As we continue to be challenged at ONE10 with students and staff absent due to illness, it is amazing to see how well our students and staff deliver excellence through adversity.
I am so proud of how our staff have found ways to make sure our academic lessons continue and we deliver excellence even when we are shorthanded. I am also proud and impressed with how students do not let the current challenges affect their attitude and spirit for learning. I’ve had the opportunity to visit our school buildings. I must say I’ve seen students and staff making the best out of every situation and also not allowing outside influences affect their joy.
On January 10th we celebrated “WE Are ONE10 Day”. This is a great example of how our caring staff and students celebrate ONE10. The ONE10 school community is so fortunate to have such wonderful staff, students and parents. Thank You!
The January 2022 Covid Surge is Making History at ONE10
The aggressive and highly contagious Omicron variant of Covid has created many new challenges at ONE10 as we are seeing the highest Covid numbers on record. So far in January, we have more than 438 positive cases reported and there are 10 days remaining in the month. Our previous monthly high positive Covid cases reported was 180. You can see how the Covid numbers in Carver County are showing an outbreak.
With this current surge, it is vital that we all do our part to keep each other safe. That was why it was important to implement temporary increased mitigation strategies. We have been using our scalpel approach this school year and experienced success in a slow down within identified groups. But, currently, with the entire school district above the 5% of positive Covid case in 14 days threshold for making a pivot, we needed to move our entire school district to a temporary masking mandate. We were also experiencing high staffing shortages which challenged our ability to have certified teachers in classrooms. This was not sustainable and why we needed to move the high school to a short-term distance learning model.
We are pleased with how our Safe Learning Plan strategies have been working. Last fall we could have never predicted the current surge and the possibility of not having enough certified teachers in front of students along with having over 5% of students and staff infected with Covid. The good news is that we think we may have seen the peak of this surge and our increased strategies are showing a successful impact on our Covid numbers. We have seen the weekly Covid numbers December to January trend as follows; 57, 28, 16, 5, 135, 165, 137. This week we have experienced the following daily trend; 85, 24, 14, 14. The last three days have given us hope that maybe we have seen our worst and better days are ahead.
We all want this pandemic to be over. It is exhausting for everyone at ONE10. Thank you to those who are being patient and supporting ONE10 as we navigate through these extraordinary times.
This surge continues to be a challenge for all of us, yet we will get through this together.
Because…..WE Are ONE10!!
Paraprofessional Recognition Week 2022
The week of January 24–30, 2022 is MN Paraprofessional Recognition Week.
Our ONE10 Paraprofessionals are the glue that supports our wonderful students at ONE10 and have stepped up in so many ways during the past year—supporting school-age care, assisting with virtual learning, helping wherever needed and more. We are so grateful for their commitment to meeting the needs of students. Next week, please find a way to show gratitude for all they do as we celebrate how wonderful they are.
Our ONE10 Paraprofessionals are the BEST!!
(FYI. Some buildings are celebrating their building level paraprofessionals in the spring.)
Weather Related School Closure Reminder
(Repeated from 12/17/21 MailChimp.)
As we move into the winter season, it is important to remember our weather-related protocols for delays, early dismissals, and school cancellations. This video explains the process to make the decision. The first two weather-related closures do not need to be made up so those will be true “snow days”. Students and staff will not be expected to be at school on those two days with the exception of some employees who need to help at the buildings. It is in the employee contracts and works agreements that duties will not be assigned to staff during the first two weather-related school closure days. If we have to cancel a third school day in the school year, we will follow the Flex Learning Plan that was put in place in 2019. Now that we have all experienced Distance Learning, the Flex Learning Plan should be familiar.
Polar Plunge is Scheduled for Lake Waconia on February 12th
ISD ONE10 has had great participation in the Polar Plunge for almost a decade. So much so that the MN Polar Plunge organizers have placed a plunge sight at Lake Waconia, now on year two. We have high hopes that this will be our biggest year yet at ONE10. Anyone wanting to plunge as part of ONE10, can join the team for their own school or create their own team. Please reach out to your building Polar Plunge organizer to get involved.
The money raised for each school will be going directly back to the Unified Champion Schools program at that school - each school keeps 50% of the total amount they raise! Money raised from this plunge will also be going to the Waconia Inclusive Playground and to Special Olympics. There are so many initiatives that each school will be implementing in the upcoming year for our students, and all the money raised through the Polar Plunge will help create some awesome experiences for some even more awesome students!
Plunge Date: Saturday, February 12th
Where: Lake Waconia Regional Park
Time: TBD - time slots will be released about 1 week prior to the plunge
Solicit your family, friends, neighbors, and strangers to help you reach your goal! Sharing on social media is highly effective!
ONE10 has been a leader statewide for raising funds through Polar Plunge. It would be so cool to exceed our money raising record and be the top school district in the state, once again.
A few seconds of being cold is a small price to pay to help provide inclusive programming in the district! Please feel free to sign up or donate. Thanks! WE Are ONE10!!
Have a Wonderful Weekend!!
Thanks for all you do to make ONE10 a Great Place for Kids!
WE Are ONE10!!
NOW HIRING:
Waconia Public Schools is currently seeking applicants for multiple positions. Use the link below to view open positions, and share with people you know. ONE10 Job Openings
