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3/31/2020- 4:00 PM 

Dear NWLSD Parents and Guardians,

I want to thank all of our families and all of our students for your patience, understanding and the support that you have given our staff over the last three weeks. Your solidarity in standing with us as we transitioned from classroom learning to remote education has been refreshing.

Our building principals and teaching staff have worked hard to disseminate Chromebooks to students in need and to create engaging content for our students to immerse themselves in learning within their homes and even online.  Every department played a role in making this happen and we are beyond grateful.

Yesterday, Governor Mike Dewine announced that our community will continue social distancing throughout the month of April, and that all public and private K-12 schools in the state are to be closed until May 1, due to the coronavirus health crisis.

NWLSD staff and students will return to school on Monday, May 4, 2020. If this changes, we will let our families know.  

Below we have information related to the Governor’s extended closure and what it means specifically for our district: 

With extended closure, will students have to make up time in the summer?
This decision has to be determined by the Ohio Department of Education. As they put out information and we learn more, we will continue to keep our families informed.

Will NWLSD continue distributing food to students?
NWLSD will offer Drive-Thru meals on April 2, April 16, April 23, and April 30. Meals will be available for pick up from 11 am - 1 pm at Struble Elementary, Taylor Elementary and Pleasant Run Elementary.   

Information on House Bill (HB) 197
As many of you know, last week the Ohio General Assembly passed HB 197 in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. Gov. Mike DeWine is expected to sign the bill into law, which will take effect immediately. Upon his signature, there will be several changes that will impact our District. Below are each of Gov. DeWine’s changes, followed by a summary of how this will directly affect NWLSD: 

HB 197 eliminates state and federal testing for the 2019-2020 school year

NWLSD will not have State or Federal testing this year.

HB 197 prohibits the issuance of school and district state report cards for the 2019-2020 school year and provides a one-year safe harbor from sanctions related to the report card;

Like other schools across the State of Ohio, NWLSD will not have a local report card issued for this school year. 

HB 197 freezes EdChoice eligibility. No additional school buildings will be added.

Any student who was eligible during 2019-2020 school year will remain eligible during the 2020-2021 school year. This will eliminate the eligibility of the following five schools from being on the list: Colerain Elementary, Monfort Heights Elementary, Taylor Elementary, Pleasant Run Middle, and Colerain High School. For the 2020- 2021 school year, students that attend Struble Elementary, will remain eligible for the school choice voucher.  

HB 197 waives the third-grade reading guarantee retention requirement.

Based on this ruling, NWLSD will not retain students in third grade based on their third grade reading scores for the 2019-2020 school year. Our district leaders in curriculum and in special education are meeting daily with the U.S. Department of Education, the Ohio Department of Ed. and other educational leaders to ensure success for every one of our students. We are meeting regularly to formulate a plan as we move forward. 

 

 3/23/2020- 12:00 PM 

NWLSD is Offering Drive-Thru Meals to Students on April 2, 2020.

NWLSD is proud to offer our families the opportunity to pick up a weeks’ worth of drive-thru meals for their students on Thursday, April 2nd from 11am-1pm from the following schools: Pleasant Run Elementary, Taylor Elementary, & Struble Elementary. This is open to all children age 18 and under who reside within the district area.

Because your health & the health of our employees is of utmost importance, we respectfully request that you remain in your vehicle during meal pickup. 

PLEASE DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE.

Meals will range from pre-packaged breakfast & lunch kits to granola bars, cereal, pop tarts, deli sandwiches, subs etc. All meals will include milk & fruit, fruit juice, and/or a vegetable.

NWLSD takes the COVID-19 pandemic seriously. Therefore, every employee that comes in contact with food will document their temperature prior to entering the facility & will not be permitted to enter if they have an elevated temperature, have come in contact with or had a household member come in contact with COVID-19.  We will have no more than 8 employees at a time in the facility and all employees will remain at least 6 feet apart.  

https://www.businessinsider.com/google-hangouts-video-conferencing-free-coronavirus-zoom-2020-3

Based on the State mandate, Northwest Local Schools will be closed from March 16th - April 3rd.

NWLSD will maintain its scheduled spring break from April 6 - April 13th. 

Yes, sports, extracurricular activities, after-school clubs and programs are canceled through April 13, 2020.

Is NWLSD Closing? 

On Friday, March 13th the NWLSD staff will report for professional development. This time will be spent finalizing their lesson plans and other necessary action plans for long-term closures, as well as cleaning and disinfecting our buildings and buses across the Distric

As a precaution, Northwest Local Schools will be closed March 16th - March 17th. Essential personnel only will report on these days

Election Day is Tuesday, March 17th. Some of our schools are being used as polling locations. All areas being used for voting will be deep cleaned following the closing of the polls.

Are extracurricular activities and after-school clubs and programs canceled? 

We are suspending all after-school activities, extracurricular clubs, and programs from Thursday, March 12th - Friday, March 27th. 

Sports practices will resume on March 18th, pending further notifications. NWLSD’s high school and middle school sports programs will follow the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) guidelines. We will continue to share new information as it is released.  

Are facility rentals canceled? 

We are suspending all facility rentals from Thursday, March 12th - Friday, March 27th. 

How is NWLSD making Decisions?

At this time we are working with Hamilton County Public Health and the Ohio Department of Health. Our Superintendent has been meeting with the Hamilton County Health Commissioner, and other superintendents across Ohio. We are following the State Department of Health’s guidance as they lead schools forward on how to proceed with school closures. 

Yesterday, Governor DeWine announced that the state is not recommending the long-term closure of K-12 schools at this time. However, there was a recommendation to prepare for a closing. 

If school closes for a long period of time, what preparations does NWLSD have in place to educate students? 

Our teachers across the District are preparing lesson plans and instructions, as well as enrichment materials and packets for students to complete their work at home. Our staff is preparing materials that can be accessed online using Google Classroom, Study Sync, and Clever applications. Hard copies will be distributed for students who do not have online access. 

Is NWLSD providing breakfast and lunch for students?

Preparations have been made to secure non-perishable breakfast and lunch kits for our students. The food has been purchased but needs to be assembled in order to be taken to each school for students to take home. We have received donated bags from several local businesses. 

How is cleaning and disinfection being carried out? 

Our custodial team is deep cleaning and disinfecting our buildings daily, across the district.  Extra attention is paid to touchpoints, high traffic areas, health clinics, and restrooms. Building by building, we are using the Clorox 360 machine to disinfect the entire district and our buses.

How can our NWLSD community stay healthy?

Be proactive and self-monitor your health if you have upcoming travel plans for spring break. Be mindful, that it takes 2-3 days for symptoms to be noticed. Please take the time to self-monitor your return for the development of flu-like symptoms. If you become symptomatic and need to self-quarantine, please contact your healthcare provider for guidance.

Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands with warm water and soap for a minimum of 20 seconds. This should be done frequently throughout your day. Be sure to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable. 

• Cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

• Keep household cleaning spray or wipes readily available. Always use according to label instructions.

• Clean “high-touch” surfaces daily. These include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.

• Don’t share personal items such as water bottles.

   

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