COVID-19 Notification from Dr. Weldy November 19, 2020
I want to thank each of you for your continued support throughout this chaotic school year! As the media has made everyone well aware, schools are being challenged on many different levels due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I know that each of you is dealing with the effects of the coronavirus and my thoughts are with you and your family.
The purpose of this letter is to share some important information about how MVCTC will address instruction for the remainder of the first semester and our approach planned for the second semester.
Despite guidance from Governor DeWine discouraging group gatherings, I am aware some students will be attending family gatherings over the Thanksgiving and December winter holiday break. It has become very apparent that different types of social gatherings are significant contributors to the spread of COVID-19. My concern is that the coronavirus will be brought back with students when they return from both holiday breaks. Additionally, the Public Health Department of Dayton and Montgomery County issued a stay at home advisory for Montgomery County and a recommendation that “Universities and public and private K-12 schools that are currently implementing a hybrid or full in-person learning mode are advised to transition to online remote learning after the Thanksgiving holiday.”
In order to control the prevalence of coronavirus on campus, limit the spread of infections that might occur when staff and students return from Thanksgiving and the winter holiday break, and to adhere to the recommendations of the Public Health Department of Dayton and Montgomery County, MVCTC will be switching to a full virtual learning experience beginning on Monday, November 30 and will remain in a fully virtual format until Tuesday, January 19, 2021. This change will impact MVCTC students on the main campus, Youth Connections, and Project SEARCH.
MVCTC will return to its current blended learning schedule starting on Tuesday, January 19 and continue with that schedule throughout the second semester.
When we return to our current blended schedule on Tuesday, January 19, our hope is that anyone who may have been exposed over the winter holiday break should be well aware if they are exhibiting COVID-19 related symptoms and will not report to campus. If we do not take this approach, I believe MVCTC would not be open for long in January because of the potential influx of the virus. I know this is not the most convenient way to end the first semester and then start the second semester but I hope you understand this is best for student and staff safety, as well as MVCTC’s best opportunity to eventually meet face-to-face during the second semester.
Please understand this decision is based on our current understanding of the situation, which continues to evolve, and recommendations of health professionals from the health department. Our hope is that the pandemic situation will eventually improve and we can return to face-to-face learning every day of the week. If additional schedule changes are made, the information will be shared via a SchoolMessenger call, email, and be posted on the district’s website.
In addition, please continue to support your child through this difficult time. This is not only a trying time for adults, but especially children. Districts across the state have witnessed an increase in student mental health issues and, sadly, also suicide attempts. We want to make sure that each student’s physical and mental health needs are addressed as they cope with the changes that are taking place in the world around them. If your child is struggling with mental health issues, MVCTC’s partner, Samaritan Behavioral Health, can provide teletherapy in lieu of in-person sessions. You may email your child’s MVCTC school counselor or contact therapists, Jane Winch at jwinch@mvctc.com or Martha Harris at 937-307-6064, or maharris@mvctc.com. Samaritan Behavioral and Montgomery County are utilizing the “my Strength” app to help students or staff overcome the challenges they may face. Sign up at www.mystrength.com or download the app with the App Store or Google Play. The access code is SBHI. Should you have an emergency or immediate concern, please contact Crisiscare at 937-224-4646. You can find additional details on their website at https://sbhihelp.org/crisiscare-montgomery/.
Stay safe and healthy!
Dr. Nick Weldy,
MVCTC Superintendent
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