MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERIINTENDENT: UPDATE ON INSTRUCTION IN WICOMICO SCHOOLS

March 26 call/email to Wicomico school families and staff:

Good evening, Wicomico school families and staff. This is Donna Hanlin, Superintendent of Schools, with an update. By now, you are probably already aware that the state extended the closure of Maryland Public Schools through April 24th as part of addressing the public health crisis of coronavirus, COVID-19. But while school buildings continue to be closed, instruction will resume next week. Flexibility and understanding are going to be key words as we work together to ensure that students are engaged in meaningful instruction moving forward. It’s also important to note that weekday distribution of meal bundles for children will continue for now at numerous school and community locations. Please check our website for exact locations in the community.

There are many questions that need to be answered with this extended closure of our schools. One question is about the calendar and whether or not the days missed these last two weeks will be waived. That question has not yet been answered. We are awaiting that decision from leaders at the state level and will announce that decision as soon as we know.

In the meanwhile, I encourage you to take care of two tasks before this week is over to support your student. First, if you have not already done so, please complete the student access to technology survey using the link emailed by the school or schools in which you have students. And second, students in grades 1-12 and their parents should check Family Portal to see where the student’s grades stand for the 3rd term.

Effective Monday, March 30th, all of our staff will be working again, even though they will be doing so from remote locations. The focus throughout next week will be on teachers and students working together to quickly wrap up work for the 3rd marking term. Students will have the chance to complete previous assignments as needed to finish the term with the best grade that they can earn. Our students will have the chance to improve their grade if they wish, but no student will see their grade fall from where it was on March 13th, when classes were suspended. Again, check the Family Portal for the status of 3rd-term grades.

Instruction for the 4th marking term will begin on Monday, April 6th. The structure of instruction will look different from anything any of us has probably ever experienced, but we are committed to ensuring that key standards and essential skills are being delivered for every student. We will initially target the core content areas of math and reading in elementary school, and math, English Language Arts or English, science and social studies for middle and high school. Instructional resources that we have been working hard to create these past two weeks will be available online and in printed form beginning with the week of April 6th, and for every week thereafter during this extended closure.

Teachers, you can expect to hear from your principals before the week is over about your role in the continuity of learning. Parents and guardians can expect to continue to hear from principals and will begin to hear from your student’s teachers next week about how to access both online and hard copy learning materials.

I know you have many questions that we have not yet addressed. Please know that we are focused first and foremost on resuming instruction for our students. Answers about other aspects of our school system and instruction are in the works and will be coming soon. Please stay home if you can, keep social distancing, and be part of helping all of us get safely through this difficult time. Thank you.