HOTSPOT at home
For people who have cell service this is how you make your iphone a hotspot so your chromebook can connect to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NToTQfrdNHg
This is how you turn your Android phone into a hotspot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Y1HS4j8SU
This would work for people who have good phone service but don't pay for home internet service. This is how you can check to see if a hotspot will work in your location. The hotspot is simply just like the phone for access to the internet.
WUSD will have 4 buses parked around the district for student wi-fi access during distance learning. The district will also have additional vehicles able to do this and they will be moved to accommodate students needs.
All WUSD schools will open on August 31, 2020 with a Distance Learning program. This plan is based upon the Governor’s order for school districts within counties placed on the state Watch List. Even though our county is not currently on the Watch List (as of August 4, 2020), Dr. Doohan has advised that our county data meets the criteria and is therefore recommending that all schools in Mendocino County open with a Distance Learning model.
The state has defined the requirements for schools in order to provide high quality learning for all students. Our instructional program will be very different than it was in the spring, when we were mandated to close with little to no planning time. Teachers and staff have been working throughout the summer to develop methods and curriculum that will be effective and engaging. All students will be scheduled to be online daily at specific times to receive instruction from their teachers and to participate in activities where they will interact with their peers. Independent activities will also be part of the instructional program and will take place during specified time periods. Teachers will create a daily schedule for their classes that will outline the specific times and activities that students must complete. You will receive information regarding the specific schedules within the next couple of weeks.
The district is committed to helping our families and will be reaching out with phone calls beginning August 17th. We appreciate your support as we continue to fine-tune all of the many details involved in our instructional delivery method. I have every confidence that with the help of our parents, our staff can provide an excellent program that addresses your students’ needs.
For households unable to receive Internet we are looking at the possibility of opening school campuses on a limited basis, we also purchased equipment to have Wi-Fi on our school buses that will be placed around the community for internet access, as well as working with our local businesses to open up Wi-Fi to the public. WUSD will also provide devices such as chrome books, iPads, and headphones for all students who need them. In most cases grades 3-12, your child should have their own device.
We truly miss you and look forward to the days when we can reopen schools, please stay tuned for more detailed information in the near future. Thank you all for being a part of Willits Unified School District.
Mark Westerburg
At the July 17th WUSD School Board Meeting, two important decisions were made. First, we will start school on Monday August 31st. Secondly, the WUSD schools will begin the year in a remote (distance) learning environment.
It is the goal of the staff to provide a much improved educational experience for students. In grades TK-2 we will focus on packets for students that go with our curriculum and will allow parents to follow the process. In grades 3-5 we will be using workbooks and technology provided by WUSD to enhance the work. Baechtel Grove Middle School will be using a schedule that provides four periods of core instruction, one of PE and an elective period. They will have live online instruction every single day from the district adopted curriculum. We are also providing parent support for technological and other questions and concerns, as well as informational training. You will be able to call the school directly and get a response from designated staff. We all believe that you need to be adequate and meaningful partners in this work. At the High School students will have a three period schedule where the courses last six weeks. Each school will be providing parents and students with many details and procedures in late August before we start.
We will transition to on site classroom instruction as soon as the health guidelines allow us to do so. If we want our children back at school, as a community we need to continue to follow health guidelines, to not get on the county watch list with the state. The district is working with other local governmental agencies to provide more free internet access, as well as exploring opening up our school libraries to download assignments.
The CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) Sports have been shifted to two seasons with one beginning in mid December and the second season starting in mid March. The majority of sports will be offered, just compacted into two seasons.
Their online instruction will look very different this year, as teachers increase their knowledge of virtual instruction. We will be in communication with families as the situation changes. Please stay patient as we transition to this changing environment.
The WUSD School Board is meeting tomorrow night to do some needed business and discuss the reopening options for the fall. There will not be a decision made, it is to soon to know what it will look like on Aug. 31st. When we do consider opening in the fall it will be in a more Covid prepared schedule or remotely. Our goal is to allow parents choice of doing independent study or back in classroom instruction if the conditions allows it. I use the restaurant mentality, if we can’t be in the inside of the restaurant, we can’t be in the classrooms. If the rules are some percentage capacity in the restaurant with masks we will try and provide that option in classrooms.
In mid-August our goal will be to call each family and ask parents to choose an option of in class or independent study and we will make the staffing adjustments needed. Beyond staffing we will need to make building specific plans for situations that may occur. Our goal is to provide the safest environment we can and give parents options. If we had to start tomorrow our data is trending the wrong way and the guidelines are locking down more not less, so we would be on home instruction.
If you would like to give the board information please use my email address to do so. ( markwesterburg@willitsunified.com ) If you would like to participate in the zoom board meeting this is the address https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9782489039?pwd=V0U2cUtHZUMzQk5xR3d5Vy9wT1JkZz09 There is also a chat box to ask questions or use your time during the public comments section.
The WUSD staff is working hard this summer to get ready for this new situation that provides the safest and best academic environment we can financially afford to do.
If you would like to order a Sanhedrin High School Rose Sweatshirt please come to Sanhedrin this week between 9-12 to place a deposit. We need to make the order by Friday.
Congratulations Sanhedrin High School Class of 2020
Willits high school graduation live stream. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm14iSqMtl-7TKLnLP5NkFQ/live
Congratulations to Danitza Jimenez Saldana, Class of 2020, Willits Adult School.
Congratulations to Jordy Patino, Class of 2020, Willits Adult School.
Congratulations to Kami McAdams, Class of 2020, Willits Adult School.
2020 sweatshirts are in!
Diploma covers are in! Please stop by today to pick one up.
Graduation is Friday Night at 6:30. It is very important this year to know the guidelines we are required to follow. There can be no guests in the stands or on school grounds. The seniors are in the box of the truck and the family is in the cab. In short, we are a parking lot, not a gathering. I posted a picture of the processional route that should begin about 7:15. The firetruck will lead us around town in a slow processional that ends back at the stoplight at Commercial Street. Parents and friends who line the processional route please remember the health department guidelines. I want to thank all the first responders and city employees for helping to make this happen. G0 Wolverines.
Graduation Gowns are in. Please stop by on Saturday, May 30 from 9-11, or next week Monday through Friday 9-12 P.M.
All students please come to school this week. School will be open 9-12 Tuesday through Friday. See you today sometime this week.
Willits Unified School District is pleased to announce that we have been given approval to host a unique graduation ceremony on June 5th, at 6:30pm.
Details that must be followed:
Maize Field at Willits High School
Each family will be allotted one vehicle, preferably a truck, with the student in the bed of the truck, and family inside the cab of the truck.
Only immediate family members (parents & siblings)
No one is to leave their vehicle - no exceptions
Staging will be in the front parking lots prior to the start, please be on site by 6:10 as we will start the procession at 6:30pm.
Trucks will proceed along the road adjacent to the baseball field (north side)
Trucks will enter the track at the North entrance and proceed around the track, parking as close to the car in front of them as possible.
Students will be announced when they enter the track area
As the trucks proceed around the track, they will pause in front of the WHS sign and be and a photo in Cap & Gown will be taken.
Parents & Students are encouraged to decorate their vehicle in order to celebrate the occasion.
The graduation ceremony will take place once all vehicles are parked along the track.
Once the graduation ceremony concludes, the families will leave by the north entrance and be escorted through town by local first responders along a route that allows the extended families & community to celebrate the achievements of their graduates.
Keepsake banners will be hung along main street, to honor our Willits graduates and will be available for pick up by the families at a later date.
The event will be live streamed on youtube & Facebook live
To: Students, Parents and the Willits Community
Willits Unified School District is pleased to announce that we have been given approval to host a unique graduation ceremony on June 5th, at 6:30pm.
Details that must be followed:
Maize Field at Willits High School
Each family will be allotted one vehicle, preferably a truck, with the student in the bed of the truck, and family inside the cab of the truck.
Only immediate family members (parents & siblings)
No one is to leave their vehicle - no exceptions
Staging will be in the front parking lots prior to the start, please be on site by 6:10 as we will start the procession at 6:30pm.
Trucks will proceed along the road adjacent to the baseball field (north side)
Trucks will enter the track at the North entrance and proceed around the track, parking as close to the car in front of them as possible.
Students will be announced when they enter the track area
As the trucks proceed around the track, they will pause in front of the WHS sign and be and a photo in Cap & Gown will be taken.
Parents & Students are encouraged to decorate their vehicle in order to celebrate the occasion.
The graduation ceremony will take place once all vehicles are parked along the track.
Once the graduation ceremony concludes, the families will leave by the north entrance and be escorted through town by local first responders along a route that allows the extended families & community to celebrate the achievements of their graduates.
Keepsake banners will be hung along main street, to honor our Willits graduates and will be available for pick up by the families at a later date.
The event will be live streamed on youtube & Facebook live
-If you have a truck to loan for the ceremony or need to request a truck please contact:
Marian Lohne - Assistant Principal at WHS
707-459-7700 ext. 1509
marianlohne@willitsunified.com
Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school will get extra food benefits. These food benefits are called Pandemic EBT or P-EBT benefits. P-EBT benefits help families in California buy food when schools are closed because of the coronavirus emergency.
Families will get up to $365 per eligible child on their P-EBT card to use on food and groceries.
Families with children who get CalFresh, Medi-Cal or Foster Care benefits do not need to apply. Most will get their P-EBT card in the mail during the month of May. P-EBT cards will begin arriving around May 12, 2020.
