COVID-19 Family Update - March 28, 2020
Dear Big Walnut Families,
I hope you are having a great-- albeit unconventional-- spring break. I have lots of news today, including how House Bill 197, which was just signed into law yesterday afternoon by Governor DeWine, will impact our students. I also have information about our remote learning, which starts Monday, March 30, and our next food distribution, which will also occur on Monday.
First, let me share some of the key points from HB 197:
All K-12 standardized testing and state report card requirements are waived for this school year.
Our local schools were granted the authority to graduate any student who is on track to graduate. This permits schools to grant a diploma to any student that the school district has determined is on track to graduate. We will continue to communicate with our senior students and their parents. Please reach out to your student’s guidance counselor with any questions about whether your student is currently on track to graduate. We do not yet know how this will affect students in grades 9-11 who could not receive graduation points from end-of-course exams. Stay tuned. We will update you as we learn more.
Local districts were also authorized to determine if a student meets the Third Grade Reading Guarantee. The student’s teacher and principal are authorized to look at data and determine if a student is on-track to meet the requirements to be promoted to 4th grade reading.
All districts are permitted to continue providing students with meals. For students receiving free or reduced meal benefits, we will again be providing grab-and-go meals for breakfast and lunch for the week of March 30--April 3. In order to help us prepare enough meals, please contact Linda Klamfoth at 740.965.8958 or by email at [email protected]. Meal pickup will be Monday, March 30, at both Big Walnut High School and Hylen Souders Elementary from 4-6pm. If you are unable to pick up food at that time, please call Linda to make arrangements to get your meals. Also, if you do not typically qualify for free or reduced meals, but are experiencing financial hardship due to this pandemic and could use help with meals, please contact Linda as well. You can also reach out to Big Walnut Neighborhood Bridges by contacting District Nurse Megan Truax at [email protected].
Our local governments - including our school board - may now opt to hold remote/virtual meetings but the public must still have access. While we have the option, we may also meet in person. Regardless, we will notify the public as to how we will proceed.
Voting in the March 17, 2020 election was extended to April 28, 2020. Voting will be by mail for most residents, with in-person voting available only for those who are disabled or cannot receive mail. To obtain an absentee ballot application, you can visit the Delaware County Board of Election website at https://boardofelections.co.delaware.oh.us/ and print an application, or you can call them at 740.833.2080 and have one sent to you.
Again, remote learning begins this Monday. I want to continue to emphasize that we understand how much families have going on right now, and we want to be as flexible as possible. It is important that we continue learning in this format, not only to help students continue to grow, but also because the remote learning hours count toward our state requirement for the year. We have compiled all of the remote learning updates and resources we have shared into one place. Please visit our website at www.bwls.net and follow the Remote Learning 2020 links to find the most current, as well as archived, Guides to Remote Learning, Schoology help, and any remote learning updates already sent from Jen Young, Director of Academic Achievement.
I know times are extremely difficult right now. I am especially grateful to those of you in the healthcare field and those of you working in our grocery stores, restaurants, and other essential businesses, who will help us all get through to the other side of this. Please do not get stressed by remote learning on top of everything you are trying to do right now. Your child’s teacher should still be the biggest resource for your family as we all navigate this together. We have an awesome staff willing to help-- just reach out if you need assistance.
We will do our best to keep you informed and to work through any changes as they come our way. The most up-to-date information can always be found on our website at bwls.net. Click the link at the top of the page for all updates on the COVID-19 situation.
Have a great evening,
Angie Hamberg
Superintendent
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