COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Communications |
|
Sauk County to Hold FREE COVID-19 Testing
Sauk County Public Health will be conducting drive-through testing for the COVID-19 virus. This testing will take place this Thursday, June 4 from 12 – 7 pm at Reedsburg Area High School, 1100 S Albert Ave, Reedsburg.
In order to be tested, you must call the Sauk COVID hotline for an appointment at 608-355-3200. Please note that this test is not an antibody test and will not tell you if you have previously had COVID and now have recovered.
Vehicles with more than one person in them are welcome, but each person wanting to be tested must have registered ahead of time. This is a drive-thru test, so everyone must remain in their vehicle at all times. The test will take on average 5 minutes and consists of a nasal swab test. Once collected, the sample will be sent to a state-approved lab.
A reminder to continue using safe practices like washing your hands, staying home and social distancing. Please visit our website for further guidance: www.co.sauk.wi.us/publichealth/coronavirus
A Nixle message will be sent to those who are signed up as well. Please share this information with all that you see fit, as we would like to reach as many residents as we can, as we are looking for ongoing data of the science of COVID-19 in Sauk County going forward. Again, you can get tested without visible symptoms.
Jodie J Molitor
Health Educator ~ Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Sauk County Health Department
505 Broadway, Ste 372, Baraboo, WI 53913
608-355-4315
https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/publichealth
|
End of Year Communication from Mr. Syftestad
|
Meal Distribution Update
Weston School will continue to provide Free student meals Tuesday, May 19 and Wednesday, May 20. There will be NO meal delivery on Memorial Day, May 25th. Meals will be provided May 26th, 27th, and the following week of June 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. After June 3rd the school will no longer provide meals for the summer until summer school begins. Parents and students, please continue to watch the Weston website and social media for summer school details.
|
|
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Governor Tony Evers' stay-at-home order. While restrictions on businesses and gatherings have been lifted for the time being, the ruling does not affect current school closures in the state.
To that end, all buildings in the Weston School District will remain closed for the remainder of the school year (June 30, 2020). We are consulting with many agencies including the Department of Health and Services regarding how the ruling may affect other district programming and events in the future.
We encourage our students and families to continue practicing social distancing and adhere to the guidelines provided by the CDC and other entities. It is expected that the governor and legislature will release a new plan for businesses and gatherings soon.
Thank you for your attention to this communication.
Sincerely,
Gary Syftestad,4K-12 Principal
Weston School District
#EAGLE PRIDE
|
Communication from Mr. Syftestad in light of the extension of the Safer at Home Order due to COVID-19
|
|
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control voted to cancel 2020 spring sports regular-season competitions and the Tournament Series while allowing individual, virtual spring sports coaching to continue until the final day of the 2020 season, which is the final day of the State Tournament for the respective sports.
|
Gov. Evers Directs DHS to Extend Wisconsin's Safer at Home Order
|
|
Gov. Tony Evers today directed Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to extend the Safer at Home order from April 24, 2020 to 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2020, or until a superseding order is issued. The order implements some new measures to ensure safety and support the progress we've made in containing COVID-19, but also allows certain activities to start up again. The order is available here.
Schools: Public and private K-12 schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
|
|
Weston Spring Break
Wednesday, April 8 through Tuesday, April 14
Classes: All teacher communication will end at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7 and resume the morning of Wednesday, April 15
Meals: Weston School District will provide meals for students over spring break with the exception of Friday, April 10 and Monday, April 13. Please note there will be no meal delivery on Monday, April 13. |
Weston will host a Parent meeting via Zoom on Friday, April 3 at 7:30 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. The purpose of this short meeting is to explain the use of Zoom for parents and how to troubleshoot with their children, it will also give parents a chance to use Zoom and ask questions.
How To Sign Up:
1) Email which meeting time you prefer to Molly Kasten at kasten@weston.k12.wi.us
2) Mrs. Kasten will then send a google calendar invitation you should accept.
3) At the time of the meeting, click on the zoom link and answer the audio question to get in.
Mrs. Kasten will be in the Zoom room 10 minutes prior to starting time to assist anyone that is struggling to get in. If you cannot make either meeting Friday but would like to attend a Parent Zoom Q&A session, there will be additional meetings offered next week. |
|
|
MEAL DELIVERY UPDATE:
Effective this week Weston will only be delivering free meals MONDAY-WEDNESDAY; pick up locations and times will remain the same. Tuesday & Wednesday meals will be available on Tuesday and Thursday & Friday meals will be available to pick up on Wednesday, families should bring a bag or box these days. This is in effort to further protect our community and staff.
NO MEALS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 10 or MONDAY, APRIL 13
These are scheduled days off for Spring Break
|
Gov. Evers Directs DHS to Issue Safer at Home Order
Gov. Tony Evers today directed Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to issue a Safer at Home order that prohibits all nonessential travel, with some exceptions as clarified and defined in the order. The order is available here.
The order is effective at 8 am on Weds., March 25, 2020 and will remain in effect until 8 am Fri., April 24, 2020, or until a superseding order is issued. Read the Governor's full Press Release HERE
Wisconsin Department of Health Services Safer At Home Order:
Public and private K-12 schools and public libraries:
Except for facilitating distance learning or virtual learning, public and private K-12 schools are closed for pupil instruction and extracurricular activities. Libraries shall close for all in-person services, but may continue to provide on-line services and programming. Schools and public libraries may be used for Essential Government Functions and food distribution (Page 3 under 4. Closures). Read the full document Here
|
MEAL DELIVERY UPDATE:
Effective this week Weston will only be delivering free meals Monday-Thursday. There will be no delivery on Friday's; locations and pick up times will remain the same. The Friday meals will be delivered on Thursday. This is in effort to reduce the amount of times families need to leave their homes.
|
Home WiFi options
Some internet carriers are offering free and/or low cost options that your family may be able to use.
See DPI list of internet offers for families
Spectrum is offering free broadband internet and WiFi access for 60 days to families with K-12 and college students. Charter, which operates Spectrum internet, said they will also waive installation fees for new households. Learn more about the Spectrum offer here or call 844-488-8395.
Comcast Internet Essentials indicated that they are providing 60 days of free internet to qualifying families. Learn more about the Comcast offer.
|
|
|
|
List of each elementary classroom plan for distance learning
|
|
|
Gov. Tony Evers today directed Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to issue an agency order prohibiting mass gatherings of 10 people or more to slow the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, schools will be closed for the duration of the public health emergency.
|
Notice to Weston Parents with Children Recieving Special Education Services
A letter will be mailed to the child's primary residence on Wednesday, March 18 with information reguarding educational services to meet the child's needs during school closures. If you have any questions, please contact Molly Kasten by email at kasten@weston.k12.wi.us or by calling either 608-986-2151 ext. 110 or 608-604-5310. |
Social Distancing protects the most vulnerable in our community
|
Social Distancing Guidelines
|
|
|
Weston School District will be closed Tuesday, March 17 until either April 6 or Governor Evers ban has been lifted.
All after-school activities, events, and athletics, including practices, also will be canceled until classes have resumed.
If classes resume on April 6, Weston School will still have Friday, April 10 and Monday, April 13 as a Spring Break as planned.
Weston School District will provide free meals to students during closure
There will be three drop off sites for students to receive meals during the time of school closure:
- Lime Ridge United Methodist Church, 102 North Church St, Lime Ridge WI
- Cazenovia Area Community Center, 120 North St., Cazenovia, WI
- Hillpoint VFW, E4069 W Hillpoint Rd, Hillpoint, WI
A lunch and breakfast will be available to students to pick up from 10:45-11:45 a.m. Monday through Friday, no need to call ahead. All meals served will be free regardless of a student's Free/Reduced status.
Distance Learning
Weston School District is working to ensure Distance Learning continues for students. Details are available within the school pages of the Weston website.
Home WiFi options
Some internet carriers are offering free and/or low cost options that your family may be able to use.
See DPI list of internet offers for families
Spectrum is offering free broadband internet and WiFi access for 60 days to families with K-12 and college students. Charter, which operates Spectrum internet, said they will also waive installation fees for new households. Learn more about the Spectrum offer here or call 844-488-8395.
Comcast Internet Essentials indicated that they are providing 60 days of free internet to qualifying families. Learn more about the Comcast offer.
Internet Access Available to Public at Weston School
Having internet access is important for students remain actively learning and communicating with instructors during school closure. The Lavalle Telephone Co-Op has set up a free WiFi Hotspot at Weston School students and community members may now access internet for free in the School parking lot and courtyard. Thank you LaValle Telephone!
|
Sports Update
Consistent with Governor Evers' Executive Order issued on Friday, March 13, 2020, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Associate has updated athletic participation limitations.
• There will be no WIAA athletics at any member school from Wednesday, March 18, 2020, to Monday, April 6, 2020. (This will be updated as information becomes available.)
- This includes all participation including, but not limited to training, practices, scrimmages, and contests.
- Schools and/or coaches may not bring students together during this time period for extracurricular or athletic purposes such as practices or other instructional/organizational purposes.
- Schools and/or coaches may not be involved with students during their time period to provide instruction for practice purposes.
- Coaches may provide individual workouts virtually, but shall not encourage or organize their team assembling to practice.
Read the official WIAA Announcement HERE
Youth Red's Baseball and Softball Sign Up will be postponed until further notice
|
Updates as of 3/15/2020
|
|
|
Update as of 3/14/2020
|
|
|
Schools Closed through April 5
Gov. Tony Evers on March 13, 2020 ordered the closure of all K-12 Wisconsin schools, public and private, as part of the state's efforts to respond to and contain the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin.
The shutdown will begin Wednesday March 18 and run through April 5, though it could be extended, Evers' office said in a statement.
“Closing our schools is not a decision I made lightly, but keeping our kids, our educators, our families, and our communities safe is a top priority as we continue our work to respond to and prevent further spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin,” Evers said. “Kids and families across Wisconsin often depend on our schools to access food and care. We are going to continue working to do everything we can to ensure kids and families have the resources and support they need while schools are closed.”
The announcement affects almost 855,000 students in more than 400 districts across the state - and adds Wisconsin to a growing list of states to close schools.
Weston School District will work to ensure virtual learning continues for students.
|
When School Resumes
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. When school resumes, please watch for the following symptoms. Keep students home from school and contact their physician to ask to be tested for Coronavirus if they have these symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Please contact the school 608-986-2151 to report the absence and symptoms. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of Coronavirus at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website. Those at highest risk for Coronavirus complications are older adults and individuals with compromised immune systems or heart, lung and kidney disease.
We have no known cases of COVID-19 among students or staff in Weston School District.
We continue to closely monitor the situation with Richland & Sauk County Health Departments, as well as review updates from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Department of Public Instruction and the CDC. Here is the latest information on confirmed cases in Wisconsin - in Fond Du Lac, Pierce, Waukesha, and Dane counties. Another 37 WI residents are returning from a cruise where they may have been exposed and will be self-quarantined for 14 days. Nationally, there have been approximately 1,000 confirmed cases and 30 deaths (none in Wisconsin).
|
What You Can Do and Our Cleaning Measures
Weston School District has a routine cleaning regimen in place to help reduce the spread of germs and communicable disease. In addition to our regular cleaning and disinfection, we are increasing the cleaning of high-touch areas and hard and soft surface items throughout the day. We will follow all guidelines of the CDC and our local and state health departments.
- Wash your hands regularly, for 20 seconds, using soap and hot water. Make sure to wash your fingertips. This is especially important after using the restroom, coughing or sneezing into your hands, and before preparing or consuming food.
- Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, and then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into your arm.
- As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
- If children are feeling sick, please keep them home from school. Families should have a plan in place for keeping your child home, picking up your child if they are sent home sick, and if schools are closed.
|
Travel Restrictions
This is a rapidly evolving situation, with the World Health Organization declaring Coronavirus a pandemic, the President and Governor declaring it a public health emergency and the President issuing a month-long ban effective March 13 on all travel from Europe to the U.S.
The state of Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is asking schools and organizations to:
- Cancel events with over 250 people
- Avoid non-essential domestic travel
- Avoid traveling to areas in the US with sustained community transmission of COVID-19 (currently Washington, New York, and California). See map of US sustained community transmission of COVID-19.
- Self-quarantine for 14 days upon return for anyone who travels to any U.S. states with confirmed community spread of COVID-19.
Many families have travel plans for spring break. If your family is planning to travel to a country with a Level 3 travel health notice, please contact the Weston School District at 608-986-2151 before returning to school. The CDC is asking you to self-quarantine for 14 days. Read more about travel on the CDC's website.
We appreciate your patience with this fluid situation and we will continue to update you as needed. Please rest assured that we will continue to put your students’ safety first. If you have any questions, reach out to Tammy West at 608-986-2151 ext. 100 or email west@weston.k12.wi.us
|
|
|
|
