COVID Update -  PARENT COVID-19 K-12 Academic Plan for Continuity of Education - March 27, 2020

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students -

This letter is to inform you on the plans for instruction moving forward.  At this time, the COVID-19 school closure has been extended by Governor Wolf with a plan of school reopening for students on April 9, 2020.  It is a possibility that this mandated closure will be extended beyond April 9, 2020 into and including Spring Break and beyond.  

During this week, March 23 - March 27, 2020, teachers were in contact with students, testing connectivity, and providing enrichment lessons and activities for students. We also continued to encourage families to utilize our Digital Learning Environment (DLE) to keep students engaged during the current closure.  Families who do not have WiFi connectivity are encouraged to contact us via email at helpdesk@nwlehighsd.org or by calling 610.298.8661 extension 1225 to obtain information on many free home internet options.  The options can also be found on our DLE site.

We are pleased to share with you our plan that will provide students with the opportunity to grow and maintain content knowledge and skills during this extended school closure.  Our academic plan for continuity of learning will begin implementation on Monday, March 30, 2020, and continue through Wednesday, April 8, 2020. 

During the week of March 30  - April 3, 2020, teachers will deliver daily lessons online.  The online lessons and materials will be review and enrichment, as well as make-up work for the 3rd marking period.  These lessons will be posted online by 9:00 a.m. daily. Student attendance or completion of work is not mandatory or graded during this week; however, attendance, participation, and submission of work is strongly encouraged.   

Effective April 6th, we will be offering continuity of educational services for ALL of our students. All Northwestern Lehigh students will be continuing their education and course of study, as best as possible, beyond remediation and enrichment to include new content and learning, in addition to meeting the criteria as set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). To emphasize, beginning on April 6th, new teaching and learning will be happening and student attendance and submission of work will be required and graded.  Attendance will be taken each day and will count as a regular school day. Details concerning student and teacher expectations, grading and assessment, and attendance are posted at the following links:  

General Expectations 

Elementary School

Middle School

High School 

The last day of the 3rd marking period will be changed to April 3, 2020. Report cards for the 3rd marking period will be posted to the portal on April 17, 2020.  The 4th marking period will begin on April 6, 2020. All instruction, activities, and assessments starting April 6, 2020 and onward will be entered into the 4th marking period.  Please understand that there may be the need to adjust the school calendar, but if necessary, we will communicate those adjustments as we progress. 

Online learning brings new experiences for students, parents, and teachers. Online learning will require alternative methods of instruction and assessment that may be different from our face-to-face learning environment.   Our teachers understand that students may not have access to printed materials, textbooks, and other resources commonly used in the traditional classroom setting. Please refer to the Digital Learning Environment which outlines student expectations, attendance, and assessments. Please consider establishing a place for your child to work that is free from distractions and a structured schedule for completion of school work.  

At no other time has the partnership between the family and school been more important. In order for this plan to be successful, we will need you to partner with us in trying to help our children return to a sense of routine and normalcy. We recognize this will not be easy for anyone and that many of you will be working from home or that your circumstances may be changing in a variety of ways.  There will be challenges and we all must be willing to be flexible, adaptable, and work together to come up with creative solutions. There is no better time to teach our children how to share, be patient, work on time management skills, and work through adversity.  

As your child begins online learning on March 30, if you have any questions about the content and skills your child is learning, please contact your child’s teacher through email.  Please reach out to your building principal through email if you have questions pertaining to your child’s unique learning situation. If you or your child have technology questions or need technology help, please do not hesitate to email helpdesk@nwlehighsd.org

We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we navigate this unprecedented time.  We recognize that this is a difficult time for many of our families as we all are experiencing social distancing, business and school closures, and all of the associated challenges of COVID-19.  As a District, we will continue to update you on the latest information we receive from the state and local authorities. We wish you and your family good health during the extended school closure and the implementation of the digital learning plan.  

Sincerely,

Jennifer L. Holman

Superintendent of Schools 

COVID Update - March 23, 2020

Dear Tiger Community - 

As we conclude our first full week of this mandated closure due to the spread of COVID-19, I wanted to provide a few brief updates and share resources that may be of value to our community. 

Before I get into that operational information, I first want to say THANK YOU. Thank you to our teachers who have been preparing and planning for an uncertain future and many of them who have already contacted students and families. Thank you to our administrative team for working tirelessly behind the scenes every day on a variety of initiatives and topics. Thank you to our food service employees who are serving breakfast and lunch daily for those students and families that need it. Thank you to our families and community members for supporting us during this unprecedented closure. Seeing our strength, the way we lift each other up and the way we support one another--both within our district and the broader community--truly makes me proud.  

We are all in this situation together. Never before has our community or our country faced a challenge quite like this one. As a district, we are monitoring updates from a variety of sources, and the situation is constantly changing. At this time, we have way more questions than answers, but first and foremost our focus continues to be on supporting our students and families. We will continue to provide regular updates to our community as they become available, and as the situation continues to evolve.

A few high-level announcements and reminders:

• For the entirety of the school closure, all Northwestern Lehigh buildings, campuses, athletic fields, and parking lots are strictly off limits to everyone.  Our property is regularly patrolled in person and via video surveillance.  
• Please remember that the CDC and other organizations are encouraging social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19. This means that students and families should be remaining at home as much as possible and not gathering in large or small groups. This means that groups of friends should not be hanging out and play dates should not be occurring. We all play a role in mitigating the spread of this disease by reducing physical social contact at this time.
• Our NWL Digital Learning Environment is available 24/7 and has many resources, handouts, as well as information about counseling and student services.  
• Today, the school closure was extended by the Governor until at least April 9, 2020.
• This week, your children will hear from their teachers with planned review and enrichment activities. Teachers will also provide a schedule for when they will be providing online support and office hours. They miss all of our students in our classrooms and are committed to providing the best possible support that they can, as they always do, just virtually!  
• As a district, we will be providing grab and go meals for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch and their siblings (0-18) daily.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced the cancellation of all PSSA testing and Keystone exams for the 2019-20 school year as a result of COVID-19. This includes the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA).
• It was announced that AP exams will not take place in-person this year. Find out more about the online resources that are being made available and the adjustments that will be made to the AP testing process here. Our counselors will contact you regarding AP exams once more specific information is released to schools.  
• There are a number of resources on our Coronavirus Information & Resources page, including all of our previous updates and links to additional information. 
• Any questions can be directed to admincontact@nwlehighsd.org

Thank you again for your flexibility and understanding as we move forward. As a school community, we will get through this together and we are going to be ok.  We have incredible teachers, great kids, supportive families, and a local community that supports the work that we do.

I hope you all have a safe and healthy week and that you are making the most of the increased family time.

Jennifer L. Holman

Superintendent of Schools

COVID Update - Grab-n-Go Meal Update - March 23, 2020

Dear Families,

This message is to inform you of changes to our Grab-n-Go Meal program.

Effective, Thursday, March 26, 2020, the Grab-n-Go meal program meal pick-up days have been changed from daily to MONDAY and THURSDAY pickups only.

Monday's pick-up will include meals for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Thursday's pick-up will include meals for Thursday and Friday
This change is to make it more convenient for families because it does not require you to come to the school daily.

Full details can be found by going to https://www.nwlehighsd.org/GGprogram

If you have any questions, please contact admincontact@nwlehighsd.org or 610.298.8661 x 4236

Troy Sosnovik, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Northwestern Lehigh School District

COVID Update - Distance Learning Environment - March 19, 2020

Dear School Community,

This email is to address questions related to Northwestern Lehigh moving to online instruction and to introduce our approach to help provide a continuity of learning at home during this extended closure.

With regard to us moving learning online, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has not granted NWLSD the ability to teach online using something called Flexible Instruction Days (FIDs). This is an extremely complex issue that involves Federal and State legislation surrounding equity, access, and meeting the needs of ALL students. Public school leaders continue to wait for guidance and leadership from our Federal and State Departments of Education regarding this matter. It is important to note that this is not a Northwestern Lehigh only issue. This is a State and National challenge for every public school district.

With that said, we are not waiting idly by as PDE determines how to address this matter state-wide. We are currently planning and solving issues related to online instruction so we can take advantage of them, if the State makes online instruction a reality.

We are proud to unveil tonight our Digital Learning Environment (https://www.nwlehighsd.org/DLE). The purpose of this website is to serve as the District’s launch pad and central location for online resources organized by grade level and content area. The site has been populated with resources that students can take advantage of right away using their assigned or home device. We recognize that there are families where Internet access is a barrier. We are currently working through this challenge and identifying solutions to assist them.

Our goal is to expand upon this resource in the upcoming days and weeks to provide students and families with methods to engage their minds at home. We fully recognize that this or any online instruction will never replace the experience students receive while in our classrooms; however, in such adverse times we need to think outside-the-box and develop creative solutions to support our students and community through this unprecedented time.

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Sincerely,

Jennifer L. Holman

COVID Update - Grab-n-Go Reminder - March 16, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This is a reminder that our Grab-n-Go meal program begins tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Families can place their first meal order tonight starting at 6:00pm.

Full details of the program can be found by going to https://www.nwlehighsd.org/GGProgram.

Sincerely,

Jennifer L. Holman

COVID Update - March 15, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Tomorrow, Monday, March 16, 2020 we plan to open all schools from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to allow students to pick up medicine, essential items, and a laptop/Chromebook.

Students should enter the main entrance of their building, retrieve their items, and promptly leave.

With regard to families that indicated on the Grades K-5 Technology Parent Survey that their child needed a device, please see the Technology Support Partner located in the main lobby of the building.

Additionally, students in grades 6th-12th that elected not to participate in the take home portion of the 1:1 initiative, the NWLSD is permitting you to bring a laptop/Chromebook home during this extended closure at no cost.

For both circumstances, parents/guardians will need to sign the agreement below to get a device. If you do not acknowledge this agreement, you will not be permitted to take a device home. We will have hard copies at the building if you cannot print prior.

https://www.nwlehighsd.org/LaptopCDCOVID

It is important to highlight that we still do not have guidance from the PA Department of Education in regard to using online opportunities as instructional days. Getting devices into students' hands best positions us to take advantage of that option, if permitted by the state.

We will continue to provide you frequent updates as information becomes available.

Sincerely,

Jennifer L. Holman

Superintendent of Schools

COVID Update - Grab-n-Go Program - March 14, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The NWLSD is committed to helping our families through these challenging times. We have put in place a program that will help continue to feed K-12 students who qualify for Free & Reduced lunch during the extended closure, due to COVID-19. The full details of the program can be found by going to https://www.nwlehighsd.org/GGProgram.

Please help us spread the word, so families that can take advantage of this program hear about it.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Holman

Coronavirus Update - March 13, 2020 - 2

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The intent of this message is to deliver our first steps in response to this extended closure.

As you know, earlier today the Governor closed all Pennsylvania schools.  The Governor stated that he will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in Pennsylvania and, at the end of 10 business days, will reevaluate and decide whether continued closure is needed.

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020 all NWLSD buildings and grounds, inclusive of all fields and parking lots, will be closed to students and visitors.  In addition, effective immediately, all activities and events that were scheduled to take place in NWLSD facilities, as well as all field trips and athletic activities are canceled through March 29, 2020.

However, please note we will be opening our schools Monday, March 16th from 9:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. for parents to retrieve medicine from our nurses’ suite, if it is needed.

Our Administrative team is continuing to work through logistical items as a result of this closure, for example:

• how and when days will be made up
• how this will affect graduation
• opportunities for online learning, if provided permission from Department of Education
• our ability to serve school lunches for Free/Reduced students, if provided permission from the PA Division of Food and Nutrition

We will send follow-up communications about these items to families as soon as we have information available.  

NWLSD staff will receive separate communication from me and/or your supervisor in the next few days.  

We recognize these closures have severely impacted our community.  The Northwestern Lehigh School Board of Directors and the Administrative team are hopeful that this closure will keep our students and staff healthy, as well as limit the spread of the Coronavirus in our community. 

Parents and guardians are asked to direct any comments or questions to admincontact@nwlehighsd.org   This email will be monitored frequently throughout the closure.  Your support and understanding during these unprecedented times and challenges is greatly appreciated. 

Sincerely,

Jennifer L. Holman

Superintendent of Schools

Coronavirus Update - March 13, 2020 - 1

Good afternoon,

The purpose of this message is to provide our school community with the most up to date information.

At 3:15pm today, we were notified by the PA Governor’s Office that effective March 16, 2020 all K-12 Pennsylvania schools will be closed for 10 business days.

Governor Wolf’s Announcement: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-announces-closure-of-pennsylvania-schools/

We will be sending a follow-up communication later tonight to discuss next steps.

Regards, 

Jennifer Holman

Coronavirus Update - March 12, 2020

The purpose of this message is to update the NWLSD community on the measures the District is undergoing with regard to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The NWLSD continues to actively monitor the PA Department of Health (PADoH) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) for situational updates and, where appropriate, make procedural adjustments.  We have established direct contacts with local and state officials, who are providing us with the most accurate and up-to-date information possible. Our goal continues to be to make decisions that are in the best interest of our school community based on the data and recommendations from these agencies.

Our hope is that we do not need to close school for an extended period of time; however, we are currently planning in the event of that occurrence.  We are exploring all options available to us to continue or extend learning, if we do need to close.  

Students, 6th through 12th, have either a Chromebook or MacBook assigned to them from the District, as part of our 1:1 learning initiative.  Students K-5 also have Chromebooks assigned to them; however, they are kept in their homeroom.  In order to help us best plan, WE NEED YOUR HELP.

We are asking families to complete the following surveys no later than March 15, 2020. 

• Elementary Technology Parent Survey (K-5 families Only - 1 survey per elementary child)
• https://forms.gle/6en5kqdFFqAjN7d19
• Home Internet Parent Survey (All K-12 Families - 1 survey per household) 
• https://forms.gle/ArJkTi8ZcLFRXR2q6 

This information is extremely important for our planning efforts, so thank you in advance for your participation.

It is important that we do not lose sight of the impact this might be having on our children. There is a lot of news about the current outbreak, and it can be overwhelming for parents as well as unsettling for children. Please keep your children informed by stressing the importance of hand washing. It is one of the easiest and most effective ways we have to prevent the spread of illness, including the virus.

As always, we are committed to keeping our school community updated, as events unfold.  We thank you for your support and assistance in navigating through these challenging times. 

Sincerely,

Jennifer L. Holman

Coronavirus Update - March 06, 2020

As you are most likely aware, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to be a significant challenge in certain regions of the world, as well as continues to grow as a concern nationally and locally. 

The Northwestern Lehigh School District is actively monitoring the PA Department of Health and Center for Disease Control (CDC) for situational updates and where appropriate making procedural adjustments, as recommended by those agencies. It is important to note that the District has a response plan for this situation.  This plan was enacted when the virus entered the continental United States and continues to be in effect as of this message. 

Today, the PA Department of Health requested we share the following information with our families:

Individuals are to self-report to the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH: 

• If their child has recently returned from a country that has a Level 3 travel restriction in place as defined by CDC - Travel Restrictions

OR

• If they believe their child have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19

We ask that if the Department of Health requests that your child be placed in self-isolation that you contact your school’s nurse to discuss next steps. 

Finally, we encourage you to review and continue to adhere to the CDC guidance and resources for households.  As it states, the best advice for prevention of any respiratory virus continues to be simple, common sense preventative actions for students and staff that apply to everyone:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover coughs or sneezes with your elbow or a tissue that is immediately placed in the trash.    
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remotes, and other frequently touched items.
• If your child is sick and running a fever, defined as a temperature greater than or equal to 100 degree Fahrenheit, please keep them out of school until they are fever free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medications.

As always, if you have any concerns regarding your child’s health, it is recommended that you consult with your child’s primary care physician.  We will continue to update you as new recommendations from the PA Department of Health and the CDC become available.  

Sincerely,

Jennifer L. Holman

Coronavirus Update - February 27, 2020