Reopening Schools Safely

 Recently, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) gave guidance to reopening schools safely.  This guidance was intended to complement previous toolkits and resources that have been provided.  Over the next couple of weeks, I will share information from the CDC as well as Team Selma’s plan to Return to Excellence by reopening our schools safely.

As I reviewed the new guidelines from the CDC, I feel a true sense of optimism.  I appreciate that part of the guidance focuses on health equity.  Team Selma’s scholars are predominantly Black and we live in a high poverty community.  Communities like Selma, have been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.  The CDC encourages that this be a consideration in reopening safely and we are committed to doing so.

Right now we know that our scholars need face-to-face learning and engagement.  Of particular concern is the social and emotional well-being and their overall health especially if they are not getting our grab and go meals.

Operating schools safely requires that we pay close attention to the CDC’s Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Schools. Regardless of community spread, there are five mitigations recommended.  They are 1) Universal and correct use of masks; 2) Physical distancing; 3) Handwashing and respiratory etiquette; 4) Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities; and 5) Contact tracing.  This article will address the first two.

Wearing face coverings, masks, and doing so properly has been emphasized by the CDC, the Alabama Department of Public Health and local leaders for months.  Team Selma will provide every team member and all scholars with masks.  We will also ensure that mouths and noses are covered.  Desks have plexi-glass barriers will be used that may allow for some mask breaks.

Covid-19 is transmitted through respiratory droplets.  This can occur from coughing, sneezing, singing and even talking. According to the CDC, “these droplets can cause infection when they are inhaled or deposited on mucous membranes, such as those that line the inside of the nose and mouth”. Wearing masks properly helps to mitigate this spread.

Secondly, physical distancing is recommended.  Physical or social distancing means spacing individuals out by at least six feet.  Podding and cohorting scholars are suggested strategies to help with physical distancing.  Team Selma is committed to this and will communicate specifics to families as we move forward.

Let me close by reminding everyone that we must continue to Do Our Part Everyday.  Join our DOPE campaign and let’s stop the spread of Covid-19.  Thanks so much to the dedicated professionals of Vaughn Regional Medical Center, Rural Health, Wallace Community College of Selma, the City of Selma, our own nursing staff and all others who are supporting vaccination clinics. 

I received my first shot two weeks ago at Bloch Park and it was a smooth, organized process.  We can see the light at the end of the tunnel but must remain vigilant in the meantime by continuing to follow CDC guidelines.  Stay safe and be DOPE!

For more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org

From Intervention to Performance Excellence: The Journey Continues

 

Two years ago, Selma City Schools was awarded the Pathway to Performance Excellence Award as part of the Alabama Performance Excellence Program.  Then last year, we received the Tier I Performance Excellence Award.  Now, we were recently notified that Team Selma is a Tier II award recipient. 

For the initial Pathway Award, we needed to show a true commitment to embark on the excellence journey.  This included having a strategic plan and an organizational structure deemed conducive to continuous improvement.

The Tier I Commitment to Performance Excellence Award required more.  At this point we had to demonstrate that we were embedding performance excellence concepts and principles into our work.  This includes having a systems perspective, valuing people and visionary leadership.  Our submission included detailed descriptions of our implementation of our strategic plan and numerous examples of how we engage stakeholders and measure success.

Team Selma is now at the Tier II Progress Towards Performance Excellence Award level.  For this recognition, organizations must demonstrate a sustained commitment to the concepts and principles of performance excellence. A detailed process, this applying for this award allowed our team to dig deep as we examined our practices, reviewed data and considered ways to improve.

We were honored to receive each of these prestigious recognitions.  Team Selma has much work to do but we will always embrace an opportunity to celebrate our successes along the way.  We are moving in the right direction.  Being selected for Performance Excellence awards is confirmation of that.

Our journey to excellence is about continuous improvement.  That means that we are strategic and intentional in our work.  A Framework for Excellence is our strategic plan that guides this work. Though we had to pivot due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are more focused than ever to improve outcomes for scholars, their families and the Selma community.

 In the coming weeks we will continue updating our strategic plan based on the feedback received from the Alabama Performance Excellence team.  Though we were commended for our efforts, we were also supplied with some key information that helps us identify gaps and opportunities.  That’s what the journey towards excellence is all about.  Check out www.alabamaexcellence.org for more information.

If you know any teachers, leaders or staff within the Selma City Schools, please give them a virtual high five or air hug and a word of encouragement.  Our journey to excellence is only possible because of the dedicated people that make up Team Selma!

Let me close by reminding everyone that we must continue to Do Our Part Everyday.  Join our DOPE campaign and let’s stop the spread of Covid-19.  Thanks so much to the dedicated professionals of Vaughn Regional Medical Center, Rural Health, Wallace Community College of Selma, the City of Selma, our own nursing staff and all others who are supporting vaccination clinics. 

I received my first shot last week at Bloch Park and it was a smooth, organized process.  We can see the light at the end of the tunnel but must remain vigilant in the meantime by continuing to follow CDC guidelines.  Stay safe and be DOPE!

For more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org

Attendance STILL Matters

 

At the start of each school year, I make a plea with our scholars and families to please attend school daily and on time.  In fact, the entire month of September is dedicated to supporting efforts to improve students’ attendance and to reduce chronic absenteeism.  Today, I want you to know that even in February, attendance still matters.

This week many schools are celebrating the 100^th day of school.  In each of our Team Selma schools we have numerous scholars who have attained the great honor and distinction of Perfect Attendance.  That is worth celebrating! 

At the other end of the spectrum, unfortunately, there are far too many young people who have already missed more 10 days.  These scholars are well on their way to being chronically absent.  This means that they have missed 10% of the days that they are required to be in school for any reason.  Yes, even excused absences contribute to chronic absenteeism.  So if we are at the 100^th day, then missing 10 days at this point is a major warning sign.

Why does this matter?  Over the long term, missing too much school has a direct correlation to increased rate of high school dropout, adverse health outcomes and poverty in adulthood.  Furthermore, studies show that chronic absenteeism leads to an increased possibility of engaging with the criminal justice system.  It matters

This is such a serious and concerning matter, that states are now required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to report and measure chronic absenteeism just as we do reading and math data.  Attendance matters.

Did you know that when scholars miss school, it impacts not only them but their peers as well?  It is true.  Peers of absent scholars demonstrated negative achievement outcomes in a recent study.  This is seen more markedly in the elementary grades when learning foundational skills are so vital.  It matters.

Team Selma is committed to finding solutions to support our scholars.  If attendance is a problem, we want to know why and how we can help.  Even while learning remotely, or perhaps especially while learning remotely, we need our scholars in class, on time every day.  Attendance matters.

In the coming weeks, look to learn about our efforts to support and provide advocacy for our scholars.  We are committed ensuring that we offer a high quality, equitable education to all of our babies.  Yes, attendance still matters.  Families, please help us by ensuring that your child or children are present and accounted for in each class and every day.  It matters.

In other news, Selma City Schools will remain remote due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Our teachers and staff member are now eligible for the vaccine and many are getting the first round this week.  Families are encouraged to stay in touch with child’s their school for the best information. 

Additional updates will be provided moving forward as we continue to review data and seek guidance from experts.  For now, please continue to engage in our “Doing Our Part Everyday” campaign.  Let’s slow the spread of Covid-19.  Stay safe and be DOPE.

For more information, please reach out to me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org.