Warsaw secondary schools moving to a modified schedule temporarily

(Photo supplied/Warsaw Community Schools)

Warsaw secondary schools will be moving to a modified schedule starting on Monday due to the anticipating of rising COVID cases approaching the Thanksgiving holiday.

The changes will take place next Monday and Tuesday, along with Monday, November 30th and Tuesday, December 1st, and will be affecting Edgewood and Lakeview Middle School, Warsaw Community High School, along with Gateway (secondary programs only) and the Warsaw Area Career Center, while the elementary schools will stay on their regular schedules.

Changes were also made for attendance at upcoming athletic events.

You can read more about the changes in the release below:

While WCS remains a safe place for student learning, it is evident that teachers, staff, and administration have all been stretched far beyond their traditional duties. Thankfully, we have watched our school community band together in so many ways to continue high educational standards for our students. While staff have rallied to provide coverage for unfilled positions, it has strained our workforce.  

Though our schools are still one of the safest places in our community, our partners at the Kosciusko County Health Department are anticipating significant numbers of new community positives next week. This increase impacts the availability of staff to educate our students in a safe and orderly manner.

WCS depends on everyone to come together to patch the staff shortages. Out of an abundance of concern for the sustainability of carrying these extra responsibilities, it has been decided that secondary schools only will move to the following temporary eLearning schedule:

Monday, November 23: eLearning Odd Block (1,3,5,7)

Tuesday, November 24:eLearning Even Block (2,4,6)

Monday, November 30: eLearning Odd Block (1,3,5,7)

Tuesday, December 1: eLearning Even Block (2,4,6)  

Some multi-period courses will continue to meet in-person at the secondary level:

Middle Schools:

Applied Skills students may attend in person classes.  Transportation will be provided.

WACC: 

Building Trades, Welding, Machining, and Internship courses. 

Childcare will remain open at WCHS WELA. Food service pick-up will be available (details will be provided in a later release).

All secondary schools, Edgewood, Lakeview, Warsaw Community High School, Gateway (secondary programs only) and Warsaw Area Career Center, are scheduled to return to in-person instruction on Wednesday, December 2. Assignments for all four eLearning days will be due by the end of the day on Monday, December 9.

This temporary modification will allow all elementary schools to operate on their regular schedules with the much needed additional staffing that can be borrowed from our central office and secondary schools.

Secondary teachers will report to their buildings for their regularly contracted time and offer eLearning from their classrooms. This modification will allow WCS to shift the needed resources of staffing to the elementary schools which will remain open. We believe that these additional shifts in support services will relieve stress while still ensuring a safe academic environment for our students and staff. 

Again, because this is an issue concerning coverage, student-athletes will have the same practices and contest opportunities with spectator modifications. Our priority is to allow students the opportunities to play and parents or close family to watch. Updates will be posted on https://warsaw-tigers.com

Temporary Modifications: Winter Sports Spectator Guidelines & Expectations

  • Boys & Girls Basketball and Wrestling contests in Tiger Den:

    • Only 4 family members per rostered player for both home and away teams  – includes 9th grade basketball teams and Warsaw Cheerleaders.

    • Boys Basketball Only:

      • Warsaw Basketball Season Passes = Temporarily Suspended.

  • Boys & Girls Basketball Tournaments & Wrestling Invitationals:

    • Only 2 family members per rostered player for both home and away teams.

  • Swim & Dive Dual Meets:

    • Only 2 family members per rostered senior boys & girls swimmers. 

  • Swim & Dive Invitationals:

    • No spectators allowed.

  • Girls Gymnastics Double-Dual Meets:

    • Only 2 family members per rostered player for the home team.

WCS appreciates the support of all as we move to a modified eLearning schedule for secondary schools in order to return with higher staffing levels.  This can only happen with the communities renewed commitment to follow health and safety guidelines to reduce the spread of Covid-19: wash hands; wear masks; social distance. 

While this holiday may look different for us this year, please know that we are in this together and draw strength from one another. We will continue to rise to the challenge and remain steadfast in our collective purpose to live our mission. In closing, WCS wishes to offer our gratitude to all and wishes you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving.