To: Parents of High School Students on Distance Learning

From: Clara J. Schmiedt
Date: November 3, 2020
Re: Education options after December 18, 2020.
High School students were given the option to remain on distance learning until the end of Term 1. After December 18, 2020 students who do not want to attend their high school in person will be able to choose from two different educational programs to meet their needs if they wish to remain at home. As a District, MUSD has transitioned to Phase 2 of our return to school plan based on local health conditions. Therefore, students will not be allowed to begin Term 2 on distance learning.
November 16-December 4, 2020 we will reopen the application period for MUSD Online Academy and Independent Study which allow options for the remainder of the year should your student choose not to return to school on January 7, 2021.
MUSD Online Academy is a fully online platform delivered through Edmentum Courseware with local MUSD teachers or EdOptions curriculum delivered by MUSD teachers from the EdOptions platform. The Online Academy is a traditionally scheduled high school program. Students will be scheduled for 6 periods a day on the quarter and semester system.
Transitioning from a 4x4 block schedule (comprehensive high schools in MUSD) to a traditional schedule (MUSD Online Academy) will require assistance from your student’s home school counselor to plan your student’s course of study to ensure your student remains on track for graduation in conjunction with the Online Academy (located on WRHS campus) counseling team.
MUSD Independent Study Program is an online program called Grad Point. Students can remain on a 4x4 schedule. This program has existed for many years and offers a one-hour meeting per week for students to contact and receive support from their teacher.
This year both programs will allow students to continue to participate in extra-curricular activities such as graduation and sports with their home high school if a student meets all eligibility requirements.
What do I need to do next to ensure a smooth transition?
1. Set up a meeting with your child’s counselor regarding the credit implications of both the Online Academy and Independent Study options to ensure graduation requirements are met.
2. Contact the Vice Principal to be included in the Alternative Education Application Process.
3. You will be contacted by either Online Academy or Independent Study Program for next steps in registering your child for the alternative program.
For more information regarding these programs and the process please contact your student’s Vice Principal.
Best Regards,
Clara Schmiedt, Senior Director of Secondary Education

October 30, 2020

Hello WRHS Parents,

As we officially open our doors on November 2^nd with our Phase 2.0 hybrid A/B schedule, we would like to acknowledge the difficulty that so many have faced.  The Covid 19 global pandemic has certainly changed the way that we live our lives.  For many, life is more complicated than ever before. The pandemic has also changed education.  While some students have excelled with distance learning, others have significantly struggled.  Some are thrilled to return to campus and others are apprehensive.  Both feelings are valid and respected.  In a world where there is so much division, fear, frustration, and uncertainty, we want you all to know that our staff is committed to each and every one of our students and their families.   It is an honor to be an educator, our hearts for our student body remain the same. 

Please understand that information continually changes, we will adjust and adapt with student safety at the forefront.  Regardless of our differing opinions on how this should be done, our top priority is providing the highest quality education to the students of Weston Ranch.   We have a centralized focus to positively impact the lives of our young people and help them get better each day.  We are looking forward to Monday.  Thank you.

Troy M. Fast

Principal

Weston Ranch High School

209 938-6245

On November 2^nd, MUSD will welcome 11^th and 12^th grade students back to campus.  On November 16^th, 9^th and 10^th grade student will return to campus.

Students will be split by last name into either Group A or Group B.

If your student’s last name starts with A-L, your student will be in Group A.  These students will attend in person instruction on Mondays and Thursdays.  On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays your student will be Distance Learning.

If your student’s last name starts with M-Z, your student will be in Group B.  These students will attend in person instruction on Tuesdays and Fridays.  On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays your student will be Distance Learning.

All students are Distance Learning on Wednesdays.

Students will be required to join classes on Teams when Distance Learning.

The bell schedule will remain the same and is provided below.

August 6th, 2020

Hello Weston Ranch High School students and parents!

This is Mr. Fast here, your Principal. As we conclude our first official day of distance learning, we want to encourage you all for this school year. Even though this is not what we may have anticipated, we are committed to making this the best year possible for Weston Ranch students. 

We will be tasked with working out the kinks as they arise and setting up each student for success. We can all choose to get better throughout this process and support one another. We wish you all the best of luck and please know that we are here to support you. Together, we got this! We wish you all the best for the 2020-2021 school year.

July 23, 2020

Students and Parents of Weston Ranch High School

WRHS Students, Parents, and Staff

This is Mr. Fast, Principal of Weston Ranch High school. There have been so many changes regarding the opening of schools around the world, country, state, and our local school District. There have been continual changes that have impacted us all. As a parent myself, we are continually thinking about how to adjust with our own children with ongoing changes and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Change, change, and more change! Yet, through all the inconsistencies there has been one thing that has remained steadfast and the same, and that is our heart for our students! We truly miss our student body and staff and the normalcy of the daily routines that we once had. Let us all continue to send positive thoughts and prayers to eventually get back to where we all want to be – together. Below are a few important items as we begin to prepare for the first official day of school.

• August 6^th will be the first day of 100% Distance Learning. 100 % Distance Learning is within MUSD’s Phase 1. We do not know when Phase 2 or 3 will begin (which includes having students back on our campus). We will cross that bridge when we are able to do so. We are, however, planning for those future scenarios. For more information regarding the District’s Phases, please reference the MUSD website.  
• In the next few days you will receive a Welcome Back letter along with the new 2020-2021 bell schedule. The new bell schedule with a later start time is a State mandate which will be mandated for the 2022 school year. Our District is being pro-active in beginning this school year with the later start time, and a later start time during COVID was thought to be more effective in the Distance Learning model. This bell schedule serves as both the Distance Learning model (Phase 1) and IF we have students back on campus in the future (Phase 2 & 3). This is fluid, for now.
• WRHS students will be able to access their school schedules on Wednesday July 29^th after 3:00 pm.
• Receiving up to date communication is more important now than ever. At the minimum, we try to provide weekly updates to our WRHS Website, our WRHS Facebook, our WRHS Journalism, along with delivery of e-mails to students and parents. If you are not receiving the e-mails and voice messages, please contact WRHS to update your information.

I know that for some of us, COVID has created some HUGE hurdles to get over. We must continue to make choices to come together as a school and community to try our best to focus on the opportunities that are often birthed in difficult situations.

Thank you

Troy M. Fast

Principal