Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year! The beginning of the school year is like none other in Badger history. Our staff is excited to be back with students after six months apart. Regardless of the learning platform chosen by our families, virtual, blended, or in person, all are excited to return! This letter is designed to give form to the processes and procedures in place for the start of the year and to address any lingering questions.
The School Day (in-person and blended learning platforms)
The schedule for the first two weeks of school will be block days (Odd hours classes one day, Even hour classes the next) until September 11. September 11 is scheduled as an eight period day. The rationale for this is to allow staff and students to adjust to the new learning platforms, have time to discuss cleaning protocols, practices and social distancing, and most importantly, get to know one another. To this end, our schedule has changed to reflect five lunch periods. On the first day of school, students will learn which is their lunch period. Students may choose where they eat; the Union, Commons, or Main Gym. Once the choice is made, they will then be asked to keep this as their location and not travel between the areas. This is designed to reduce the number of students in each area. We will continue to have a six minute passing time and ask that students keep moving to their next class without congregating in the hallways.
As a result of the Governor’s Executive Order, Badger will require face coverings for all staff and students when indoors. All students will be given a mask on Wednesday, September 2. All staff and students are required to wear a face-covering at all times with the following exceptions:
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While eating or drinking.
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When communicating with an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing and communication cannot be achieved through other means.
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Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering.
As a family member, if you need to drop off any materials for your student during the school day, there will be a drop off area just inside the main entrance. Please place your student’s name on the material and text them or contact the main office to get word to your student to come and pick up materials during passing time.
Reminders from the District Reopening Plan:
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Use questions as a guide each morning to assess your student(s) before sending them to school. If you answer YES to any of the questions, keep your student home and follow the appropriate self-isolation steps.
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Badger will not allow food delivery and/or parents dropping off take out food for students.
Schedules:
Students, please check PowerSchool over the next two days for any schedule updates or room changes.
Before and After School
Teacher classrooms will be open each morning by 7:20am. Breakfast will be served in a “Grab & Go” style in the Commons and in a sit down or “Grab & Go” style in the Union. Once in the hallways, we ask that students not congregate at their lockers and get moving to their classes. After school, we ask that students not involved in a school sponsored activity leave the building by 3:30pm.
Blended Learning Platform
Students who are starting the school year in a blended format will attend those classes designated as “in person only” at Badger. Other classes, discussed with their Counselors, are those they are staying home to complete in our live-streaming environment. Students choosing the Blended approach cannot pick and choose on a daily basis the classes they attend or not. Please check your email for Google invites from your teachers.
Virtual Learning Platform
Students who are starting the school year online will need to check their email to get Google invites from their teachers. This invite allows them access to the live-streaming classroom and to all the classroom features on the Google platform.
Chromebooks and Class Materials
Students, we ask that you get into the habit of taking your Chromebook home every night. Much of your homework and projects may be computer-based, this makes it easier for you to complete your work.
Tuesday, September 8 and Wednesday, September 9 are days set aside for students who are Virtual and Blended to pick up materials needed for their classes. Please use the South street entrance and continue to the right around the back of the building. The Concessions stand for our soccer field will be the drive-thru for distributing these materials. You can drive thru anytime between 8am and 2:00pm. Teachers will communicate out to students if a pick up is required. We will communicate processes to get materials to students once the school year starts through email.
The students and staff members I’ve talked with throughout the summer told me they want us to be healthy and they want us to be back. Our school will not look like it did prior to March 13 nor as it was for the time we were all online in the spring. But, no matter what learning mode you are participating in this school year, some things will remain the same. We will have high academic achievement, great relationships built, and Badger will be better for all our hard work no matter if we're face-to-face, screen-to-screen, or both. I will continue to update families as changes occur throughout the school year. Thank you for your patience and support.
Be Well. Be Patient. Be Kind.
Be Badger.
JStraus