Message From The Superintendent - August 2020
Greetings!
I hope this message finds you well! Here is your August update.
Unfortunately, the cases in Ohio have not lowered to the point where we can have all staff in the building at the same time and keep everyone safe. With this in mind, we will continue to keep Portage DD staff working remotely for their safety and the safety of the community we serve. This has been extended to at least the end of August. Also, beginning August 17th, we will have the Dennis M. Coble and Happy Day buildings open Monday through Friday. Until this date, the buildings will be open Tuesday through Thursday. With everyone’s safety in mind, staff will always wear a face mask except when they are in their office alone. In addition, we are still only allowing essential visitors into both buildings and they will be required to also wear face masks.
While staff have been out of the physical buildings our Maintenance Department continues to coordinate updates. New wiring was installed at the Dennis M. Coble Building and updates to wiring will be scheduled at Happy Day soon. This should improve our technology to better serve the community. At Happy Day, there are only a few details to finish up and the project should be completed by the end of this week. Also, the Maintenance Department has done great work improving the inside and outside of our buildings. Office moves, painting, and carpeting continues at both buildings. Also, we just finished repairs and sealing to the asphalt at both buildings.
Colleen Brown, Special Olympics Coordinator has been officially asked to be part of Ohio’s Coaching team at the USA games in Orlando, Florida in June of 2022. She has done a great job of working with our athletes for the Special Olympics program. Congratulations Colleen!
We have been busy planning for the reopening of Happy Day School. Tentatively, we are planning for Sept 3rd to be our 1st day of school. Like most districts, our students have difficulty with remote learning and do better with learning in person. Due to fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may have to have the students learn remotely at some point during the school year. If this happens, we will do the best to support our students so they can thrive. For now, since the plan is in person, our priority is to keep the students and staff safe. We have a school committee that has been meeting to work on safety protocols. Our goal is to have these protocols finalized within the next two weeks. Our school opening plan will incorporate the guidelines from the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health with the recommendations of the Health Departments. This same approach is being taken with transporting the students to and from school. We want to do everything possible to give the students and staff a safe learning and working environment.
I wanted to take a moment to share our appreciation for all the wonderful providers who help to assist the individuals have a good life. This has been even more challenging due to the pandemic. Providers have all done a great job keeping everyone safe. At the time I am writing this message, there have only been four individuals test positive in Portage County. We are lucky to have such dedicated providers who care for and about the individuals. I am also very appreciative of the tremendous staff of Portage DD. In the face of many challenges, they continue to face those challenges head on. Everyone in the community has risen to the occasion, for which I am extremely grateful for.
We know this has been a challenging time for everyone. Thank you again for your continued support. We will get through this together! Portage DD will continue to be available via phone, email, and virtual meeting (ZOOM or TEAMS) as we navigate these unique times together. Portage DD will continue to strive to meet and exceed your expectations.
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.
Sincerely,
John Vennetti