September 18, 2020\r\n

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Dear Ridgefield Families,\r\n

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Thank goodness for the rain and improvement in the air quality.  It seems to be providing a natural transition to fall.  The changing of the leaves, the cool fall weather, and watching college football with friends and family, reminds me why I love the fall.      \r\n

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The District is currently operating a remote learning environment with limited in-person opportunities for our most academically impacted students.  We continue to monitor COVID-19 activity rates via the Clark County Public Health (CCPH) website, along with weekly Zoom updates with our public health officials.  CCPH has published the rates for the last several weeks (see below).  Based on current guidance from CCPH, and assuming rates remain less than 75 cases per 100,000, we will begin the graduated transition to Stage I: hybrid learning (in-person instruction for Grades K-5 via an A/B model) on October 6th.  More specific information regarding the plan will be shared next week, should public health metrics remain within the appropriate range.  Please note, should next week’s number rise above 75 cases per 100,000, we will postpone the transition plan and monitor rates for an additional three weeks.      \r\n

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 Recent COVID-19 activity levels (rate is calculated weekly):

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  • August 17: 74.7 cases per 100,000 people \r\n
  • August 24: 71.6 cases per 100,000 people\r\n
  • August 31: 63.05 cases per 100,000 people\r\n
  • September 7: 64.07 cases per 100,000 people\r\n
  • September 14:  69.4 cases per 100,000 people\r\n
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Early this summer we asked you to indicate your desire to take part in a fully remote learning experience, in place of in-person instruction.  While many of you submitted your registrations, a lot has changed.  We are asking parents of Kindergarten through fifth grade students to complete the instruction model registration process linked below. This registration process will ask you to indicate your intent to remain in Ridgefield Remote, or your desire to participate in the hybrid instructional model.  Your participation is critical as we continue planning.  Access the registration form here.\r\n

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I am so excited to share that our Homework Help program is expanding.  Beginning next week we will be adding math support for our 3rd and 5th graders.  As I share this fantastic news, I also wish to thank one of our dedicated staff members for making this possible - Susan Arndt.  Mrs. Arndt is currently providing math support for our 7th and 8th graders, but has witnessed the value of this program first hand and wants to help more of our students.  What a terrific example of #RidgefieldResilient.  Thank you, Susan!  \r\n

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 \r\n Also, thank you for participating in our Thought Exchange last week.  We had over 300 participants who shared 281 Thoughts and more than 5,000 ratings on Ridgefield Remote.  What a great turnout.  Overall, responses were very positive.  Below is a WordCloud that represents the collective feedback.  

Sincerely,

Dr. Nathan McCann

Superintendent