Due to the significant increase in COVID cases and quarantine notifications this fall, we have adjusted our return plan. Our goal is to keep students healthy as well as reduce the number of quarantines. Per Ohio Department of Health guidelines, by requiring masks in school, maintaining social distancing and following sanitation protocols, students will not have to quarantine due to a close contact unless they become symptomatic or test positive.
Beginning Friday – August 27, 2021
It is REQUIRED that all staff and students wear masks when indoors and when using school transportation. ODH and the CDC assert that masks have been proven to be extremely effective in slowing the spread of the virus.
We will continue to monitor the COVID data for our district as well as information from our local health department and continue to make needed adjustments in our return plan.
Again, thank you for your continued support. Please continue to follow CDC and health department recommendations so that we are able to return to a more normal school setting as soon as possible.
We have scheduled the Scioto County Health Department to be at Portsmouth West High School on August 27, 2021 from 2:30 until 4:30 to administer vaccines to any employee, parent or student that chooses to be vaccinated (parent or legal guardian must be present for students under 18 years of age). They will have both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines available.
Reminder for parents of incoming Kindergarten, 7th graders, and Seniors. We are looking forward to the return of our students!
Do not forget to get your child’s required school immunizations before our return date on August 18th to avoid school exclusion. Call your doctor, health department, Wal-Mart, Kroger, CVS for an appointment.
Dear Parent/Guardian:
As you are likely aware, national and state preparation involving COVID-19 (specifically the new variant) continues to be at the forefront of public health conversations. The health and safety of our students and staff is the number one priority at Washington-Nile Local School District. Based on strong recommendations from the Governor’s office, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the National Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Scioto County Health Department, we will continue to observe many of the COVID Protocols that we implemented last school year.
Students will report to school beginning August 18, 2021 in-person five days per week. The benefits of in-person learning are well documented and our goal is to keep students back in school. Our return plan will be posted on our website later this week. The following are core prevention measures for our district:
• The Ohio Department of Health strongly recommends vaccinations for staff and eligible students. Vaccines are our best tool to protect students and prevent the spread of the virus.
• It is strongly recommended that all staff and students wear masks when indoors. Masks are required on all public transportation including school transportation. ODH and the CDC assert that masks have been proven to be extremely effective in slowing the spread of the virus. Ohio researchers conducted an evaluation last year that showed that masking helped control the spread of the virus in Ohio schools.
• Additional measures which includes improving ventilation, maximizing distance between people and practicing good hygiene will be followed. Additionally, our custodial staff is continuing to clean and disinfect our facilities daily.
Be assured that we are working with health and government officials and continuously monitoring guidance from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) in order to act in the best interests of our students and staff.
We will continue to share information with our community as the situation develops through email, social media, and our website. Thank you for partnering with us to mitigate risk to our students, staff and community.
Senator Summer Camp starts July 5th! The list of bus routes that are being run can be found here: https://5il.co/uzk3
Portsmouth West High School will be live streaming the Commencement Ceremonies this evening, June 4th, starting at 7:00pm. Please join us in celebrating our graduating class of 2021! https://youtu.be/oqkLIxLkirI
The PWHS Spring Awards Ceremony will be streamed live starting at 1:00pm. You can join us live on our district YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUK368HQJxI
In anticipation that the Pfizer vaccine may receive authorization for ages 12 and older very soon, the Scioto County Health Department is taking names for a waiting list for children age 12 and older who want the vaccine.
To be added to the waiting list, please call the health department at 740-302-3801. Once the authorization is received, they will call you to schedule your child. Evening clinic hours will be available.
Please complete the information (by clicking on the link) if you are INTERESTED in sending your child to our Senator Summer Camp. The Senator Summer Camp begins on July 5 and ends on August 6. The camp will be offered Monday-Friday. The focus of the camp is reading and math (M-Th) and Reward Trip Friday. Transportation, breakfast, and lunch will be provided for all students.
https://forms.gle/rTNFGzc9uhzi8q3N6
Portsmouth West High School is partnering with SOMC to offer a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for students aged 16 and older.
The clinic for West students will be held at SOMC on Friday, April 23 from 9:00am-11:00am. PWHS will provide chaperones and school transportation to the clinic. Students may also provide their own transportation and enter through the front lobby doors. The clinic will be located on the left of the lobby beside the Gift Gallery. Students may have one adult visitor to accompany them if they would like.
SOMC has provided a registration and consent form that MUST be filled out and signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the school by Wednesday, April 21 at 3:00pm. These forms can be found on our school website under the COVID tab. Hard copies are also available for pick up in the high school main office.
If you have questions about the vaccine, please contact SOMC Vaccine Clinic staff at 740-356-6485 or our school nurse at 740-858-3900.
Senator Summer Camp will be held July 5 - August 6. More information coming soon!
2021 Prom Project at the Complex
March 27th and April 3rd
10 AM to 3 PM
Portsmouth West Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame Nominations 2021.
The Washington-Nile Local School District invites nomination for candidates to the Portsmouth West High School Distinguished Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame 2021.
This award honors alumni whose deeds and character exemplify outstanding achievement in their life’s work and/or service to their communities. Please go to our district website www.westsenators.org for guidelines and nomination form, or stop by the Board of Education office to pick up a nomination packet. 15332 US Hwy 52, West Portsmouth, 740-858-1111. Deadline for nominations is April 01, 2021.
Washington Nile Local School District will return to school on Level 2 - Orange on March 15, 2021 and Level 1 - Yellow on March 29, 2021. Please refer to our reopening plan on our website for details. Feel free to contact your building principal with any questions.
As Washington-Nile Local Schools plans for the rest of the school year, we would like the community's input on summer school opportunities for students. Please help us by filling out the survey at https://wnls.pw/summerschool
As Washington-Nile Local Schools plans for the rest of the school year, we would like the community's input on the transition back to in-person learning. Please help us by fill out the survey at https://wnls.pw/inperson
If your student is having trouble with their school-issued device and you need tech assistance while on remote days, you can schedule an appointment to have your student's device repaired by going to https://wnls.pw/techrepair/
As a reminder, we will be returning to hybrid learning on Tuesday, Jan 19. Grades PK-12 will attend 2 days a week for in person instruction. The remaining 3 days will be remote learning. Please refer to our return plan on our website and reference Level 3 – red.
We will be extending remote instruction until January 19, 2021 for students in grades PK – 12 at which time we will re-evaluate the situation.
Please be aware of the following:
• Teachers and students will continue to work remotely. Teachers will be reporting to work on a regular schedule and will be available for student and parent consultation.
• Students will need to log-in daily on Google Classroom to retrieve instructions from their teachers. For students that do not have internet service, all schools will be open from 9:00am – 11:00am.
• If you are in need of technical assistance, please make an appointment to have the student’s Chromebook inspected, repaired, or replaced
(https://wnls.pw/techrepair or call 740-858-3880).
• During remote learning, families who experience COVID-19 related cases (either positive or close contact) should communicate with the building nurses for reporting and contact tracing purposes.
• Food deliveries will be available on January 7th and January 14th at the following locations and times:
Location Time
Buena Vista Fire Department 11:00am – 12:30pm
Lett Terrace Apartments 11:00am – 12:30pm
Portsmouth West High School 4:00pm – 5:00pm
• CTC and ESC Units will begin operation on January 11, 2020. Transportation will resume for those students at that time.
• Our complete plan is available on our website at (https://www.westsenators.org/o/washington-nile-local-schools/page/reopening-plan--15)
We urge our community members to abide by the CDC and Ohio Department of Health guidelines to fight COVID-19 by avoiding large social gatherings, wearing face coverings, and practicing social distancing. As the holiday season arrives we must choose to have the discipline to work together to slow the spread of COVID-19. Please continue following the proper prevention methods, which will help our students return to a full schedule.
Parents/Guardians: The link below is an interactive tutorial for navigating Google Classroom email summaries to stay up-to-date with your child's progress.
https://www.customguide.com/google-classroom/guardian-email-summaries