Message for Students and Parents from Dr. Croney

April 16, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians:

I hope this communication finds you safe and well. It's been a couple of weeks since I communicated with you – on purpose - as you have been inundated with emails from all directions.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced today that all public and private K-12 schools shall remain closed for pupil instruction and extracurricular activities for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. In addition, the "Stay Safer at Home" order is in effect until May 26, 2020.

Although the school buildings are closed, we are still required by the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to provide education in grades 4K-12 until the end of the school year. However, we know that every student learns differently and that every family has different needs. It is not business as usual. We are here to help.

We understand that this may be a particularly stressful time for parents and guardians who may be working or taking care of their families at home and trying to monitor the education of their children. One option to help with that added stress would be to utilize other staff support, which will be helpful
for elementary grades, as older students may be more independent.

• Teachers have been given authority to be flexible with expectations, number of assignments to be assessed or graded, due dates, and making modifications to student workloads.
  • Grades 4K through 12 have multi-levels of support that parents may be accessing right now, and we encourage you to continue to do so. The teachers are the first level of support, for those whose child is on an IEP, please reach out to your case managers and/or Cody Fechtelkotter, Director of Special Education at 715-364-8565, Extension #1308.
• For elementary students, a helpline is being developed for staff to assist parents and/or students with questions. Mr. Larrabee, Principal, will share the details with 4K through grade 5 parents once that helpline is in operation. If more individualized monitoring is necessary, please contact Mr. Larrabee at NES, 715-364-8465, Extension #1302.
• Grades 4K through 3
  • Each grade level teacher has pared down the expectations and power standards for your child. Power standards are the most important items that your student needs to learn.
  • However, we also know that students in this age group have shorter attention spans and may need multiple breaks or a day or days away from learning, or, parent/guardian schedules may not allow the time necessary to complete all of the content in each of the subject areas. While each subject is important, we kindly ask that if you need to prioritize your child's lessons, it would be in the areas of reading, writing and math. Parents and guardians are in control of accomplishing what you can, when you can, with your child. You know them best. But we want to assure you, each child will move on to the next grade level. 
• Grades 4 through 8
  • Students are more self-sufficient and can work much more independently than at the lower grade levels. Again, each grade level teacher has pared down the expectations and power standards for your child. This means the most important items that your student needs to learn are provided.
  • We understand parents/guardians may still not have the best internet connection, so you need to let us know as we may be able to help you obtain a better bandwidth. Some companies are offering an increased bandwidth for three months free. We are here to help. Each child will move on to the next grade level.
  • For 8th grade students, although they will move on, we strongly encourage them to prepare for 9th grade by completing the 8th grade courses as much as possible.
• Grades 9 through 12:
  • Students and families at our high school do have added stress because credits are not an option, they need to be earned as a requirement for graduation. Classes at NHS, on the block schedule, count for ½ credit for their 4th quarter class. Again, if you are having any difficulties, please reach out to your classroom teachers. High school teachers have been reminded that while we are educating under these circumstances, we must continue to keep two things in mind: flexibility and communication. Different times require different methods.

The legislature is in control of when our buildings may be occupied by students and staff. Once a decision is made, we can look forward and plan for events such as our Graduation Ceremony. It will not be on the traditional Friday of Memorial Day weekend, however it will happen for our students when it is safe.

A grateful shout-out to our food service director, Jody Botten and her wonderful staff and selected paraeducators for providing 32,150 meals since March 23 to date. We still encourage any parents who are not currently receiving meals to contact her at jbotten@nw-tigers.org or text at 715-817-0031.

• Remember: this is for any person 18 years old or younger as long as they reside in the School District of Maple. We have four pick-up sites on Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. If you are unable to  pick-up meals for your child, we can arrange to have them delivered. Please be aware that if you order meals, they are to be picked up on both Monday and Thursday to cover the entire week, they are prepared for you for the entire week.

Thank you to all of our staff that continue to work during the shutdown, including teachers, paraeducators, custodians, administrative assistants, bookkeepers, bus drivers, mechanics, middle management and administration.

And, lastly, thank you parents and guardians for your support and patience as we continue to do our best for your children.

As always, we are here to help. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you.

Dr. Sara L. Croney
Superintendent

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