Dear Student, Staff, and Parents,

Attached is the SDNR COVID-19 Positive Case Weekly Update and Current Learning Model for the week of April 5, 2021. Included in this update is the following:

• Positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the SDNR during the week of April 5, 2021
• COVID-19 Weekly/Cumulative Data and Current Learning Model
• SDNR Face Covering Requirement and Vaccination Update
• SDNR Tiger Launch COVID-19 Spring of 2021 Updates (Board Approved)
• SDNR COVID-19 School Based Exclusion Model

Please read the attachments for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

I hope everyone had a great break with family and friends. We continue our journey through the current pandemic and these opportunities have been realized through teamwork, collaboration, sacrifice, and most of all care for our students, staff, families, and community. Thank you for your support and we need to be vigilant in our mitigation strategies as they have been proved effective.

Please read the attachment for more detailed information.

We are all experiencing challenges and higher emotions due the COVID-19 pandemic and your support is very much appreciated. We continue to monitor and make appropriate changes as needed at all levels. We need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Student, Staff, and Parents,

Attached is the SDNR COVID-19 Positive Case Weekly Update and Current Learning Model for the week of March 22, 2021. Included in this update is the following:

• Positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the SDNR during the week of March 22, 2021
• COVID-19 Weekly/Cumulative Data and Current Learning Model
• SDNR Tiger Launch COVID-19 Spring of 2021 Updates (Board Approved)
• SDNR COVID-19 School Based Exclusion Model

Please read the attachments for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Student, Staff, and Parents,

Attached is the SDNR COVID-19 Positive Case Weekly Update and Current Learning Model for the week of March 15, 2021. Included in this update is the following:

• Positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the SDNR during the week of March 15, 2021
• COVID-19 Weekly/Cumulative Data and Current Learning Model
• SDNR Tiger Launch COVID-19 Spring of 2021 Updates (Board Approved)
• SDNR COVID-19 School Based Exclusion Model

Please read the attachments for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

One year ago, the following communication was sent to all parents SDNR COVID-19 Closure (Parent) 3-13-20. This letter started our journey into a global pandemic known as COVID-19. We arrive at this anniversary in a prolonged state of inquiries, fatigue, and optimism. This past year has been filled with many accomplishments yet so much remains unresolved. I would first like to say our thoughts and prayers to everyone that lost a family member or friend to this virus.

We owe ourselves some time for reflection but we also owe it to one another to keep looking ahead. One of my favorite quotes is “the past is like using your rear-view mirror in your vehicle, it is good to glance back and see how far you have come, but if you stare too long you will miss what is right in front of you”. All year long, we grappled with fluctuating health rules and guidance, all while trying to keep our students and staff safe! I am overflowing with Tiger Pride at what the SDNR team of staff members has and continues to accomplish despite the daily challenges of this global pandemic. When adversity is avoided or kept from us, it prevents the rich roots of character, learning, resilience, creativity, and conviction to germinate. Adversity plays a vital role in growth and greatness. In simple terms: no adversity, no growth. Instead of avoiding adversity, the SDNR team of staff members embraced the challenges of not knowing what was ahead as Governor Evers issued an order closing schools effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Our focus from the start was to provide continued education for all students at each level that is effectively communicated and one year later we continue to do just that.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on our community’s physical and mental health and we are pleased to see trends heading in a positive direction. Like you, we have all learned a lot about how to adapt on a daily basis. Our country, state, and community need resilient schools, resilient educators and resilient students. It is hard to fathom that many schools throughout the nation and even in Wisconsin are still working on their plan to come back full time, while the SDNR has been able to be in person all year long for K-5 and for most of the year in both middle and high school. As a District, we are fortunate for the collaboration and contributions of so many who helped develop and implement our 2020-21 Tiger Launch Plan. This level of forward thinking included key mitigation strategies of wearing masks, social distancing, handwashing, and appropriate cleaning all while taking proactive steps with contact tracing. As I reflect on this anniversary, the following items come to mind:

• How important human interaction is as educators
• Survival is and continues to be based on teamwork, support, and attitude
• New expertise and innovative methods have created a more rich and flexible learning environment for all
• Adversity has fostered creativity and added educational tools to our toolbox
• No matter what the circumstances are, we continue to reconfigure how we serve students
• Education was never a one-size-fits all process and these experiences have opened up a new perspective of learning, growing, and achieving

We all continue to experience challenges, tribulations, and higher emotions due the COVID-19 pandemic and your support is very much appreciated. We continue to monitor and make appropriate changes as needed at all levels. We need your help to avoid large gatherings, wash your hands, and continue to wear your mask. Together we can make a difference!

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Student, Staff, and Parents,

Attached is the SDNR COVID-19 Positive Case Weekly Update and Current Learning Model for the week of March 8, 2021. Included in this update is the following:

• Positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the SDNR during the week of March 8, 2021
• COVID-19 Weekly/Cumulative Data and Current Learning Model
• SDNR Tiger Launch COVID-19 Spring of 2021 Updates (Board Approved)
• SDNR COVID-19 School Based Exclusion Model

Please read the attachments for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Student, Staff, and Parents,

Attached is the SDNR COVID-19 Positive Case Weekly Update and Current Learning Model for the week of March 1, 2021. Included in this update is the following:

• Positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the SDNR during the week of March 1, 2021
• COVID-19 Weekly/Cumulative Data and Current Learning Model
• SDNR Tiger Launch COVID-19 Spring of 2021 Updates (Board Approved)
• SDNR COVID-19 School Based Exclusion Model

Please read the attachments for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Student, Staff, and Parents,

Attached is the SDNR COVID-19 Positive Case Weekly Update and Current Learning Model for the week of February 22, 2021. Included in this update is the following:

• Positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the SDNR during the week of February 22, 2021
• COVID-19 Weekly/Cumulative Data and Current Learning Model
• SDNR Tiger Launch COVID-19 Spring of 2021 Updates
• SDNR COVID-19 School Based Exclusion Model

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

To date, we have been able to provide 108 in-person learning days for SDNR Elementary students, 80 in-person learning days and 28 remote learning days for NRMS students, 76 in-person learning days and 32 remote learning days for NRHS students along with offering a majority of extra-curricular activities during both the fall and winter seasons. These opportunities were realized through teamwork, collaboration, sacrifice, and most of all care for our students, staff, families, and community. We are still in the middle of this pandemic and we need to be vigilant in our mitigation strategies as they have been proved effective.

On Monday, February 22, 2021 the SDNR Board of Education held a work session to take the next steps in our COVID-19 planning for the spring of 2020-21 school year. The following is an updated summary of important dates and guidelines:

Please read the attachment for more detailed information.

We are all experiencing challenges and higher emotions due the COVID-19 pandemic and your support is very much appreciated. We continue to monitor and make appropriate changes as needed at all levels. We need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Student and Parents,

Attached is the SDNR COVID-19 Positive Case Weekly Update and Current Learning Model for the week of February 15, 2021. Included in this update is the following:

• Positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the SDNR during the week of February 15, 2021
• COVID-19 Weekly/Cumulative Data and Current Learning Model
• SDNR COVID-19 School Based Exclusion Model
• The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control approved on 1-27-21 the following: For statewide uniformity and consistency during the tournaments, the Board reaffirmed the policy requiring a 14-day quarantine period for individuals having close contact with positive COVID-19 cases. This is only for NRHS WIAA Postseason Participation. All other RTS (Return To School) dates will follow the SDNR COVID-19 school-based exclusion flow chart.

Please read the attachments for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

Attached is the SDNR COVID-19 Positive Case Weekly Update and Current Learning Model for the week of February 8, 2021. Included in this update is the following:

Positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the SDNR during the week of February 8, 2021

COVID-19 Weekly/Cumulative Data and Current Learning Model

SDNR COVID-19 School Based Exclusion Model

SDNR Newsletter Winter Edition 2021

Virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences Reminder

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control approved on 1-27-21 the following: For statewide uniformity and consistency during the tournaments, the Board reaffirmed the policy requiring a 14-day quarantine period for individuals having close contact with positive COVID-19 cases. This is only for NRHS WIAA Post Season Participation. All other RTS (Return To School) dates will follow the SDNR COVID-19 school-based exclusion flow chart.

Attention 75+ Individuals: Westfields Hospital & Clinic is currently focusing on 75+ as they have over 2,000 to get through before they move on to 65+. If you know of a 75+ individual that is interested in the COVID-19 vaccination please do the following: Visit www.westfieldshospital.com or healthpartners.com/vaccine for answers to some of the most common questions about COVID-19 vaccines. COVID Vaccine scheduling line at (715) 243-3541, during business hours (7:30am – 4:30pm)

Please read the attachments for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

Attached is the SDNR COVID-19 Positive Case Weekly Update and Current Learning Model for the week of February 1, 2021. Included in this update is the following:

Positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the SDNR during the week of February 1, 2021COVID-19 Weekly/Cumulative Data and Current Learning ModelSDNR COVID-19 School Based Exclusion ModelWI Emergency Order #1 (2-5-21)SDNR Mask Mandate Regardless of Legislative Decisions

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control approved on 1-27-21 the following: For statewide uniformity and consistency during the tournaments, the Board reaffirmed the policy requiring a 14-day quarantine period for individuals having close contact with positive COVID-19 cases. This is only for NRHS WIAA Post Season Participation. All other RTS (Return To School) dates will follow the SDNR COVID-19 school-based exclusion flow chart.

Attention 75+ Individuals: Westfields Hospital & Clinic is currently focusing on 75+ as they have over 2,000 to get through before they move on to 65+. If you know of a 75+ individual that is interested in the COVID-19 vaccination please do the following: Visit www.westfieldshospital.com or healthpartners.com/vaccine for answers to some of the most common questions about COVID-19 vaccines. COVID Vaccine scheduling line at (715) 243-3541, during business hours (7:30am – 4:30pm)

Please read the attachments for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

Attached is the SDNR COVID-19 Positive Case Weekly Update and Current Learning Model for the week of January 25, 2021. Included in this update is the following:

• Positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the SDNR during the week of January 25, 2021
• COVID-19 Weekly/Cumulative Data and Current Learning Model
• SDNR COVID-19 School Based Exclusion Model

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control approved on 1-27-21 the following: For statewide uniformity and consistency during the tournaments, the Board reaffirmed the policy requiring a 14-day quarantine period for individuals having close contact with positive COVID-19 cases. This is only for NRHS WIAA Post Season Participation. All other RTS (Return To School) dates will follow the SDNR COVID-19 school-based exclusion flow chart.

Attention 75+ Individuals: Westfields Hospital & Clinic is currently focusing on 75+ as they have over 2,000 to get through before they move on to 65+. If you know of a 75+ individual that is interested in the COVID-19 vaccination please do the following: Visit www.westfieldshospital.com or healthpartners.com/vaccine for answers to some of the most common questions about COVID-19 vaccines. COVID Vaccine scheduling line at (715) 243-3541, during business hours (7:30am – 4:30pm)

Please read the attachment for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

We were excited to have 4K-8 students back in-person this past week and we look forward to getting grades 9-12 back in the building on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. The following includes a lot of new information and also various reminders. If you have any questions please feel free to contact your building principal.

 

Please read the attachment for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students and Parents,

The School District of New Richmond Board of Education approved a learning model change on December 22, 2020. A communication was sent later that night to all students, staff, and parents. Tonight, the SDNR Board of Education met to receive updated information and review COVID-19 data from the holiday break. As best stated by SCCPH, the infection rate and trend in our community is going down. In addition, data of identified source of infection acquired at school in the last month shared with us from SCCPH for students ages 4-18 is currently at 3%. After taking all information into account, the following changes will be instituted:

• New Richmond Middle School Students (Grades 6-8) will return back to full time in-person learning starting on Monday, January 11, 2021
• No School for 4K-12 Students on Friday - January 15, 2021 for a SDNR Staff Professional Learning Day (Calendar Change)
• No School for 4K-12 Students on Monday – January 18, 2021 for a SDNR Professional Learning Day as originally planned
• New Richmond High School Students (Grades 9-12) will return back to full time in-person learning starting on Tuesday, January 19, 2021
• All extra-curricular activities will continue as planned based on COVID-19 protocols and mitigation strategies
• Wednesday’s will continue to be late starts for all levels
• If your student is under quarantine as a close contact or isolation for being COVID-19 positive at the beginning of in-person learning, please send us a copy of the positive test results or close contact notification from the county as soon as possible. These can be emailed to nicole.wocelka@newrichmond.k12.wi.us as soon as possible

Thank you to our 4K-5 staff for your tremendous efforts to remain in-person from the first day of school. Thank you to our middle school and high school staff for working through all the changes to the learning model. Finally, thank you to everyone for your dedication, fortitude, and perseverance to combat all the challenges that have been put in front of you and adjusting based on the circumstances of COVID-19 both personally and professionally. If communities continue coming together like this, on the simple principal of compassion, then great things are going to happen!

Please read the attachment for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

Happy New Year and Welcome Back. We hope everyone had a safe and restful holiday season and we are excited for the beginning of 2021!

Attached is the SDNR COVID-19 Positive Case Weekly Update and Current Learning Model for the week of December 28, 2020. Included in this update is the following:

• Positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the SDNR during the week of December 28, 2020
• COVID-19 Weekly/Cumulative Data and Current Learning Model
• Updated SDNR COVID-19 School Based Exclusion Model

Please read the attachment for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students and Parents,

The attached pictures speak for themselves. The middle graphic is the one I would like to outline to all our students, staff, and parents. Simply put, THANK YOU for all you have done and continue to endure each day. I would also like to wish each of you the happiest of holidays no matter what you celebrate. Below includes reminders and also new pieces of information.

Please read the attachment for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

Attached is the SDNR COVID-19 Positive Case Weekly Update and Current Learning Model for the week of December 14, 2020. Included in this update is the following:

• Positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the SDNR during the week of December 14, 2020
• COVID-19 Weekly/Cumulative Data and Current Learning Model
• Updated SDNR COVID-19 School Based Exclusion Model which was updated this past week

Please read the attachment for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

SDNR COVID-19 School Based Exclusion

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

I apologize as the one data file did not seem to work so I will try with email #3. With that said, I have also included a photo copy of the pdf. Sorry for the repetitive messages!

Attached is the SDNR COVID-19 Positive Case Weekly Update and Current Learning Model for the week of December 7, 2020.

Please read the attachments for more detailed information.

WIAA and SDNR Medical COVID-19 Clearance Information

WIAA Fall Sports Medical Clearance

SCC New Quarantine flyer

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students and Parents,

Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate our way through the current pandemic challenges. We continue to monitor and make appropriate changes as needed at all levels. The following updates includes new information and also reminders during this fluid COVID-19 situation:

Reducing the Duration of Quarantine for Individuals Exposed to COVID-19
The School District of New Richmond will be updating our guidance on quarantine to align with the new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), and St. Croix County Public Health. Last week, the CDC released an updated guidance document entitled Options to Reduce Quarantine for Contacts of Persons with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Using Symptom Monitoring and Diagnostic Testing. The document describes several important modifications that could reduce quarantine times for people exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We have received notification that DHS and SCCPH has reviewed the modified guidance and agrees with the CDC that the options for reducing the duration of quarantine are acceptable if implemented appropriately.

Updated close contact quarantine guidance for the School District of New Richmond includes:

• Please continue to contact the District if your child is considered a close contact or has tested positive for COVID-19.
• If you test positive for COVID-19, you must still isolate for 10 days.
• Each case will be evaluated on an individual basis and a longer quarantine may be needed based on circumstances.
• Rapid test results will only be accepted if individual is symptomatic.
• The new close contact quarantine guidance is effective of December 7, 2020. All previous dates provided by the SDNR will be followed.
• A close contact quarantine can end after Day 7 if the result of a PCR COVID-19 test is negative and if no symptoms were reported during daily monitoring. The test specimen may be collected and tested on day 6 or 7, before the time of planned quarantine discontinuation, but quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than after Day 7.
• A pending test result on day 7 is not sufficient to end quarantine early, and daily monitoring through 14 days MUST occur.
• A close contact quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing, if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring.

Please read the attachments for more detailed information.

Thank you again for your support as we need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

As experienced so far during this COVID-19 pandemic, instructional model changes have been based on various data sources as shared on a bi-weekly basis. As a District, we continue to find the balance between student needs, staff needs, and what is in our control. On Monday, November 30, 2020, the School District of New Richmond Board of Education approved the following instructional model and athletic/extra-curricular changes as outlined in the attachment. We have all been faced with an endless array of difficult decisions as circumstances continually evolve. Through it all, we have prioritized keeping our students, staff and community safe. Our staff continues to put in maximum effort as we learn our way through this pandemic.

Please read the attachments for more detailed information.

Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate our way through the current pandemic challenges. We continue to monitor and make appropriate changes as needed at all levels. The staff is dedicated to providing the best education possible and need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

This upcoming holiday is a time for giving thanks. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for the following:

-50 days of direct instruction with all our students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. These daily interactions allowed staff to build relationships, offer face-to-face academic instruction, provide daily meals, and the opportunity for students and staff to start the year with a level of routine despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

-Parent and community support for the efforts that our staff is making on a daily basis to provide a quality education in this challenging time.

-A continued variation of “normalcy” despite COVID-19.

-Unexpected freedom granted by a required quarantined.

-Phones, video game systems, and electronics because they keep me connected to my friends says most Middle School students.

-Most importantly, time with family! It may be limited to a small group but Zooming and other forms of communications have afforded this time to connect despite the pandemic challenges.

Please read the attachments for more detailed information.

As experienced so far during this pandemic, this process has proved to be day to day and could change at any time. As a District, we continue to find the balance between student needs, staff needs, what is in our control. We have all been faced with an endless array of difficult decisions as circumstances continually evolve. Through it all, we have prioritized keeping our students, staff and community safe. Our staff continues to put in maximum effort as we learn our way through this pandemic. Thank you for your support and we wish you a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving!

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

New Richmond High School Remote Learning Plan, Nov 17 - Dec 7, 2020

New Richmond Middle School Remote Learning Plan, Nov 17 - Dec 7, 2020

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

This email contains a variety of updates and pertinent information which includes the following:

• SDNR Learning Model Change MS-HS (Students, Staff, Parents) 11-10-20
• NRMS Remote Learning Plan November 17-December 4
• NRHS Remote Learning Plan November 17-December 4
• NRHS Zoom Expectations
• SDNR News Fall Edition 2020-21
• SDNR COVID-19 Winter Athletic and Extra-Curricular Summary 11-13-20

Please read the attachments below for more detailed information.

SDNR Tiger Launch Learning Model Change for MS and HS

SDNR Tiger Launch Plan Update

COVID-19 Winter Athletic and Extra-Curricular Summary

Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate our way through the current COVID-19 pandemic challenges. We continue to monitor and make appropriate changes as needed at all levels.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

At the time of this letter, we have had 49 days of direct instruction with all our students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. These daily interactions allowed staff to build relationships, offer face-to-face academic instruction, provide daily meals, and the opportunity for students and staff to start the year with a level of routine despite the COVID-19 pandemic. This past weekend has created a difficult combination of increasing positive COVID-19 cases, increasing student and staff being identified as close contacts, and increased staff shortages. From the start, flexibility was going to be needed as we contend with the ever-changing landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of these circumstances, it is time to make a short-term change in our learning model from face-to-face to remote learning starting on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 for all students in NRMS (Grades 6-8) and NRHS (Grades 9-12). Please note there will be no changes to the learning model for students in grade 4K-5 throughout the District as they will continue with our face-to-face learning model.

These changes will assist the SDNR in the following ways:

• Utilize NRMS and NRHS staff to assist at the elementary levels.
• Provide a consistent learning model for all students including over 400 quarantined students as of today.
• Allow staff to focus on one model of remote learning instruction.

Please read the attached letter for more detailed information.

Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate our way through the current pandemic challenges. We continue to monitor and make appropriate changes as needed at all levels. The staff is dedicated to providing the best education possible and need your help to avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and wear your mask to further assist the District in moving back to a face-to-face or hybrid learning model at NRMS and NRHS levels. As a District, we will reevaluate this plan and make a formal announcement by December 4, 2020.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Video: Getting into Google Classroom

Dear Students and Parents,

The District tracing data continues to show the staff’s effort to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 within our buildings. The mitigation strategies are working as outlined in our Tiger Launch Plan thanks to the tremendous effort by our students, staff, and families. However, we cannot let our guard down. We need to continue to be vigilant in keeping ourselves socially distanced when possible and wearing our masks at all times. We continue to provide a 5-day a week, face to face learning model for all students in the SDNR. The following includes a data point update for the District.

School District of New Richmond COVID-19 Totals	11-4-20
Current Student Active Cases out of 3,500 Total Students	7
Current Staff Active Cases out of 450 Total Staff Members	3
Current Close Contacts Required to Quarantine	80
School Transmission using District Tracing Data	1
Year to Date (YTD) Positive Student Cases since 7-6-20	58
Year to Date (YTD) Positive Staff Cases since 7-6-20	17
Year to Date (YTD) Close Contacts Required to Quarantine	551

We also want to address a concerning belief of intentionally contracting COVID-19 to be unsafe and irresponsible. While students who test positive can be asymptomatic or experience minimal symptoms, we’ve seen otherwise healthy young people across the country be hospitalized. The long-term effects of COVID-19 are still largely unknown. Willfully spreading the virus places everyone you meet, particularly our more vulnerable family and community members, at higher risk. As a reminder, as part of the Tiger Launch Plan, if we are forced to change our learning environment and go remote we will also be forced to cancel athletics and extra-curricular activities at all levels.

We have overwhelmingly heard that families want to continue the current face-to-face educational experience as safely as possible. The staff is tirelessly working seven days a week to continue with this learning model with respect to preparation and tracing. However, we need your help as the transmission is happening outside the District walls due to various reasons. One important reminder is if anyone in your household is being tested for COVID-19 all SDNR students of that household must quarantine until the results are known and are not allowed to attend school.

Please read the attached letter for more detailed information.

Finally, we would like to thank everyone that has taken the time to email, call, stop by, post on social media, and more, all the comments of support and gratitude for our staff during this challenging time. Our staff are doing everything in their power to create the best educational experience as possible during this pandemic. These positive comments and words of support mean more than you realize for our staff…..keep them coming!

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Emergency/Inclement Weather Procedures

New Richmond Middle School Winter Sports Spectator Guidelines

Dear Students, Staff, and Parents,

I want to provide an update as we continue to offer a face-to-face learning model for our students guided by the SDNR Tiger Launch Plan 2020-21 (8-13-20). To date, the SDNR has experienced (25) twenty-five positive COVID-19 cases since the start of the school year. We currently have (7) seven active cases in our District. We have had to quarantine various students and staff out of precaution due to these individuals being a contact of a positive COVID-19 case. However, as stated in our Tiger Launch Plan, we have been able to provide a synchronous learning experience to those students that are quarantined. In collaboration with St. Croix County Public Health, Westfields Hospital & Clinic, SDNR Contact Tracer, SDNR District Nurse, SDNR Staff and Administration, we continue to find that the spread of COVID-19 is not in the school buildings, but is traced back to outside interactions.

Our goal is to continue to safely educate our students in our face-to-face learning model. As previously communicated, we continue to monitor our decision matrix and data points to gauge if a different learning model should be considered. At this time, we do not believe a change is warranted based on the spread happening outside of the District buildings. As a reminder, this decision is a combination of the following data points:

• 14 Day County Level Case Rate
• Student and Staff Absences due to COVID-19 (SCCPH Required Quarantine)
• Student and Staff COVID-19 Positive Test
• Student and Staff Absences due to COVID-19 (Self Quarantine)
• Substitute Staffing Availability
• Community of New Richmond COVID-19 Testing Data
• SCCPH and DHS School Guidance

We are confident in our Tiger Launch Plan and continue to find the balance in every step we take. We understand this has been difficult on everyone and appreciate your patience with this fluid situation. We have made various modifications to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic planning. Please keep in mind that St. Croix County represents 736 square miles and the 14 Day County Level Case Rate takes into account breakouts throughout this large geographic area and not just positive cases in the New Richmond Area. The county cases are on the rise compared to the first two weeks of school but the case count in St. Croix County schools is very low. Schools are not seeing the spread as in the general public.  We continue to learn more from each situation to make appropriate modifications. I am very proud of how our students, staff, parents, and community have collaborated to embrace our COVID-19 mitigation strategies, so we are able to continue to educate our students in a face-to- face learning model. Please read over the following attachments carefully as we have made various updates, changes, and additions to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please see the attached update for more detailed information.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, collaboration, and assistance as we continue to keep our doors open and provide the best educational experience possible for our students during this challenging time. I could not be prouder of our staff for their sacrifice, determination, creativity, and care as we are in this situation together. As always, please feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students and Parents,

The Tiger Launch Plan has allowed us to start the year with success in many areas. We also continue to learn, discuss, and explore ways to improve. One area that we have been exploring is to find additional preparation time for our teaching staff with our current face-to-face learning model while also continuing the education of students quarantined for 10 or 14 days using a remote synchronous model.

With input from our teachers, administration, and Board of Education, it has been decided to implement a 2-hour late start every Wednesday beginning October 7, 2020. We may continue this 2-hour late start on Wednesdays, even if a school or the District moves to a hybrid-learning model depending upon the level effected.

We know this schedule change may have a significant impact on some of our families. We hope you understand our need to find the best possible solution for our teachers and our students. Below are some specific items impacted by the Wednesday 2-hour late start:

• The late start will be similar to a weather related late start, which moves the Wednesday start time later by two hours at all levels.
• Tiger Pack will run at each school for scheduled late starts on Wednesday’s beginning on October 7^th, 2020.
• Tiger Pack will open at 6:00 AM and run extended hours to 10:00 AM during scheduled late starts. If your student attends - an additional $4.50 charge will be added to your morning session ($10 total morning charge). If your student arrives after 10:00 AM, you will NOT NEED to use Tiger Pack.
• Breakfast will be offered at each site at 8:00 AM for Tiger Pack Students.
• Wednesday late start morning sessions will be available for adding or dropping online on your eleyo account under a regularly scheduled day. If you are already scheduled on these days, and plan to use Tiger Pack - no changes or communication is needed.
• Any questions or inquiries can be sent to Tiger Pack coordinator Rachel Twedten at rtwedten@newrichmond.k12.wi.us
• Students with IEP’s who’s service schedule will be affected by the shortened Wednesday late start will be contacted by their child’s case manager.
• 4K programming will not be adjusted as classes and transportation can be provided as usual.
• Breakfast will also be available for all other students not attending Tiger Pack to start the day.

Thank you for your tremendous flexibility and care as we continue to work together and make the most of the current circumstances. As always, please feel free to contact your building principal or myself anytime with questions or concerns.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students and Parents,

I want to provide an update as we continue to maneuver through the start of the 2020-21 school year guided by the SDNR Tiger Launch Plan 2020-21 (8-13-20). To date, the SDNR has experienced four (4) staff positive COVID-19 Cases and four (4) student positive COVID-19 cases. We continue to learn more from each situation to make modifications. I am very proud of how our students, staff, and parents have collaborated to embrace our COVID-19 mitigation strategies so we are able to continue to educate our students in a face-to-face learning model. Please read over the following links carefully as we have made various updates, changes, and additions to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, I have added information for busing and the 2020 SDNR Annual meeting below.

Please see the attached update for more detailed information.

As always, please feel free to contact me anytime with any questions or concerns.

Respectfully,

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

Dear Students and Parents,

I want to provide an update as we continue to maneuver through the start of the 2020-21 school year guided by the SDNR Tiger Launch Plan 2020-21 (8-13-20). We have had zero (0) positive COVID-19 student cases in the SDNR since July 6, 2020. We have had one staff member test positive but this was prior to any students in the building thus no communication was sent out. This past week we did have another staff member test positive in the District but that individual had limited contact with any students and that building was notified as planned. We have had to quarantine a small number of students and staff out of precaution due to these individuals being a contact of a positive COVID-19 case outside of school. 

Please see the attached update for more detailed information.

As always, please feel free to contact me anytime with any questions or concerns.

Respectfully,

 

 

Patrick B. Olson
District Administrator

SDNR COVID-19 Update Welcome Back

SDNR COVID-19 Tiger Launch Plan Update 8-13-20

SDNR COVID-19 Update Tiger Launch Plan 7-22-20

SDNR COVID-19 Closure 5-26-20

SDNR COVID-19 School Closure Parent Staff Letter 5-8-2020

SDNR COVID-19 Parent Letter 4/26/20

Governor Evers extended the “Safer at Home” order from April 24 to May 26, 2020. This order includes the closure of all Wisconsin schools for the remainder of the school year.

SDNR COVID-19 Closure 4-17-20

Impressed does not begin to describe what students, parents, and our team of staff members are doing in a time where there is no road map. As you have often heard me quote, Ralph Waldo Emerson “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” those words could not be more true than on this day.

SDNR COVID-19 Closure Family Letter dated 4-5-20

March 29, 2020

Dear SDNR Students and Parents,

We hope this correspondence finds you and your family safe and well. As a reminder, SDNR remote learning will continue starting tomorrow Monday, March 30, 2020 as initially planned. This past week, no remote learning took place due to our District’s scheduled spring break. To best understand that to expect as a parent during this remote learning opportunity please reference the following summary letter SDNR COVID-19 Closure 3-17-20.

As you know, Governor Evers issued Emergency Order #12, Safer At Home Order. This Order was effective at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 and will remain in effect until 8:00 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2020, or until a superseding order is issued. The order requires all individuals present within the State of Wisconsin to stay at home or at their place of residence, with exceptions. To the extent, individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces other than their home or residence, they must at all times as reasonably possible maintain social distancing of at least six (6) feet from any other person consistent with social distancing requirements. As a District, we continue to follow the same timeline in terms of our direction and recommendations.

Staff members have been meeting throughout this past week to prepare our District for remote learning from April 6th to April 24th. You will be contacted by District staff this coming week, as our focus during this extended closure is to provide continued education for all students at each level that is effectively communicated. We thank you for your continued patience and partnership as we endure this situation together.

The following includes various key pieces of information with this extended closure past the original April 6, 2020 date.

Since Thursday, March 19, 2020, all buildings have remained closed and no access as been available except for essential staff. This protocol will remain in place until further notice. 

Please also feel free to visit the District’s COVID-19 page by clicking HERE for continuous updates.

The School District of New Richmond announces Tech Support for Grades 6-12 families. As our students continue to learn through our COVID-19 school closure, the District’s IT department would like to offer tech assistance. Families can now submit a Tech Support Ticket. One of our IT support specialists will respond to each ticket in the order, which they are received.

PBS Wisconsin, Milwaukee PBS, and DPI have partnered to support at-home learning for students and families by broadcasting a new weekday television schedule of programming with digital resources that connect to Wisconsin’s state academic standards. Beginning Monday, March 30, PBS Wisconsin will dedicate the 5 a.m.-5 p.m. daytime weekday schedule on The Wisconsin Channel, or PBS Wisconsin-2, and Milwaukee PBS will dedicate the 7 a.m.-5 p.m. daytime weekday schedule on WMVT 36.1 to educational programming including specific blocks of time for pre-K through 12th grade levels and covers subjects, including English language arts, social studies, science, and math. The special broadcast schedule will also be available to stream online at pbswisconsin.org/familyresources along with corresponding free digital content for at-home learning and support for teachers. Also, Milwaukee PBS is hosting free digital resources for at home learning at milwaukeepbs.org/onlineresources/.

Updated Free Meals During School Closure: The School District of New Richmond’s School Nutrition Department will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch meals to any child 18 years old and younger during the school closure. If you see the following individuals, please thank them for their continued support of our students and families as they prepare and hand out over 1,984 breakfast meals and 2,045 lunch meals every week. With tremendous gratitude, we thank Bobbie Guyette, Jessica Coolidge, Crissy Partridge, Denise Rondeau, Becky Gann, Ana Cowen, Linnae Strand, Megan Walters, Dana Johnson, Tricia Bonnes, Drew Johnson, Rachel Twedten, and Chantelle Schultz for all help during this difficult time.

- Please note the following changes starting on Monday, March 30th, 2020 - 
To limit contact during this pandemic time, meals will be offered on only Monday and Thursday 
Monday: 3 days of meals provided 
Thursday: 2 days of meals provided

Sites: For safety reasons, we ask that each family or group approach service stations separately. There will be signs directing you at each site as well as volunteers helping to direct traffic flow.

• Starr Elementary (bus parking lot) 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 967 South Starr Ave, New Richmond, WI 54017
• Deer Path Townhomes (parking lot) 10:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. 665 Monette Ave, New Richmond, WI 54017
• Croft Place Apartments (parking lot) 11:20 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. 233 Croft St., New Richmond, WI 54017
• The Centre (parking lot) 11:55 a.m. - 12:25 p.m. 425 E 5th St., New Richmond, WI 54017
• Star Prairie (village lot near post office) 12:35 p.m. - 1:05 p.m. Post Office: 300 Main Street, Star Prairie, WI 54026

Any special concerns or delivery requests, you may email Bobbie Guyette, Supervisor of School Nutrition, at bguyette@newrichmond.k12.wi.us or contact her at 715-781-3629.

For information about the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• WI Department of Health Services
• St. Croix County Public Health Department

Community of New Richmond:

Alert New Richmond- We strongly encourage community members to sign up for Alert New Richmond. We will be sending out information through this application as needed, in addition to our social media sites. To sign up visit: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=Newrichmondwi

City YouTube Channel- The City will be utilizing our YouTube channel for community outreach, fitness activities, self-care ideas, etc. We will be publishing content weekly at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqVDjHuzGmWwtiLDT4UKFOA

In my most recent COVID-19 emergency management meeting the following advice was shared:

In order to really flatten the curve, we need 90% of the population to limit their interaction to 5 people over the next 3 months. When you leave work, just be with your family. It is not 5 people at a time, it is 5 people total! We have got to stop interacting to stop the disease. Go run your errands once a week, and do not leave your house unless you have to.

At the time of this letter, we recognize there are still many unanswered questions. We will continue to be provide additional communications as appropriate. At any time, please feel free to contact any member of the administration team for further assistance.

• District Administrator, Patrick Olson polson@newrichmond.k12.wi.us
• NRHS Principal, Tom Wissink twissink@newrichmond.k12.wi.us
• NRHS Assistant Principal, Heidi Link hlink@newrichmond.k12.wi.us
• NRHS Assistant Principal, Jeff Swanson jswanson@newrichmond.k12.wi.us
• NRHS Athletic Director, Casey Eckardt ceckardt@newrichmond.k12.wi.us
• NRMS Principal, Doug Hatch dhatch@newrichmond.k12.wi.us
• NRMS Assistant Principal, Michele Wood mwood@newrichmond.k12.wi.us
• Hillside Elementary Principal, Frank Norton fnorton@newrichmond.k12.wi.us
• Paperjack Elementary Principal, Mike Ballard mballard@newrichmond.k12.wi.us
• Starr Elementary Principal, Nicholas Hall nhall@newrichmond.k12.wi.us

Whether you are an essential or a non-essential worker, each of you are doing your part as we are all essential in this life!

Stay well and stay safe!

Patrick B. Olson 
District Administrator