Dear Families, Employees and Community Leaders,
In an effort to communicate with families during this time, we will be sharing a weekly letter with the hopes of keeping families and students connected with the schools. We will provide updates, helpful links and information.
It was a little over a week ago that we received the news from Governor DeWine closing all public and private schools across the state for three weeks. As we have seen in the days since, this battle against the spread of this virus has led to more extreme and necessary measures each day. The stark reality is that these measures will be in place for some time. The likelihood of school resuming this year becomes less of a possibility with each new recommendation and order. As a school district and a community, we must begin to prepare for that while we hope for the best.
In the midst of planning the transition to online and home learning, our faculty and staff members were amazing in their preparation to support our students. We are fortunate to have such dedicated professionals who continue to support students each and every day. We are also proud of the staff and volunteers who are preparing, serving and delivering meals to families in the area. This work has brought the community together. From the Islamic Center to Grace and Zoar Churches, Walt Churchill’s Market and so many others who have joined to help those in need.
As we move forward, I am reminded of the book “Make Your Bed” by Admiral William H. McCraven. In this book, inspired by a graduation speech delivered by the Admiral in 2014, he described life lessons he learned while commanding Navy SEALs that graduates could use to change the world. His first lesson was for students to “make their beds.” He wrote:
“Making my bed correctly… was my first task of the day [as a Navy SEAL], and doing it right was important. It demonstrated my discipline. It showed my attention to detail, and at the end of the day it would be a reminder that I had done something well, something to be proud of, no matter how small the task. Throughout my life in the Navy, making my bed was the one constant that I could count on every day.”
In a time when there is much uncertainty and each press conference brings another sobering dose of news, for students, making their bed is a reminder of what they can control and something that can be accomplished. In the days and weeks to come, there will be a continual need for self-discipline as we work collectively to stop the spread of this virus.
Working our way through this crisis together, we would like to be sure to highlight the wonderful work going on around us, from students learning to work remotely, to families spending quality time outdoors, to our faculty and staff members developing new lessons under new challenges. This emergency has revealed so much about ourselves and our true nature. It has reminded us that we are all connected – citizens of the world – despite the call for social distancing. It has also revealed the character of our community. We encourage everyone to send photos of themselves making the best of this unfortunate situation to [email protected] so that we may spread this positivity with the community and media.
We hope that by reaching out with a weekly update, it will help us all to refocus on the most important details, as sometimes it seems like plans are changing by the minute. Following please find some information that we hope you find useful. If there are questions or topics you would like us to address, please email them to [email protected].
Admiral McCraven wrote in his book: “Hope is the most powerful force in the universe.” It is important that, above all, we find ways to instill hope in our students and in each other. We have what it takes to combat this enemy and preserve today and the future.
Hold fast!
Peace,
Thomas L. Hosler
Superintendent
Perrysburg Schools
Student Services and Supports During Closure (If you need help or food)
We would like to share some resources with you at the following link regarding counseling, mental health, food, basic needs, technology access, physical health and well-being during the extended break.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12v4oRzn3idXwaIB6E7fRy18nxPKhOK6jvCu8yW4mQk0/edit?usp=sharing
School Medication
Parents and guardians who had medications stored in any of our school offices may contact Debbie Reddick, RN, Health Aide Supervisor, Perrysburg Schools, 419-874-3181, ext. 5010, [email protected] to make arrangements to pick them up. If you do not pick them up, we will continue to store them at this point. We will update if there are any changes.
Maintaining a Safe Environment for Staff Required to Work in Buildings
We want all staff to follow the Governor’s, CDC’s and Ohio Department of Health’s recommendations. These recommendations and orders are changing daily. We want to keep our employees safe while meeting the needs of our students and employees. In order to ensure the safety of everyone, we are following the recommendation of the Governor, that anyone entering the workplace check their temperature.
Moving forward from these initial three weeks, we need to be prepared that we may have to keep all buildings and offices closed. Staff members will be able to respond to emails and calls. We ask for patience during this time as response time to calls and emails may be delayed.
Department and Building Contact Information
Please click here for our searchable directory: https://fm.perrysburgschools.net/fmi/webd/directory
All School Buildings and District Offices Closed to the Public
All buildings are closed to the public until further notice. Please call or email employees directly using the directory linked above.
Treasurer’s Office
Please email or call the department for assistance: http://www.perrysburgschools.net/TreasurerCFO.aspx
Enrollment Office - Central Office
Contact Perry Harris at [email protected]. Appointments will be arranged virtually.
Human Resources
Please email or call the department for assistance. Contact Kellie Johnson, Executive Director, Human Resources 419-874-9131 ext. 2131 or [email protected] with employment questions.
Teaching and Learning, Pupil Services, Food Service and Superintendent Office
Please email or call the department for assistance at 419-873-9131.
Technology Help
Teachers and Staff Members may report technology issues via SchoolDude.
The process for families to report technology concerns may be found at this link:
http://www.perrysburgschools.net/protected/ArticleView.aspx?iid=6GAUAPB&dasi=3PU0
Maintenance & Grounds
Please email or call the department for assistance at 419-872-8840 http://www.perrysburgschools.net/Maintenance.aspx.
Transportation
Contact James Mapus, Transportation Director, at [email protected].
Toth Elementary (district-determined centralized location for distribution of meals) - Food Program Walk-In Hours
Tentatively 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 30. Food will be packaged to provide five days of meals. More information coming soon.
Administrators, the Treasurer’s Office, faculty and staff members are regularly checking voicemail and email.
For All COVID-19-Related District Updates
We will continue to email all updates to families and employees as needed. Additionally, all COVID-19-related district information will continue to be posted on the district’s new COVID-19 information page (http://www.perrysburgschools.net/COVID-19Information.aspx), which may also be accessed directly from our home page at www.perryburgschools.net.
Graduation
Every student has a story of what has been lost during this time. No group of students stand to lose more than our current seniors. Dr. Short, PHS Principal, and his team are looking at all aspects of “senior life” to see what can be planned. We will spend more time on this in future communications.
Ensuring that the Class of 2020 is on track to graduate is an important priority. Schools will take this opportunity to review the status of each senior to determine the extent to which each student has met graduation requirements. Should the current situation change, the Ohio Department of Education will provide additional information. Our commitment is to provide reasonable flexibility in the interest of doing what is right for students.