Only remedial classes offered
By Robert Cloud
Waupaca has canceled its pre-K through eighth-grade enrichment summer school.
District Administrator Ron Saari told the school board at its June 9 meeting that the enrichment classes were canceled due to low student registration.
“We simply do not have the student enrollment numbers to fiscally make the enrichment summer school work,” Saari said.
Saari said the average student enrollment for the first summer school session is four students per class.
However, Waupaca will continue its fifth- through 12th-grade remediation summer school classes.
These classes are designed for students who failed courses in English, math, science or social studies.
Students need to take the virtual classes in order to receive credit.
The classes run from June 15 to July 31. Students only need to attend until they show proficiency in the subject.
Fall 2020 instruction
At the June 9 meeting, Saari said the Waupaca School District had less than 60 days to determine how classes will be offered when school resumes in the fall.
He said a team of 18 people, which includes administrators, the athletic director, food service, building and grounds, a representative from Riteway, school nurses and others are meeting twice a week to put together a reopening plan.
The team will be expanded to include other stakeholders.
Saari said there are three options the district must consider:
• All students can return to the classroom, but some may choose to continue learning through virtual instruction;
• 100% virtual learning;
• A hybrid of face-to-face learning in the classroom and virtual learning.
Saari described determining how to resume school in the fall as a “balancing act.”
“We’ve been advised to think about how we proceed in the fall and throughout the year as a risk assessment and think of it as a spectrum,” Saari said.
“Every time we get out of bed, we’re taking a risk. Every time we get in a vehicle and leave the house, we’re taking a risk. And then, there’s the other side of the spectrum,” Saari said. “We want to find a happy place that works for Waupaca.”
Saari said the district is considering a survey to obtain input from staff and parents.
He is also meeting weekly with superintendents from other districts in Waupaca County and the county health officer.
“Our goal is that all of our districts in our county be as consistent as we possibly can,” Saari said.
While there is an expectation that students will eventually return to the classroom, Saari said, “Information is constantly changing, and as we continue to learn more daily, we will have to be flexible and make adjustments as new information presents itself.”