This page has the most up to date information relating to COVID and our schools. The situation is constantly changing, and as we have new information updates will be made. Please check this site often. We understand that changes may cause confusion and we ask for your understanding during this time. If you have any questions, please submit them on our Contact Us page and someone will answer as soon as possible. Please see the FAQ tab for more information.

This website will be updated regularly as new information becomes available. Communication from the superintendent will take place weekly on Friday. Please use the Contact Us button if you have any questions and we will get back to you as quickly as possible with the accurate information. Thank you!

Important Upcoming Events

August 19 - School Reopening Community Forum - If you missed the forum here is a link to the recorded video

Washington Central Unified Union School District would like to invite community members to participate in a School Reopening Community Forum on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 from 5:00 to 6:30 PM.

Important Announcements

• First day for students is now Tuesday September 8

• First day for staff August 24

• Base Camp Health Ascend - This is a video of how to log in and enter information online

Safe and Healthy Reopening Task Forces

There are five groups that are working to plan for opening of school this Fall. Here is a brief overview of each task force and the members of each group.

Facilities and Health Task Force

This workgroup will consider a variety of facility and health care perspectives to ensure a safe, healthy and organized re-opening of our schools.

• We will gain input, insight and feedback from a wide representation of community members in order to provide guidelines, recommendations and support regarding how to provide in-person education while limiting the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

• We will work as a district to shift and share resources so that all students have equitable opportunities to access education.

• We will use up to date guidance from state and federal agencies to inform our decisions.

Members: Gillian Fuqua, Amy Molina, David Hannigan, Bonne Dunham, Allison Fayle, Lisa Gariboldi, Cari Wilson, Kristine Chartrand, Christopher Tuller, Elizabeth Wirth, Jenniffer Duprey , Erin Mullaney , Todd Hill ,Maria Melekos, Nate Picard, Mary Lynn Crosson, David Pickel, Jodi Parker, Kelly MacMartin

Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment Task Force Charge

This workgroup will design a flexible and responsive system of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment ensuring the needs of all learners are met.

• We commit to assessing each student in their core knowledge and transferable skills.

• We will design assessment tools that measure product, process, and progress as a measurement tool.

• We want to ensure that all of our students are able to access and achieve success in meeting our Student Learning Outcomes, thus we may need to revise our graduation expectations and/or methods of delivery based on a growth model.

Members: Jody Emerson, Jen Miller-Arsenault, Tracy Martin, Ellen Dorsey, Sonya Rhodes, Krista Dy, Julia Pritchard, Kathy Christy, Megan Mitchell, David Powelson, Amy Koenigbauer, Kelly Bushey, Ben Weiss, Kate Rob, Alicia Lyford, Arlyn Bruccoli, Mary Bove, Brittany Perry, Jenn Ingersoll

Logistics (Schedule, Food, Transportation, Technology) Charge

This workgroup will create plans for transportation, food service and technology, based on federal and state guidance as available.

• We will align the plans with the variety of scenarios about how/where instruction will occur.

• We will explore the viability of different scheduling options for students and their impacts on the logistics of each area.

Members: Steven Dellinger-Pate , Keith MacMartin, Casey Provost, Michelle Ksepka, Kate Liptak, Kelly MacMartin, Claire Gallagher, Mary Monteith, Megan McLane, Caroline Grace, Brian Fisher, Bonnie Gadapee ,Sue Verchereau

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Charge

This workgroup will address the SEL needs and wellbeing of staff and students for re-opening and ongoing support throughout the school year.

• We will look to identify an SEL universal screener and discuss what SEL supports will need to be in place by the start of the school year.

• We will create interventions and utilize resources that will support staff and students throughout the school year.

Members: Cat Fair, Lisa LaPlante, James Nichols Fleming, Julie-Marie Bristol, Maureen McDermet, Mary Beth Langevin, Beth Parker, Ellen Cooke, Nate Lovitz, Lauren VanDeren, Jessica Heinz

Funding, Policy, and Communication Charge

This workgroup will focus on planning for the reopening of school for the fall with the focus on returning to in person instruction.

• We will oversee any changes to policies, in collaboration with the school board, that may be needed due to reopening and/or remote learning.

• We will oversee and monitor financial and budgeting issues, strategies, and future budget planning.

• We will take responsibility for establishing a clear communication plan for these five groups.

Members: Aaron Boynton, Bryan Olkowski, Carla Messier, Chip Hedler, Kerra Holden, Lesley Fitch, Lori Bibeau, Michael Sherwin, Rebecca Pellegrini, Ben Merrill

Vermont Agency of Education Guidance

The following guidance developed by the State of Vermont is intended to help School Districts prepare to reopen school in the Fall of 2020 in the context of COVID-19.

Please note: The COVID-19 situation continues to evolve very rapidly. Families should expect that the information we are providing in this guidance may change. Edits and updates to this guidance will be made as new information becomes available, so please check back often.

At points on this website, reference is made to “Steps I, II, and III”. The state defines these steps as follows:

Step I: Schools are closed for in-person instruction. Remote learning opportunities should be provided for all students. Support for student services such as school meal programs should continue as feasible.

Step II: Schools are open for in-person instruction with enhanced physical distancing measures and for children who live in the local geographic area only.

Step III: Schools are open for in-person instruction with distancing measures. Attendance is restricted to those from limited transmission areas (other Step III areas) only.

During the past spring, WCUUSD schools were operating under Step I guidelines. When we return to school in August, we will be returning under Step II guidelines.

In all cases, these are recommendations and guidelines only. As WCUUSD amends, enhances, or customizes these recommendations for our six school communities, those changes will be reflected here.

Please click here for further guidance from the VT Agency of Education