Dear Warrior Families,

With Governor Reynolds’ decision to keep Iowa Schools closed through the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year to help prevent further community spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Norwalk CSD will continue to offer VEEO Continuous Learning Opportunities for students K-12 through April 30, 2020 and will present a continuous learning plan to the Norwalk CSD Board of Directors for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year at the next school board meeting. I know that this situation is not ideal for everyone impacted by this decision, but I truly believe that it is the best way to continue learning opportunities for our students and ensure their safety and the safety of our staff and community members. Please read the Board of Directors’ Pandemic Response and Emergency Suspension of Policy at this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FPyRrD04a9xGQp7ohds6iaIxHRBIRafd

Back on March 18, families were able to pick up needed student possessions and medicine from schools. With schools now closed through the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, the District is currently working on a plan for parents, students, and staff members to pick up any additional educational materials, personal items or medicine currently in school buildings. The District will release more information about this plan within the next two weeks. All District facilities including playgrounds and outdoor athletic facilities remain closed until further notice.

The Norwalk CSD will continue to provide emergency meal pickup services for children 18 and under through the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.  Meals are distributed once a week on Mondays at two different locations– Lakewood Elementary parking lot and the Norwalk City Park. The next pickup will be Monday, April 20. More information can be found about the meal pickup service at this link: https://www.norwalkschools.org/2020/03/emergency-meal-service-for-children-under-18-years-of-age/. Please stay in your vehicles when you come to pick up your meals. Our staff will place the meals in your trunk or back seat. Per USDA guidance, the students for whom the meals are intended are not required to be present. 

The District has provided and will continue to update VEEO educational resources as an option for PreK-12th students via our website on the District Academic Resources page.  Many of the resources are focused on PreK-5th students, though there are a number of links that address secondary students and content. Click on this link for VEEO Continuous Learning Links and Academic Resources.

At this time, prom is postponed until a later date, yet to be determined. Norwalk High School and District staff leaders are considering options and ideas for graduation.

The Norwalk CSD is committed to keeping our students, families, staff, and communities safe and informed as we continue to work through the remainder of the school year. The District will continue to work with the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Department of Public Health, Governor Reynolds, and other local agencies to ensure compliance with current guidance. Thank you all for your patience, grace, support, and understanding as we navigate these extraordinary times.  As a father of three, I know the challenges many of you are facing. We are all truly in this together and I have no doubt that we will beat COVID-19 and get back to better times.

 

Stay safe and Warrior Strong!

Yours in service,

D.T. Magee, Superintendent