April 9, 2020

 

April 9, 2020

Dear WHEC Parents/Guardians,
 
This letter is to update you and ensure that you are kept aware of what is currently occurring at WHEC.  We hope that you and your families are safe and healthy during this time.  
Please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher if you need any clarification or help as you navigate the online process.  
We are all in this together and I know that this learning community is willing to go above and beyond to help our learners maintain a safe and healthy learning community.

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.  Please remember, the last two weeks were used as way to help your child navigate the platforms with enrichment and review.  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.

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.
•    We are writing to share that starting today we are beginning 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 will be providing 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. KateAurentz ([email protected]), each school day are posting grade level read-aloud.  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 that we will serve meals on Monday, April 13th and again on Wednesday, April 15th.
 
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.
 

Sincerely,

Kate Bobst            Robert T. Kucharczuk
Principal                Assistant Principal