COVID-19 NEWS AND UPDATES
June 25, 2021
On June 21st the Weeping Water Board of Education discontinued offering remote learning due to the COVID-19 virus. The decision was based on numerous factors some of which are current COVID infection rates, the success of mitigating the spread of virus during the 20/21 school year, and the increased quality of education provided by on-site instruction.
Remote learners have the following options:
· Continue enrollment with Weeping Water Public Schools and plan on attending classes when school starts on August 19th
· Apply for a homeschool status with the Nebraska Department of Education. Once approved, the student would disenroll from Weeping Water Public Schools. This action needs to complete prior to August 19th.
If you have any questions about the options above, please feel free to contact me at (402)267-2445 or at kreiman@weepingwaterps.org.
June 1, 2021
With the expiration of the Directed Health Measure and the decrease in COVID cases, WWPS is moving in a green COVID status.
A complete listing of the green status' guidelines can be found on the link to the left (WWPS Return to School Plan). A short summary is below.
Masks are optional
Social distancing is encouraged when possible
Additional cleaning and disinfecting will remain in place.
February 22, 2021
An individual employed at Weeping Water Elementary and six students have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (coronavirus). The students range in grades from 5th through 11th grade. Through the disease investigation process, it was identified that your child had exposure to the case. The following recommendations pertain only to students, faculty, and staff that receive this notice, not household members.
Weeping Water Public Schools, in consultation with the Sarpy/Cass Health Department, is recommending that the following steps be taken.
Given the number of cases, it is most likely that the students and staff of WWPS have been identified as having exposure to an individual with COVID-19. All students and staff should closely monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, chills, body aches, headache, sore throat, cough, and loss of taste and smell. If your child develops any of these symptoms, contact your child’s healthcare provider and continue to stay at home. If your child develops chest pain or difficulty breathing, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
If symptoms consistent with COVID-19 develop, individuals must isolate at home until:
24 hours with no fever (without fever reducing medication) and
· Respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath) have improved and
· 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
If you have additional questions, please contact Kevin Reiman, Superintendent; Dr. Tiffanie Welte, Principal; Bristol Wenzl, Principal; Alyssa Thorne, School Nurse; or visit the Sarpy/Cass Health Department’s website at www.sarpycasshealthdepartment.org.
January 5, 2020
Setting up and monitoring a classroom of students as well as a zoom call creates a significant amount of extra work for our teachers. Our teaching staff has accepted this challenge during the pandemic to ensure learning continues. However recently requests for zoom lessons have expanded beyond their intended purpose.
Students are allowed to zoom in to a class when:
they have tested positive for COVID-19,
they are required to quarantine due to a high-risk exposure to COVID-19,
they have a medical condition, verified by a doctor, that requires school at home due to COVID-19,
they have a long-term illness that necessitates school at home.
Any requests beyond those listed above require approval from the building principal in advance of the absence.
January 4, 2020
Today NSAA opened who can attend athletic events to non-family members. Schools must still stay under 50% seating capacity. WWPS protocols for home events are as follows:
Regular BB season games / WR duals & triangulars - Open to students, family, and fans up to the 50% seating capacity.
4 team basketball tourneys - spectators are limited to 4 people per player. WW players and visiting schools will be given tickets to give to those people they want to attend.
Wrestling invites & tourneys - spectators are limited to 2 people per player. WW players and visiting schools will be given tickets to give to those people they want to attend.
http://wwps.pub/COVID19
January 4, 2020
Welcome back! Since we are back in school, the form tracking holiday break exposures will no longer be active. Please report any exposures to the school office.
December 22, 2020
In order to stay on top of any COVID work over the holiday break, Weeping Water Public Schools will continue to communicate with the Sarpy/Cass Health Department to perform contact tracing for our students and staff.
We are asking that you report to the school if:
your child or someone in your household tests positive OR
your child has a close contact with someone who tests positive.
Please use the form below to report it to the office.
http://wwps.pub/COVID-reporting
This information will be kept confidential between you, the school, and the Sarpy/Cass Health Department.
We will work with the Sarpy/Cass Health Department to assist you with any actions that need to be taken due to the exposure.
_____________________________________________
November 23, 2020
The Weeping Water Administrative team has reviewed the COVID data. We have seen a reduction in the number of positive cases/quarantines among our students and staff since we went to an A/B schedule. Given this reduction, we will be returning to 100% in-person instruction on Monday, November 30th. Please continue to practice COVID safe practices over Thanksgiving Break.
_____________________________________________
September 25, 2020
An employee with WWPS has tested positive for COVID-19. Parents whose child(ren) had a low-risk exposure were emailed earlier today. WWPS will follow up with a letter early next week. The school worked with the Sarpy/Cass Health Department to identify exposure. The protocols put in place by WWPS eliminated high-risk exposures on school grounds and at school activities. THANK YOU to our staff, students, and parents for remaining vigilant in practicing our COVID safety protocols.
September 9, 2020
Dear Weeping Water Parents,
Weeping Water Public Schools participated in the Summer Food Service Program this past summer. That program offers universal free meals to all students between the ages of 1 – 18. On August 31, 2020, the USDA announced that it extended this program through December 31, 2020, or until the federal funding is exhausted. This will allow all WWPS students to eat a “reimbursable meal” for free during that time.
In order to qualify, the meal must be reimbursable. This requires the student to take the required components. For breakfast, four different items are offered: a milk, fruit, juice, and a bread or bread/meat component. Students must take at least three of these four items and one of those must be a fruit or juice. Failure to take the required items makes it a non-reimbursable meal and your child will be charged ala carte prices.
At lunch, five components are offered: meat, a bread, a vegetable, a fruit, and milk are offered every day. A child needs to take three of those five with one of the components being a fruit or vegetable for it to be considered reimbursable. Again, failure to take the required items makes it a non-reimbursable meal and your child will be charged ala carte prices.
In addition, any extra items and all second servings are charged ala carte prices. Those charges will appear on your child’s lunch account.
Finally, WWPS will go back and credit the student accounts for those reimbursable meals that occurred from September 1st thru September 9th.
Please contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Kevin Reiman, Superintendent
Weeping Water Public Schools
August 18, 2020
The Weeping Water Board of Education passed to items at the August BOE meeting related to COVID-19.
First, the modified the "Return to Learn protocols" based on new information and updates from various agencies. The new protocols can be accessed at:
http://wwps.pub/COVID-Protocols
Second, the BOE approved an alternate calendar that includes makeup days should WWPS need to close school due to the virus. These days were originally No Student/No Staff vacation days. Should the school need to use these makeup days, parents will be notified well in advance that school will be in session. The new school calendar can be accessed at:
https://5il.co/jtiy
July 21, 2020
The Weeping Water Board of Education adopted the Weeping Water Return to School Protocol on July 20th. This protocol was developed by a team of Weeping Water Employees with guidance from NDE, the Sarpy/Cass Health Department, NRCSA, and other Nebraska School Districts.
The protocol provides a roadmap for the district to deal with the current pandemic. It gives guidance to students, parents, and patrons on the current procedures that are in place for on any given day based on a color code system of green, yellow, orange, and red.
The protocols can be downloaded at https://5il.co/ig7i
May 29, 2020
On Monday, Weeping Water High School will open the weight room and gym for summer conditioning to incoming high school students. Our overall goal is to conduct conditioning in a safe manner. To that end, the district has developed protocols that will be followed during summer lifting. These protocols were developed from guidance documents from the CDC, the Nebraska Department of Education, the Directive Health Measure, and with advice from our local health department and Weeping Water Staff Members.
The following link(https://5il.co/gsyz) will take you to a document called "Weight Room Protocol". These protocols will be used to screen students as the enter the building and to ensure student safety is practiced at all times.
If your child missed the initial signup, you can sign up at the following website: rmd.me/0VIK2KELUYO
May 19, 2020
The Weeping Water BOE approved the reopening of the weight room and walking track to the community starting June 1st under the conditions set forth by the Directed Health Measure, Weeping Water Policies, and the WW COVID-19 Resolution passed March 20th, and the local health department.
The restrictions will be as follows:
•No more than 10 people in each area
•Patrons must maintain a 6-foot physical distance from each other
•Equipment must be disinfected immediately after use
Also given the DHM Restrictions, student-athlete use of the weight room may extend to times beyond was is normal for past summers. A schedule of student use will be posted once that has been completed.
May 15, 2020
School/sports physicals
The guidelines for school physicals have changed due to the COVID-19 Virus. Students who are required to have a physical prior to the start of school in August are:
All incoming 7th-grade students
Any incoming freshman who plans to play a school sport
Any other high school student who did not participate in sports in 2019/2020 but will play this upcoming year.
The NSAA will be accepting last year's physical for anyone who played HS sports in 2019/2020.
May 15, 2020
Driver's Education
WWPS has been notified that Driver's Education Classes typically held in the summer have been canceled for this year due to COVID-19.
May 11, 2020 - PreK through Junior Drive-through checkout
WWPS will be utilizing a drive through checkout for returning school items on May 14th (2-6pm) & May 15th (9am-12). Parents and students should remain in their cars during the checkout process.
Student/parents should enter the main school drive off of O Street.
Student/parents will:
At stop one (@Door 16):
Students in grades 6 thru 11 will return their student laptop, pick up a check out bag w/name label, pen, and be given a checkout sheet.
Students in grades PreK thru 5 will pick up a check out bag w/name label and pen.
At Stop 2a for students in grades 6-11 (@Door 1) – A staff member will go through the check-out sheet with the student and bag all items.
At Stop 2b for students in grades PreK through 5 (@Door 2) - A staff member will go through the check-out sheet with the student and bag all items.
Questions
Can parent/students walk up?
Yes. We ask that people practice social distancing as much as is possible.
What if I cannot make it during the scheduled times?
We would appreciate every effort be made to get items in during the scheduled times. If this is not possible, you can contact the school during office hours (1:00pm to 3:00pm) Monday thru Friday to schedule an appointment.
May 11, 2020 - Summer Food Service
On May 15th, the 2019/2020 school year will come to an end. This will also mark the end of our Emergency COVID-19 Food Service Program. The good news is that WWPS has been approved to provide summer meals through the USDA Summer Food Service Program starting on May 18th. The transition from COVID-19 to the summer food program does involve changes.
We will no longer be delivering meals to individual homes.
Breakfast will be available via a drive thru service at the Weeping Water School Building only from 8:00am to 8:30am.
There will be three sites to pick up lunch:
Weeping Water – at the Weeping Water School Building from noon to 12:30pm;
Avoca - In front of the Avoca Town Hall from approximately 11:00am to 11:15am;
Manley – In front of the Manley Community Center from approximately noon to 12:15pm.
Meals are limited to children ages 1 to 18. Just like the COVID-19 Food Service Program, all summer meals are free.
In order to get an accurate count, we are asking all families to re-signup for summer meals. Please go to https://bit.ly/WW-summer-meals to sign up.
May 7, 2020
End of Year Information
We are wrapping up the 2019/2020 school year. A couple pieces of information:
1) There will be no new assignments the remainder of this school year.
2) All assignments are due on Wednesday, May 13th. Paper assignments can be dropped off at the Weeping Water School Building, Door 16.
3) Students should use these final few days to complete any unfinished or makeup work.
4) Textbook, laptop, and school equipment checkin for students in grades PreK through 11 will be next Thursday, May 14th from 2:00pm to 6:00pm and Friday, May 15th from 9:00am to noon.
Additional information on this drive thru check in will be provided in the next couple of days.
Questions can be directed to the school office during the business hours of 1:00pm to 3:00pm or via email at questions@wwindians.org. Thanks
May 1, 2020
SENIOR PARADE - We sorry to report that the county health department and the state department of education have informed us that we are not allowed to have any student gatherings prior to at least May 31, which would include the senior parade plans for next Saturday, May 9. However, we understand that community members have taken of the planning of the parade. Please watch Facebook for additional information.
SENIOR CHECK OUT - Seniors, we are planning a check out day on May 7th. You will be getting an email from Dr. Welte to schedule a time.
K-11 CHECK-OUT - Students in grades K thru 11 will be checking out on May 14 (2pm – 6pm) and May 15 (9am – noon). Check out will be done via a drive-through method. Additional information will be shared with families once the logistics are finalized.
April 21, 2020
Grading update from Dr. Welte
Second semester grades for 2019-2020 will be pass / fail rather than letter grades. Please understand that pass/fail grades still "count" - effort continues to matter!
A "pass" grade will award credit toward graduation
A "fail" grade will not award credit toward graduation.
Pass / Fail grades will not impact students' Grade Point Average. They will only determine credit toward graduation requirements.
First semester GPA for seniors will be the final GPA used for class rank & other honors.
So what does this mean as you look in PowerSchool at your assignments?
If you were passing March 13 & turn in assignments, those will be entered in PowerSchool as "excluded" with the purple icon so they don't calculate to either help or potentially hurt your grade - therefore, as long as you are submitting your assignments you will continue to "pass"
If you were passing March 13 & choose not to turn in an assignment, it will be entered in PowerSchool as "missing" with the orange icon so it will calculate as a zero and drop your grade - therefore, you have the potential to "fail" if you are not doing your work
If you were failing a class March 13 you need to work with your teacher to make up all missing work and/or redo assignments that you performed poorly on prior to March 13. Those will be re-entered in PowerSchool to update your pre-March 13 grade and new assignments post-March 13 will be treated according to a. & b. above.
We recognize that this may not be everyone's ideal, but it is the most equitable solution to meet everyone's needs without causing harm to anyone. This is a time to engage in learning for the pure sake of learning, to strengthen our intrinsic motivation to be curious, inquisitive and driven to accept a challenge to think in news ways simply for the sake of thinking! This is what true education is all about and I am confident that you will each rise to the challenge!
April 16, 2020
How will the canceling of track impact athletes who want to be recognized as 12 sports athletes? Will athletes be able to earn a letter for track?
If the student signed up for track and participated in practice, they would be considered as being part of the track team. This would be counted towards 12 sport total.
Seniors who were part of this year’s track team and who lettered in track last year will earn a 2019/2020 track letter
Underclassmen will retroactively earn a 2019/2020 track letter if;
The student participates in track during the 2020/2021 school year
Earns a letter that year
Finishes the 2020/2021 track season.
April 4, 2020
Q: My son is in high school and I'm wondering if he will still earn his credits needed for this year?
A: As long as HS students complete the work that is assigned until the end of school, they will receive credit for all passing classes.
We will send out additional information once everything is finalized. We are still working out the logistics of closing out the school year. We want to ensure that how we report grades, credits, GPA, class rank, and similar information meets the standards of the Nebraska Department of Education and area colleges.
April 2, 2020
To our students, parents, staff, and patrons:
Last night Governor Ricketts ordered all Nebraska Schools to remain closed to students until May 31st. In the past, the district was given prior notification of these announcements. That did not occur last night.
Everyone at Weeping Water Public Schools is disappointed with this decision; however, we understand that this was done for the health and safety of our citizens. We continue to attend online meetings with local health officials, area superintendents, lawyers, and state officials. Each of the stakeholders plays a part in our overall decision-making process for the district.
So, what happens now?
The directive from the Governor and the guidance from the Nebraska Department of Education is very clear. Each school district is to continue distance learning activities for the remainder of the school year.
Weeping Water Teachers will continue to provide lessons to all students. Students are expected to complete all work and submit it back to teachers by the due date.
The facility remains closed to students and patrons until May 31st except when approved by the administration or the Weeping Water Board of Education.
Breakfast and lunch meals will continue through May 19, 2020.
The district is exploring dates in July for Prom and Graduation.
All NSAA spring sports and activities are canceled for the remainder of the 2020/2021 school year.
Finally, while our focus is on learning, our primary concern is the health and well-being of our students, staff, and patrons.
Please take care of yourself, your family, and your friends. If there are ways that we can help as a school district, please feel free to reach out to us. You can call and leave a message at (402)267-2445 or email us at questions@wwindians.org.
Sincerely,
The Weeping Water Administration
April 1, 2020
FYI to our families getting meals - On Thursday and Friday there will be just one delivery/pickup. Breakfast and lunch will both be delivered in the morning. This will be the case for the rest of the school year.
March 30, 2020
Q: I missed the homework drop off times this last Saturday, and was wondering when I could drop off her school work she’s completed and pick up the new schoolwork packet?
A: The school will be open for office hours each weekday from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm for assignment drop-offs. We will also have the main office foyer open this coming Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Q: We tried to drop off our packets this morning and it wasn’t open. Is it going to be like it was said 8:00 am-8:00 pm Saturday and Sunday? Thank you!
A: I’m sorry it was not open. Perhaps a staff member relocked it thinking it should not have been open and then realized their mistake. The school will be open for office hours each weekday from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm for assignment drop-offs. We will also have the main office foyer open this coming Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Q: Since there is no more school will you guys still be assigning homework?
A: Homework will continue to be assigned.
The school has not officially been canceled for the remainder of the year. The Governor has closed all schools in Cass County through the end of April. The guidance provided to the district is that they will reassess the situation in mid-April and inform schools if it is OK to reopen or to stay closed.
That being said, the Nebraska Department of Education has mandated that all schools implement some form of distance learning. While it will never match the learning that takes place in the classroom, we do want to provide opportunities for learning at home.
March 25, 2020
The NSAA notified member schools that all activity practices and competitions are suspended through May 1st. These suspensions may be extended should the conditions warrant.
March 24, 2020
Starting Wednesday, the pickup times for meals will be shortened. Breakfast pickup will be from 8:00 am to 8:30 am and lunch will be from noon to 12:30 pm.
March 19, 2020
If you signed up for breakfast and/or lunch, that service begins tomorrow. Breakfast is from 7:30 a.m - 8:30 a.m. and lunch is from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. If you are picking up your meals this will be done drive-thru style by the north kitchen dock. If you signed up to have your meals delivered, they will be left by your front door between the above hours. Please understand that the first few days may take a little longer as the crews figure out the routes.
If you were unable to sign up, there is still time. Go to: http://bit.ly/WW-meals
March 19, 2020
The Weeping Water Public Schools' building will be closed on Friday to allow custodians to clean following the student's checkout yesterday and today. Starting Monday, the building will be restricted to essential personnel only. Office hours will be from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm. Staff will be answering calls and responding to emails. Please do not come to the building during office hours unless the situation demands it. Even in those situations, please call first!
March 18, 2020
** Breakfast and Lunch update - The drive-thru pick up times will be 7:30 am to 8:30 am for breakfast, and 11:30 am to 12:30 pm for lunch. The drive-thru will be on the north side of the school building. Please use the service drive.
Delivery for breakfast will start at 7:30 am for breakfast, and 11:30 am for lunch. The delivery staff will not enter the house. They will leave meals outside the home and ring the doorbell or knock. The delivery staff will not approach any house with a dog that appears dangerous.
Parents/students with last names A thru K signed up today.
Parents/students with last names L thru M will have an opportunity to sign up on Thursday.
March 17, 2020
** Breakfast and Lunch information - Weeping Water PS has applied to be included in a US Department of Ag program that would provide meals to ALL CHILDREN, AGES 1 TO 18 FREE OF CHARGE during the school closure. Our goal is to start this program on Friday, March 20th.
During Student/Parent Meetings on Wednesday and Thursday, parents/students will be able to sign up for meals. They will be asked if they want 1) breakfast, lunch, or both AND 2) Will you be picking up meals via a drive-thru at the school OR do you want them delivered.
Parents who are unable to attend the meetings on Wednesday or Thursday can call the school office at (402)267-2445 to sign up.
March 17, 2020
** Seniors and PROM / Graduation - We understand this is a difficult time for seniors. This is not the way to finish out a school year. There are two big events in a senior’s last semester: PROM and Graduation. We are committed to doing everything we can to hold these two events, even if it happens this summer.
**Honors Night & Musical - It is our hope that we can also hold these events as well. We want to make sure that we recognize all of the hard work that has not only gone into the musical, but all academics, activities, and athletics this year.
March 17, 2020
Community use of the Weight Room, Walking Track, and Gym: During the March Board of Education Meeting, board members discussed community access to the Wellness Center part of the school building (Weight Room, Walking Track, and Gym). Everyone on the board of education and administration understands the importance of community access to those areas. However, the health of our community and restricting the spread of COVID-19 must take precedent. For that reason, starting Monday, March 23rd, the Weight Room, Walking Track, and Gym will be closed to the community as well as students. Once the health department determines that it is safe to reopen, the superintendent will open access to the community.
UPDATE - The incorrect date was listed. The closing date is March 23rd not March 30th. It is corrected above.
March 16, 2020 - Announcement for the resumption of learning.
Everyone at WWPS is striving to provide education to our students. As has been stated often, these are difficult, unprecedented times. School staff has been working today to find ways to deliver education to students away from school.
We are planning two days for parents and students to come to the school to collect their belongings and meet with teachers to pick up academic packets.
The school will be open on Wednesday from noon to 6:30pm for families with last names A through K.
The school will be open on Thursday from noon to 6:30pm for families with last names L through Z.
If you have a blended family with last names that split on both days, please just pick one day.
If you are unable to attend either of these dates, please contact the school at (402)267-2445.
The school will be open on Wednesday from noon to 6:30pm for families with last names A through K.
Collect all belongings
Meet with teachers to get an academic packet. This packet will have information on how to contact the teacher, assignments, and methods for collecting and receiving assignments.
The ability to sign up for breakfast and lunch. These meals can be picked up at the school via a “drive thru” or delivered to homes by a school employee.
Middle school students will check out laptops.
This is a very fluid situation. Our goal is to communicate weekly or sooner as the situation warrants. If you have questions, please direct them to the school office or email a school administrator.
Kevin Reiman, Superintendent (kreiman@weepingwaterps.org)
Dr. Tiffanie Welte, Secondary Principal (twelte@weepingwaterps.org)
Bristol Wenzl, Elementary Principal (bwenzl@weepingwaterps.org)
March 15, 2020
Due to the increasing risk of COVID-19 virus spread, Weeping Water Public Schools will be closed indefinitely. We will work with experts to best determine when it is safe to reopen. It is critically important that students stay home or with care providers during this time.
Update - NDE and the Governor have decided to close all schools no later than Monday, March 23. Schools will remain closed through April 3rd. We will continue to be closed this week and will now be following the state guidance on when we can reopen. At this time, the earliest we could reopen is April 6.