our online education resources and platforms, username/password information, and to troubleshoot other issues that may arise.
- In the link, you will be able to access student links that are frequently used.
http://wasdwhec.ss18.sharpschool.com/for_students/quicklinks
· Our educational plan is to have learners complete instructional courses between 1 to 3 hours a day depending on the child’s age and development. The time period also includes journal writing and reading. Your child’s teachers are helping to ensure that your child is fulfilling their educational requirements. On Monday, April 13 and beyond we will continue instruction. Our expectation is for your child to complete the assignments given over the course of the week in a timely manner. Grading will occur as we continue the on-line process.
· Upcoming Additions:
· Google Classroom: Grade 4
This application for teachers and learners is specifically designed to stream line the process of sharing files and communication between teachers and students. Teachers can create online classrooms, ask students to attend the class, and create and give out assignments. Learners and teachers can communicate about the assignments within the platform and teachers can monitor students' progress.
· Google Site: Specialists/Special Area Subjects
Specialists will soon be utilizing a Google site to communicate with families and students and to deliver special area lessons and assignments. This will allow specialist teachers to utilize grade level pages within their specific subject area page within the website. Weekly ClassDojo communications sent by grade levels will continue to provide the weekly schedule for specials and website information once it is up and running. Further information will follow and special area teachers will utilize this platform beginning the week of April 27th.
Teacher Office Hours:
· Monday- Friday:
o 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
o 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Teachers will be available to answer your questions during this time.
Technology:
· Our Technology Staff is currently focused on distributing devices to families without technology resources while implementing several new platforms to enhance remote learning. Hyperlinks to frequently used online applications can be found at the following URL: http://wasdwhec.ss18.sharpschool.com/for_students/quicklinks
· While providing student support will be very challenging the Technology Staff will be available at [email protected]. We will make our best effort to provide assistance during this difficult time.
· This week we began to enable Webex as an additional platform for communication between your student and teacher. Webex is a secure enterprise solution for video conferencing and online meetings. The Webex app will be automatically installed on the device the next time it is online and checks in with our management systems. The installation may not happen immediately and may take longer depending upon the battery strength of the device and internet bandwidth. Student specific instructions will be shared by classroom teachers. If you are using a personal device we have provided instructions for using Webex on the district website at the following URL: https://www.wyoarea.org/departments/information_technology/virtual_learning_-_webex
WHEC Reading Specialists’ Suite
This site is for all WHEC students. The three reading specialists, Mrs. Nancy Robinson ([email protected]), Mrs. Dawn Weidner ([email protected]), and Mrs. Kate Aurentz ([email protected]), each school day are posting grade level read-alouds. In addition, they have and will continue to post reading mini-lessons and practice activities. Please email one of the reading specialists, if there is something specific that you would love to see.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GOpmIqkvz2uUzfnEhLkEwQg_w8pDrZlKrHqz9v8mXHg/edit?usp=sharing
Spreading love, hugs, and smiles:
The WHEC staff created a short video. We hope that you enjoy it. A BIG thank you to Mrs. Hughes for putting it all together!
https://youtu.be/AnLqNu6MTfo
Special Education:
If your child receives special education services, you will be contacted by their special education case manager and/or special education teacher. The special education department will be providing your child with some, if not all, of their specially designed instruction and related services. This instruction will be developed on an individualized basis and will be communicated to you.
Lunch/Breakfast:
Lunch/Breakfast is available for students on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm at the front entrance of each of our schools.
Please note children must be present to pick up the meals at the following locations:
Junior Senior High School – Main entrance by the flag pole (Cambridge Ave. entrance)
West Reading Elementary Center – Main entrance (S. 4th Ave)
Wyomissing Hills Elementary Center – Main entrance (bus drop off area)
Please do not hesitate to contact Dariely Marrero, Food Services Director, by email, [email protected] or by phone at 610-374-0739 x1118 if there are any questions or if further information is needed.
Safety Precautions:
Out of an abundance of caution, please consider utilizing a mask when picking up lunches or devices from the school buildings during this time.
Student Property:
We will be working on a plan on how to distribute student materials and belongings back to the families and our learners. As we are working out the details, we will be sure to inform you of the process.
Report Cards:
Report Cards from trimester two will be included with the student property. As we are working through this process, we will communicate with you on how this will occur. This will also include progress reports for some of our learners.
Please stay healthy and well during this time.
Sincerely,
Kate A. Bobst Robert T. Kucharczuk
Principal Assistant Principal