Dear W-G Parents, Staff and Students,
The Woodward-Granger CSD Board of Directors held their regular July board meeting last night. The agenda included several items related to our district’s response to the current health crisis, COVID-19. Our plan is to start school Monday, August 24th with students on-site in our attendance centers. As a follow-up to tonight’s meeting, I wanted to draw your attention to a few items on the agenda.
We had the Director of the Dallas County Health Department (DCHD), Suzanne Hegarty, in attendance to answer questions regarding current recommendations and guidance. In addition, she discussed the role of the DCPH in providing direction to local school districts when responding to COVID cases and its impact on our schools. We are looking forward to partnering with the DCHD as we prepare our schools to welcome students back this fall.
Additionally, we discussed the various mitigation strategies we are prepared to employ to ensure a safe, healthy environment for our staff and students as they return to the buildings on August 24. One of our mitigation strategies of high interest was masks. Following the recommendation of the DCHD and the American Academy of Pediatrics, we will require masks for all teachers and students grades K-12. Clearly, expecting a student to wear a mask for seven hours a day is not realistic. Principals and teachers will work to identify opportunities for breaks throughout the day. Plan on receiving communication from your child(ren)’s principal in the near future.
The board passed the first reading of Board Policy #501.9E1 Request for Remote Learning. We recognize that family dynamics, situations and needs are different so this policy will allow families the opportunity to access remote learning for the fall, if needed. Specific details on how to request access to remote learning will be shared in the next few weeks. Be prepared to reach out to your child(ren)’s principal to discuss if remote learning is the right option for your family.
We plan to have a special board meeting on Monday, August 3rd at 6:00 pm at the HS/MS Media Center. This health crisis remains dynamic and fluid which requires us to continually monitor its impact on our district. This special meeting will allow us the opportunity to respond to new guidance received from regulatory agencies or adjust if current conditions warrant a response or action from the district.
The W-G Board of Directors and school administration care deeply for our students and staff. These are certainly not easy decisions and I believe we have carefully weighed the benefit and harm of each decision to ensure we are striking a balance between an optimum learning environment and the safety and well-being of all involved. Thank you for your patience and grace during these unprecedented times.
Respectfully,
Matt Adams
