November 4, 2020

Dear Verdigris School Family:

As you may be aware, Grades 7^th-12^th have experienced an increase in positive COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks. Per CDC guidelines, some students and staff members have been asked to quarantine. This number represents approximately 35% of 7^th-12^th grade students. After discussing the situation with local health officials and our administrative team, we have made the decision to transition the Jr. High School and High School to Distance Learning in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus.

Consequently, all Jr. High and High School students will participate in Distance Learning beginning Thursday morning, November 5^th. We are hopeful that on campus learning for these students will resume Tuesday, November 10^th. 

• For more information on Distance Learning, please refer to the Verdigris Public Schools Re-Entry Plan for Students and Parents located on the school’s website.
• All other schools will continue to attend class on campus at this time.
• Extracurricular events will continue as scheduled per your coaching staff for non-quarantined students.
• This move to Distance Learning does not change the start and end date for any student or staff member that is currently in quarantine.

Our administrative team will re-evaluate this situation on Monday, November 9, 2020 to determine if an extension to Distance Learning may be necessary. Additionally, we will continue to monitor the evolving health situation caused by COVID-19 and adhere to guidance from the Oklahoma Department of Health, State Department of Education, and the CDC. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times, as we take the necessary steps to protect out school community. 

Sincerely,
 

October 19, 2020

Dear Verdigris School Family: 

This letter is a follow up to the October 11th update.  Under guidance from the Health Department,  Jr. High and High School students will return to on campus learning tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20, 2020. The exception is any student that has been placed in quarantine will remain in quarantine as per the original notification.

• For more information on Distance Learning, please refer to the 10/12/2020 Verdigris Public Schools Re-Entry Plan for Students and Parents located on the school’s website. 

• Extracurricular events will continue as scheduled per your coaching staff for non-quarantined students.

Our administrative team will continue monitoring and evaluating students and staff and will provide updates as needed.  

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.  

Sincerely,

October 11, 2020

Dear Verdigris School Family:

I am writing to follow-up on my October 5^th and 9^th  letter advising that students in Grades 9^th – 12^th  would be transitioning to Distance Learning with an expected return date of Monday, October 12, 2020. Unfortunately in light of more recent events and after discussing the current situation with local health officials and our administration, we have made the decision that all Jr. High and High School students will transition to, or remain in, Distance Learning in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus.

Consequently, all Jr. High and High School students will participate in Distance Learning Monday, October 12^th through Wednesday, October 14^th followed by Fall Break.  We are hopeful that the High School and Grades 10^th – 12^th will resume on campus learning on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. Jr. High Students in Grades 7^th-9^th will remain in Distance Learning with an expected return date of Monday, October 26, 2020.

• For more information on Distance Learning, please refer to the 10/05/2020 Distance Learning Update and the Verdigris Public Schools Re-Entry Plan for Students and Parents located on the school’s website.
• Elementary schools / sites will continue to attend class on campus at this time.
• Extracurricular events will continue as scheduled per your coaching staff for non-quarantined students.
• This move to continue to Distance Learning does not change the start and end date for any student or staff member that is currently in quarantine.

Our administrative team will continue monitoring and evaluating this situation to determine if an extension to Distance Learning may be necessary.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times. 

Sincerely,

October 9, 2020

Dear Verdigris School Family:

I am writing to follow-up on my October 5^th letter advising that students in Grades 9^th – 12^th  would be transitioning to Distance Learning with an expected return date of Monday, October 12, 2020. After discussing the current situation with local health officials and our administration, we have made the decision that students in Grades 9^th – 12^th should remain in Distance Learning in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus.

Consequently, students in Grades 9^th – 12^th will participate in Distance Learning Monday, October 12^th through Wednesday, October 14^th followed by Fall Break. We are hopeful to resume on campus learning for these students on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

• For more information on Distance Learning, please refer to the 10/05/2020 Distance Learning Update and the Verdigris Public Schools Re-Entry Plan for Students and Parents located on the school’s website.
• All other schools / sites will continue to attend class on campus at this time.
• Extracurricular events will continue as scheduled per your coaching staff for non-quarantined students.
• This move to continue to Distance Learning does not change the start and end date for any student or staff member that is currently in quarantine.

Our administrative team will continue monitoring and evaluating this situation to determine if an extension to Distance Learning may be necessary.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times. 

Sincerely,

Dear Verdigris School Family:

As you may be aware, Grades 9^th-12^th have experienced positive COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks. Per CDC guidelines, some students and staff members in Grades 9^th-12^th have been asked to quarantine. This number represents approximately 30% of students Grades 9^th-12^th. After discussing the situation with local health officials, we have made the difficult decision to transition Grades 9^th-12^th to Distance Learning for the remainder of this week in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus. Distance Learning will begin Tuesday morning, October 6^th, 2020, with on campus learning expected to resume Monday, October 12^th, 2020.  Our administrative team will re-evaluate this situation on Friday, October 9, 2020 to determine if an extension to Distance Learning may be necessary.

**All other schools will continue to attend class on campus at this time.**

**Extracurricular events will continue as scheduled per your coaching staff for none quarantined students.**

**This move to Distance Learning does not change the start and end date for any student or staff member that are currently in quarantine.**

About Distance Learning
We just completed a Distance Learning Day, so students should have their Chromebooks and other resources necessary for this transition.  Contact your site administrator if you are in need of your Chromebook or another academic resource.  The numbers are: High School 918-266-2336, ext. 2211 and the Junior High 918-266-2336, ext. 2111.

About COVID-19
As more COVID-19 cases are being confirmed across the state, including in our community, please remain vigilant. Monitor yourself and your family for symptoms, which include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and the loss of taste and smell. If you or any member of your family exhibit these symptoms, please contact your medical provider for advice immediately. Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days after exposure. 

There is nothing more important to our district than the safety and health of our students, our staff and their families. We understand this sudden transition will be inconvenient and your student will miss being in school; however, we greatly appreciate your family’s flexibility, patience and support. We are optimistic that following mitigation protocols recommended by health officials will help increase the probability that students can have a safe and productive school year.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve the students of Verdigris Public Schools and we will get through these situations together as a cardinal family.

Sincerely,

Michael Payne
Superintendent

Verdigris Public Schools

Verdigris High School will be hosting a District ACT for our Juniors and Seniors on October 6th, 2020.  It will start at 8:00 am and should be completed by 1:00 pm.  (Students must commit to this time frame in order to have the test scored by ACT)

A discounted cost of $39 will be charged.  The due date for payment has been extended to Thursday, October 1st.  Please make checks payable to Verdigris High School.  This will be a paper test and will not include the writing portion of the ACT.

Please contact Mrs. Olson at tolson@vpsk12.ok.us if you have any questions or would like to enroll your child.

On Friday, September 4th, 2020, all Verdigris Students will participate in our first "Distance Learning Day".  Students will remain at home and attend school virtually.  Teachers will be at school maintaining a normal schedule as students participate virtually from home.  Please make sure your child knows their login and connection information.  Classroom Teachers should have the information they need.  Elementary students without device/internet access that have notified their teacher will receive paper copies of classroom assignments and phone call interaction with the teacher.

Chromebooks will be made available to all 5th through 12 grade students for a $20 per device annual usage fee.  Attached (linked) is the Take Home Agreement that must be provided at the time of checkout.

***  In order to receive a schedule or device all "Holds" must be cleared. ( Including lost library and text books )

**** Chromebooks for 3rd and 4th grade have been ordered and are scheduled to be here in October.

Mandatory Athletic/Band /Drug Testing will be on Thursday, August 6th at the Verdigris Activity Center.  Please check the high school website for times and more information.

Verdigris Public Schools is transitioning to a new parent portal, to better suite the needs of our students and parents.  Please be patient while we prepare Infinite Campus for public use.  You may start to receive emails requesting you to set up your account.  

As soon as you create your account the system will ask for a security email.  This is the email you want password reset requests to be handled from.  It is advisable to use a personal email account, or an account that you will use in the future.  Email accounts associated with employment tend to change over time.

The system will then ask for your "Campus" password.  This is the password you just set up for "Infinite Campus."