July 1, 2020
Dear Families,
The West Virginia Department of Education has put out three surveys to assist county schools systems as they plan for reopening of our classrooms for the 2020-2021 school year. Taylor County has a task force that continues to meet and these surveys will add to our collection of the local survey results sent out last week. Please take the time to complete these as the results will be shared with us and guide us to a workable plan for our students in Taylor County. The surveys can be found at https://wvde.us/school-system-re-entry/re-entry-surveys/. These surveys will remain open until July 10, 2020.
Thank you for your assistance in making sure our plans meet the needs of all students in Taylor County.
Warm regards,
Christy Miller, Superintendent
Dear Families,
Taylor County Schools is offering an opportunity for you to give us guidance as we plan for opening the 2020-2021 school year. We need everyone’s feedback to make sure plans for the safe return of all students is in place. This survey opportunity is open until 4:00 p.m. July 10, 2020. The results will be tabulated and shared with our board on July 14, 2020 as well as our county website. These results will guide our Taylor County Schools Task Force in finalizing plans to welcome staff and student back in August. There are many decisions to be made and your survey response will ensure we are prepared.
Thank you,
Christy Miller, Superintendent
Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ReEntrySurvey20
Summer Food Service begins for Taylor County tomorrow, June 16, 2020. We will be providing five days of boxed breakfast and lunch meals from 11-1 each Tuesday through August. The sites for pick up are Project Hope, Thornton Community/School, front of Grafton High School, and Flemington Elementary. Please continue to practice distancing remaining in your car and proceeding through the drive thru sites.
Warm regards,
Christy Miller, Superintendent
June 12, 2020
Dear Taylor County School Employees, Community, Families, and Students,
I am writing once again to not only thank you, but to honor you for your commitment to the importance of education in our community. Caregivers, parents, and siblings became the educators as our school buildings remained closed. It looked different in each of these settings, but provided the means to keep learning going in uncertain times. Closing out the year was also a challenge, however, one that each of you supported as we implemented safe guards in the collection and return of materials. Food service continued until June 2nd with a restart with less sites beginning June 15th. Our goal from the beginning was to assure our families we would support the basic needs of our students in the same ways prior to the closure in March.
While we understand the enormity in the task that lies ahead, I want to assure our employees, community, families, and students, the work that is taking place now, will ensure a safe return no matter how it looks. Safety will remain our number one priority as we look to the opening of school in the fall of 2020. As a system, we will continue to consult with our Grafton Taylor Health Department, CDC guidance, WVDHHR guidance, WVSSAC guidance for athletics and band, and the WVDE for instruction and learning in developing specific plans for Taylor County Schools. A small group has been formed to begin the task of wading through guidance documents and lessons learned. A draft plan will be put together and the community given the opportunity to weigh in on and give suggestions. I want the community, families, students, and staff to understand this process will be thoughtful and intentional, taking into consideration the needs of all who have an interest in the outcomes. The plan will be equitable and provide essential supports with the ability to change based on concerns for safety.
Taylor County Schools will continue to support our staff, community, families and students as we navigate forward to a new future. This future looks bright as the county and its citizens continue to embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. The partnerships formed will be essential as we embark on the next phase of education in an environment impacted by COVID-19.
Warm regards,
Christy Miller
Superintendent