Reynolds issues letter to families, staff regarding school schedules, meals for students

Food Service Director Dustin Tessmer provides food service schedule

FOR THE TOMAHAWK LEADER

TOMAHAWK – School District of Tomahawk Administrator Terry Reynolds issued the following letter to families and staff on Monday, March 16 regarding school schedules, meals for students and more after Governor Tony Evers declared a public health emergency in the state due to coronavirus (COVID-19), leading to a statewide shutdown of all Wisconsin K-12 schools.

“District Families and Staff:

“Governor Tony Evers has closed schools and has declared a public health emergency against transmission of COVID-19. As a precautionary measure the District is taking steps to keep our students, staff, and learning environments safe. This communication is meant to provide more detailed and specific information related to how the Tomahawk School District plans to proceed in the coming weeks due to the state wide school shutdown. As you know, this is a fluid and rapidly changing situation.

• Beginning March 16 @ 5:30 PM through April 6 - All athletic and co-curricular practices, meetings, competitions, performances, field trips, weekend events and community use of district facilities are cancelled. The school complex will be closed to public and student traffic.
• No School March 17 - March 18 – Teachers will finalize “Continuity of Learning” Lessons.
• March 19-20 – “Continuity of Learning” instruction for students will be implemented.
• Free Student Meals will occur on March 19 and 20. - More information below and attachment.
• March 23 – 27 – Spring Break - No School.
• March 30 – No School. Teacher prep “Continuity of Learning” lessons for the week (Free Student Meals will occur)
• March 31-April 3 – “Continuity of Learning” instruction for students will take place. (Free Student Meals will occur each day)
• Additional information will be shared in the coming weeks! Please continue to watch for communication from the District.

March 17 – April 6 School Closure/Continuity of Learning

• Continuity of Learning will be in effect for grades PK-12 on March 19-20, and March 31 – April 3.
• Grades 4K-5 Suggested Learning Activities – Materials and assignments will be sent home, delivered on the school lunch bus, and possibly there may be times they need to be picked up in the Elementary office for the student to complete. We will notify parents when these materials will be available or sent out. It is our hope and desire that families also try to incorporate the strategies listed below that we feel will have a positive impact on children.
• Families are encouraged to consider the following suggested learning activities:

o  1 hour per day reading

o  Eating one, device free, meal together per day as a family

o  1 hour per day incorporating play; outside activities, board games, physical activity, etc.

• Grades 6-12 Instruction – Continuity of Learning plans have been developed by the Middle School and High School. Students have been instructed about the delivery plan today at school (March 16). The delivery of instruction will be provided to students who have home internet access or not. We will also be posting all information on the District and building level websites. If you have questions contact the specific teacher or building principal. Detailed information can be found on the District website or using the following link:
• https://www.tomahawk.k12.wi.us/district/covid-19-updates-and-information.cfm Staff members have instructed students how to communicate with them for instructional needs. All staff members can be contacted using school email in addition to other methods.
• The use of Continuity of earning days will count towards the required hours of instruction to avoid having to add make-up days at the end of the school year.
• Technology Assistance

o Students needing assistance with Chromebooks may contact Mrs. Paula Norman by email.                  normanp@tomahawk.k12.wi.us

• Free meals will be available to all children through the age of 18 on March 19-20 and the full week of March 30th. Grab-n-go meals will be passed out at the Middle School entrance (door #2). The hours of service will be from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., each of the designated days. Children may take a grab-n-go breakfast and lunch at the same time, but are not to consume the meals on site and will not be allowed to enter the building other than picking up the meal. Students living outside the City of Tomahawk will have meals delivered to them at their normal bus pick-up point on the meal disbursement days listed above (See attachment for details).

April 6 - School May Resume

• School may resume for students and staff. Continue to watch for updates as this may change.
• All community organizations reserving buildings for events are cancelled through April 6, to be reviewed as more information becomes available.
• All programming at the school, including before and after school activities, all athletic and cocurricular practices, competitions, meetings, performances, weekend events and community use of district facilities are cancelled through April 6, to be reviewed beyond that date.
• All student trips, field trips, performances, assemblies, after school hour events and travel outside of the district for any reason is canceled through April 6.

General Information

Additional measures will be taken while students and staff are out of the buildings over spring break to sanitize and deep-clean facilities and buses.

• Facilities

o Clean all high touch point surfaces so disinfectants will work more effectively.

o Provide extra attention to fitness facilities that have unique surfaces that can harbor viruses.

• Transportation

o The inside of all buses will be cleaned during this period of closure.

“We understand that this is a significant inconvenience to families. Continue to watch for updates over the next two weeks. Information is changing rapidly, and it is likely we will be communicating frequently. We appreciate your patience as we work to provide safe and healthy learning environments in our schools.

Terry Reynolds

District Administrator

School District of Tomahawk.”

On Thursday, March 19, Reynolds provided this update on the delivery of free meals to students:

"The School District of Tomahawk completed its first day of delivering free breakfast and lunch bags for students today. Thank you for your patience as we learn how best to support your family through this meal service.

"To assist more families, we have decided to add additional stops within the city limits of Tomahawk. Beginning Friday, March 20, the school bus free breakfast and lunch meal drop-offs will also be stopping at the normal student pick-up points within the city boundaries. The City of Tomahawk bus stops will begin at 8 a.m. The out of the city rural bus stops will take place upon completion of the city drop offs. The school drive-through will continue at its normal times as scheduled.

"As a reminder, these meals are free for all students. There will be no charges to family lunch accounts. Also, there will be no deliveries or school drive-up meal service next week during Spring Break (March 23 through 27). After Spring Break, deliveries and pick-ups will begin again on Monday, March 30.

Thank you!"

Tessmer provides food service update

Food Service Director Dustin Tessmer issued an update on meal service in the Tomahawk School District during the coronavirus outbreak.

“USDA has given school districts the ability to provide meals for children during unanticipated school closures. Tomahawk School District will be offering meals to students to help ease the burden during these difficult times.

“Breakfast and lunches will be available for any student 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 to Tomahawk Middle School in the morning or afternoon on the days offered. Families can choose the time that best meets their needs. The pick-up dates and times are as follows:

• Thursday, March 19 – 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Friday, March 20 – 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Monday, March 30 – 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 31 – 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 1 – 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Thursday, April 2 – 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Friday, April 3 – 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“We will offer two meals per child each of the above days, (one breakfast and one lunch). We will utilize the driveway in the front of The Tomahawk Middle School and have a representative there to distribute the meals as you pull through. There is no pre-ordering necessary.

“For families living outside of Tomahawk, we will have meals dropped off at the family bus stop each day. Bus deliveries will follow the normal morning route, starting at 8 a.m. The bus will stop for the delivery of the meals at the normal pick-up point for a few minutes to deliver the meals.

“If you have any special dietary needs or further questions about the meal service for COVID-19, please contact: Dustin Tessmer, Food Service Director, School District of Tomahawk, Taher Food Service, 715-453-2106 Ext. 310 or Tessmerd@tomahawk.k12.wi.us."