High Achievement, Responsible Citizenship Weiser Schools WEISER SCHOOLS SCHOOLS DISTRICT HOME PAGE PARENTS/STUDENTS MORE... Notice to Parents - Friday, Nov. 19 WSD COVID Response Plan Updated 11/11/21 Veterans Day Program at WHS District Newsletter Press Release Oct 14 -change to mask requirement COVID tracking through Oct 13 WSD COVID-19 Response Plan updated 10-13-21 Absence tracking through Oct., 2021 October 7, 2021 Dear Parents and Patrons, The Board of Trustees for the Weiser School District will be accepting community input prior to their regularly scheduled October 13th board meeting. Community input will be accepted in writing until 3 pm on Tuesday, October 12th and may be delivered to the Weiser School District Office at 925 Pioneer Road, or submitted by email to Board Clerk, Kyla Dickerson, at dickersonk@weiserschools.org. Trustees do not plan to provide for in-person community input during their October 13th meeting. COVID-19 tracking through Sept. 30, 2021 Absence tracking through Sept. 30, 2021 WSD ESSER Plan Notification of WSD Staff Member's Passing WSD COVID-19 Response Plan - updated 9/8/21 Letter to Parents and Patrons Sept. 19, 2021 Letter to Parents and Patrons, Sept. 12, 21 WSD COVID-19 Tracking Data WSD Attendance Data September 8, 2021 Dear Parents and Patrons, I am asking for your cooperation and help. Illness, both students and staff, is challenging our ability to keep our schools open for in-person learning at this time. High staff absenteeism coupled with low numbers of available substitute teachers has created conditions where we have positions all over the district that we are not able to cover on a daily basis. Over the course of the last week we have had as many as 12 positions not filled on a single day. Staff are shuffling assignments to address the areas of greatest need, but it is not sufficient. This week we were forced to close Park School for two days due to a lack of staffing (not just at Park School, but all around the district.) Students and staff who are forced to miss school as a result of COVID-19 miss several days at a time. We need everyone’s help in order to disrupt the cycle of absenteeism in the district. That said, tonight our Board of Trustees voted to institute several strategies over the next 4 ½ weeks that are intended to help us reduce the spread of illness and help break the current cycle of absenteeism. The biggest strategy, and I also understand it to be the most controversial for some, a return to a mask mandate for students and staff when they are in our buildings during school hours. I understand that masking is controversial and unpopular with some, however, again, I’m asking for your cooperation and help. Illness and absenteeism are high in all of our buildings, and we need to do all that we can in order to maintain in-person learning and avoid rolling school closures that disrupt families and student learning, avoid implementing alternate school schedules, and avoid a return to remote teaching and learning which was frustrating and ineffective for many last year. No matter your position as it pertains to masking, if a little change can help us to level out absenteeism so that it is once again manageable, and we can maintain our current programming, then it is a win for all of us. The Board of Trustees approved the following measures to be put in place from Monday, September 13th through Wednesday, October 13th. Trustees will re-evaluate conditions at their regularly scheduled meeting on October 13th. Masks are to be properly worn by staff and students when they are in buildings and classrooms during the school day. This includes immediately before and after school when students are arriving or leaving. Exceptions: When eating When participating in activities such as speech therapy, playing a wind instrument, or during other special scenarios that require the removal of a mask When only one person is in a room Masks are not required: Outside of a building On a school bus At after school events such as sports Other temporary strategies to be implemented include: Suspend the use of non-essential classroom volunteers and visitors Restrict visitors during the day to the main office area Increase efforts to provide distance between desks and between students in classrooms Expand eating area options at schools and allow students to eat in classrooms, outside, or in other locations besides the cafeteria when conditions allow Limit staff release for professional development when a substitute is required Ensure sanitizer is available in all classrooms and work spaces Our goal is to implement a few strategies that are intended to help us slow the possible spread of illness in our schools. We need to maintain healthy staff and student numbers so that we can continue to offer effective in-person learning to students every day. Although some of the strategies may be inconvenient for a while, our hope is that they will help us to return to more normal school conditions as quickly as possible. The success of these measures will require some give and take, and it will take all of us working together for the benefit of everyone. We all play on the same team, and we are all WOLVERINES. Times are challenging, and I appreciate the efforts and sacrifices of everyone in our community. We have all been inconvenienced and challenged. I appreciate the efforts of our parents and families, as well as the difficult work of our elected officials and our Board of Trustees who are trying to do what is right for the Weiser School District. As Kevin Richert stated in a recent article in Idaho Ed News, “Trustees are not the enemy. COVID-19 is the enemy.” Please keep that in mind as we continue to tackle the challenges of this school year. Thank you for your trust and support. Wade Wilson, Superintendent September 8, 2021 Dear Parents, Guardians, and Patrons, Park School will be back in session for students beginning Thursday, September 9th. Thank you for your understanding, and sorry for any inconveniences that the sudden two-day closure may have caused. Respectfully, Wade Wilson, Superintendent Monday, September 6, 2021 Dear Parents and Patrons, Park School is expected to have several staff out of the building over the next few days. Additionally, there is a shortage of substitute teachers currently available in the Weiser School District. Due to these difficult conditions, Park School will be closed to students on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 7th and 8th. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. All other schools in the Weiser School District will remain in session and open to students at this time. We hope this closure will be limited to just the days that are indicated and we do not anticipate that it will have an impact on any other schools in the District. You may receive a message from your child’s teacher, and they may provide some optional work for your child to do on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, homework will not be required on those two days. We apologize in advance for these circumstances, as well as for any inconveniences the Park School closure may cause for you or for your child. It is our goal to keep all of our schools open for in-person learning all year. Please look for additional information to follow on Tuesday or Wednesday. If you have any questions, please contact Park School at 208-414-2861, or the Weiser School District Office at 208-414-0616. Notification of WSD Staff Member's Passing 7/30/29 Dear Patrons, On July 30, 2021, the Board of Trustees approved a return to school plan for the 2021-22 school year for the Weiser School District. The WSD COVID-19 Response Plan 2021-22 can be accessed using the button below. If you have questions, please contact your child's school or the Weiser School District office during regular working hours. Respectfully, Wade Wilson, Superintendent Approved WSD COVID-19 Response Plan 2021-22 SPANISH - WSD COVID-19 Response Plan 2021-22 Safe Return and Continuity of Services Checklist Opening Letter to Patrons All schools are closed for the month of July every YEAR. Plan ahead if you have any questions. School Insurance Information Dear Patrons, The Board of Trustees for the Weiser School District is seeking stakeholder input into the development of a District reopening plan for the 2021-22 school year. An initial draft copy of this year's District plan, dated 7/21/21 and titled WSD COVID-19 Response Plan 2021-22, can be accessed using the button to the right. Trustees will consider stakeholder feedback and approve a District Plan in the coming days. Stakeholder feedback may be provided by completing a google survey (found to the right or by using the url shorturl.at/beqB8), or submitted in writing to the Board of Trustees (delivered to the Weiser School District Office located at 925 Pioneer Road.) Feedback on the initial draft must be submitted by 5 pm on Wednesday, July 28th. District News Update for May 5-5-21 WSD Update 4-29-21 Draft - WSD COVID-19 Response Plan 2021-22 Stakeholder Feedback Survey March District News update Download File Notice emailed to parents 1/29/21 Dear Parents and Guardians, (Queridos padres y guardianes,) Over the course of the next few weeks you will have the opportunity to make comments and provide some valuable feedback on at least three upcoming surveys. 1) Today I am including a link to a short parent survey that requests input on your child's school experience so far this year as well as your thoughts on school programming. The survey won't take long to complete. Your responses will remain anonymous, but the results will be shared with our administrative team and the Board of Trustees. Please complete the survey by the end of the day on Wednesday, February 3rd. (If you have more than one child in school, you only need to complete one survey.) 2) As part of Idaho's federal accountability system, you will be asked to participate in a spring survey that will be used as part of your child's school and our district Report Card. The "Engagement" survey will be distributed through e-Prove, and the window for completing the survey is February 15 - March 31. School staff and students will be administered a similar survey. 3) Finally, each year we give parents the opportunity to provide written feedback on the performance of their child's teacher(s). Typically that occurs at the end of the first quarter. This year parents will have the chance to provide that feedback during spring parent-teacher conferences. Here is the link to the first survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6IPdvfZFFmUszCZTh6VxshiLA0uP84FmNjLgHMNjxaZSg-Q/viewform A paper copy of this survey may be obtained at the district office located at 925 Pioneer Road. Respectfully, Wade Wilson, Superintendent En el transcurso de las próximas semanas, tendrá la oportunidad de hacer comentarios y proporcionar comentarios valiosos sobre tres próximas encuestas. 1) Hoy incluyo un enlace a una breve encuesta para padres que solicita comentarios sobre la experiencia escolar de su hijo/a en lo que va de año, así como sus opiniones sobre la programación escolar. La encuesta no tardará en completarse. Sus respuestas permanecerán anónimas, pero los resultados se compartirán con nuestro equipo administrativo y la Junta Directiva. Complete la encuesta antes del final del día del miércoles 3 de febrero. 2) Como parte del sistema federal de rendición de cuentas de Idaho, se le pedirá que participe en una encuesta de primavera que se utilizará como parte de la escuela de su hijo/a y del boletín de calificaciones del distrito. La encuesta de "Participación" se distribuirá a través de e-Prove, y el período para completar la encuesta es del 15 de febrero al 31 de marzo. Se administrará una encuesta similar al personal de la escuela y a los estudiantes. 3) Finalmente, cada año les damos a los padres la oportunidad de proporcionar comentarios por escrito sobre el desempeño de los maestros de sus hijos. Por lo general, eso ocurre al final del primer trimestre. Este año, los padres tendrán la oportunidad de brindar sus comentarios durante las conferencias de padres y maestros de primavera. Aquí está el enlace a la primera encuesta: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6IPdvfZFFmUszCZTh6VxshiLA0uP84FmNjLgHMNjxaZSg-Q/viewform Se puede obtener una copia impresa de esta encuesta en la oficina del distrito ubicada en 925 Pioneer Road. Respetuosamente, Wade Wilson, Superintendente Beginning Monday, February 1, 2021, the community distribution site for meals for children aged 1-18 will move from the west parking lot at Weiser Middle School to the kitchen at Weiser Middle School. Those picking up meals should follow the signs to the kitchen door and simply ring the bell anytime from 11 am to 11:30 am. This change only impacts access to the community serve meals, and there are no changes to any other meal sites. Please see the link to the announcement below. Updated Food Services Notice Spanish January 22, 2021 As allowed in the State Board of Education and Governor Little's latest Winter Sports Order on Gatherings and Spectators, the Weiser School District is updating Winter Sports Plans to allow for the maximum number of spectators allowed at events under the Order. Please see the updated WHS Winter Sports Plan and SBOE Revised Winter Sports Order, below. Highlights include: 1) A maximum of 620 spectators will be allowed to attend home games held in Tom Falash Gymnasium, depending on the event. 2) Masks will be REQUIRED of ALL non-participating athletes at all times within the facility. 3) Participants will be allowed to invite guests to attend games. 4) General admission entrance will be allowed on a first-come, first-serve basis until gym capacity is attained. We are thrilled to offer this new opportunity to Wolverine fans and respectfully ask for your full understanding and cooperation with activity requirements. Go Wolverines!!! Updated WSD Winter Sports Plan SBOE Revised Winter Sports Order - Revised 1-25-21 Facts about the COVID Vaccine from SWDH Mrs. Tori Thomas, Pioneer Primary School Music Teacher KTVB Innovative Educator Congratulations Mrs. Thomas for being recognized by KTVB as their Innovative Educator on January 7, 2021. "Tori was nominated through a grassroots effort by members of our community the day that the Pioneer School Christmas Program was released in December. If you don’t know, when the pandemic hit last March, Mrs. Thomas started making classroom videos and posting them to YouTube. In the last 9 months her videos have amassed over 38,000 combined views and are still going strong! She's had music educators from across the country contact her to thank her and seek her advice on how to help their own music classrooms. In addition, Tori teaches group and private voice, music, and acting lessons, runs a community closet providing low cost or free formal rentals for school dances, and so much more. She has been the private voice teacher for nearly all of our competitive high school vocalists, including an Idaho vocal solo state champion and multiple top 5 and top 10 placers. Tori truly cares about our students and we are so very fortunate to have her in the Weiser School District!" Mike Turner, WSD Choir Teacher and District Music Coordinator KTVB feature: https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/education/innovative-educators/tori-thomas-innovative-educator-weiser-music/277-d610269a-35ce-49d1-9b74-14a2bd7c5ef3 Pioneer Virtual Christmas Program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThDWOShMWfU&t Mrs. Thomas' YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMyQxcZMETbu3yVnGQA7AsA/videos HS Sports update 1-5-21 Spectator Protocols for Sports Governor's Winter Sports Order 12-30-20 Quarantine Policy - updated 12/21/20 Updated Operations Plan 12-15-20 Trustee Marg Chipman (image to the right) Board of Trustee and Vice-Chairperson Marg Chipman was just named the recipient of the the first Annual Jess Harrison "Bulldog Spirit" Award by the Idaho School Boards Association at their annual fall convention held the week of November 9-12. "This award recognizes an individual who best embodies the "bulldog spirit" of Jessica Harrison, through their tenacious efforts to support and provide leadership through legislative advocacy on behalf of Idaho's public schools with unrelenting courage." Marg is active with the ISBA, served as the President of the ISBA during the 2016-17 school year, and has served on the Board of Trustees for the Weiser School District for 30 years. Congratulations Trustee Chipman! Pioneer Temporary Closure Notice COVID Q and A from SWDH Pioneer Closure - Spanish COVID Decision Tree from SWDH Strong Families, Strong Students Program WSD - PT Conference Info and Update Gov. Little Return to Stage 3 Order WSD News - 9-28-20 Return to Summer Food Program Spanish - Return to Summer Food Program WSD Pandemic Operations Plan Updated 9/15/20 Move to Level 1 Delivery 9/28/20 Spanish Letter - Level 1 Delivery September 2, 2020 Dear Parents and Guardians, School is back in session and we continue to emphasize the use of strategies at each of our schools that are intended to help reduce the possibility of the spread of COVID-19 among our school populations. We ask everyone to be considerate and stay home if they show any signs of illness, practice excellent hygiene, maintain physical distance from others to the extent possible, and to wear a face covering when not able to maintain a 6 foot separation from others. It is important that we continue to remain diligent in our efforts to keep our community as healthy as possible. Despite our efforts, we realize that we will likely continue to see cases of COVID-19 appear within our population. Since school began on August 20th we have had a number of students and staff members spend time in quarantine for a variety of reasons. Some have shown symptoms associated with coronavirus while others have had close contact with someone who either tested positive, was being tested, or who was showing symptoms associated with the virus. Although we began the year knowing we had people in quarantine, last week we experienced our first confirmed case of COVID-19 by a staff member since school started on August 20th. Yesterday we received notification of the first confirmed positive case for a Weiser School District student since school began. Currently, the Reopening Plan for the Weiser School District states that any student or staff who is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, or who has been in close contact or who lives with someone who has or is being tested for COVID-19, must not attend school. Here is what you can expect when a positive case of COVID-19 is confirmed among students or staff in one of our schools: The district will seek guidance from SWDH. The school will post a message on their website or produce some other type of public announcement. An email announcement may be sent to those who shared a class or activity with the infected person. Those known to have had close contact with the person, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Southwest District Health Department, will be notified. Areas where the infected person spent time will be cleaned and sanitized. Every effort will be made to maintain the privacy of the individual(s). Schools will not automatically be closed due to the identification of a case or cases of COVID-19. However, those identified as having close contact with the infected person will be required to follow the guidelines provided by the CDC and SWDH and quarantine (remain out of school) for the period of time outlined by SWDH. Students who are out of school due to quarantine will still be able to participate in school and complete their coursework online. Yesterday we announced our first confirmed positive cases of COVID among students in two of our schools. Because we are using Level 2 Delivery of Services (A/B Schedule), students are currently able to meet physical distancing guidelines in our classrooms as outlined by the CDC and SWDH, and we are unaware of any close contacts the identified students and staff members may have had with others in their schools. It is import to note that we are not aware of any transmission of COVID-19 between students or staff during school hours. Please continue to stay diligent and continue to do your part to help our community and our school control the spread of the virus. We recognize and appreciate the cooperation students have shown while at school, and patrons have shown at school events to maintain distance and wear a mask when necessary. It remains our desire to continue to offer in-person learning and school related extra-curricular activities to our students, to the extent that it is reasonable, safe, and as long as we have the staff available to carry out their required duties. Thank you for all of your efforts. Respectfully, Wade Wilson, Superintendent August 11, 2020 Dear Parents and Guardians, Last night the Board of Trustees for the Weiser School District made some very difficult decisions as to how schools will open this fall. Trustees accepted and considered input gathered through surveys that were distributed to parents and staff, considered community and administrator input, and evaluated information from the Southwest District Health Department and other sources. The reopening plan for the district may be found on our website at www.weiserschools.org. Additionally, each building will post their unique reopening plan on the district’s website on Wednesday, August 12th. Important details of the fall reopening include: The first day of school will be Thursday, August 20th. The district will start the school year using Level 2 Delivery of Services as outlined in the district’s reopening plan. Students will participate in learning activities 5 days a week. Students will attend school using the outlined A/B Schedule. Students assigned to the A Schedule will typically attend school in-person on Mondays and Tuesdays, and will participate in at-home learning on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Students assigned to the B Schedule will typically participate in at-home learning on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and will attend school in-person on Thursdays and Fridays. Students whose last name begins with a letter A – K will be assigned an A Schedule. Students whose last name begins with a letter L – Z will be assigned a B Schedule. (School administrators will consider schedule change requests made by parents when necessary.) Schools will have measures established that will promote physical distancing whenever feasible for students and staff. Students and staff will be required to wear face coverings (masks) when physical distancing cannot be maintained, which may include, but is not limited to: riding on a bus, changing classes, waiting in a line, etc. We are promoting reduced ridership on buses whenever possible. We highly recommend that parents consider transporting their children to and from school, or encouraging them to walk whenever possible. Many students who live in town have been allowed to ride buses in the past, even when they live close to school. In order to decrease close and sustained contact between students on buses, students are encouraged to walk or ride with a sibling or parent to and from school whenever possible. Extra-curricular activities will continue as long as the Weiser School District is NOT forced to move to Level 3 Delivery of Services. School nutrition services WILL continue to be provided regardless of the Level of Delivery of Services that the district is using at any given time. As per Federal requirements, WSD students who are scheduled for at-home learning will need to obtain their meals at the school in which they are enrolled and during the posted times. Please note, in order to provide all students the opportunity to attend school during the opening week, the following adjustment has been made to the A/B Schedule: Thursday, August 20th – A Schedule Day – August 20th will be the first day of school for students assigned to the A Schedule and those students will attend school in person. Friday, August 21st – B Schedule Day – August 21st will be the first day of school for students assigned to the B Schedule and those students will attend school in person. In an effort to alleviate concerns and meet the needs of families we are working to offer a fully online school option to students this year, while COVID-19 is prevalent. The program offered at each school will vary and the details will be made available to students by the school in which the student is enrolled. Each school will reach out to those who have registered for their online school in the coming days. Please understand that school will start slowly for students during the first few days as teachers work to front load the essential information that students and families need in order to access information and successfully navigate through the established A/B schedule. Things will be different for now, and we ask that you exercise patience and understanding as we begin this year in a manner that is vastly different than any school opening in our history. We know there will be obstacles, but we also know that by working together we can take on anything. In an effort to ensure that students have access to curriculum all year, the district is purchasing additional technology and will have the ability to provide every student in need a device to use for the year. We are also looking at ways to assist students who have less than adequate or no current internet access from home – all in an effort to insure students have access to their curriculum regardless of their learning environment. The decision to begin school this year using Level 2 Delivery was not taken lightly and not without controversy. We fully understand the impact such a decision will have for many families in our community. We also understand the varying positions people have based on their individual views and circumstances. Although we know that it is impossible to bring these positions together, we remain committed to objectively considering all information that is at our disposal, knowing that our decisions will impact our students, staff, and community. Each of our schools will implement precautions during the day that are intended to help mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 within the school community. Our goal is to maintain control of opportunities for transmission in an effort to keep our schools open to students and staff. Keeping our schools open to students will take a community effort. We ask that everyone do their part to help reduce the possible spread of COVID-19. Perhaps our greatest responsibility is to commit to staying home, or keeping kids home, whenever we are ill or show any symptoms of coronavirus. We hope to provide every student and staff member with a mask that they can use whenever necessary while they are at school. I want to offer my thanks to those in Weiser who pitched in by donating time and materials. We are still a few hundred short, but we are getting there. We are looking for some help in our schools. We are looking to hire a few people (students, parents, or community members) to help clean desks and frequently touched surfaces each day in our schools. Applications may be picked up at the Weiser School District Office. Additionally, we are looking for a few volunteers who may be willing to serve on a district “Hot Shot” team that would be deployed in response to any COVID-19 conditions that appear in our schools. Our goal is to have a team that will be ready to jump in and clean and sanitize classrooms or other areas following a positive case of COVID-19 in a school. The team would help us get rooms back in use as quickly as possible. If interested, please call the Weiser School District Office at 208-414-0616. Although we are beginning the 2020-21 school year using Level 2 Delivery, the Board of Trustees will continue to monitor local conditions and is committed to re-evaluating the situation early in the month of September. Respectfully, Wade Wilson, Superintendent August 11, 2020 Queridos Padres y Guardianes, Anoche, la Junta de Síndicos del Distrito Escolar de Weiser tomó algunas decisiones muy difíciles sobre cómo abrirán las escuelas este otoño. Los fideicomisarios aceptaron y consideraron los comentarios recopilados a través de encuestas que se distribuyeron a los padres y el personal, consideraron los comentarios de la comunidad y los administradores, y evaluaron la información del Departamento de Salud del Distrito Suroeste y otras fuentes. El plan de reapertura del distrito se puede encontrar en nuestro sitio web en www.weiserschools.org. Además, cada edificio publicará su plan de reapertura único en el sitio web del distrito el miércoles 12 de agosto. Los detalles importantes de la reapertura de otoño incluyen: El primer día de clases será el jueves 20 de agosto. El distrito comenzará el año escolar utilizando la prestación de servicios de nivel 2 como se describe en el plan de reapertura del distrito. Los estudiantes participarán en actividades de aprendizaje 5 días a la semana. Los estudiantes asistirán a la escuela usando el horario A / B descrito. Los estudiantes asignados al horario A generalmente asistirán a la escuela en persona los lunes y martes, y participarán en el aprendizaje en casa los miércoles, jueves y viernes. Los estudiantes asignados al horario B generalmente participarán en el aprendizaje en el hogar los lunes, martes y miércoles, y asistirán a la escuela en persona los jueves y viernes. A los estudiantes cuyo apellido comience con una letra A - K se les asignará un horario A. A los estudiantes cuyo apellido comience con una letra L - Z se les asignará un horario B. (Los administradores escolares considerarán las solicitudes de cambio de horario hechas por los padres cuando sea necesario). Las escuelas tendrán medidas establecidas que promoverán el distanciamiento físico cuando sea posible para los estudiantes y el personal. Se requerirá que los estudiantes y el personal usen cubiertas para la cara (máscaras) cuando no se pueda mantener la distancia física, que puede incluir, pero no se limita a: viajar en un autobús, cambiar de clase, esperar en una fila, etc. Estamos promoviendo un número reducido de pasajeros en los autobuses cuando sea posible. Recomendamos encarecidamente que los padres consideren transportar a sus hijos hacia y desde la escuela, o animarlos a caminar cuando sea posible. A muchos estudiantes que viven en la ciudad se les permitió viajar en autobús en el pasado, incluso cuando vivían cerca de la escuela. Para disminuir el contacto cercano y sostenido entre los estudiantes en los autobuses, se anima a los estudiantes a caminar o viajar con un hermano o padre hacia y desde la escuela cuando sea posible. Las actividades extracurriculares continuarán mientras que el Distrito Escolar de Weiser NO esté obligado a pasar al Nivel 3 de Entrega de Servicios. Los servicios de nutrición escolar continuarán brindándose independientemente del nivel de prestación de servicios que el distrito esté utilizando en un momento dado. Según los requisitos federales, los estudiantes de WSD que están programados para el aprendizaje en el hogar deberán obtener sus comidas en la escuela en la que están inscritos y durante los horarios establecidos. Tenga en cuenta que para brindar a todos los estudiantes la oportunidad de asistir a la escuela durante la semana de apertura, se ha realizado el siguiente ajuste en el horario A / B: Jueves, 20 de agosto - día Grupo A horario - El 20 de agosto será el primer día de clases para los estudiantes asignados al horario A y esos estudiantes asistirán a la escuela en persona. Viernes, 21 de agosto – día Grupo B horario- El 21 de agosto será el primer día de clases para los estudiantes asignados al horario B y esos estudiantes asistirán a la escuela en persona. En un esfuerzo por aliviar las preocupaciones y satisfacer las necesidades de las familias, estamos trabajando para ofrecer una opción escolar completamente en línea a los estudiantes este año, mientras que COVID-19 prevalece. El programa ofrecido en cada escuela variará y los detalles estarán disponibles para los estudiantes por la escuela en la que el estudiante está inscrito. Cada escuela se comunicará con aquellos que se hayan registrado en su escuela en línea en los próximos días. Por favor, comprenda que la escuela comenzará lentamente para los estudiantes durante los primeros días mientras los maestros trabajan para anticipar la información esencial que los estudiantes y las familias necesitan para acceder a la información y navegar con éxito a través del horario A / B establecido. Las cosas serán diferentes por ahora, y les pedimos que tengan paciencia y comprensión al comenzar este año de una manera muy diferente que hemos tenido en nuestra historia de apertura.Sabemos que habrá obstáculos, pero también sabemos que trabajando juntos podemos afrontar cualquier cosa. En un esfuerzo por garantizar que los estudiantes tengan acceso al plan de estudios durante todo el año, el distrito está comprando tecnología adicional y tendrá la capacidad de proporcionar a cada estudiante que lo necesite un dispositivo para usar durante el año. También estamos buscando formas de ayudar a los estudiantes que no tienen acceso a Internet desde el hogar o no tienen acceso actual a Internet, todo en un esfuerzo por asegurar que los estudiantes tengan acceso a su plan de estudios, independientemente de su entorno de aprendizaje. La decisión de comenzar la escuela este año utilizando el Nivel 2 de Entrega no se tomó a la ligera y no estuvo libre de controversias. Entendemos completamente el impacto que tendrá tal decisión para muchas familias en nuestra comunidad. También entendemos las distintas posiciones que tienen las personas en función de sus opiniones y circunstancias individuales. Aunque sabemos que es imposible unir estas posiciones, seguimos comprometidos a considerar objetivamente toda la información que está a nuestra disposición, sabiendo que nuestras decisiones afectarán a nuestros estudiantes, personal y comunidad. Cada una de nuestras escuelas implementará precauciones durante el día que están destinadas a ayudar a mitigar la transmisión de COVID-19 dentro de la comunidad escolar. Nuestro objetivo es mantener el control de las oportunidades de transmisión en un esfuerzo por mantener nuestras escuelas abiertas a los estudiantes y al personal. Mantener nuestras escuelas abiertas a los estudiantes requerirá un esfuerzo comunitario. Pedimos que todos hagan su parte para ayudar a reducir la posible propagación del COVID-19. Quizás nuestra mayor responsabilidad es comprometernos a quedarnos en casa, o mantener a los niños en casa, siempre que estemos enfermos o mostramos algún síntoma de coronavirus. Esperamos proporcionar a cada estudiante y miembro del personal una máscara que puedan usar cuando sea necesario mientras están en la escuela. Quiero ofrecer mi agradecimiento a aquellos en Weiser que colaboraron donando tiempo y materiales. Todavía nos faltan algunos cientos, pero estamos llegando. Buscamos ayuda en nuestras escuelas. Buscamos contratar a algunas personas (estudiantes, padres o miembros de la comunidad) para ayudar a limpiar los escritorios y las superficies que se tocan con frecuencia todos los días en nuestras escuelas. Las solicitudes se pueden recoger en la oficina del distrito escolar de Weiser. Además, estamos buscando algunos voluntarios que puedan estar dispuestos a servir en un equipo "Hot Shot" del distrito que se mandaría en respuesta a cualquier condición de COVID-19 que aparezca en nuestras escuelas. Nuestro objetivo es tener un equipo que esté listo para intervenir y limpiar y desinfectar las aulas u otras áreas después de un caso positivo de COVID-19 en una escuela. El equipo nos ayudaría a volver a utilizar las habitaciones lo antes posible. Si está interesado, llame a la oficina del distrito escolar de Weiser al 208-414-0616. Aunque estamos comenzando el año escolar 2020-21 usando el Nivel 2 de Entrega, la Junta de Síndicos del Distrito Escolar de Weiser continuará monitoreando las condiciones locales y se compromete a reevaluar la situación a principios del mes de septiembre. Respetuosamente, Wade Wilson, superintendente July 28, 2020 Dear WSD Parent or Guardian, A couple of weeks ago we made available to staff and parents in the Weiser School District a survey intended to gather input that we used to help with the development of a plan for our district’s reopening this fall. We received 107 responses from staff and 640 responses from parents. We used the information to help guide the development of a draft proposal for our reopening in August. We presented a first draft of the plan to a small group of teachers and parents last Thursday, and used the feedback that we received and made adjustments accordingly. I have included in this mailing a copy of the updated reopening proposal dated 7-28-20 for your review. The draft is also available for review on our district website. You will notice that the draft proposal includes two educational options for students: a “traditional” in-school model as well as a fully online model. Although the details have not yet been fully flushed out, we believe that we have enough staff willing to make both models available to students this year. More information, including a link to a registration form for those who choose to register for the fully online model, will be made available in the coming days. You should note that not all Weiser School District course offerings will be available to students using the online format. Our hope is to begin the school year on August 20th providing Level 1 Delivery (with the identified safety precautions in place) to those who elect to take advantage of the “traditional” option. However, we cannot predict the impact COVID-19 will have on our community at that time. Or, we could be forced to move to Level 2 or Level 3 Delivery at any time. Students and families will always need to be prepared to move to a different Level of Delivery on short notice. Please review the plan and provide your feedback using the following link by Saturday, August 1st, at midnight. Your feedback is valuable and the survey results are essential as we plan for the start of the new school year. https://bit.ly/3jNDCbh Our Board of Trustees will consider any feedback received and approve a plan for reopening at a Special Board Meeting scheduled for Monday, August 3rd at 6:30 pm. We hope to announce the Level of Delivery that we will begin the year using following their August 10th regularly scheduled meeting. Thank you in advance for your feedback on the reopening proposal. Respectfully, Wade W Wilson Wade Wilson, Superintendent Download a copy of the WSD Fall Reopening Draft Proposal below. weiser_school_district_2020_fall_reopening_plan_-_approved_8-10-20.docx Download File July 17, 2020 Weiser School District News The first day of school for students in the Weiser School District is scheduled for August 20th, and the District is currently working on a plan for the reopening. Weiser students have been out of school since March 18th, and it is our hope to be able to offer in-school services on schedule. We realize that our students, parents, and staff are all over the board as it relates to their feelings and concerns about COVID-19. Some demonstrate little to no concerns, while others have totally altered their lives in an effort to avoid any chance of exposure. Many others fall somewhere in-between. There exists an element of risk of exposure to COVID-19 for anyone who appears in public. Our school buildings and school activities will not be exempt. That said, our hope is to put in place measures that will help reduce the risks of exposure. But we know that they won’t eliminate it. And though some of the measures will seem like an inconvenience, we will need everyone’s help and cooperation, out of consideration for others, in order to create conditions that allow for some sense of normalcy in our schools as we incorporate new practices, procedures, and routines. Our intent is to create the safest conditions possible for everyone who participates in our school community. In alignment with the expectations outlined in the State Board of Education’s Idaho Back To School Framework 2020 document that was released last week, the Weiser School Reopening Plan will outline three Levels of Educational Services Delivery. The type of delivery used will be determined by the severity of COVID spread in our community at any given time. Those Levels will include a Traditional Model (in-school), a Blended Model (combination of in-school and at-home learning that reduces the number of people at school on a daily basis), and a Remote Model (students receive work that they complete at home). Local conditions will determine the Level of Delivery administered by the district, which will be subject to change as conditions change. Additionally, we hope to make available to students a fully On-line or Distance Program that will allow students to receive and complete 100% of their coursework at home for those families who are not comfortable sending their children to school. We are currently working on the details associated with each level of delivery, and on Thursday we launched a Parent Survey in an effort to obtain parent feedback. The survey was emailed to parent addresses that we have on file, but it can also be accessed at: Survey in English: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-ieSPsL4Qqjof0R8JkrhLOz1bkRIvImAWBKzria0DnnjrAA/viewform Spanish: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVW142KPhnWz4A2xMDwyyrHgTItMbzJB1FwBV5Lrsb2G0IHw/viewform A hard copy of the survey may be downloaded from the district website or picked up at the School District Office. A Spanish survey will be posted as soon as it becomes available. We ask that surveys be completed by the end of the day on Monday, July 20th. Once the initial draft of the District Plan is complete, the plan will be rolled out to a larger group for consideration and then posted for community review and feedback before being finalized. We hope to have the entire process completed by the end of July. In other district news, longtime Trustee Kerry Nyce has elected to retire from service on our Board effective July 31st. Trustee Nyce began his 23rd year serving on the Board this month, and has been an incredible supporter of schools and an advocate for children, parents, and teachers. We will miss him. The Board will seek to replace Trustee Nyce with a registered voter who resides in Zone 5. Interested parties should submit a letter of interest and a resume to the District Office by Wednesday, August 12th. Free sports physicals are scheduled for Monday, July 20th from 5:30 – 8:30 pm at Weiser High School, and the Summer Food Service Program will continue to operate at Weiser Middle School through Friday, July 31st. Congratulations to the Class of 2020 Video! 2020 Ceremony Pictures 2020 Pictures Page 2 2020 Pictures Page 3 NEW Meningococcal Requirements for Seniors of 2021 The 12th grade immunization requirement for meningococcal vaccine starts with the 2020-2021 school year, and each year thereafter. Students who received their first dose of meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine before the age of sixteen (16) must have two (2) doses of meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine. Students who received their first dose of meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine at sixteen (16) years of age and older, or those who have never received a dose, must have one (1) dose of meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine. Students will not be able to start school unless these requirements are met. EXEMPTIONS TO IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENT. When supporting documentation is in the possession of school authorities, at the time of admission and before attendance, a parent may be exempt for the following reasons: (1) Life or Health Endangering Circumstances. A signed statement of a licensed physician that the student’s life or health would be endangered if any or all of the required immunizations are administered. 02. Religious or Other Objections. A signed statement of the parent, custodian, or legal guardian that must be either: a. On a standard Department form or similar form provided by the school; or b. A signed statement that must include: i. The name of student, and the student’s date of birth; and ii. A statement indicating that the student is exempt and iii. The signature of the parent, custodian, or legal guardian. WSD Supplemental Levy Election March 10, 2020 On March 10, 2020 the Weiser School District is asking patrons to vote on a two year extension of the Supplemental Levy that was passed in March 2018. If passed, the Levy would generate $350,000 a year (for two years) that would be used by the WSD to help purchase curriculum, maintain staffing, provide for general maintenance, and help fund transportation costs for students who participate in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities that are not reimbursed by the state. For more information on how and where to vote, how the funds might be used, and the estimated impact to property owners, refer to the documents below or contact Superintendent Wade Wilson at 208-414-0616. supplemental_levy_brochure_-_2020.pdf Download File srv_tax_levies_19-20.xlsx Download File Each individual School has a school calendar posted on their website.Each individual School and their information is available above on the red line under "schools". GoogleCalendar Look for this symbol in the bottom right of each calendar. If you would Subscribe to to the Google Calendar, You can get immediate updates when changes are made. You will need to subscribe to each School Calendar if you need information on Pioneer, Park, Middle School and High School. Look for for the Google Calendar emblem at the bottom right of each calendar corner and follow the steps for each calendar that you add. Wade Wilson-Supertendent Weiser High School 690 West Indianhead Rd. Phone: (208) 414-2595 Fax: (208) 414-1795 Principal: Dave Davies Vice Principal: Drew Dickerson Athletic Director: Tyler Grant Weiser Middle School 320 E. Galloway Phone: (208) 414-2620 Fax: (208) 414-2094 Principal: Tim Erhard Vice Principal: Adolfo Cardenas Park Intermediate School 758 E. Park St. Phone: (208) 414-2861 Fax: (208) 414-0851 Principal: Angie Halvorson Pioneer Elementary School 624 Pioneer Rd. Phone: (208) 414-3131 Fax: (208) 414-3198 Principal: Susana Dickman WHS All State Choir Performance January 2020 Weiser School District Retirement Dinner, May 6, 2019 Pioneer 1st grade teacher Patty Hartnett, Weiser Middle School art teacher Wendy Martell, Weiser High School biology and anatomy teacher Megan Overgaard, Maintenance Supervisor John (Omar) Carnig, and Superintendent Wil Overgaard were the guests of honor at this year's banquet. Each honoree had someone speak on their behalf and highlight their careers. Weiser Board of Trustees Chairman Cary Gibbs gave each retiree a plaque and a gift from the board in appreciation for their many years of service. Also retiring but not attending the banquet were Deb Toennis (teacher, WMS), Dave Bell (teacher, WMS), Patty Dickinson (Transportation), Rhonda Forsdick (Food Service), and Soccoro Sanchez (Paraeducator). Board of Trustees Names Wade Wilson as the next Superintendent After interviewing Mr. Wilson on Tuesday, January 22nd, the board of trustees named Wade Wilson as the next superintendent to replace Wil Overgaard beginning July 1, 2019. Wade will be only the fifth superintendent for the district going back to 1951 when Lloyd Eason became superintendent. Mr. Eason (1951-1964) was followed by Tom Falash (1964 - 1992), Jim Reed (1992 - 2012) and Wil Overgaard (2012 - 2019). Wade has worked for the Weiser School District for 28 years. He began his career in Weiser as a WHS math teacher and coach. He became the Pioneer Elementary Principal in 2001 and assumed the duties as the district Academic Achievement Director in 2016). Wade earned his Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from the University of Idaho (1990), his Master's in Educational Leadership from Northwest Nazarene University (2000) and will complete his Education Specialist degree from Boise State University this spring (2019). The district is excited to have Wade assume the leadership role for the district and will now focus on finding his replacement at Pioneer Elementary. State Releases Graduation Rates for the Class of 2018; Weiser's reaches 88.5% The Idaho State Department of Education has released the cohort graduation rate for the Class of 2018. The "cohort" graduation rate is based on the percentage of students who enrolled as freshmen and who graduated in four years (or less). Students who drop out or who finish in five years are counted against the district's graduation rate. The overall state average topped 80% for the first time last year. Weiser's rate was 88.5%. Weiser School District Superintendent Overgaard Announces his Retirement Weiser School District Superintendent Wil Overgaard announced his upcoming retirement after twenty-five years in administration with the Weiser School District at Monday night’s board meeting. Overgaard, was hired as Superintendent, after the retirement of his predecessor, Jim Reed, in 2012. He has led the District for the past seven years and will end his term on June 30, 2019. Overgaard began his career in education at Borah High School in 1978 where he taught Social Studies until 1984. He then taught at Bishop Kelly High School from 1984-1987. He returned to Borah High School to teach until 1994 when he accepted the position as high school assistant principal in the Weiser School District. He has since served as high school principal, federal programs director and finally as superintendent. Overgaard thanked the Weiser Board of Trustees for their support and their dedication to the children of the district. He stated he is “proud to have had the opportunity to work with such a fine group of administrators, staff, and to live in a community that loves children and supports their schools.” Overgaard and his wife, Megan, a Weiser High School biology teacher, have four children, all WHS graduates, Elise (31), Mikel (30), wife Caroline, Willie (28), wife Jess, and Ana (27). They have one granddaughter, Adella Mae “Addie” Overgaard (Willie & Jess). The school district has an in-district candidate who will be interviewed for the position by the board of trustees at a special meeting held for that purpose. The trustees hope to have an announcement of Overgaard’s successor on or before February 1st. Weiser students and staff highlighted in IdahoEdNews series about the state's 60% Go-On (to college) goal IdahoEdNews is running a series of articles this week about the state's goal of having 60% of 25-34 year-olds in Idaho earn a college degree or certificate and the difficulty the state has had the past few years in moving the needle towards accomplishing that goal. Kevin Richert of IdahoEdNews and Michelle Edmonds of Channel 6 News spent some time this fall in Weiser interviewing students, parents, and school administrators about the Go-On goal and approaches used locally to help kids prepare and plan for their post high school graduation lives. Several of Kevin Richert's articles over the next few days will highlight some of these interviews. Those articles can be found at IdahoEdNews.org. Here is the link for Monday's article "Weiser students look at going on - and probably moving out": https://www.idahoednews.org/news/weiser-students-look-at-going-on-and-probably-moving-out/ Senior Emily Perez and Superintendent Overgaard have been invited and will be participating in a town-hall meeting next Tuesday, December 4th at Boise State University (Special Events Center) to discuss the topics covered in Kevin Richert's series. The town-hall meeting will be live streamed and can be viewed at WATCH Facebook LIVE@idahoednews. Combined District Plan for 2018-19 and the District Strategic Plan The Weiser Board of Trustees has approved two plans for the 2018-19 school year. The Combined District Plan 2018-19 is a plan required by the State Board of Education and combines the Continuous Improvement Plan, College and Career Advising and Mentoring Plan, and our Literacy Intervention Program Plan. You can review the Combined Plan on this website under the District Home Page tab. You'll notice that the plan describes the district's efforts to meet the challenges outlined by the Idaho Legislature and the State Board of Education and the metrics they selected to measure progress. The second document is the District Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan is also located under the District Home Page tab. The strategic plan was created in 2002 and states our district's vision to be "the highest achieving rural school district in Idaho". The strategic plan outlines how we have aligned our curriculum, instructional strategies, assessments, and professional development to promote student achievement in working towards our vision. It establishes goals, action steps, and targets that will help us move towards our vision. Additionally, the metrics used to measure our progress in achieving our vision are somewhat different than those used in the Combined District Plan. To measure our progress in being a high achieving rural school district we have chosen to measure our performance on statewide assessments against the state's performance as well as other school districts with similar demographics. We welcome your written comments to the contents of either and/or both plans. Your comments will be shared and reviewed by the Weiser Board of Trustees. 2017-18 Academic Achievement Comparative Data The results from last spring's statewide assessments can be reviewed on this website under the District Home Page (Click on Academic Achievement). The assessments included in this report include the Math and English Language Arts assessments that comprise the Idaho Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT). There is also a report for the state Science assessments in grades 5, 7, and the End of Course Biology Assessment for high school students. The K-3 Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI) and the grade 11 College Board SAT results are also included in the report. It is the goal of the district to score as well or better than the state averages on each of these assessments. We also want to score as well or better than other districts in the state that have similar demographic factors such as student enrollment, poverty, and ethnicity. The school districts included in this comparative data report are the other SRV schools (Payette, Fruitland, Parma, Homedale), but also includes other schools in the state (American Falls, Buhl, Gooding, Snake River, and Wendell). The names of these districts have been removed because we do not have their permission to post their data. If you take a few minutes and review the data and have questions, please contact the building principal for the grade level involved in the assessment that you are interested in. They will be happy to discuss and explain the data contained in the charts with you. Longtime Weiser Educator Terry Mooney is inducted into the IHSAA Hall of Fame Weiser High School graduate (1965) Terry Mooney came back to Weiser and spent his entire career as a teacher, coach, and athletic director for the Weiser School District. Terry was inducted into the Idaho High School Activities Association Hall of Fame at a banquet held August 1, 2018 at the Boise Center on the Grove. There were lots of friends, family, and people there who had worked with Terry to celebrate the occasion with him and his wife Lori. Terry was a well known and respected educator who was recognized for his exceptional coaching skills and lifelong dedication to the student-athletes in Weiser. He was named District Baseball Coach of the Year five times and in 1998 received the Idaho Coaches Association Distinguished Baseball Coach of the Year award. Terry was also recognized for his work as an athletic director, receiving the District Athletic Director of the Year twice and the Idaho Athletic Administrators Association 3A Athletic Director of the Year in 2009. Terry received the Charles Alvaro Award in 2006 and the District III Distinguished Service Award in 2010. Congratulations Terry on a well deserved award for your many years of service to the students, staff, and community of Weiser! The Great American Eclipse August 21, 2017 It came...we saw...it was AWESOME! Watch the end of totality from the grounds of Weiser High School Video is submitted without captioning subtitles. The video is a quick cut of total darkness of the Eclipse 2017