Update # 2 — April 2, 2020
I want to begin by saying how much we miss our students and staff! I also want to commend our students, teachers, support staff, and parents for their terrific efforts over the past few weeks in transitioning to a distance learning approach. We do understand that at this time some system-wide Schoology issues are occurring on the national level due to the massive amount of usage. We have been told that Schoology is currently working on these issues and will keep us updated along the way. Additionally, we have been told that Livegrades is having some similar issues.
Therefore, I wish to tell everyone to please not stress over these issues and simply do the best that you can. If the platform or assignment isn’t working, please send your child’s teacher a message or give them a call and I promise you they will be understanding and patient. Once communication has been established regarding the concerns, then simply put the assignment down and spend time with each other, whatever you do please do not stress or worry.
Please know that these missed days will not have to be made up at the end of the school year and your child will not be forced to repeat their current grade next year regardless of when this closure comes to an end. Our top concern from the beginning of this school closure has been feeding our students and taking care of their mental and emotional well-being. Instruction is extremely important, but it falls behind the physical and emotional well-being of our community-at-large during this world-wide pandemic.
I also want to mention that we are planning and will have a Class of 2020 Graduation Ceremony and other Senior activities, including a Prom, at some point after the Governor and the CDC deems our state safe to proceed with gatherings. We are in this together and together we will get through this and I believe as a school system and county, we will be stronger and better than ever!
Adam
Update # 1 — April 1, 2020
A message from Superintendent Cheeseman:
Instruction and meal delivery will continue this week, March 30 to April 3rd. The following week will be our scheduled Spring Break. Our food delivery this Thursday, April 2, will contain food to last over Spring Break and regular food delivery will return on April 13th. Our cooks and bus drivers have been working very hard to make and deliver food for our students. Spring Break will give them an opportunity to spend time with their families and to simply rest themselves. Over Spring Break the Board of Education Central Office will be closed and all employees will be given the week off. This will be our regularly scheduled Spring Break, so students will not be given assignments for this week.
If you have a mental health need, please go to the Doddridge County Schools webpage at dcschools.us and fill out the mental health checkup form. This form can be found under the “Parents” or the “Students” tab on the webpage. You can also contact the Crisis Text Line by texting SHARE to 741741.
Currently, the Governor has closed schools until April 20, at which time the situation will be reevaluated. Please stay safe, continue social distancing and good hygiene. Please encourage your children during this time. Please remind your children that they are missed and that they are loved.
Adam L. Cheeseman