Similar to other school districts, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed and stretched WPS. However, under Dr. Swanson’s leadership, the district was better prepared in terms of learning and access to remote learning. Due to WPS Personalized Learning Model, schools were able to flip very quickly from in-person learning for all students to remote learning for all students. Dr. Swanson has been very proactive to ensure funds are allocated to support one-to-one technology to support students in developing the skills needed for the day after graduation. As a result, all students from preschool to grade 12 had access to a device during remote learning in Spring 2020.
During spring break 2020, Dr. Swanson’s proactiveness was also evident when she allocated funds to enable classroom teachers and principals to check in daily with their students and maintain a pulse on their social emotional needs.
The WPS BioSecurity Plan was ultimately developed, approved by health officials, and implemented, allowing WPS to open its doors for in-person learning on August 20, 2020. Throughout this entire planning period, Dr. Swanson was in constant communication with local, county, and state health officials; she also held daily online meetings with all district leadership, weekly online meetings with all district staff, and several community online meetings. Teachers reported that the district weekly online meetings with Dr. Swanson provided them with the best information during a time of much fear and uncertainty.
Dr. Swanson determined that teachers would need additional professional development to use our learning management system at a deeper level for remote learning. The WPS Extended Learning Site was developed as a “one-stop shop” for teachers to receive the latest COVID information, Empower & Technology support, as well as a multitude of instructional supports.
At the beginning of the pandemic, Dr. Swanson asked all schools to put in place academic and emotional supports for all online students and to check in daily with any student who was not present. Over the summer, the 24/7 WPS Hopeline was created and made available to all families. The WPS Hopeline provides a safe and confidential space for students to get support and resources for issues related to social-emotional or mental health. This service will also be provided for summer 2021. The district has also accelerated its Social Emotional Learning (SEL) plans for staff and students and now has in place Proficiency Scales for explicitly teaching social and emotional skills needed especially during crises.
As the pandemic began taking an economic toll on the community in the spring and summer of 2020, WPS partner Chartwells and the district expanded their offerings to provide meals for entire families.  Drive-up opportunities were made available at all schools and in an effort to reach out to families without transportation, the district used school buses to set up satellite distribution centers. By spring of 2021, WPS and Chartwells had served 2.5 million student meals and 250,000 family meals.
Even without COVID-19, 2020 would have been a challenging year for Dr. Swanson. Her husband Randy successfully battled cancer which was a challenge that took a toll on the entire Swanson family. Dr. Swanson’s message to the staff has always been “family first,” and by being open and honest about what was happening in her life, she let others know that it was okay to trust their coworkers and lean on them as needed. On more than one occasion she has called WPS a family and made it clear that in tough times, families come together.
—Dr. Oliver Grenham
Chief Education Officer, Westminster Public Schools