District Communications

Important Upcoming Dates

• Veggie Van Go at the WSD: August 20 from 9-10am
• First student day: August 25, 2021 for most students
• WMHS Mandatory Orientation for 6th Graders, 9th graders and 10th graders: Wednesday, August 25th from 8:00am-12:15pm
• First student day for PreK: September 7, 2021
• Updated 2021-2022 Calendar

Dear WSD Families,

I hope all of you enjoyed the summer break. It has been a very busy summer here at the district and we are very excited to welcome students back next week.

Our learning community has been through a great deal in the last eighteen months. I am incredibly proud of how we all came together to take care of one another.  No matter what challenges arose, we kept our amazing students at the center of everything we did and now our students need us more than ever.

As a learning community, we have a choice to make this year about how we approach our work. I am choosing to reflect, learn, and plan to use the trauma from the past eighteen months as a lever for growth. What we did together amidst intense stress for each one of us and continue to do is amazing, and makes us stronger, smarter, and more compassionate.  I will admit, it has taken me a few months to get to this place and everyone has to move at their own pace.  A few early morning wakeboarding sessions with my family, bike rides on the Causeway and intentional reflection time moved me to this exciting place of feeling like we can handle whatever arises and continue to guide our students along their paths.

We would not be able to do this work without you and the support of our community and the families that make us all #WinooskiStrong.

Our building has changed dramatically and continues to change every day. These are the best kinds of changes but they do cause some disruptions. Teachers are settling into their new classrooms despite delays in furniture being delivered. The new spaces are a physical embodiment of a fresh, new start to a fresh, new school year. We’re very excited for our students to see the new spaces next week!

Lastly, for me, this is the “The Year of the Lotus”.  The Lotus flower is regarded in many different cultures, especially in eastern religions, as a symbol of enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth. Its characteristics are a perfect analogy for the human condition and all the trials and tribulations we have been through together.  And even when its roots are in the dirtiest, most difficult, and complicated waters, the Lotus produces the most beautiful flower.  WE GOT THIS!

Take care,
Sean McMannon, Superintendent

Student Meals
Student meal kits ended this week. The new cafeteria will be finished on August 30, so for the first few weeks of school students will have meals delivered to their classrooms.

Health Office Reminders
Our school Health Office nurses Liz and Katharine are so excited to see students back again next week. Please complete and/or update the registration process in PowerSchool which includes important information for the Health Office. If your child requires medication during the school day, please contact the Health Office at 802-383-6094 or 802-383-6040.

Liz and Katharine also wanted to share that one of the most important things you can do to keep everyone healthy next year: Keep your child home if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 and check in with their doctor for the next steps. Thank you!

Afterschool
We are so excited to launch our Afterschool Program for the new school year! 21C Afterschool flyers are tentatively scheduled to go out the first week of September.  Classes will begin the week of September 20 (or sooner). Stay tuned!

Updates – Student Drop Off and Pick-Up
As anticipated, our student pick-up procedures have changed slightly. JFK Elementary students will now be dismissed at 2:50pm, and WMHS students will be dismissed at 2:55pm. Our top priorities are safety and making our campus as welcoming as possible for all students. Read the attached procedures carefully and let us know if you have any questions. 

We’re Hiring!
Are you a caring, enthusiastic, and flexible individual who enjoys interacting with children and youth? Do you want to help make a difference in your community? If so, we want to hear from you!

The Winooski School District (WSD) is looking for substitute teachers and paraeducators to work on an “as needed” basis in all subject areas and grade levels. Full day and partial day shifts may be available Monday through Friday. Learn more and apply here.

Let’s Stay Connected – Communication for the 2021-22 School Year
We know there is a lot to keep track of this year as we ease back into full-time, in-person school once again. Based on feedback from our Communication Survey, we have designed a communication plan to help keep you informed without feeling overwhelmed. You can expect weekly communication from our district on Thursday afternoons. Both WMHS and JFK principals will also share weekly updates that will be included in our weekly district updates. JFK will also continue to send home their weekly update in students’ backpacks every Friday. Please be patient as we continue to update the district website (www.wsdvt.org). Our IT staff are busy preparing for our students’ return. The site will be updated with new staff and updated info once school opens.

Find school-specific communications below: 

• WMHS Family Communication – Welcome from Principals Jean and Kate, meet new Athletic Director Coach Jackson, and more! 
• JFK Family Letter (coming next week)

Drop Off and Pick-Up Procedures for the 2021/22 School Year (FAQ)

Due to construction, student drop off and pick up at the start and end of the school day may be a little bit more challenging this year. Our Leadership Team, Construction Team, and the Winooski Police Department have all worked together to come up with the safest and most efficient way to get our students in and out of the building. 

Officer Jason Ziter, the district School Resource Officer, will be managing the traffic in the morning and afternoon. WSD staff will be available during the entire process to make sure students get to their classrooms in the morning, and get on their way home safely in the afternoon. We ask for your patience and flexibility as we get this new, exciting school year off to a great start! 

What time should my student arrive at school?
School doors open at 7:55am for all students. 

What time should I pick up my child from school?
Dismissal is at 2:50pm for JFK students and 2:55pm for WMHS students. To ensure a smooth dismissal process for all, we kindly request that parents avoid calling out their child for early dismissal after 2:30pm when possible. 

What door should my student enter?

• PK-5th graders will enter through the Main JFK Door.
• 6th -12th graders will enter through the Rear JFK Door.

My child is in Kindergarten/1st grade. May I walk them to their classroom?
For the 1st three days of school only, caregivers of Kindergarteners and 1st graders may walk their students to their classrooms. Due to limited space in our building, we ask that only one adult accompany their child into the building. 

My child is a PreK student. May I walk them to their classroom?
PreK students will follow the same drop-off and pick-up procedures as outlined below.  Parents are allowed in on the first three days of PreK (Tuesday, September 7) but then after they will drop their student off at the door if the student is not riding the bus. 

I drive my child to and from school. How will that work this year?:
This year, student drop-off and pick-up will take place in front of the WSD building (60 Normand Street). Due to construction, all students arriving at school by car should be dropped off in the student drop-off loop. Elementary school students will enter and exit the building through the JFK Elementary Main Door and WMHS students will enter and exit through the Rear JFK Entrance. 

Here is the procedure for vehicle drop off and pick-up:

1. Follow the road to the drop off/pick-up loop (previously the short-term parking loop). 
2. Follow the traffic flow until you arrive at the drop off/pick-up point. 
3. Please don’t stop before this point, or you might block traffic. 
4. Once you’re at the drop-off point, ask your child to safely exit your car.
5. Say good-bye to your child in the car and wish them a day full of fun and learning! 
6. Students will walk to the JFK Main Entrance Walkway.
7. WSD staff will greet your child at the entrance of the JFK building and make sure they get to their classroom. 
8. If your child is in middle or high school they will walk around past the JFK Main Entrance to the JFK Rear Entrance. The walkway will be clearly marked and WSD staff will be at the door to greet them and make sure they get to their classroom. 
9. Turn left out of the drop-off loop and exit the parking lot. Enjoy the day!

I walk/ride bikes with my child to school. How will I drop them off this year?
Great! We highly encourage anyone who is able to walk or ride bikes to school. This will help reduce vehicle traffic during pick-up and drop-off times. 

1. When you bring your child to school by foot or bike, you may walk them to their entrance. 
2. PreK – 5th graders should enter the JFK Main Entrance, and 6-12th graders should enter through the JFK Rear Entrance (off George Street.) 
3. There will be bike racks available at each entrance. 
4. Staff will greet students at the entrance and help direct them to class if needed. 

How should I pick my child up by car?

1. Follow the road to the drop off/pick-up loop (previously the short-term parking loop). 
2. Follow the traffic flow until you arrive at the drop off/pick-up point. 
3. Do not stop before this point, or you might block traffic. 
4. When you’re near the drop off/pick-up loop, let staff know which students you are picking up. Put a paper on your dashboard with their last name(s) and grade(s) to make this process easier. 
5. Wait in the pick-up point for your child(ren) to get into your car, then exit by following the route. 
6. Please be mindful of others waiting behind you and try to make this process as efficient as possible. 
7. Remember, safety is our top priority. Be extremely careful when driving on and off-campus. 

How should I pick up my child if we walk or ride bikes?

• JFK Staff will take the walkers/bike riders through the Main JFK Door to their spot on the green in front of the JFK Main Door (between the building and the parking lot) to wait for caregivers to pick them up.
  
• WMHS student walkers/bike riders will walk down the sidewalk toward the Main JFK Entrance, collect any JFK students who are in their family, then walk/cycle off-campus together.

Questions? Email Emily Hecker ([email protected]). 

Thanks!

Dear WSD Families and Staff,

Thanks to your efforts in making Vermont the most highly vaccinated state in the country, Governor Scott’s State of Emergency ended in June. Even though not all Winooski students will be able to start the school year eligible for the vaccine, our success means that we will be able to return to full in-person learning this fall.

While this is very good news overall, there will still be a need for some precautions: carefully following stay home when sick procedures; universal mask wear when inside the building; and continued surveillance testing and contact tracing. The following guidelines are based on advice from the Agency of Education and the Vermont Department of Health:

Stay Home When Sick
This is the #1 action you can take to keep everyone safe and our schools operating normally. All students and staff should stay home if they: 

• Show symptoms of COVID-19; 
• Have a fever (temperature greater than 100.4°F); 
• Or, are currently in quarantine due to close contact with an individual with COVID-19 or in isolation due to testing positive for COVID-19. 

If symptoms begin while at school, the student or staff member should be sent home as soon as possible, and the individual should be isolated from other staff and students until they can go home. 

Masks
We will require universal masking for all students and staff when indoors for the first 10 instructional days of the school year. Once we are certain that at least 80% of our age-eligible students are fully vaccinated, masks will no longer be required for students ages 12 and up. Masks will still be required indoors for students younger than 12 (grades Prek-5th grade), as they are not eligible to be vaccinated at this time. Because our students PreK-12 share many common spaces, all students and staff will still be required to wear masks when in the hallways, gym, or restrooms.  Masks will not be required outdoors.
Masks are currently required for all passengers on buses per federal regulation, regardless of age or vaccination status. 

Contact the WSD COVID hotline if you have any virus-related questions at 802-556-2243. 

Surveillance Testing and Contact Tracing
The VDH will offer surveillance testing for both students and staff. Our district will participate to the best of our ability, and we encourage students and staff to take advantage of this free program as well. The WSD will also continue to participate in contact tracing as requested by the VDH.

Construction Updates
We are very excited for teachers and staff to begin setting up classrooms in the new middle and elementary school wings in a little over a week. While there have been a few frustrating delays due to supply chain issues, such as some furniture delivery, overall progress has been right on target. 

This week, district leaders met with the construction team and the State Fire Marshal to complete testing to ensure our campus is a safe environment for all. Our construction team, district leadership team, and School Resource Officer Jason Ziter have also been working on student drop-off and pick-up procedures for this school year. More information will be shared next week. 

As this message is being written, finishing touches are being completed in all new building spaces. We can’t wait to share the bright, new learning spaces full of natural light and thoughtful touches with our students, staff, and community. Expect video tours of our classrooms in the coming weeks. 

Multi-Stakeholder Group Dialogue on School Safety Models
At the May 12, 2021 Board meeting, the WSD Board approved a proposal by Julian Portilla, the Director of the Champlain College Center for Mediation and Dialogue, to create a Multi-Stakeholder Group and provide recommendations about school safety models. Read more about the progress updates on the MSG here.

Last Day for Student Meal Kits is August 18
Because our school district will be providing meals to students in person once school starts, our Wednesday meal kit distribution will end on August 18. Until then, we look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, August 11, and on Wednesday, August 18 at our different meal kit distribution sites:

• WSD, 60 Normand Street:  9:30 – 10:00am
• O’Brien Center, 32 Malletts Bay Ave: 10:15 – 10:45am
• Family Center, 87 Elm Street: 11:00 – 11:30am

Summer School Wrap Up
We’re always proud of our summer programming, but this year was truly exceptional. Watch this nice video about our collaboration with Shelburne Farms to find out what learning on the farm has been like for students: Summer School WCAX

Expanded Preschool Options
Winooski School District is making plans for expanding our preschool options. If you live in Winooski and are a parent or guardian of children ages birth to five, please complete the Winooski School District Parent/Guardian Needs for Preschool Survey

PTO/Boosters Golf Tournament
The Winooski PTO Boosters are inviting you to join them for a Golf Tournament. Limited to 22 Teams.
When: Saturday August 21, 2021 8am Registration and 9am Shotgun start.
Where: At the West Bolton Golf Course 5161 Stage Road, Jericho
How: You may also purchase: 50/50 Raffle, 4 Mulligans per person @ $5 each up to 16 per team. The entry fee is $360.00 per foursome. Lunch is provided after the tournament at the golf course. If you would like to enter a four-person team, please contact Chris Freije at (802) 310-2057 or email: [email protected].

Thank you,
Sean McMannon, Superintendent