May 8, 2020

 
May 8, 2020

Dear WHEC Parents/Guardians,
 
Thank you for your all of your help and support during this time. 

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 below, 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.  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.

Student Learning Expectations for completion of work:
o Despite the school closure, it is our responsibility and expectation that every student participates in learning and instruction from now through the end of the school year in early June.  Please see grading indicators for K-4 below.
Engaged- All assignments complete and on time
Partially Engaged- Most of the assignments are complete and handed in on time
Not Engaged- Few to No assignments are completed and handed in to teachers 

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 are now 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 level teachers will continue to provide the weekly schedule for specials and website information.  Access the WHEC Specials website at the URL below:

https://sites.google.com/wyoarea.org/whecspecials

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.

Webex has been enabled as an additional platform for communication between your student and teacher.  Webex is a secure enterprise solution for video conferencing and online meetings.  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.  Utilize the URL below to access the information:

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.

The following report card language will be used to measure student progress until the end of the school year.

+ Engaged:  Your child was able to complete approximately 75% to 100% of all online assignments.  Your child worked for the recommended time on online assignments. They participated weekly in activities. 

 √Partially engaged:  Your child was able to complete between 50% to 75% of all online assignments.  Your child worked on online assignments for most of the recommended time.  They participated in some activities.  

-Not engaged:  Your child completed less than 50% of the assigned online assignments. They did not participate in weekly activities.  


Kindergarten Registration: 

We are excited to begin registration for kindergarten students in the Wyomissing Area School District for the 2020-2021 school year!   To ease this process, we will be offering online registration utilizing our NEW Student Information System PowerSchool.  To begin the online registration process please visit: 
https://www.wyoarea.org/our_district/pre-_k_counts___kindergarten_registration

Please note that you can register your student online and submit the required forms at a later date - prior to the start of the 2020-2021 school year.  When Governor Wolf provides direction on lifting COVID-19 restrictions and re-opening schools additional information on orientation will follow.
 

Please stay healthy and well during this time.

Sincerely,

Kate A. Bobst Robert T. Kucharczuk
Principal         Assistant Principal