By Randy Bruer
Some of our community members have expressed concern about opening school for the 2020-2021 school year. People are concerned that holding face-to-face in-person instruction will needlessly expose our students and teachers to COVID-19. They have seen media reports of other states’ attempts to return to school, in some cases resulting in higher rates of infection and some teachers resigning rather than chance exposure.
At this time, until we have a safe and effective vaccine, we don’t know what the rate of infection will be in our communities. But we can affect that rate by practicing proven prevention such as mask-wearing, hand washing, and social distancing. We want parents to begin practicing prevention with their children before they get to school. The Win-E-Mac school will follow the Governor’s order with options available. Masking is working as we learn of reports by our County Health Dept. We watch the rates of infection of our local communities through the state and County Public Health Departments, and those rates tell us how to deliver instruction while keeping our students and staff safe. In this challenging time, schools are facing many challenges with services and employee shortages so decisions made will not benefit each family the same so we ask your help with our school services.
In Minnesota, the decisions are based on science. The guidance is based on the appropriate response to the incidence of the virus in a community, and proper safety equipment and behavior are key. This is not about politics any more than wearing your seatbelt, not smoking, or not taking a stroll in a lightning storm is about politics. We are about the safety of our students and staff, and we will provide guidance to ensure that safety based on our very best scientific evidence.
Our teachers, bus drivers, Paras, Cooks, and Custodians are our front line workers. Through their professional practice, they are the most impactful resource leading to student success. We use our Survey Data not to overwhelm parents and patrons but to structure how we can safely instruct and move students to school. Science will drive the extent to which our teachers can safely teach face-to-face, or we must practice via distance learning. We pledge to you that a safe environment is of paramount importance; we will accept nothing less for our students and staff, and we respectfully ask for the help of our staff and the wider community in realizing this critical mission.
Please see our plans as they are updated and posted when available on www.wemschools.org.
If you have a four-year degree in any occupation and would like to assist as a substitute teacher, we can help you apply for that license. We need sub teachers, and we need a full-time bus driver. If you would like to sub as a cook, custodian, or paraprofessional, please call or email the District Office.