PUBLIC NOTICE: Non Public School Participation in Services through the CARES Act



Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, families who qualify for free or reduced price meals at school OR have had a loss in income may be eligible for a new one-time Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer

LEARN MORE ABOUT P-EBT





Return 2020 information





Aug. 13, 2020

Dear Parents,

This morning a team from the Fort Zumwalt Educators Association sat down with a Board of Education team to discuss the proposed change in start date to Aug. 31, 2020, for the 2020-2021 school year.

The two teams came to an agreement and, pending final approval at the regular Board of Education meeting on Monday, Aug. 17, the first day of school has been delayed to Aug. 31. This delay created a few changes to the school year calendar. Most notably, while Winter Break will still be two weeks, students will return from Jan. 4. Spring Break is unchanged. The last day for students will be May 28, an Early Release day for students K - 8 and a half-day of finals for high school. The full calendar will be posted to our website once final Board approval is received.

We look forward to Aug. 31, when we will welcome all of our students, no matter the platform, back to learning and our community can take the first step forward together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bernie DuBray

Superintendent

Fort Zumwalt School District





--------------



Aug. 11, 2020

Dear Parents,

This letter is written as an update on plans for the 2020-2021 school year. First, and foremost, you should know that the district plan originally released July 20 remains in effect. That is, we intend to start with five days a week of face-to-face instruction, Pre-K through grade 12. We will be practicing safe social distancing as much as possible and have modified plans so that all staff and students K-12 will be expected to wear masks. We also offered our parents an option of virtual instruction. The deadline for that decision was July 31.

At that time, 80 percent of parents indicated face-to-face instruction was their preference. Approximately 20 percent, or 3,500 students, registered for FZ Virtual. This is about 1,200 more students than was indicated in earlier surveys, so it is taking more time than expected to rearrange schedules for the start of the year. Therefore, at a special Board of Education meeting Aug. 10, I recommended that the start of the school year be delayed five days to Aug. 31. This will allow the additional time necessary to plan and reschedule our student body to best provide for the new year. The Board approved this recommendation pending an agreement with the Fort Zumwalt Education Association.

We are all excited to see students in our hallways again and hope all parents realize that, until COVID-19 is under control, the school day will look different than what you remember. There are many modifications and safety precautions in place for the benefit of students and staff. Check your school’s website to learn more about specific modifications. Please be aware, I expect there will be COVID-19 cases in our schools despite our serious efforts to keep illness out. We have procedures in place that will deal with both staff and student cases. Even though there might be some short periods of shutdown, I firmly believe that the collaboration of staff, parents and students in upholding the measures we have in place can provide an environment that supports in-person instruction during this pandemic. As always, our strength is our community’s support. I look forward to the day all 18,000 students will be back in our hallways.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bernard J. DuBray

Superintendent





___________________

July 20, 2020

Dear Parents,

As all parents know, the district has not held face-to-face classes with students since March 6, when Spring Break began. We expected to come back to school on March 16, however, the St. Charles County Department of Public Health and St. Charles County government closed the schools in the county on that date. Therefore, there has been no face-to-face instruction for the entire fourth quarter and no face-to-face summer school this summer. COVID-19 spread began to look much better around the middle of June and the district began working on plans to begin the 2020-2021 school year on Aug. 24 in a face-to-face fashion.

The Fort Zumwalt School District Return to School plan was created in collaboration with the St. Charles County Department of Public Health using CDC recommendations for best health practices. We also included information from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. We have attempted to glean the best information from many sources to restart district schools in a safe and secure school system. We have conducted two surveys of parents and staff regarding their intentions with the reopening of school. The most recent surveys opened on July 6 and closed on July 10. They indicated 88 percent of our parents wanted to return to school in person and also that 90 percent of staff wanted to return to work.

The plan represents an outline of each important aspect of the school day and includes a snapshot of each grade grouping for parents to review. While the plan indicates three levels of instruction, there is also a virtual option should a parent wish to have their child stay at home and still receive a quality education program. We asked parents to indicate on the most recent survey if they would like to choose a virtual option. Thirteen percent said they would like online instruction rather than return their child to face-to-face classes. A final decision on this semester-long commitment needs to be made through our online registration process by July 31. This will open Wednesday, July 22. The other levels of instruction will be face-to-face, a hybrid or complete virtual. These levels of instruction are explained in the plan. While we are planning for Level A, we are also listening to our health department and will be prepared to change levels of instruction should the health department or a higher state source make a decision to close the schools.

Our No. 1 priority is to keep our students and staff safe while providing the best education. In order to better ensure these goals, our plan includes a requirement for staff and students above third grade to wear masks in the school buildings. Students below third grade will be encouraged, but not mandated. This feature of the plan should make everyone feel a little more comfortable considering that wearing a mask goes a long way toward stopping the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Further, I can assure you, I will be in regular contact with the health department and, should circumstances change, I will inform parents and staff members of this event. At this time, we still have five weeks for the situation to improve. It is my hope that we will have better conditions for the start of the 2020-2021 school year than those we had when we were last in our schools in March. If you have questions, you can contact your building principal or me directly.



Sincerely,

Dr. Bernie DuBray

Superintendent

Mobile view: Return to School 2020 Plan

Desktop view: Return to School 2020 Plan

Plans may be modified as public health guidelines are updated.

_____________________________________

June 29, 2020

Dear Parents,

Beginning July 6, our high school students who participate in extracurricular activities can begin to report for workouts and practices. I know this is good news for many students who, in all likelihood, have missed these activities more than any other aspect of their school experience.

Our coaches and sponsors have been given specific guidelines, developed in conjunction with the St. Charles County Department of Public Health and recommendations from the three largest hospitals in the St. Louis area. You can see the guidelines for our coaches and sponsors, as well as the guidelines for parents and students. High school parents were also emailed a copy of the waiver participants must have signed and on file. It is critical that we work together in this effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus while providing extracurricular activities for our students. Keeping staff and students who might have been exposed to COVID-19, who have symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19, or who are otherwise ill, at home is the most important thing you can do to support us in this effort.

It is important to note that the situation with the pandemic is still changing frequently and these guidelines will be modified if new information becomes available from the Department of Public Health or state authorities. Parent and student cooperation in these guidelines will help us minimize potential exposure to COVID-19. Working together we can provide enjoyable and rewarding extracurricular experiences for our students.

Please watch for an email from your child(ren)’s school(s) next week with a follow-up survey regarding the 2020-2021 school year. We value your input and appreciate your taking the time to provide the information we need to continue planning. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bernie DuBray

Superintendent

Fort Zumwalt School District







________________________________________________

June 24, 2020

Dear Parents,

Thank you to all who participated in our recent survey. In our first survey regarding returning to school after the COVID-19 closure, we had a high response rate and a majority of those parents indicated that they intend to send their child(ren) back to school. Fewer than 10 percent said that they would take advantage of online instruction in lieu of in-person instruction if the district offered it.

We know information and attitudes continue to change as we all work through this pandemic together, so we will be conducting a follow-up survey after the July 4th holiday. Please watch for an email from your child(ren)’s principal. If you have children in more than one of our schools, please respond to the email from each school.

I continue to meet regularly with the Director of the St. Charles County Department of Public Health. We are hoping to be able to share more details about the start of the 2020-2021 school year in the coming weeks. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bernie DuBray

Superintendent

Fort Zumwalt School District

_____________________________________

June 15, 2020

With the lifting of the Governor's order, effective Tuesday, June 16, 2020, Fort Zumwalt tracks, tennis courts and playgrounds will again be available to the public. Please remember to practice social distancing and other healthy habits that help prevent the spread of COVID-19.



----------------------------------------------------------- May 20, 2020

Dear Parents,

This letter is written as we are finishing the 2019-2020 school year. The conclusion to the school year has been the most unusual I have ever experienced. I have been coming to the office every day since we have been closed, with a skeleton crew of administrators so that we can keep the essential functions of the district continuing during this unusual time. In addition to these administrators, our office has a rotating staff of computer techs who have been available to repair computers and provide loaners to our students so the online instructional program could continue with little downtime. We also have a rotating staff of food service employees who have been making meals at West High, DuBray Middle and Westhoff Elementary. We serve about 750 breakfasts and lunches each week day. We have permission from the federal government to continue this service through June 30. Principals have been in their buildings on a part-time basis, ensuring parents and students can get answers when they have specific questions. So, it has been a strange time for a school district that has 18,000 students and 3,000 employees to keep moving forward.

I am meeting on a regular basis with the St. Charles County Health Department and the other St. Charles County superintendents. We get regular updates on how the spread of the coronavirus is progressing. As we move toward the end of May, we are all looking forward to hearing how the opening of Missouri has affected this spread. Hopefully, it will not spike and we will continue to move in a positive direction. In the meantime, all of our student graduations have been postponed until August. Our summer school program, scheduled to start June 2, will be online and there will be no face-to-face classes. The overwhelming response to our elementary summer academies has been exciting. It’s a testimony to parents’ commitment to fighting “academic slide.” Also, our sports facilities and playgrounds will remain closed during the month of June. I am hopeful we will be able to relax some of these restrictions if we get better news from the Health Department. Probably the biggest disappointment of all has been our graduations. Each of our five high schools takes great pride in the dignity and the excitement that takes place at graduation ceremonies. By postponing the ceremonies until August, we will have a better opportunity for more normal ceremonies to be conducted, with accommodations for social distancing. We had looked at alternatives, such as virtual ceremonies or ceremonies that could have been conducted on parking lots. When our principals discussed these possibilities with our seniors, it was clear that they preferred to wait and have as close to a normal graduation as possible. So, we will wait and do the very best job we can to honor these wonderful young people at the conclusion of 13 years with the district.

Finally, a word about next year. Gov. Parson began reopening Missouri on May 4. I am told it will take two to three weeks after businesses begin opening to know if the spread of the virus accelerates. I am hopeful that the curve in St. Charles County continues to be flat, which would bode well for us starting the school year in as close to a traditional manner as possible. This could include some accommodations such as social distancing, use of masks and regular wellness checks. The alternative, if the virus spreads again at an unacceptable level, would be a hybrid system that could include some virtual learning and some face-to-face instruction. I hope this is not the case, but many of these decisions are out of our hands. The St. Charles County Department of Public Health has control over all county organizations when it comes to health matters. We must listen to them and follow their advice. Just know we will do everything within our power to keep your children safe and we will make the decisions that have to be made in these very unusual circumstances. We will continue to send you updates, so please watch your email, our website and our Facebook and Twitter channels. We will also be sending surveys to gather your input on a range of topics as we work toward our future. I can’t tell you how much I look forward to seeing our students in our classrooms again so that the district staff can go about the business of doing what we do best: educating your children. Please stay safe until we see each other again. Sincerely,

Dr. Bernie DuBray

Superintendent

Fort Zumwalt School District





-------------------------------------------

April 28, 2020

Dear Parents,

With our original graduation date just more than three weeks away, I wanted to share an update with you regarding graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020. Community support for our students is one of the things that has always made Fort Zumwalt a great school district. That support has never been more evident than in these unusual times as the community works to ensure our seniors are celebrated.

Principals have been working on contingency plans, collaborating with senior class officers and surveying the Class of 2020 regarding those options. We have appreciated the students’ input and parents’ patience as we navigated this process. Students have been clear: They want a graduation that is as traditional as possible.

Under the current orders from the St. Charles County Department of Public Health and St. Charles County, social gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited and the Family Arena is closed to the public. While it is likely there will be some parts of the county “re-opening” in the coming weeks, officials have said scheduled ceremonies at the Family Arena on May 23 are unlikely.

Given all of this, the district has postponed graduations, originally set for May 22 and May 23.

The district has secured back-up dates at the Family Arena in the late summer in the hopes that we can gather and celebrate the Class of 2020. Again, these celebrations would be subject to the restrictions placed upon us by local and state officials.

There will be restrictions on the number of attendees.

Accommodations will have to be made to allow for proper social distancing.

We won't have more information until we are closer to the dates.

FZ 2020 graduations are scheduled as follows.

7 p.m., July 31 -- Hope High

10 a.m., Aug. 1 -- East High

4:30 p.m., Aug. 1 -- North High

10 a.m., Aug. 2 -- South High

4:30 p.m., Aug. 2 -- West High

Each year I look forward to the time we spend at these ceremonies acknowledging our graduates' achievements and wishing them well as they set out beyond Fort Zumwalt. It is my hope that, when August comes, we will be able to do that at the Family Arena.

I will continue to provide updates as there is new information to share. Thank you for your patience and support as we have worked through these past weeks together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bernie DuBray

Superintendent

Fort Zumwalt School District



_________________________



April 17, 2020





Dear Parents,

Last night the Fort Zumwalt Board of Education met for its regular April meeting, where I was able to update them on the coronavirus closure of Fort Zumwalt schools. The Governor’s April 9 announcement closing schools for the rest of the 2019-2020 academic year left several questions regarding the FZ calendar approved by the Board of Education, which included make-up snow days. After clarification from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Fort Zumwalt can meet all state requirements for hours of instruction and finish the 2019-2020 school year as originally planned.

May 21 will be the last day of school for early childhood, elementary and middle school students.

May 22 will be the last day of school for high school students. High school students may still work with teachers and turn in work during this half-day. No new work will be assigned that day.

Along with this update to the calendar, on April 27 we will begin a four-day virtual instruction week for students, which will be in place for the remainder of this school year. Daily instructional minutes for grade levels will remain the same, but students will have assignments Monday-Thursday only, with Fridays reserved for finishing incomplete work or participating in optional extended learning opportunities. Teachers will keep regular office hours on Fridays and can use this time to be available for students and families.

We know current circumstances have many of our families and staff under stressors they have never before experienced or even imagined. As always, the physical and emotional safety of our students and staff is our top priority. In our current circumstances, it is important for us to maintain relationships, support families and educate our students. Hopefully this move to four-day weeks for students will help ease some of the stress our families are reporting.

We continue to work on contingency plans for traditional year-end celebrations and remain in close contact with local and state officials. We will share updates as they are available.





Sincerely,

Dr. Bernie DuBray

Superintendent

Fort Zumwalt School District

_____________________

April 9, 2020

Dear Parents,

In accordance with the Governor’s April 9 order, Fort Zumwalt School District will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Virtual learning will continue as it has since the first full week of April. We understand this puts a new set of questions in play and we will do our best to get you answers as soon as we have them.

With our virtual learning program in place for the remainder of the fourth quarter, the 2019-2020 school year is currently scheduled to end June 1 for early childhood, elementary and middle schools and June 2 for high schools.



We know there are many year-end traditions in our schools, but our focus now is to recognize and celebrate the Class of 2020. We are working on contingency plans for graduation. High school principals will be in contact with the Class of 2020 when details are available.



We are here for you. Visit our website and click the Community Services button to connect with resources for food, including details on our district services. Click the FAQs button and, if needed, submit a question via the link there. For technology issues with your FZSD device, or for software questions for your child, email helpdesk@fz.k12.mo.us. In the past month, we have found so many new ways to work together as a community, even though we can’t be together the way we’d like. Thank you all for the way you have supported teaching and learning and for the way you prioritize your child(ren)’s education.





Sincerely,

Dr. Bernie DuBray

Superintendent

Fort Zumwalt School District

April 3, 2020

-----------------------------------

Dear Parents,

Thank you for your commitment to keeping your student(s) engaged in learning during our initial COVID-19 closure. On Tuesday, April 7, fourth quarter coursework will begin. April 10 and April 13 will be days off, as previously scheduled on our school calendar. All instruction will be delivered virtually whenever possible as our closure continues through April 24. We will continue to send you updates as new information becomes available. Our mission is unchanged:

It is the mission of the Fort Zumwalt School District to assure that its students,

regardless of ability or economic level, are provided an education

in such a positive and safe learning environment that all reach their potential.

Meeting our mission has taken a new shape. Thank you for following the guidance of health officials, for preparing your children for their roles in our new digital environment and for participating in our technology survey. The high response rate allowed us to target areas of need and, last week, our principals were able to connect families with internet resources. Elementary school principals put almost 500 devices into the hands of students who wouldn’t have one otherwise.

During this initial closure, our staff has worked to preserve and strengthen their connections with our students. Meal service continues at three locations from 11 a.m. -12:45 p.m., Monday - Friday. More students are connected to teachers electronically. We are now able to resume teaching and learning.

It can’t be business as usual. Our staff’s innovative approaches to meeting our students’ needs during this closure will shape Fort Zumwalt well into the future. As this closure continues, our teachers will only be covering essential material. Learning will be flexible. Students will be allowed to work at their own pace and complete assignments at times that work best for them and their families. We understand there are many new and unusual demands on families and appreciate the priority Fort Zumwalt families have placed on education. Below you will find information about what you can expect beginning next week. If you haven’t already, you should soon receive an email from your student’s teacher(s) inviting you to a Google Classroom.

Students, remember the district has expectations for online behavior and those apply to your virtual instruction or your online behavior at home. Revisit the Student Technology Agreement with your parents.

Parents, we know you have questions about end-of-year traditions and celebrations. Contingency plans are taking shape but, until we hear more from health officials and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, we have questions, too. We will share details as they are available. We are here for you. Please email your teachers, reach out to counselors and connect with principals. Check our website for resources. The home-school connection has never been more important and it has never been stronger. Thank you for your patience and your support as we have worked through these past few weeks. I am looking forward to starting the fourth quarter on Tuesday.

Please see below for our Virtual Education Plan beginning on Tuesday, April 7:

EARLY CHILDHOOD -The Early Childhood Center Staff will continue to provide weekly activities for families that are both web-based and “hands-on” for students -Learning activities will be a combination of new learning and practice and review. Lessons for Learning will be emailed to each family from the classroom teacher by Monday morning and will be posted on the Fort Zumwalt website each Sunday evening. -If you have questions, or have additional needs, please contact Dr. Ellerbrook.

ELEMENTARY - Teachers will use Google Classroom to communicate with parents and students. - Lessons will be developed weekly and communicated with parents. - K-2: Instruction and assignments should not exceed 60 minutes per day. - 3-5: Instruction and assignments should not exceed 75 minutes per day. - All Elementary Teachers will provide ongoing feedback to parents on student work. Teachers may assign grades in order to have information to write narratives on report cards. Students will not receive a fourth quarter grade. - If you have questions, or have additional needs, please contact your student’s Principal. - The individual needs of students with disabilities have been addressed in each teachers' planning process. If you have concerns about your child's IEP or 504, please contact the Special Education teacher or Principal.

MIDDLE SCHOOL - Teachers will use Google Classroom to communicate with parents and students. - Lessons will be developed weekly and communicated with parents. - Students will continue to engage in learning activities/assignments provided by their teachers. - Daily increments of instruction, activities, and assignments should not exceed 20 minutes per student course. - Teachers will provide feedback/grade students on their work. - Students will PASS each class provided they meet the minimum criteria set forth by administration/teacher. Students not on track to meet those minimum criteria will work with the school counselor and administration. - If you have questions, or have additional needs, please contact your student’s Assistant Principal. - The individual needs of students with disabilities have been addressed in each teachers' planning process. If you have concerns about your child's IEP or 504, please contact the Special Education teacher or Principal.

HIGH SCHOOL - Teachers will use Google Classroom to communicate with parents and students. - Lessons will be developed weekly and communicated with parents. - Students will continue to engage in learning activities/assignments provided by their teachers. - Teachers will provide feedback/grade students on their work. - Daily increments of instruction, activities, and assignments should not exceed 20 minutes per student course. Exceptions may be made for college credit or AP coursework. Instruction and assignments for AP/College Credit courses should not exceed 40 minutes daily. - Students will be HELD HARMLESS with their grades provided they meet the minimum criteria set forth by administration/teacher. This means that students will receive a grade no lower than the grade they had at the end of 3rd Quarter provided they meet the minimum criteria. Students not on track to meet those minimum criteria will work with school counselors and administration. - Students will receive a letter grade on their report card. - Students will NOT take final exams. - If you have questions, or have additional needs, please contact your student’s Assistant Principal. - The individual needs of students with disabilities have been addressed in each teachers' planning process. If you have concerns about your child's IEP or 504, please contact the Special Education teacher or Principal.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bernie DuBray

Superintendent

Fort Zumwalt School District







---------------------

April 1, 2020



In collaboration with public health experts and local parks districts, Fort Zumwalt School District outdoor facilities are closed to the public to help limit community spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes playgrounds, tracks and tennis courts and is in accordance with County Executive Steve Ehlmann’s Emergency Health Order issued March 24.

We understand that exercise and time outdoors are important tools in helping us maintain a healthy mindset, however the safety of our students and our community is always our top priority. Too many have been seen gathering in our outdoor spaces, in violation of the County Executive’s order. Local, state and federal guidelines on group gatherings and social distancing must be observed. We must also consider that experts tell us COVID-19 can survive for days on surfaces, which means closing playground equipment also helps stop the spread. Police will approach individuals they see at our outdoor facilities and discuss the need for social distancing. Our security officers will ask visitors to leave if they encounter them in the evenings. We appreciate your cooperation and support as we work together for the safety of #FZCommunity.





-------------------------------------

March 25, 2020



Dear Parents and Staff,



In collaboration with the St. Charles County Department of Public Health all St. Charles County school districts will be closed through Friday, April 24. The superintendents and health officials will reassess the situation closer to that date and be in further communication.

Fort Zumwalt is working closely with local health authorities, our neighboring school district officials and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education toward bringing parents and staff members answers to your questions.



Please stay tuned to Fort Zumwalt’s channels. Download our app for Android or iPhone. Tune in to the educational activities our curriculum department has posted on our website. You’ll also find resources there for families in need and resources to help you talk with your child(ren) about the situation.

Again, I want to thank all who have extended offers of assistance. We all need to do our part, which means following the guidance put forth by county government and the county Department of Public Health:



“remain within their residence or on the property surrounding their residence, except to engage in activities they deem necessary to their

physical, mental or spiritual well-being, or for employment. Additionally, local retail stores and all other places of public accommodation must communicate social distancing requirements to customers”

And remember the healthy habits put forth by the Centers for Disease Control:

--If you go out, practice social distancing

--Wash hands often with soap and water

--If not available, use hand sanitizer with alcohol content higher than 60 percent

--Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

--Avoid contact with people who are sick

--Stay home while you are sick

--Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing

--Regularly sanitize frequently touched items such as phones, etc.



Sincerely,

Dr. Bernie DuBray

Superintendent

Fort Zumwalt School District





---------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 24, 2020



Dear Parents and Staff,

As of 12:01 a.m., March 24, 2020, St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann has issued guidance to residents to shelter in place. This means Fort Zumwalt School District will be closed until this order expires.

I know you have many questions and Fort Zumwalt will bring you answers as quickly as possible. In the meantime, district administrators will be on site on an as-needed basis. The district switchboard will be set for callers to leave messages. Please stay tuned to Fort Zumwalt’s website, district emails and social media channels.

By far, the top question we have received from our community is: “How can I help?” We all can help by adhering to the County Executive’s order. Residents should:



“remain within their residence or on the property surrounding their residence, except to engage in activities they deem necessary

to their physical, mental or spiritual well-being, or for employment. Additionally, local retail stores and all other places

of public accommodation must communicate social distancing requirements to customers”

And remember the healthy habits put forth by the Centers for Disease Control:

--Wash hands often with soap and water

--If not available, use hand sanitizer with alcohol content higher than 60 percent

--Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

--Avoid contact with people who are sick

--Stay home while you are sick

--Avoid close contact with others

--Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing



Sincerely,

Dr. Bernie DuBray

Superintendent

Fort Zumwalt School District







------------------------------------------------------------------



March 17, 2020



Dear Parents and Staff,

Last night the Fort Zumwalt Board of Education heard an update on the following:

--Providing a system for all free-and-reduced meal families to pick up lunches each day.

--Providing a virtual environment for all students to help them remain engaged with their teachers and to help them retain the material they have covered through the first three quarters of the 2019-2020 school year.



Families who have qualified for meal assistance:

Starting Thursday, March 19, Fort Zumwalt School District will be providing meals at no charge. Meals will be available for pick up Monday through Friday to our students who qualify for free or reduced meals. In order to observe restrictions on group gatherings, the following procedures will apply:

--Meals will be provided via drive through pick up at two building locations:

DuBray Middle School, 100 DuBray Dr., St. Peters

West High School, 1251 Turtle Creek Dr., O'Fallon

--Lunch for the current day and breakfast for the following day may be picked up between 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.

--The meals will consist of grab and go options

--One breakfast and one lunch will be provided for each Fort Zumwalt student. Families will only be able to pick up meals for children in their household

Fort Zumwalt staff will guide traffic at both locations through the pickup process.

--Free and reduced families should have received information via phone call, text and email as well. Remember, you have to opt into our system to receive texts. Find those instructions here:



Supporting Learning:

Our curriculum and instruction department is working to provide teachers with a plan to go forward. Our Spring Break last week has hampered our ability to get this to families sooner than Monday morning. Curriculum is working as quickly as possible to create:

--Schedules for middle and high school teachers to access schools and retrieve computers and essential materials.

--Schedules for middle and high school students to retrieve Chromebooks and Instruments.

--Communication that will allow teachers to send learning activities for students by March 23 at the latest. Some families might receive communication from teachers before this date.

--Comprehensive educational resources for families that will be posted to our district website by the end of the day March 17

--A help desk for parents, teachers and students that will be open 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily for both hardware and software issues starting March 18.



If you are receiving this message and know of a family who does not have internet connectivity, please reach out to them as soon as possible. You can help them connect through the resources listed on the



Finally, a note of gratitude to all in our community who have already extended offers of assistance. Businesses, religious organizations, individuals and more are doing their best to pull together while abiding by guidelines that tell us to keep our distance. It seems unnatural. The best help now is to continue to follow the direction of health officials, stay tuned to Fort Zumwalt’s channels and remember we are strongest when we work together. #FORTifyZUMWALT

March 17, 2020Dear Parents and Staff,Last night the Fort Zumwalt Board of Education heard an update on the following:--Providing a system for all free-and-reduced meal families to pick up lunches each day.--Providing a virtual environment for all students to help them remain engaged with their teachers and to help them retain the material they have covered through the first three quarters of the 2019-2020 school year.Starting Thursday, March 19, Fort Zumwalt School District will be providing meals at no charge. Meals will be available for pick up Monday through Friday to our students who qualify for free or reduced meals. In order to observe restrictions on group gatherings, the following procedures will apply:--Meals will be provided via drive through pick up at two building locations:DuBray Middle School, 100 DuBray Dr., St. PetersWest High School, 1251 Turtle Creek Dr., O'Fallon--Lunch for the current day and breakfast for the following day may be picked up between 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.--The meals will consist of grab and go options--One breakfast and one lunch will be provided for each Fort Zumwalt student. Families will only be able to pick up meals for children in their householdFort Zumwalt staff will guide traffic at both locations through the pickup process.--Free and reduced families should have received information via phone call, text and email as well. Remember, you have to opt into our system to receive texts. Find those instructions here: https://www.fz.k12.mo.us/cms/one.aspx?portalId=191707&pageId=515668 Our curriculum and instruction department is working to provide teachers with a plan to go forward. Our Spring Break last week has hampered our ability to get this to families sooner than Monday morning. Curriculum is working as quickly as possible to create:--Schedules for middle and high school teachers to access schools and retrieve computers and essential materials.--Schedules for middle and high school students to retrieve Chromebooks and Instruments.--Communication that will allow teachers to send learning activities for students by March 23 at the latest. Some families might receive communication from teachers before this date.--Comprehensive educational resources for families that will be posted to our district website by the end of the day March 17--A help desk for parents, teachers and students that will be open 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily for both hardware and software issues starting March 18.If you are receiving this message and know of a family who does not have internet connectivity, please reach out to them as soon as possible. You can help them connect through the resources listed on the Internet Resources link Finally, a note of gratitude to all in our community who have already extended offers of assistance. Businesses, religious organizations, individuals and more are doing their best to pull together while abiding by guidelines that tell us to keep our distance. It seems unnatural. The best help now is to continue to follow the direction of health officials, stay tuned to Fort Zumwalt’s channels and remember we are strongest when we work together. #FORTifyZUMWALT

Sincerely,

Dr. Bernie DuBray,

Superintendent

Fort Zumwalt School District



-----------------------------------------------------



March 15, 2020



Dear Parents and staff,

In collaboration with the St. Charles County Health Department and St. Charles County Government, all St. Charles County school districts will be closed through April 3, 2020, with classes set to resume April 6. This includes practices, contests, performances and community usage of our facilities. We understand that this might come as a shock to many of you and that it creates many questions. School district officials are working diligently to address as many of these as quickly as possible, but, like you, we are in uncertain and unprecedented times.

The situation continues to change quickly. Please watch our website for updates and answers to frequently asked questions as we can make them available.

Be sure you are tuned in to all Fort Zumwalt channels. We will continue to send emails, texts and Fort Zumwalt app notifications with updates, which will be posted on our website. We will also begin posting the entirety of these messages on our Facebook page (@FZSchools), as well as using the Peachjar electronic backpack system in our efforts to get the information to you as quickly as possible. Remember, if you do not receive Peachjar emails you can always see the information by clicking the peach at the bottom of your school’s website.



Sincerely,

Dr. Bernie DuBray

Superintendent

Fort Zumwalt School District



-----------------------------------------------------







March 13, 2020

Dear Parents and Staff,

As you have heard, local and state health officials have reported an increasing number of residents who have been tested for the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are working closely with the St. Charles County Health Department as we move through this unprecedented and rapidly changing situation. As I write this letter, there have been no cases in St. Charles County. I wanted to share with you what the district has done while staff and students were on Spring Break, and some guidance from local, state and federal health officials for moving forward.

Classes will resume as scheduled March 16. We are working closely with the St. Charles County Health Department and they have not advised all closing of any county schools at this time. If there is a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Fort Zumwalt, they will guide us on what actions need to be taken and determine if a school(s) should be closed. Any closure determined by the state would impact Fort Zumwalt and we are working on Alternative Methods of Instruction we will put in place. More information will be made available regarding these methods. Maintenance and custodial staff spent Spring Break disinfecting all 27 schools, four support facilities and 174 buses in an effort to create the safest, most comfortable environment possible for students and staff. With that being said, as we go forward we all must heed the recommendations of medical experts at the local, state and federal levels.

Families of students and staff who have travelled overseas or within the United States need to be checking theCCenters for Disease Control for the most current list of locations that could put you at risk due to identified cases of coronavirus (COVID-19). Contact the St. Charles County Health Department (636.949.7319) before returning to school or work.



--Should health officials require a student to remain at home because of coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or recent travel, absences will be excused and will not affect perfect attendance or A+ status.

--Should health officials require a staff member to stay at home because of coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or recent travel, available leave time will not be affected but appropriate documentation will be required.



As always, our school nurses will be monitoring students and staff. In conjunction with county health they will refer students or staff exhibiting symptoms to the proper medical officials. Please understand that this heightened awareness is likely to increase the number of students who are sent home by our clinics. We suggest that, as a family, you build a plan for how your child would be picked up quickly should the nurse send them home or in the case of a school closure. Parents can also help us monitor the situation by providing specific information if you are calling your student in absent. Together with teachers, custodians and clerks our nurses work with students daily to reinforce the healthy habits put forth by experts as the best tools to prevent cold and flu, which are also the best tools to prevent coronavirus:



--Wash hands often with soap and water

--If not available, use hand sanitizer with alcohol content higher than 60 percent

--Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

--Avoid contact with people who are sick

--Stay home while you are sick

--Avoid close contact with others

--Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing



Finally, I would also refer you to the National Association of School Psychologists website where you can find some resources on talking to your children as we move through this unprecedented and fluid situation. Feeling safe, comfortable and welcome at school is one of the most important factors in our children’s wellbeing and in their learning. I hope this resource helps you open a line of communication with your children and supports those who are feeling anxious. I would like to encourage you to check your email often, as well as our website (fz.k12.mo.us). We will provide updates as information is available.



Sincerely,

Dr. Bernie DuBray

Superintendent

Fort Zumwalt School District









Feb. 27, 2020

Dear FZ community members,

Like so many of you, I have paid close attention to developments with the coronovirus as it has been in the news since the beginning of the year. Currently there are no confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV (coronavirus) in Missouri, and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has developed this helpful fact sheet about coronavirus. As always, Fort Zumwalt School District is in close contact with our community partners, including the St. Charles County Health Department, DHSS and the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. We are monitoring the guidance offered by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as well as the CDC updates regarding coronovirus cases in the United States.

Our school nurses and other staff work daily to reinforce the healthy habits put forth by experts as the best tools to prevent cold and flu. This has been a hard flu season, with unusually high absence rates. Parents play a key role in keeping our schools healthy, keeping students home when they are sick. We urge families to continue to maintain these healthy habits as we do during any cold and flu season as they will also help prevent coronavirus:

o Wash hands often with soap and water

o If not available, use hand sanitizer with alcohol content higher than 60 percent

o Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

o Avoid contact with people who are sick

o Stay home while you are sick

o Avoid close contact with others

o Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing

I understand your concern, and appreciate your cooperation in reinforcing these measures we have from medical experts. Fort Zumwalt School District will continue to work with the St. Charles County Health Department as they monitor and manage the information on both the flu and novel coronavirus. Our staff will continue to keep an eye on illness in our schools, as is our standard practice, and we will continue to share information, including guidance from county, state or federal health professionals, with our community.

Thank you for doing your part as we work together to keep our schools healthy, safe places where teachers can teach and students can learn.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bernard J. DuBray

Superintendent