VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) The Valley City Public School District (VCPS) is considering using Virtual Learning Days (Weather-Related) at Valley City Public Schools in 2022-2023.
Superintendent Josh Johnson said a framework for the district is attached below that has guided the creation of virtual learning plans at each of our schools. With the possibility of a winter storm arriving in North Dakota as early as next Monday evening, we have two full school days to prepare for the possibility of implementing our first weather-related virtual learning day(s) next Tuesday and/or Wednesday.
As you know, our school district has been very hesitant to replace the ‘important’ in-person instruction days with a virtual format. Based upon the recent feedback from our students, parents, and staff, I think we need to “try” the virtual learning days (weather-related) and be prepared to evaluate these days and collect feedback from our stakeholders.
Johnson said today, we have asked our teachers and staff to prepare for the possibility of using a virtual learning day as early as next Tuesday, December 13th. We respectfully and kindly ask you to do the same with your kids and family. While we know that “nothing” will replace an in-person school day, the option to use virtual learning days at Valley City Public Schools will help us ensure the safety of our students and staff and it will also retain one or two storm days for unexpected weather days between now and the end of winter.
He said if you have any questions regarding a school’s virtual learning plan, please wait to communicate with your student’s teacher and/or principal until after you have received their email communication. If you have any questions or concerns after this information has been shared, please feel free to contact me via email or phone. We will continue to follow the weather forecasts throughout the weekend and be prepared to make a decision on Monday evening or Tuesday morning.
On Monday, December 12th, Valley City Public Schools will be initiating a K-12 Virtual Learning Day due to unprecedented levels of student illness in our school district. As of this afternoon, 22% of students at Jefferson Elementary and 20% at Washington Elementary are out of school because of illness. Unfortunately, this number has been growing throughout the day. It is being reported to us that students are experiencing cold and flu symptoms such as fever and vomiting and diagnoses including influenza A and RSV. We have been and will continue to be in communication with our partners at Essentia Health and City-County Health. Please make sure that you continue to follow their recommendations to help decrease the transmission of these viruses.
All students will be informed this afternoon of the virtual learning plans for Monday and will be instructed to leave school with all of their necessary learning supplies. For your reference, our virtual learning plans were emailed to you earlier today.
We will continue to allow for 7-12 activities to occur on Monday as scheduled knowing that the majority of the current student illnesses are related to the elementary schools. We believe it is in the best interests of our students and families to keep our k-12 school schedules consistent; therefore, we are using the virtual learning day in all grades despite 7-12 having only 10% of students out of school because of these illnesses.
A decision regarding school next Tuesday and Wednesday will be communicated with students, staff, and parents on Monday, December 12, 2022. If you have any questions, please contact our district office and/or the school offices. We hope this decision to use a virtual learning day will allow this nasty “bug” to run its course and get us all back in good health in advance of the Christmas break.
Virtual-Learning-Day-A-Framework
Jefferson-Virtual-Learning-Day
Washington-Virtual-Learning-Day
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The following is a message from Activities Director Rob Hunt. “As you have heard Monday will be a virtual learning day to help curve the illness rate in our school district, especially impacting our elementary schools. We will continue with our 7-12 activities as scheduled. We want to keep our participants safe and healthy so please if your child shows any symptoms of illness, please keep them at home until symptom free. Communicate with your coach or advisor if you will not be attending practice or a game due to illness. In the event that illness impacts a program, we will cancel games and practices as needed. Please watch for continued communication from myself and your coach.
We also have a winter storm heading our direction starting Monday night and impacting our area though Wednesday or Thursday. As we prepare to cancel games, matches and practice please watch for continued communication from myself and your coach or advisor. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Rob Hunt
Activities Director
Valley City Jr/Sr High School
In other school district news, Johnson said this week we have been trending around 15% of our student body that has been absent each day due to illnesses related to the cold and flu bug. We cannot remember a sick “bug” having this level of impact on our students and staff members in recent years. I’m sure you are aware, but this bug is also impacting students in Oakes, Fargo, and Moorhead.
Johnson said, please, if your child (student) is sick or not feeling well, keep them at home until they are feeling better. Let’s hope this weekend and maybe the winter weather days next week will allow a break in the spreading of this bug. As always, remember to wash your hands, avoid hand-mouth contact, and other recommendations from our health experts.