Community Update - April 2021

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools

INSIDE: • COVID UPDATES & QUARANTINE INFO • STAFF VACCINATION CLINIC • PROM & GRADUATION INFO

April 2021

A Message From Your Superintendent This year has brought many challenges to our staff, students and families. On behalf of Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools, I would like to again express my sincere appreciation to you for the patience you have shown during this very challenging school year. We have navigated difficult times together and it is our students that benefit from that collaboration.

Next month, the class of 2020-2021 will celebrate their graduation and senior prom. We were pleased to learn that they will be able to celebrate as a class at the Captain’s Stadium. In addition, this year’s senior classes will also be able to host their senior proms during the month of May. During the summer months, we will have opportunities for all Willoughby-Eastlake students to engage in targeted learning programs to assist them with any learning gaps that have arisen due to COVID-19. I hope that if you desire, you will be able to take advantage of these opportunities.

Many of our parents have expressed an interest in a virtual school for their children for the 2021-2022 school year.

We are currently working through the criteria set by the Ohio Department of Education so that we can continue to provide this educational option. We will share any new developments with you as we work through the process.

Last month, all Willoughby-Eastlake employees had the

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opportunity to receive their second COVID-19 vaccine. We are very grateful to the Lake County General Health District for the assistance they gave to vaccinate any employee that desired this vaccine. Since the second vaccine clinic, we have had several cases of COVID in our schools and our classrooms. These vaccines have meant that the vaccinated teachers were not required to quarantine following an exposure to COVID-19 and there has been minimal disruption to the education of students.

As you enter the summer months with your family and friends, I would like to encourage you to be safe and stay well. Please remember to use proper safety protocols in order to maintain your well-being.

Our district continues to place students first, ensure quality instruction and maximize time on task. It is with this laser focus that we strive to Improve Student Achievement.

I hope that you enjoy the Community Update.

Steve Thompson Superintendent Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools (440) 975 - 3757

COVID COMMUNICATION REMINDERS As Covid-19 continues to regulate our days and decisions, the district would like to remind our families about the importance of reporting COVID-19 positive cases and quarantines in your family to the school district. In compliance to Governor DeWine’s order, every school district must post a COVID-19 dashboard in an effort to keep the community updated on the school COVID-19 numbers. Our district dashboard includes active, recovered and total COVID cases for students and staff in the W-E district.

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COVID Hotline - report a case, quarantine status or test result or call with questions: 440/283-4401

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Attendance Line - please remember to call your student’s school if they will be absent, if they have to quarantine, or if they need to go online for the day (middle school and high school only).

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District Dashboard - view COVID information and the district dashboard at www.weschools.org/covid19.aspx

QUARANTINE INFORMATION •

Extracurricular Activities (sports, band, art club, club teams, city rec teams, etc.) - Students are required to quarantine from any school or non-school extracurriculars if they are COVID-19 positive or have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive person.

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Email - please be sure to check email on a regular basis. The district sends out quarantine notifications via email which could affect your child’s attending school the next day.

Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update

STAYING SAFE & PROACTIVE  

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Check your child each morning for symptoms of COVID-19.

If they are showing symptoms, please report this to your school and keep them at home.

Call your healthcare provider to inform of symptoms and next steps.

If getting a COVID test, keep your child and any siblings home until results are received.

What If I Travel?

Are you planning to travel? If so, once you return, you will need to check the recommendations for quarantine. Currently, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has travel advisories posted on their website.  If a student or staff member has traveled to an area identified by the ODH as “high positivity” your children will need to quarantine for 10 days prior to returning to school per WilloughbyEastlake safety guidelines.  If you travel out of the country, your children will also need to quarantine for 10 days per Willoughby-Eastlake safety guidelines.

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Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update

COVID-19 RESOURCES All decisions regarding your children are being made with careful consideration to the recommendations of the Ohio Department of Education, the Lake County General Health District, the CDC, the Ohio Health Department and the State of Ohio. We are in constant communication with the Lake County Health Department regarding possible Covid cases and exposures in our schools and are following the most updated guidelines advised to us. The safety and wellbeing of the Willoughby-Eastlake community is at the forefront of all decisions.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BUILDINGS? Willoughby-Eastlake Preschool

Preschool students celebrate the creation of two pumpkins with their favorite character/ice cream flavor.

An outdoor field trip allowed preschool students to complete a volcanic eruption science experiment from the mound of snow.

School of Innovation

SOI Elementary students made Valentine’s for local senior assisted living centers.

SOI Middle School students dress up for Fun in February’s Sports Day. SOI students enjoy a virtual Valentine’s Day party.

Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BUILDINGS? Elementary Schools 2021 “Book Club”

Jefferson Elementary students receive their copies of “The Tale of Despereaux”.

Royalview Elementary staff performed a virtual skit introducing this year’s book club choice, “The Tale of Despereaux”.

Students at Edison Elementary celebrate Culture Day by dressing up.

Decorations at Grant Elementary celebrate this year’s book choice.

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Students at Longfellow Elementary work hard on learning about money.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BUILDINGS? MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Willoughby Middle School Warriors of the Week

Mrs. Ross’ class at Willowick Middle School

Willoughby Middle School celebrates Black History Month in February.

Students at Eastlake Middle art class work on creating texture on their animal eyes project.

improving their ELA skills.

NORTHERN CAREER INSTITUTE Students in the Auto Collision program at NCI were proud to help a local business, The Bicycle Hub, with its auto body needs. Students fixed the rust spots, completed minor body work, prepped and taped the bus before spraying the final paint job.

NCI Nursing students attend labs to practice for upcoming clinicals.

Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BUILDINGS? HIGH SCHOOLS

SPRING BREAK COMPETITION North High School’s Academic Decathlon team created a buzz at the state competition during spring break! The team netted 15 medals, including gold! Congratulations Coach Teresa Gray and team members, Patrick Chick, Isabella Kreeger, Matt Creshaw, Sarah Bryslan, Brooke Snyder, Hannah Wayts, Hannah Sabruno, Katrina Kovach, Justin Samsa, Tegan Rigby, Katelyn Case, Cassidy Vitello, and Makayla D'Ercole.

The team's strengths continue to be in writing, interview, and speech- all skills that will carry through to life after high school.

Students at North High work on the shopbot in the Fab Lab.

W-E STAFF RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINE SHOTS

On February 24 and March 17, staff from Willoughby-Eastlake schools joined other Western Lake County school districts to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. The clinic was held at South High School and serviced approximately 1200 employees who work in the education field. The Lake County General Health District coordinated the clinic and administered the shots.

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COVID GUIDELINE UPDATES Quarantine Guideline Changed to 10 Days In order to remain in alignment with the Ohio Department of Health and Lake County, the district has changed its quarantine period for COVID EXPOSED PEOPLE to 10 days. If a person is exposed to someone, the day after they are exposed is day #1. From there, count out ten days and on day #11 the person can return to school.

10-Day Quarantine Guidelines Mon

Last close contact with person who has COVID-19

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Last day of quarantine

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10 DAY QUARANTINE

I had close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

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Your last day of quarantine is 10 days from the date you had close contact.

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Date of last close contact with person who has COVID-19 + 10 days = end of quarantine.

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If you test negative for COVID19 or feel healthy, you should stay home (quarantine) since symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

SPRING SPORTS & EXTRACURRICULARS

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Spring sports and extracurricular activities are underway once again! Please follow proper protocol led by your coaches/teachers.

• Do not come to practice if feeling ill, have a fever, or are experiencing any COVID symptoms • Temperatures will be taken at each practice, game and or event.

• Masks are to be worn coming and leaving practice/ rehearsal/meeting, on sideline for sports.

Individuals should space out from others as allowed.

Follow spectator guidelines as communicated by your coach/leader.

If exposed to a COVID positive person, all persons will need to quarantine for 10 days from date of exposure. Notification to the district should be reported immediately.

CLUB/TRAVEL SPORTS TEAMS– 10 day quarantine also applies to any other sports or extracurricular activities done outside of school.

Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update

PROM & GRADUATION PROM 2021 Prom is BACK! As the district is advised by local, state and federal guidelines, parents, students and faculty are busy planning for this momentous and cherished event. Stay tuned for further announcements as both schools move forward with planning.

Details are as follows: Prom Location: La Malfa Party Center, Mentor Dates: April 30, 2021 at 6:30pm — South High School May 7, 2021 at 7pm— North High School Tickets: All seniors can purchase one ticket to prom. If the venue (and governmental regulations) allows for additional guests, those in attendance will be given and opportunity to purchase a ticket for a guest.

Guidelines • All mask and restaurant/banquet guidelines must be followed • Dancing is allowed but masks must be worn • Proms can be in school facility or banquet hall All plans are subject to change based on restrictions from the Lake County General Health District, the Ohio Department of Health, the Office of the Governor and the CDC.

GRADUATION TO BE HELD AT CAPTAINS STADIUM The Class of 2021 will be celebrating graduation as a group at the Captains Stadium in Eastlake. In accordance with the current mandates set by the State of Ohio, the graduates will be seated together on the field. Each student will be able to invite six guests. More information regarding tickets, guidelines, and inclement weather plans will be continually communicated through the Principals and District.

North High School Dates • May 26th, 2021 • May 27th, 2021 (rain date) South High School Dates • May 24th, 2021 • May 25th, 2021 (rain date)

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Important Info & Updates Questions? Feel free to email us anytime.

PR@weschools.org

Although Willoughby-Eastlake is planning to stay in school, at any time the governor can issue a stay at home order, resulting in school closing and all students returning to online classrooms.

2021-2022 SCHOOL CALENDAR The calendar for the 2021-2022 school year can be found on the W-E website by clicking on “Calendar” at the top of the website. You can also download the calendar by clicking HERE.

Events and resources available to Willoughby-Eastlake families will be updated on the district website, Facebook and distributed via email.

Please check back often.

Together, W-E will remain strong.

#WEStrong

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Teach - Learn - Grow Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools - 35353 Curtis Blvd. - Eastlake OH 44095