The closing of schools in March 2020 has profoundly affected the lives of the Wheatland-Chili community, and families and communities globally.  This impact will continue through the 2020-2021 school year and beyond.  While no one can predict all of the challenges that may arise over the coming weeks and months, it is critical that we plan for a safe and orderly return to school.

Please know that our immediate concern is to ensure the health and safety of everyone in our schools.  At the same time, we are addressing challenges presented by instructional needs of students, social and emotional needs that have emerged as a result of the pandemic, ensuring that students are able to equitably engage in remote learning, and planning for potential budgetary cuts in 2020-2021.

To prepare, our District team has reviewed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for schools as well as NYS Department of Health guidance to plan for different options for the fall.  We are also reviewing plans from other states to assist us in considering possibilities.  So that we are prepared for different scenarios, we are discussing what school could look like (1) following CDC guidelines for a full return in the fall, (2) the continuation of remote learning, and (3) a hybrid approach that could be a combination of in-school and remote learning. 

In preparation for the development of our reopening plan, the following has occurred:

• June - Gathered input from teacher leaders on District's Curriculum Council
• June/July - District team reviewed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for schools as well as NYS Department of Health guidance to plan to different options for the fall
• July - surveyed parents and staff; held meetings with Reopening Advisory Group

As a result of our survey efforts, we received responses from 344 parents and 85 staff members within the District.

The timeline for our work is as follows:

• Week of July 13 - Guidance from New York State Department of Health, New York State EDucation Department, and Governor's Office arrived
• July 31 - District plans must be submitted
• August 1 through 7 - Governor will make a determine on school reopening

Below you will find working documents that have been created and resources that we relied upon as we journey toward the development and submission of the 2020-2021 Reopening Plan.  Once created, the Plan will be launched on this website and an "At a Glance" version of the Plan with critical components created for our parents and staff.  Parents and staff will be advised of the availability of the Plan and summary upon completion.