Update from Eric Burke, Superintendent (01/25/2021)

This is an update from our Health Advisory Team and District Leadership.  

County Update:

• 7-day average -8.5 % - down from 13% last week.  This is the lowest % since September.

• 27/100,000 incidence-down from 50 last week.  This is the lowest number since September.

School Update:

• 0 active positive staff

• 1 active positive student

• 0 staff in close contact quarantine

• 29 students in close contact quarantine

Vaccine Update:

• Linda Conlon from Oneida County explained that it is unknown on when the vaccine will be available for our staff.  It is hopeful to be available in a couple weeks.  They are focusing a limited supply at this time on the 65+ age group. 

• The vaccine being completed was not a deciding factor for moving to 4 days.  Athletics was also not a major factor.  Time to prepare and plan was the deciding factor in deciding on the date.  

We have been able to talk about some questions from staff and parents at our meeting each Monday.  I also have received some questions or thoughts. As a team, we made a decision before the school year to start in a model different from most of our area schools.  All Oneida/Vilas schools that I meet with each week are in-person 4-5 days since the start of the school year.  All of the schools around us that have been all-in have very similar low numbers...as does our entire county.  

This is not a sudden change, if you go back to my communications, you will see that we have been talking about this as a possibility since before Thanksgiving.

Eric Burke

SDR Superintendent

For more information about the Coronavirus and its impact on Oneida County, please visit the COVID-19 Dashboard on the Oneida County Health Department website. 

Learning Survey Results

School District of Rhinelander Families,

Re-entry Plan for Fall 2020

Dear SDR Staff and Families,

Thank you all for your continued patience and flexibility as we collectively work together to make available a first-class opportunity for students to learn and grow. As we are aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of education today, tomorrow, and for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, SDR is in a position to deliver a rich educational experience this fall in spite of the many obstacles that lie before us. I am very aware that there are numerous opinions and theories as to how to resume school safely and responsibly, and as is usually the case, viewpoints are as varied as each person’s unique experiences and circumstances. I assure you that SDR desires and expects a safe emotional and physical environment in which to work and to learn. We are also committed to ensuring that student academic growth and achievement, even when they are not physically in school.

To that aim, SDR has worked collaboratively to establish guidelines that provide a safe learning environment for staff and students as we enter the 2020-21 school year.

I thank you all, in advance, for your continued partnership with us as we plan for what will undoubtedly be an exciting year.

Sincerely,

Eric Burke
Superintendent of Schools
School District of Rhinelander

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Answers

District administration has created a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) with the accompanying answers for the Fall 2020 re-entry plan. If you are unable to find an answer to your question in this document, please call the District at 715-365-9700 to inquire. 

Food Service Information

Dear Rhinelander Families,

We have some great news to share! We have recently learned that the USDA has given school districts the ability to provide FREE meals to their students. 

Effective immediately, The School District of Rhinelander will be offering free meals to all students attending “in school” to help ease the burden during these difficult times.

The virtual and remote students will also receive free meals on their distribution days. We appreciate your patience as we plan for the increase in participation. This increase may change days and times for each group pick-up.

Days and times for each group are as follows: 

Elementary Families: Mondays, 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Green Families: Students pick up on Tuesdays when they leave school for the day. 

Gold Families: Students pick up on Fridays when they leave school for the day.

Virtual Families: Mondays from 4:00 - 6:00 pm. 

Pick up is located in the back of the high school at Receiving Door #18 between 4:00 and 6:00 pm. Watch for signs and road cones to direct you. Multiple days of meals are given at each pickup... breakfast and lunch included with each meal.

Please call Pat Karaba, Food Service Director, at 715-365-9547 if you have questions.