September 22, 2020

Dear Ridgefield Families,

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I am writing to you this afternoon to share the latest news from Clark County Public Health (CCPH), regarding COVID activity in the community and the associated impact on plans to transition to K-5 hybrid instruction.  As we have shared previously, CCPH recommends that COVID activity rates remain below 75 cases per 100,000 people for three consecutive weeks post Labor Day.  The September 21st rate, released today, is 76.15 cases per 100,000 people.   \r\n

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What does this mean for the Ridgefield School District and our transition to the hybrid learning model?  In short, it means we wait.  We delay the transition to hybrid for AT LEAST three weeks.  We will continue to monitor the CCPH number weekly and continue to plan for the transition to the hybrid model. \r\n

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I imagine this may be viewed as a setback for the 867 parents, or roughly three out of every four respondents, expressing a desire for their child(ren) to return to in-person learning via the hybrid model in our Learning Mode survey.  Please know that the District continues to look forward to the day we are able to bring students back for in-person instruction.  However, as we have said before, we will only do so in a safe and sensible manner.\r\n

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The silver lining is that we have additional valuable time to continue communicating the many details related to the transition to hybrid learning.  It is still critical that ALL K-5 parents complete the Learning Mode survey (click here) so the district can appropriately place students and staff.  You are selecting the Learning Mode you wish to use (Ridgefield Remote / hybrid in-person) for the duration of the first trimester (until November 24).  As that date approaches, the District will survey all K-5 parents again to see which learning mode you wish to use for the second trimester (November 30 - March 4).  \r\n

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For those interested in additional information, I invite you to join the virtual School Board meeting tonight at 5:00 PM.  I will provide the school board an update on our current plans.  Please use this link to join the meeting (click here). \r\n

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2020 continues to provide new and unforeseen challenges, yet I remain resolute that the Ridgefield community can and will overcome them all.  Stay safe and continue to remain #RidgefieldResilient.\r\n

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Sincerely,\r\n

Dr. Nathan McCann

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Superintendent\r\n