Wolverine Tracks - Spring 2021

WEST GEAUGA

LOCAL SCHOOLS E XC EL L ENC E THR O UGH TRADITION AND INNOVATI ON

WEST GEAUGA HIGH SCHOOL 13401 Chillicothe Road Chesterland, OH 44026 Principal: Jay Bishop jay.bishop@westg.org

Assistant Principal: Shawn Krippel shawn.krippel@westg.org Important Numbers: Attendance (440) 729-5951 Fax (440) 729-5959 Main Office (440) 729-5950

WEST GEAUGA MIDDLE SCHOOL 8611 Cedar Road Chesterland, OH 44026

Principal: Ron Dahlhofer ron.dahlhofer@westg.org

Attendance (440) 729-5906 Fax (440) 729-5909 Main Office (440) 729-5940

ROBERT C. LINDSEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 11844 Caves Road Chesterland, OH 44026 School Hours 8:40-3:20

Principal: Meagan Bellan meagan.bellan@westg.org

Attendance (440) 729-5981 Fax (440) 729-5989 Main Office (440) 729-5980

WESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 13738 Caves Road Novelty, OH 44072

Principal: Deborah Nanney deborah.nanney@westg.org Attendance (440) 729-5991 Fax (440) 729-5924 Main Office (440) 729-5990

Spring 2021

WOLVERINE TRACKS

2020: A YEAR TO REMEMBER School Restart Plan The West Geauga School District Administration met with members of the staff, community and the Geauga County Health Department in July and August 2020 to put together a comprehensive School Restart Plan.

These meetings were held virtually using Zoom. Director of Technology and Operations Sean Whelan facilitated the discussions, and the group built the restart plan from a Yoga at Lindsey Elementary School basic template to a comprehensive plan designed to keep the students and staff in the district safe.

Much emphasis was placed on cleaning protocols and procedures for distancing of students. Each building principal then expanded the plan to incorporate individual practices that addressed the needs of the buildings’ age and social dynamics. Prior to the start of school, the plans were shared with the parents and students. Frequently asked questions were also published on the district website to clarify the plans. This group’s hard work and diligence allowed for school to begin in August, offering an in-person and virtual model.

Two Instructional Models for 2020-2021 School Year This year, students and families chose one of two instructional models for each semester of the school year. Approximately 80% of the students returned to school for five days a week inperson instruction. The balance of the students opted for a virtual model in which instruction was delivered electronically through video conference software such as Zoom. Google Classroom has also augmented the learning process in both formats. Families were given the options during the pandemic, and the district is currently in the process of planning options for the fall.

Follow us Facebook: West Geauga Local Schools

Twitter @WestGSchools

WWW.WESTG.ORG

Superintendent’s Message One often hears the adjective “unprecedented” applied to the current pandemic. Certainly, the nation’s response to COVID-19 is unlike anything we have seen in our lifetime. For schools, the pandemic meant “social distancing”, face masks, enhanced cleaning protocols, and the offering of multiple learning models.

West Geauga has managed to navigate this new learning landscape more easily than many school districts due to the willingness of our staff and community to work together to provide the best educational opportunities that we can offer for our students. For approximately 80% of students, that meant attending school full-time five days a week starting September 8, 2020. For the balance, lessons were accessed at home via distance learning technology.

Dr. Rich Markwardt As we enter the “home stretch” of the 2020-2021 school year, I am grateful to the many who made this year as good as it could be. I appreciate the efforts of the West Geauga Board of Education, Geauga Public Health, the West Geauga staff members, our phenomenal students and their families, and the greater West Geauga community for the continuous support you have shown.

Thank you!

In-Person Instruction

Virtual Instruction Model

Our schools have offered in-person instruction five days a week for all students throughout the district for the 2020-2021 school year. Approximately 80% of our kindergarten through twelfth-grade students chose to be in classrooms this year. The district sent surveys to all students to determine the choice for individuals prior to the school year. Each student committed for each semester. This model has successfully allowed students to come to school and receive instruction directly from their teachers. As a safety precaution, the school year began with two weeks of online instruction, allowing students to begin in-person instruction on September 8, 2020. This procedure was also followed in the week after the Thanksgiving and Winter breaks.

This prevented anyone infected during the breaks from spreading the virus at school. The number of COVID-19 cases reported following the breaks decreased when students returned to school. The district will continue to offer this model throughout the pandemic.

PAGE 2 | SPRING 2021 WOLVERINE TRACKS

Approximately 20% of the West Geauga Local School District students chose a virtual instructional model experience. Students and families made commitments for each semester, having the option of returning to inperson instruction at the semester break. In the elementary schools, virtual classes are conducted using the Zoom platform. All students in each of these classes log in daily and can interact with their teacher and classmates. Class time is divided into direct instruction, work time, and breaks. Students have the opportunity to collaborate with one another during much of the work time. Some of the virtual classes at the middle and high school are conducted exclusively virtually, while others are blended with some students in-person and some online. The secondary schedule requires students to attend different classes based on individual needs. Students log out of one class and join the next, similar to how they would navigate their schedule during a typical school day. This model has allowed the instructional process to continue through the pandemic and has given a viable option for those students and families choosing not to attend inperson classes.

Follow us on Twitter @WestGSchools

Athletics in a Pandemic One of the enjoyable parts of school is the athletics program. During the pandemic, this has required much work on the part of our coaches, administrators, athletes, and parents. Athletic Director Ben Stehura met with coaches, training staff, and the Geauga County Health Department members to develop a “Safe Start Guide” for our athletic programs. The guide outlines protocols and procedures to allow our student-athletes to have a positive athletic experience. A tiered approach was used to phase our fall athletes into the season. This allowed for the guidelines for opening facilities and screening details to be conducted. Coaches and administrators worked collaboratively to monitor prescreening details and return to activity guidelines for those experiencing symptoms of the virus. District Trainer Sam Adkins has played a crucial role in the monitoring and enforcement of procedures to keep our kids safe. The winter seasons continued following a similar protocol. Our student-athletes have been able to participate in our extracurricular athletic programs to enhance their educational experience.

Cleaning Protocols and Social Distancing Having clean school buildings has always been a priority at West Geauga. This year, several additional procedures have been added to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for our students and staff. Staff and visitors must take their temperature and sign in each day. Students are responsible for taking temperatures prior to coming to school.

The district placed hand sanitation stations in each classroom and added them to areas of high traffic. Appropriate personal protective (PPE) equipment is worn by all those cleaning and maintaining the facilities. School custodial staff and maintenance staff regularly sanitize lockers, desks, doorknobs, and other high traffic areas using Clorox 360 machines. Seeing these employees walking through the hallway with these backpack machines has become the “new normal” look in our schools. Under the direction of Facilities Manager Mark Richardson, staff members vigilantly sanitize our facilities after each use and at regular intervals. Buses are also sanitized between each of the routes. The attention to detail and care in conducting the cleaning and sanitizing of our facilities has allowed our students to be in school and has also made our athletic seasons possible during this pandemic.

Like us on Facebook West Geauga Local Schools

WWW.WESTG.ORG |

PAGE 3

COVID-19 Vaccines for Staff Members West Geauga Local Schools is appreciative of the efforts of Geauga County Health Commissioner Tom Quade and members of his staff from Geauga Public Health for helping to conduct the COVID-19 vaccination clinics for West Geauga staff members. As of March 12, 2021, the second and final clinic was held at West Geauga Middle School. The West Geauga teachers, support staff, and administrators have been working in-person with students since summer 2020. The COVID-19 Dashboard, which is on the West Geauga district website, posts a daily tally of students and staff who are infected with the virus over the course of the school year.

We are grateful that our COVID-19 case numbers have been manageable and that we have been able to keep our schools open to in-person instruction when so many other school districts, particularly in neighboring counties, have been closed to on-site classes. Thanks to everyone who has gone the extra mile this year to keep our schools as safe as possible.

Middle School Teacher Ryan Nightingale Receiving the Second Dose of the Vaccine

ECRWSS Local Postal Patron Or Current Resident Administrative Offices 8615 Cedar Road Chesterland, OH 44026-3576 EXCE LL ENCE T HR OU GH T RAD ITION AND INNOVATI ON

LOCAL SCHOOLS

WEST GEAUGA

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 362 CLEVELAND, OH