Dear Richmond Community:
I would like to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who has stepped up over the past two months to support the students, staff, and families of our district. It has been extremely encouraging to see residents, businesses, and organizations come together during this time of crisis.
Even while our building is closed, work behind the scenes continues. Our teachers are continuously preparing online learning opportunities and resources for their students, working to keep our young people as connected as possible. I have been communicating with individual staff members this week and I am impressed at the learning our teachers are engaged in. They have been sharing new resources and are excited to use new lessons, technology, extensions and applications that they maybe would not have come across without virtual teaching. In other words, while our building may not be open, school is still very much in session. We are privileged to have such dedicated teachers leading the way.
To our teachers and staff, I sincerely appreciate all your efforts to check in with students, provide these important educational resources, and make sure everyone is “OK”. Our students and families will continue to turn to you for guidance and a sense of normalcy as we move forward.
With the celebration of Staff Appreciation Week, please join me in thanking our wonderful staff for the work they do for every student, everyday, and in every situation. Our PTOBC has provided a generous gift to each staff member of a yard sign and gift card. Thank you! Yesterday staff traveled to one of seven points to gather their gifts. It was a great chance for a quick mini gathering (with hugs from 6 feet apart). The Richmond staff is a great team who are all here to help each other. Pictures will be shared in the Richmond Reporter and are on facebook (Richmond School District Sussex) and twitter @RSDwisconsin.
To our parents and guardians, thank you for your patience and understanding as we have worked to navigate an unprecedented situation. We know that the school closures have been incredibly challenging for you and your loved ones. Please know that we are thinking about you and are here to help.
We have had the opportunity to reduce heating, supplies and cleaning costs and have started summer work to best utilize staffing and resources. Our summer ordering plans are reflective on current inventories and savings from having instruction outside our building. Again, our locker clean-out process will be shared out in the next couple weeks. As guidance changes with the Department of Health, we want to ensure we are up to date with staff and family safety.
We have a long road ahead of us, but from what we have seen from our school community in recent weeks, I know we will come out of this situation stronger than ever. Once again, thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jeanne Siegenthaler
Richmond District Administrator
