Blennerhassett Elementary

Good Evening. This is Will Hosaflook Superintendent of Wood County Schools Today, Governor Justice announced that school districts in WV will be in remote learning until January 15, 2021. Beginning January 19, students in grades pre-k through 8th will be instructed in our schools through in-person learning regardless of the color on the WVDHHR map. If Wood County is Green, Yellow, Gold, or Orange on the daily map, High School students will attend school in-person as long as we do not reach the “Red” status. If your child is utilizing WV Virtual School for instruction, nothing will change for the next few weeks. Please visit the Wood County Schools website for more information related to our re-entry on January 19, 2021……. or click on the following two links - https://5il.co/o8fs https://5il.co/o8fr Please stay safe and healthy Have a Happy New Year

Teacher requests for the 2021-2022 school year will only be accepted February 1st - February 5th 2021. This is a change from previous years. You may email requests to jhartsho@k12.wv.us Place :Teacher Request 2021-2022 in the subject line. A teacher request does not guarantee your child is placed in a particular classroom. Many factors are considered when creating class lists. Merry Christmas!

Blennerhassett Elementary has experienced internet connection issues this past week. Wood County School MIS department is aware of the concern and working diligently to resolve the issues. If you experience issues with student ipads or wifi services at your residence, please reach out to your child's teacher so we may assist you. Sincerly, Justin Hartshorn Principal Blennerhassett Elementary

Mid-Term grades for students in K-2 will be emailed. Mid-Term December 14th Mid- Term grades for students 3-5 can be viewed on schoology December 14th.

Pre-Order Meal Delivery Bus Hub & Curbside Tuesday, November 17th - Friday, November 20th Meal pre-orders for Nov. 17-20 are now open at https://tinyurl.com/yyndu3tl As we transition our students to remote learning in orange during the week of November 16th, WCS will be providing students' with meals curbside at your school for walkers and drop offs as well as providing meal delivery via bus routes. School buses will travel to their afternoon stops carrying pre-ordered meals (Breakfast and Lunch) Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Bus routes are 3 1/2 hours before the normal afternoon drop off time. Meals will need to be reheated. There will be instructions for reheating. For information regarding bus times, please call 304-420-9636 extension 101. If you are picking up curbside at a school. Pickup times are from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Please complete the pre-order form for the the Week of November 16th (Tuesday - Friday) for all bus deliveries and curbside . Deadline for pre-order is 2 p.m. on Monday, November 16th. You will need to place an order separately for each student. If you are requesting for bus delivery and your student currently rides a bus, please place the bus number that your student rides home. This program is solely for the pick-up of meals; meals will not be consumed on site. We encourage families to continue to be proactive in reducing the risk of COVID-19 by not congregating at the pick-up locations. Allergy Disclaimer: During this remote and curbside feeding situation, Wood County Schools Child Nutrition Department will be operating under a special waiver for distribution of meals. This option does not allow us to identify students by names and therefore we are not able to identify special food allergies. Please contact the Child Nutrition Department if you have any questions, 304-420-9631 extension 103. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Beginning November 9th students begin attending 4 days a week in person instruction. We encourage students to ride the school bus as they are designed with safety in mind. If you desire to pick up your children from school, please inform your child's teacher and watch the video below for the new process. Thank you https://youtu.be/xSIXcOlcFYc

Blennerhassett Elementary students who have been attending in person 2 days a week and learning remotely 3 days a week will transition to in person learning 4 days a week November 9th. If your child will begin coming 4 days per week nothing is required for the change as WCS as a district is transitioning to this instruction method. Parents who do not want their children to attend 4 days a week and would like to have their students utilize Schoology 5 days a week remotely until January 22nd, 2021 may contact Mr. Hartshorn or Mrs. Swiger to set up a meeting this week to review the COVID -19 Learning Commitment form. Please understand if parents select the remote option this learning delivery method will continue to January 22nd, 2021. Once again, if your children will be transitioning from 2 days a week in person to 4 days a week in person learning, nothing is required for this change.

Pre-K students were having a blast today.

Today and tomorrow every student in Kindergarten - 5th grade will be bringing home a new book. Special thanks to the Parkersburg Community Foundation with support from Spartan Foundation and Tri-State Roofing & Sheet Metal. This will occur monthly through December.

Reminder if your child misses school, they must have a Doctors note or parent note when they return to school. You may place the note inside your child's take home folder or agenda to be turned into the classroom teacher. Have a great evening!

Blennerhassett Elementary picture day is tomorrow and Tuesday you can still order pictures at mylifetouch.com Code. EVTTTB6WQ Have a great evening!

Join BES LSIC 5pm tonight. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89979550861?pwd=dkVNdWxmbWNpU2JPbXdsYWYzMHhydz09

Blennerhassett Elementary Picture day is October 12th & 13th Order before picture day mylifetouch.com Using picture ID: EVTTTB6WQ

The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department has notified Wood County Schools of a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 at Blennerhassett Elementary. The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department is working closely with Wood County Schools to identify any possible persons who may have had close contact with the individual that tested positive for COVID-19. Any individuals that needs to be quarantined' based on the guidance of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), will be contacted by the health department. The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department conducts an investigation into each positive COVID-19 case to identify and notify those known to be in close contact with the infected individual. If there is a chance that you, or your child may have been exposed and the health department can trace that activity to you you will be notified. Please understand that contact tracing and testing takes time and there are levels of contact: low, medium, and high. Notifications will be made while maintaining confidentiality when a close contact is confirmed and quarantine is necessary. The health department will notify Wood County Schools when an employee or student is placed in quarantine. Wood County Schools will continue to take appropriate actions, working in collaboration with the Mid - Ohio Valley Health Department, to protect the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff. To keep our schools open to our children. It will take our entire community following established COVID-19 protocols including hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, use of face coverings, and practicing social distancing. We appreciate your on-going support and commitment to the health and well-being of the Wood County Schools Community.

Updated address for tonight's WV teacher of the year event. https://youtu.be/6tRctI5rvSM

The West Virginia Teacher of the Year live event will take place tonight at 5:30. Blennerhassett Elementary's Lisa Smith is a top five finalist and has a chance at being named West Virginia Teacher of the year. You can tune in to https://www.youtube.com/user/wveducation to watch the event live. Congratulations Mrs. Smith!

Blennerhassett Elementary PTA meeting tonight at 6:30. Zoom link for BES pta meeting. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73349313454?pwd=OCtJTHYvalZOUE1DOFVLbG10V0k4QT09

Reminder Drop off pick up students need to exit passenger side of vehicle. Stay in line and adults need to stay in the vehicles. Today all students were picked up within 16 minutes safely. Students are encouraged to ride the school bus as this will expedite the process of your child's arrival and departure. If you choose the bus option, simply send a not with your child indicating a change. Special thanks to parents and staff working together collaboratively for a great start! Go Bobcats!

Tuesday September 8th is the first day for students Last name L-Z attending Tuesdays/Thursdays and A-K Wednesday September 9th is the first day for students attending Mondays/Wednesdays. Blennerhassett Elementary teachers contacted students last week to confirm the correct days students would attend. Reminder students who attend Wednesday will also attend Friday the first week of school since Monday September 7th is a holiday. Students are asked to arrive with a mask and water bottle. Masks will be provided to all students on the first day. If dropping off or picking up students adults need to remain in vehicles. Questions please call 304-863-5128

This is a reminder that the 2020-2021 school year will begin on Tuesday, September 8th for students with last names beginning with L-Z. On Wednesday, September 9th, students with last names A-K will report to school. Due to Monday being Labor Day, students with last names A-K will report Friday, September 11th as well. Please visit the Wood County Schools website, and then click “2020-2021 Re-entry Summarization” for more details. Our re-entry schedule has not changed since being published. Students will attend school on a Blended-Model of instruction for 3 weeks, which is our Yellow Schedule, or until proper procedures, protocols, and new standards have been taught and implemented. Also, please do not confuse yourself with the WVDE color-coded map. The map is used as one of many tools to drive local decisions for our school system. As mentioned in previous communications, we will closely monitor the data each day to make well-informed and deliberate decisions, while keeping safety as the top priority for our students and employees. Over the last six months, we have worked diligently and methodically to create a well-rounded plan for re-entry. I’m sure we have not thought about every issue that may arise - please be patient as we work through making adjustments, changing protocols or procedures, and seeking feedback from our stakeholders to make this school year a great success. Although not a requirement, I am asking each student to bring their own mask and bottle of water on the first day of school. This will help expedite first day procedures and practices for our schools as they begin teaching expected behaviors for the year. Students will receive a Wood County mask on the first day and will be expected to possess and use it on a continual basis as we navigate through a new normal for our school system. We are so excited to see your children in our schools once again. We have greatly missed their presence the last six months. As always, make sure to Wear a mask, Watch your distance, and Wash your hands. To view our first WCS Newsletter, please click https://tinyurl.com/yxbaddej Have a safe and wonderful Holiday weekend.