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Superintendent: 7,600 students using temporary virtual option; district distributes weekly meal kits via Second Harvest
Summary
Superintendent Stacy Stanley told the committee that more than 7,600 students have enrolled in the district’s temporary virtual learning option, staff are conducting outreach and the district and Second Harvest are delivering ingredient-style meal kits to about 500 families weekly.
Superintendent Stacy Stanley provided the committee an update Feb. 4 on the district’s temporary virtual learning option and associated family supports, reporting that more than 7,600 students had enrolled in the temporary virtual program and that the district was working to shore up attendance and family needs.
Stanley said the district is contacting families through social workers and communications staff and that school leaders are supporting staff as virtual enrollment fluctuates. She said families choosing the virtual option will have a first opportunity to return to in-person instruction beginning Feb. 17 under a three-week cycle intended to give schools and teachers time to adjust learning models.
On food support, the superintendent described a partnership with Second Harvest to deliver weekly ‘‘meal kits’’ of ingredients (rather than USDA-prepared school lunches) to roughly 500 families; the kits are intended to provide enough food for a week and are distributed as part of a district outreach effort. The district explained that because off-campus service is not handled through USDA the kits differ from on-campus school meals.
Dr. Janowski provided operational detail: pre-K attendance is lower because adult support at home is required; some elementary schools have virtual classrooms of only a handful of students while others are approaching 40% virtual; Wellstone Elementary was cited as the largest elementary with about 44% virtual. The district said it conducts weekly reconciliation meetings between facilities and finance and is updating guidance documents and communications for families and staff.
Board members asked about supports for students returning to buildings, communication cadences with families, and the cost and staffing implications of virtual instruction; staff said they had provided two staff-preparation days and were adding weekly communications to keep families and staff informed.
