January 14, 2021
WCPS Community,
As our community continues to recover and heal from the destruction of the tornadoes, TEAM WCPS continues to dive in each day to educate students while supporting families most impacted by the storm. I would like our impacted families to know that we are committed to being here for you in the months and years that lie ahead. In an effort to ensure all of our staff understand the level of devastation and trauma caused by these tornadoes, we shared a video about how TEAM WCPS came together to help our friends and neighbors. There may be some images that are difficult to watch, but you can view this video here.
As we continue to navigate our way through the pandemic and the aftermath of the tornadoes, we want to remind our community about the mental health resources that are available. On Facebook, you can search for the WCPS District Mental Health Team or you can click here for the WCPS Mental Health site. We are proud to be in a position where we can provide these valuable resources to our students, staff, and community. In addition to our mental health counselors, WCPS has Family Resource and Youth Services Centers at each of our schools. Each center has a Coordinator who has been at the forefront of assisting our families most impacted by the tornadoes. Aside from the recent challenges the tornadoes have brought, these coordinators work throughout the year to assist our families who are facing hardships and challenges. You may contact the FRYSC Coordinator directly at your student’s school if you need assistance.
We recently received another change in the quarantine procedure guidance from both the Kentucky Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control. You may read the updated guidelines here. Since returning from the break, we have experienced a sharp rise in cases mirroring what is occurring in our community and across the Commonwealth. Fortunately, most experts agree that the impact of the latest COVID strain has been much different for those who are vaccinated and/or boosted. However, we will continue the implementation of our current safety measures to the best of our ability as we work together to minimize the spread of the virus. Should you choose for your child to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, a booster shot for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been expanded to include those 12 to 15 years old and is available 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series. You can read the CDC’s statement here. Please contact your child’s pediatrician for more information.
The Kentucky Teacher of the Year nominations are now open. Nominations are due by February 21, 2022. Anyone (community members, families, students, parents, peers, principals, etc.) can nominate a teacher. Once nominated, the teacher will be contacted by KDE to complete the application by March 21, 2022. Nominations can be made through this Google form. We know we have a lot of teachers that deserve this honor and you are encouraged to nominate one of the many deserving TEAM WCPS teachers!
In closing, I continue to be in awe of the stories of support from our staff across WCPS. Most of us could not have ever imagined the unprecedented times we are currently facing, but our staff has never wavered. Although this has been a tremendous community effort by so many, I have never been more proud to be associated with TEAM WCPS than I am today. Thank you for your continued partnership and as always, let us know if you need any assistance. Take care!
Respectfully,
Rob Clayton
Superintendent