WMCSD COVID-19 Update from Dr. Jackson 04.22.2020
Hello, Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School District family and friends! I hope this update finds you all healthy and happy. I will continue sharing information with you on Wednesday evening on our website and social media pages and on Thursday in The Winona Times. Accurate information is crucial to our ability to successfully navigate the uncharted territory we find ourselves in at the present time.
I want to think back for just a moment about where WMCSD has been on this COVID-19 journey. Students and staff were out for Spring Break the week of March 9-13. Our spring holiday was extended by the Governor for the week of March 16-20, then schools were closed until April 17th, and now Mississippi schools are closed for the remainder of the second semester which ends on May 22nd.
Although the buildings are closed, WMCSD employees have been working from home for the last five and a half weeks. While it has certainly been an adjustment learning how to work from home, how to balance work and home life while sheltering in place, and how to communicate when we cannot see each other face-to-face, everyone has stepped up to do an outstanding job. It’s definitely a great day to be a TIGER!
WMCSD’s principals, officers, and superintendent meet every weekday morning to develop plans for school and district operations. The members of the smaller district leadership team are attending webinars weekly with educational organizations and companies and legal experts who are hosting discussions around many topics including virtual learning, special services, issues surrounding COVID-19, graduation ceremonies, reopening schools, CDC protocol for staff and students, and staff and student health concerns. These meetings have included state health officials, State Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright, and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hoseman.
WMCSD teachers are working with students and parents to keep learning going while we are following the Governor’s stay-home order. Teachers have office hours three days per week for two hours a day. They are also working to create learning packets and providing online resources weekly. Counselors and nurses are available to students, attending webinars to learn more about specific needs of students related to COVID-19, and creating activities and informational flyers for parents to use at home.
WMCSD parents and students are doing an awesome job of using the resources and learning packets we’ve provided plus finding some of their own, teaching and learning life skills, and reading or writing every day. We are so proud of our students, and we miss them more than we thought possible.
Please visit our website winonamontgomerycsd.com and like us on Facebook or Twitter. We are TIGERStrong!