Schools Closed Indefinitely per Governor Evers' Executive Order
Dear School District of Rhinelander families,
The health and safety of our students and staff are always our number one priority. We are closing our school buildings under order to help contain the spread of COVID-19, the coronavirus in Wisconsin. We know that keeping children at home may cause difficulties for your children and families as you juggle work, child care and other challenges, and our staff are committed to doing everything we can to help make this as positive an experience as possible for your children.
Gov. Tony Evers ordered the closure of all K-12 Wisconsin schools, public and private, starting Wednesday, March 18 at 5:00pm and continuing indefinitely as part of the state's efforts to respond to and contain COVID-19. The announcement affects almost 855,000 students in more than 400 districts across the state - and adds Wisconsin to a growing list of states to close schools.
“Kids and families across Wisconsin often depend on our schools to access food and care," Evers said. "We are going to continue working to do everything we can to ensure kids and families have the resources and support they need while schools are closed.”
The School District of Rhinelander buildings will be closed to students starting March 18. All after-school activities, Hodag Adventure Care (HAC) and athletics, including practices, also will be canceled starting March 18 for an indefinite period of time. The School District of Rhinelander will be implementing Virtual Learning Time to allow for a continuation of learning for all students.
School Meals Starting Monday, March 23
The School District of Rhinelander will be offering meals to students to help ease the burden during these difficult times. Free breakfast and lunches will be available for any child in your household that is 18 and under. The meal will follow USDA guidelines for school meals, and will include fruit, vegetables and milk along with a sandwich or breakfast item. Ingredients will be packaged separately to maintain quality and freshness, with the intent that they may be consumed the day of, or the following day if they are stored under refrigeration.
To maintain social distancing and make this service as convenient as possible, we will have drive through pick up using the driveway in the front entrance of Rhinelander High School in the morning and afternoon on the days offered. Families can choose the time that best meets their needs. The pick-up dates and times are as follows for the duration of the school closure:
Monday 7-9am 3-5pm
Thursday 7-9am 3-5pm
We will utilize the driveway in the front of Rhinelander High School and have a representative there to distribute the meals as you pull through. Please remain in your car. There is no preordering necessary.
Three days of meals are given on the Monday pickups and two days of meals are given on the Thursday pickups.
If your family has participated in the food backpack program, extra supplies will be available at Rhinelander High School each Thursday while school is closed.
Food Distribution Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 3/23/2020)
Q: How many meals can I get each day (for each child)? You can get a breakfast and lunch for each day for each child. That means each child can get up to 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches total for the week. (Three days of breakfast/lunch on Monday and two days of breakfast/lunch on Thursday.)
Q: Do my children have to be present with me? No. When you arrive at Rhinelander High School someone will approach your car and simply ask for the number of children you are picking up meals for.
Q: Can I pick up meals for children who are not my own? Yes! Again, you will simply be asked the number of children you are picking up food for.
Q: What if I don't have a vehicle? Are you doing any type of delivery? At this time we are not. Please contact your school secretary or principal if this is a concern.
Q: My children attend a different school district, but I live in Rhinelander and my children live with me part time...Am I allowed to pick up meals for them? Yes. Meals are available for children under 18 if they live in the Rhinelander area regardless of whether they attend the School District of Rhinelander or not.
Digital Learning
The district will work to ensure virtual learning continues for students. Teachers will be planning virtual learning time activities Monday, March 23 to Wednesday, March 25. There will be no virtual learning for students on those days. Virtual learning time for students will begin on Thursday, March 26. Additional details regarding virtual learning time should have been shared by your students' teachers. Paper based materials will be available if families do not have a device or sufficient internet access. Please reach out directly to your school to schedule a time if you still need to pick up materials or need a Chromebook.
Home WiFi options
Some internet carriers are offering free and/or low cost options that your family may be able to use.
Spectrum is offering free broadband internet and WiFi access for 60 days to families with K-12 and college students. Charter, which operates Spectrum internet, said they will also waive installation fees for new households. Learn more about the Spectrum offer here or call 844-488-8395.
The Department of Public Instruction has also pulled together a list of home Internet access providers and their plans to help communities address the issue of internet access: https://dpi.wi.gov/broadband/home-internet-access
Special Education
For students with Special Education needs, a letter has been mailed out which provides more detailed information regarding special education services due to the statewide school shutdown.
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