Webbers Falls Public Schools

WF School does have a very detailed re-entry plan that outlines the specific guidelines we must follow as set forth by the CDC and the State Department. Our plan is being presented to the Board of Education next Monday night, July 13th, and once approved, it will be released to the public. I suggest waiting until after it is posted to make your decision. We just wanted parents to know they are going to have some options so they could start thinking about it.

Parents & Guardians: The first day of school (August 13th) is just around the corner. Because of Covid-19, we realize that there may be a few parents or guardians who would prefer their child or children to not return to a traditional brick and mortar school setting. Webbers Falls Schools will offer a full-time virtual option for the fall semester, but we need to know in advance whether this is the option you will be choosing, so our staff can begin preparations. Keep in mind the following: Students who are 100% virtual will not be allowed to participate in PE or Athletics. Also, if you choose 100% online, you must remain in this setting until the end of the semester, which is December 17th. While we have numerous online programs and curriculums for our students to utilize, there is no real substitution for in-person direct instruction by a teacher, especially for students in PK-4th grade. Therefore, I would caution you to strongly consider this before making the decision for your child or children to be 100% online. Beginning Monday, July 13th, you may contact the school at (918) 464-2383 if you are planning on utilizing the 100% virtual option. If you intend for your child to return to the traditional classroom, you do not need to call the school. We hope to have enrollment packets ready and available for pickup beginning the week of July 20th. We will be putting these in cabinets in front of our school, so that you do not have to enter the school to pick them up. We are asking that these not be returned until we announce the specific dates. We will try to stagger enrollment beginning the week of July 27th to avoid congestion. Once again, if you want your child or children to be 100% online for the entire fall semester (August 13th – December 17th) call the school beginning Monday, July 13th. We need to know the name of your child and what grade he or she will be in. Also, do not come to pick up the enrollment packets until we officially announce they are ready. Thank you.

Webbers Falls Pre-K/Cherokee Nation will be conducting enrollment for any four year old for the 2020-2021 school year on July 15th from 9:00am -1:00pm in the Webbers Falls gym lobby. We will be taking applications for any 3 year old in case we do not meet enrollment capacity with 4 year old students. Please bring the following: Birth certificate, current immunization record, proof of income (2019 W-2's work best), verification of residency (utility bill), CDIB card, Blue card, Insurance Card.

The Creek Nation has a School Clothing program for Creek students. The application is open from January 2020-December 2020. Students may apply once per year. For more information, please click the link below https://www.mcn-nsn.gov/services/school-clothing/

CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND For more information about the Choctaw Nation programs, please click the link below. https://www.choctawnation.com/covidrelief

This year the Cherokee Nation will be providing each Cherokee student a one time $400 Education Technology Stipend. More information about this program will be coming out soon.

The application deadline for the Cherokee Nation’s 2020 School Clothing Assistance Program has been extended to July 15. The Clothing voucher is for all families, regardless of income. For more information please click the link below. https://www.cherokee.org/media/wzclcxyw/school-clothing-assistance-program-flyer-2020.pdf

Webbers Falls Schools has an opening for a part-time high school science teacher for the 2020-2021 academic year. Please contact HS Principal Lisa Ward at lward@webbersfalls.k12.ok.us for more information.

Don't forget, you can catch all of these updates on our school's app! Download the app on Android: http://bit.ly/2IMFjnf or iPhone: https://apple.co/2IMFVcz.

Sports physicals are tomorrow in the gym. All athletes grades 3rd and up need a physical to participate in athletics. The cost is $5. Girls physicals will begin at 3pm and boys will begin at 4pm.

If you have difficulty accessing the survey please email me at cjwhelan@webbersfalls.k12.ok.us

June 16, 2020 Dear WFPS Parents and Staff, I would first like to introduce myself. My name is Chris Whelan, and your school board has graciously given me the opportunity to serve your school and community as Superintendent beginning July 1, 2020. I have been in education for the past 27 years as both a teacher and administrator, and I admire the resilience of this community to overcome the flood of 2019 and now the COVID-19 pandemic. As we begin to consider a Re-entry Plan for the start of school in August, we have created a committee consisting of community members (parents), teachers, support staff and school board members. Recently we met and discussed many scenarios and ideas, and it was unanimous that we do all we can to have a traditional start to school with reasonable changes to minimize the spread of COVID-19. This is an ongoing plan that has not been finalized, but with the hope of a complete plan by the July School Board Meeting. We are planning to offer a blended model of instruction, utilizing face-to-face teaching and distance learning, as well a virtual learning model, in case the pandemic forces a closure or partial closure. For us to accomplish a successful re-entry, we need your help. Below is a link to a Webbers Falls Parent Distance Learning Form. Please take a few minutes to fill this form out. This will give an idea of areas that need improvement as well things that we are doing well. This form is strictly confidential. Once we compile the results I will share the information with the re-entry team to help us finalize our re-entry plan that will be shared with the Board of Education and you. While we can’t be sure what the virus will bring in August and moving forward, we can assure you that every effort is being made to ensure a safe return to school. I am very proud of our re-entry team who are working very diligently to design and implement our back-to-school plans. The challenges brought on by this pandemic are immense, but please be assured that the students’ and staff’s safety are at the heart of all our decisions. Thank you for your patience and understanding at this time. If you have any questions that cannot be answered by school site personnel, please reach out to us at covid19@webbersfalls.k12.ok.us. Until our next communication, stay safe and take care of yourself. Parent Survey https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FQg4gEdNou53TOYJ-yHjCx4N-UhE-UfVIgfFMG6O5iI/edit Sincerely, Chris Whelan

The offices at Webbers Falls Pubic Schools will be closed from June 17th to July 6th. If you need assistance, contact Principal Lisa Ward at lward@webbersfalls.k12.ok.us.

It has been a pleasure working with you, Dixie. Your dedication and work ethic has been an inspiration to all of us. I appreciate your wisdom and want to thank you for being a mentor to me. I wish you nothing but the best as you enjoy your retirement with Graham.

District Teacher of the Year Meghan Johnson and Support Staff of the Year Marrissa Taylor were recognized tonight as well. These ladies were selected by the WFS staff because of their extraordinary work ethic and dedication to education. You are both well deserving!

Retirees Bob Beutelschies, Diana Burris, and Brenda Sweat were also honored at tonight's board meeting. We appreciate your service and will miss you dearly.

Dr. Dixie Swearingen was recognized tonight for her 29 years of service in education. She has also been named District 10 Superintendent of the Year. Congratulations, and happy retirement!

Next week, the week of June 8, 2020, will be the last week Webbers Falls Schools will be offering meals. We were very happy to provide these services during the times of COVID 19 restrictions.

Webbers Falls sports physicals will be Wednesday, June 17th. All athletes grades 3rd-high school will need a physical to participate in athletics. The cost is $5. Girls physicals will be from 3-4pm and boys will be from 4-5pm in the gym. Physical forms can be picked up from the office Monday-Thursday 8am-2pm.

Webbers Falls Public Schools is taking applications for a full-time bus driver for the 2020-2021 School Year. If interested, please fill out the support application and contact the main office at 918-464-2334. https://www.webbersfalls.k12.ok.us/o/webbers-falls-public-schools/page/careers--38 Webbers Falls Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.