The U.S. Department of Education archived Dear Colleague Letters can be found at: https://www2.ed.gov/print/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201104.html Note as of October 2, 2017, The U.S. Department of Education has withdrawn 72 guidance documents as part of the federal administration’s efforts to do away with “unnecessary regulatory burdens.” Most of the rescinded documents are in the form of Dear Colleague letters:

• 9 were originally issued by the Rehabilitation Services Administration and addressed the Rehabilitation Act;
• 63 were originally issued by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and addressed aspects of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• The most recently issued (and now rescinded) guidance was from 2014; the majority of the guidance documents were originally issued in the 1990s and 2000s. The list of rescinded guidance includes a brief description of why each document was rescinded.
• Find the list of the 72 guidance documents that have been withdrawn, at: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/reg/eo13777/eo13777-osers-outdated-guidance-list-reasons-20171020.pdf  

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A message to our students from Governor Herbert.

Congratulations, Seniors! You're on the cusp of achieving one of life's outstanding accomplishments. High school diplomas will soon be in-hand! You're kind of a big deal!  With that said, we acknowledge that this is an unprecedented, uncertain, emotional, and bittersweet time. We are all adjusting to a new normal. The world has been turned upside down by a pandemic virus (COVID-19) which health officials warn is easily spread and may result in serious illness or death. Beloved rites of passage for the Class of 2020 have had to be canceled, postponed, or drastically modified to ensure public safety. We sincerely acknowledge the sense of loss many of you may be feeling as a result. It's okay to be a little sad and disappointed. We applaud, however, the valiant efforts you are making to remain optimistic and complete graduation requirements via remote learning. 

The American poet, Maya Angelou, once said, "You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it."  Angelou's wise words remind us of one of life's greatest lessons: Difficulties strengthen our ability to overcome. We believe in each of you and your ability to do difficult things. Keep your eyes on the prize. The best is yet to come! 

We are in continual contact with state/local government and health officials, and it has become evident that we will not be able to safely facilitate traditional graduation ceremonies for our high schools on scheduled days/times in May. With a public health order in place discouraging non-essential travel, promoting the practice of physical distancing, and not allowing social/group gatherings greater than ten people, it has become necessary to create a modified graduation plan to celebrate the Class of 2020. 

In a recent letter from Governor Gary Herbert to local school districts, he stated, "As the Class of 2020 prepares for one of the defining moments of any generation, high school graduation, it is up to all of us to ensure these students receive the recognition they have earned in as safe an environment as possible.  We appreciate your efforts in planning for a virtual format, suspending formal ceremonies until it is deemed safe, or a combination of both.  We acknowledge that you are working hard to make these decisions based on community safety, while trying to honor the students in a special way."

Here are the preliminary details associated with the WSD modified graduation plan:

Each high school will facilitate a Virtual (online) Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2020 on Friday, May 29, 2020.  Each event will be recorded and video streamed. A link to access the commencement program will be provided as we get closer to the specified date. Seniors, you will be invited to participate in your school's virtual ceremony in a meaningful and memorable way! More in-depth details will be forthcoming from each high school.  

Schedule of Virtual Graduation Ceremonies on May 29th:

Officials at each high school plan to facilitate a "Class of 2020 Celebration" when protective mandates have been lifted and allow for large group gatherings. These events will likely take place outdoors, sometime in the late summer or early fall. Graduated seniors and parents will be invited back to the school to interact with each other, teachers, counselors, support staff members, coaches/advisors, and administrators and enjoy a celebration of this year's amazing Class of 2020. 

It is very important to us that our district's seniors know that we are deeply saddened that we must modify the traditional graduation ceremony experience; however, we all acknowledge that the health and safety of each member of our community is the top priority. We will work very hard to creatively provide two, separate and meaningful events to honor the accomplishments and sacrifices of our seniors!  We strongly believe that there will never be a graduating class like the Class of 2020. You're a special and gritty group, and you're showing us all how to courageously move through adversity. We are extremely proud of each of you! Keep moving forward!

All the best,

Gina Butters 
Executive Director of Secondary Schools

Clyde Moore
Supervisor of Secondary Schools

Brock Mitchell - Principal, Bonneville High School
Michele Parry - Principal, Fremont High School                
Matt Williams - Principal, Roy High School
Chris Earnest - Principal, Weber High School                             
Nicole Meibos - Principal, Two Rivers High School 
Hal Raymond - Principal, Weber Innovation High School

Dear Class of 2020 and Parents/Guardians,

Congratulations, Seniors! You're on the cusp of achieving one of life's outstanding accomplishments. High school diplomas will soon be in-hand! You're kind of a big deal! With that said, we acknowledge that this is an unprecedented, uncertain, emotional, and bittersweet time. We are all adjusting to a new normal. The world has been turned upside down by a pandemic virus (COVID-19) which health officials warn is easily spread and may result in serious illness or death. Beloved rites of passage for the Class of 2020 have had to be canceled, postponed, or drastically modified to ensure public safety. We sincerely acknowledge the sense of loss many of you may be feeling as a result. It's okay to be a little sad and disappointed. We applaud, however, the valiant efforts you are making to remain optimistic and complete graduation requirements via remote learning.

The American poet, Maya Angelou, once said, "You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it." Angelou's wise words remind us of one of life's greatest lessons: Difficulties strengthen our ability to overcome. We believe in each of you and your ability to do difficult things. Keep your eyes on the prize. The best is yet to come!

We are in continual contact with state/local government and health officials, and it has become evident that we will not be able to safely facilitate traditional graduation ceremonies for our high schools on scheduled days/times in May. With a public health order in place discouraging non-essential travel, promoting the practice of physical distancing, and not allowing social/group gatherings greater than ten people, it has become necessary to create a modified graduation plan to celebrate the Class of 2020.

In a recent letter from Governor Gary Herbert to local school districts, he stated, "As the Class of 2020 prepares for one of the defining moments of any generation, high school graduation, it is up to all of us to ensure these students receive the recognition they have earned in as safe an environment as possible. We appreciate your efforts in planning for a virtual format, suspending formal ceremonies until it is deemed safe, or a combination of both. We acknowledge that you are working hard to make these decisions based on community safety, while trying to honor the students in a special way."

Here are the preliminary details associated with the WSD modified graduation plan:

Each high school will facilitate a Virtual (online) Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2020 on Friday, May 29, 2020. Each event will be recorded and video streamed. A link to access the commencement program will be provided as we get closer to the specified date. Seniors, you will be invited to participate in your school's virtual ceremony in a meaningful and memorable way! More in-depth details will be forthcoming from each high school.

Schedule of Virtual Graduation Ceremonies on May 29th:

Officials at each high school plan to facilitate a "Class of 2020 Celebration" when protective mandates have been lifted and allow for large group gatherings. These events will likely take place outdoors, sometime in the late summer or early fall. Graduated seniors and parents will be invited back to the school to interact with each other, teachers, counselors, support staff members, coaches/advisors, and administrators and enjoy a celebration of this year's amazing Class of 2020.

It is very important to us that our district's seniors know that we are deeply saddened that we must modify the traditional graduation ceremony experience; however, we all acknowledge that the health and safety of each member of our community is the top priority. We will work very hard to creatively provide two, separate and meaningful events to honor the accomplishments and sacrifices of our seniors! We strongly believe that there will never be a graduating class like the Class of 2020. You're a special and gritty group, and you're showing us all how to courageously move through adversity. We are extremely proud of each of you! Keep moving forward!

All the best,

Gina Butters
Executive Director of Secondary Schools

Clyde Moore
Supervisor of Secondary Schools

Brock Mitchell - Principal, Bonneville High School
Michele Parry - Principal, Fremont High School
Matt Williams - Principal, Roy High School
Chris Earnest - Principal, Weber High School
Nicole Meibos - Principal, Two Rivers High School
Hal Raymond - Principal, Weber Innovation High School

A message from Assistant Superintendent Lori Rasmussen:

A Message to Our Students

Dear Weber School District Students,

You are living in remarkable times. Never has the world seen the likes of these current events. Here in Utah we have experienced not only the fallout of the Coronavirus but an earthquake as well. You have experienced all kinds of events this last month. "Social Distancing" has become an all too familiar phrase. The NBA season and March Madness were cancelled. Your traditional events have been cancelled. Even school has been dismissed until May 1st. Your world changed overnight. 

Through all of this, one thing became clear; you are brave, you are strong! You have the opportunity to find the good, even in very difficult times. You are finding ways to come together in today's world. We have heard of amazing acts of kindness and humanity across our community. Whether it is posting positive messages through social media and hashtags, sharing positive thoughts through sidewalk chalk drawings, checking in on friends and loved ones digitally, even communicating the old fashioned way of writing a letter to someone to let them know that you are thinking of them and that you care about them and appreciate their soul. 

It seems that in this crisis, many of us are realizing that we took some things for granted. I know that I did. I took for granted being able to hug my grandkids tight. I took for granted going to eat with dear friends and sharing those precious moments. I have heard from many of you that you even took school for granted. School is much more than a place of learning. It is a place of connection and a place of humanity. We want you to know we miss you dearly. We feel for you. 

The good news is that this crisis will soon be over. We will have those opportunities to connect, to reach out to those you may have missed, to take chances, to dance like nobody's watching, and to live the life you deserve. Out of all of this, the greater good will prevail and we will be stronger than ever. Please take care of yourselves at this time and stay safe. See you soon!

Kindergarten Registration

ALL KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP MEETINGS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

The Weber School District has scheduled spring Round-up/Registration for next year’s Kindergarten students.  The parent and the child should both attend the Round-up/Registration session.  This session will last approximately one hour.  Any child whose fifth birthday falls before September 2, 2020 may enter Kindergarten at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year.

Kindergarten Round-Up/Registration Dates ---- 2020-2021

****In addition to the Round-up, there will be fall appointments scheduled for the individual child and parents to meet their teacher. These appointments, based on registration materials received, will be mailed to each home in August.

Weber School District needs a student registration form, proof of residency, a birth certificate (bearing a seal) and a dental and physical examination (both are recommended but are optional). The State requires proof of immunization for all children entering Kindergarten. 
These documents may be handed in at the Round-up/Registration.  All documents are due before the child can attend school in the fall.

What is catastrophic leave?

Catastrophic leave is available to classified employees when the employee or a member of his/her family experiences a catastrophe and the employee has exhausted all available leave. Under NAC 284.575, a catastrophe is defined as a period of disability requiring a lengthy convalescence which an attending physician expects to exceed 10 consecutive weeks. A catastrophe may also involve a condition which is diagnosed by a physician as creating a substantial risk of death.

Catastrophic Guidelines

Employees Serious Health Condition

Catastrophic Letter Guidelines

A message from Assistant Superintendent Art Hansen:

In the fall of 2007, this year's Weber School District graduates entered their first kindergarten class. In just two months, these same students will be walking across the stage during their graduation commencement ceremonies. It has been our mission to provide them with educational experiences which motivate each student to become a lifelong learner, develop academic and personal potential, and to be prepared to enter the workforce with the necessary skills. Our focus has been on the whole child and ensuring that they have been safe, supported, engaged, and challenged throughout their journey.

In May of 2019, the Utah State Board of Education released a statewide model (Portrait of a Graduate), that identifies ideal characteristics of a Utah graduate after going through the K-12 system. They call it Utah Talent MAP. MAP stands for Mastery – the ability to demonstrate knowledge and skill proficiency; Autonomy – having self-confidence and motivation to think and act independently; and Purpose – guides life decisions, influences behavior, shapes goals, offers a sense of direction, and creates meaning. Board Member Laura Belnap stated, "The Portrait of a Graduate is about creating a holistic view of what we expect from students in Utah."

The Board has identified key characteristics that begin in the home and should be cultivated in our educational settings. A list of these characteristics can be found on their website. We welcome this whole-child approach following a time where testing and accountability seemed to be the focus, rather than a more child-centered approach. Through the testing and accountability model, Weber School District maintained its vision focusing on the whole child. We have called it the "Weber Way."

We look forward to celebrating with our Class of 2020 this May. They have demonstrated tremendous growth, and we are confident that they are ready to take the next step in contributing to the greater society.