We are completing our second week of distance learning.  I know this has been challenging for everyone, including our families.  Our staff is doing their best to provide for the instructional needs of our students each day.  We have had some glitches, but for the most part, we are much improved over what we tried to do last spring.

I wanted to let you know of a few items that will be happening in the coming weeks.  Starting on Monday, you will see Onalaska buses out and about picking up students in the afternoons.  Based on the guidance from our Lewis County Health Department from August 3rd, we are able to bring in our special education students, our English Language Learners, and our students served under Title 1 for reading and math.  In order to make the scheduling work, we need to have the ability to get our students to and from school.  Our teachers, administrators and transportation staff have been working together to create a schedule to get our students in our classrooms in the afternoons to receive services that fall under the Aug. 3 guidance.  We also will be implementing the guidance from the health department dated September 3rd that allows us to bring in our Kindergarten students beginning September 28th.  We also will be allowed to have some CTE (career/technical education) students on campus for hands-on learning in metals, woods, and aquaculture. There will also be some opportunities for our secondary students to receive assistance in reading, math and science in the afternoons.

If we can make all of this work, without incidents of students and staff getting ill, we will be closer to opening up our schools for more opportunities. We are in constant communications with our health department, our local pediatricians from NW Peds, and our Lewis County Superintendents.  All of us want our students back in school, but also have a responsibility to do it safely.  The last thing we want is to get back, have something happen, and have to shut down again.  As long as we follow the guidance from our health professionals, follow the hygiene protocols, wear masks and disinfect our facilities, we have a better chance of getting more students on campus.  Until then, we will continue to do our best to serve our students and families.

I know internet connectivity continues to be a challenge.  Our County Commissioners are working to increase capacity in our county, especially in rural areas like Ony. We are hoping their efforts will make a difference for families and homes who need increased internet capacity or need internet access installed for the first time.

Lastly, if there are issues with distance learning in your homes, please reach out to the teacher first, either by email, text message or phone call.  If that doesn't work, contact the building principal. And if that doesn't work, get a hold of me and I will pass on the information to those who can solve the issue(s).  

Thank you for your patience while we all deal with this pandemic.  It will get better and we will get students back on campus when it is safe to do so.  Until then, take care, stay safe and stay in communications with your child's teachers and administrators.

Have a great weekend.