Families of Western Dubuque Community School District:
As we navigate these uncharted waters together, there are so many questions that are unanswered. With very little new information from our governing institutions, we appreciate your patience with us as we continue planning what is best for our district. We understand the closure of schools puts many of you in hardship, and we ask for your understanding and ability to give grace to make sure our decisions are supported from the larger system we adhere to.
To keep lines of communication open, we would like to address two pieces of information that may be in your question bank as of now.
1. Will any learning services be provided during this time?
As a district that believes in education for all, we will not be requiring educational services be provided to any student, as we cannot provide these services to all equitably. Without all having computer and/or internet access, it is inequitable to expect families to find the means of a virtual learning environment. Additionally, we are fully aware that in multiple homes, we are in need for our older child population for looking after younger children where parents will continue to work. In accordance with the Iowa Department of Education guidance, online learning options cannot be required, therefore, we do not plan to choose this option as it will simply continue to widen the gap for students unable to participate. We will not be sending home any type of “packet work/worksheets” to suffice as a patchwork substitute for our quality learning environment.
With this said, here are some suggestions or resource ideas if your children are able to adapt to continue learning in this temporary new normal at home. These are ONLY suggestions; it’s okay to just survive and cope together without adding stress of recreating a school environment at home if these suggestions do not help keep regularity in your lives during this time. Fullest consideration should be given to your health and well-being, so please do not feel pressured to utilize these resources or suggestions if they do not assist your family’s needs.
Resources:
Our Hub resource on the district webpage has many resources linked under the Student Links and Resources. Additionally, under Reading Resources are multiple free online reading materials for students of all ages. http://www.wdbqschools.org/TheHUB.aspx
Other ideas:
- Learn a new skill
- Listen to music together
- Read together; start a “family book club” (utilize free reading resources on The Hub)
- Play board games, card games, puzzles
- Write letters to your relatives and neighbors
- Write letters of gratitude to people in our medical profession
- Start a gratitude journal to write what you are grateful for each day
- Ask your child to teach you the yoga and mindfulness strategies they have learned this year (K-5)
- Write together – chronicle this journey – what you did, how you feel, how you are coping together. We are writing history right now.
2. Will the district be providing any student meals?
We are working diligently to get our meal service up and running in approved areas based on Federal Free/Reduced Guidelines. Please stay tuned.
For Continued Questions:
- All general questions, please reach out to Rick Colpitts, Superintendent ([email protected])
- All general education questions, please reach out to Kelly Simon, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment ([email protected])
- All Special Education questions, please reach out to Vicky Coyle, Director of Special Education ([email protected])
Take this time to take care of yourselves and each other. Continue to practice patience and resiliency for each other during this time.
Thank you,
The Administrative Team of Western Dubuque Community School District.