• August 9, 2022

    Westside Staff and Families,

    We want to update you on our current plans related to COVID-19 for the 2022-23 school year.

    We have consistently connected with the Douglas County Health Department and neighboring school districts to determine best practices for the upcoming school year. After much discussion, we will start the school year as follows:

    • We will no longer be conducting contact tracing or reporting at Westside Community Schools. Our website remains available to the public with access to ESSER Funding information and public health resources here: https://www.westside66.org/domain/408

      • This section, called COVID-19 Updates, is located under Our District in the top menu bar on our homepage, www.westside66.net.

      • We will no longer be updating Case Counts on our website, as we are no longer contact tracing or reporting positive cases.

    • Please treat COVID-19 as you would any other infectious condition or virus: stay home, take time to heal, and follow good hygiene practices to prevent infecting others. You can find the latest medical advice from Douglas County Health here: https://www.douglascountyhealth.com/ 

    • Should a student or staff member test positive for COVID-19, please email studentservices@westside66.net (families) or hrdept@westside66.net (staff) so we can provide you a date you may return to school.

    • Masks are not required while on campus, but are certainly welcomed for those who feel most comfortable wearing them.

    A few additional notes related to COVID-19 guidelines and impact:

    • For the 2022-23 school year, the federal government has elected to NOT continue the universal free meal program instituted in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This means Westside Community Schools’ students will transition back to a traditional model with paid lunches. If applicable, families in each household will need to apply for free and reduced meal benefits (which carry over to other opportunities including technology, camps, etc.) 

    • Click here to learn more about meals and prices through Westside Community Schools

    • School meals at Westbrook and Westgate Elementary will continue to be free, as these schools qualify for federal community eligibility provisions.

    • Westside will no longer be providing free water bottles to students. We highly encourage you to purchase a water bottle for your child to use while at school.

    • If you or your family need assistance with meals or other support, please contact your principal or social worker. We have resources available, including our Westside Family Resource Center with food pantry and clothing closet, to assist our families in a private, confidential setting.

    We will continue to evaluate our guidelines based on evolving trends in our community and our school district. Thank you for your support.

    Questions? Please email communications@westside66.net.