As one school year closes and new one begins, we thought we would take this opportunity to communicate with Bulldog Nation.
First, we want to thank the community for their support, understanding, flexibility and patience over the past 18 months as we dealt with unprecedented circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were many challenges to students, parents and staff, but as a community we persevered together. The resilience of the BKW community in tough times is a testament of our character. When the going gets tough our community finds unity and strength in one another!
As we look to September, we recognize that there is a lot of uncertainty, as we write to you, about what the fall reopening will bring. There is no clear direction coming from the state or local agencies on what will be allowed regarding distancing, masks, etc. We understand and respect that this is causing a lot of frustration for many in the community. No one wants answers to the many questions right now than the members of the administration, Board of Education, and staff.
As a board we decided to be proactive in case there is no guidance coming from the agencies that are responsible for the guidelines on school opening. All families in the district are being asked and encouraged to take a short online survey. You should have received an email about this survey and the link to it is posted below.
BKW Community Survey- Health and safety measures and remote options
This survey will give us a pulse for what the community feels will be appropriate safety measures going forward. That feedback will be important to us to develop policy regarding the opening of school in the fall. Please understand that this is only applicable in the absence of guidance from the state or local agencies that are responsible for public health. As a school board, and institution we have no authority over policies established within those organizations and are required to carry them out.
In the meantime, we are pleased to welcome Lisa Joslin to the Board of Education as our newest member. She is excited to begin her service to the community and has already begun her training and was sworn in at the reorganization meeting July 14. Lisa, BKW Class of 1991, resides in Westerlo with her husband and two children.
Finally, the administration is hard at work developing new programs and creating new opportunities for students with the $2.4 million dollars the federal funds that BKW received. It is going to be an exciting time to be a Bulldog and our hope is that the students of BKW will excel with investment of these resources in the coming months.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the students of our community. We wish everyone in the community a safe and enjoyable summer.
Your Berne-Knox-Westerlo Board of Education:
Matthew Tedeschi, President
Kim Lovell, Vice President
Rebecca Miller
Nate Elble
Lisa Joslin