• Albany 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Big Horn 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Big Horn 2 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Big Horn 3 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Big Horn 4 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Campbell 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Carbon 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Carbon 2 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Converse 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Converse 2 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Crook 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Fremont 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Fremont 2 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Fremont 6 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Fremont 14 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Fremont 21 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Fremont 24 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Fremont 25 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Fremont 38 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Goshen 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Hot Springs 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. 
• Johnson 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Laramie 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Laramie 2 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Lincoln 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Lincoln 2 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Natrona 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Niobrara 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Park 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Park 6 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Park 16 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Platte 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Platte 2 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Sheridan 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Sheridan 2 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Sheridan 3 – Closed through May 15, 2020.
• Sublette 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Sublette 9 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Sweetwater 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Sweetwater 2 – Closed “until further notice.”
• Teton 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Uinta 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Uinta 4 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Uinta 6 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Washakie 1 – Closed “until further notice.”
• Washakie 2 –  Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Weston 1 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• Weston 7 – Closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
• St. Stephens – Closed for the “foreseeable future.”

Assessment

On March 20, USED approved Superintendent Balow’s request for a waiver from assessment requirements. As a result, Wyoming students will not take the summative statewide assessment, WY-TOPP, this spring. WY-ALT is also suspended. Any additional changes will be posted to the assessment calendar and also included in the weekly assessment newsletter.

ACT has canceled all State and National Testing for March through April. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic; there is no longer concern about census testing. Testing options are strictly to give juniors the opportunity to take the ACT for college submissions and scholarships. The WDE has issued a brief survey about possible options moving forward.

The College Board has announced that they are working to make AP tests available online to students enrolled in AP courses. The latest information and resources are available here.

For more information on statewide assessments, contact Jessica Steinbrenner, Assessment Supervisor, at 307-777-8568 or jessica.steinbrenner@wyo.gov.

Accountability

On March 20, USED approved Superintendent Balow’s request for a waiver from certain accountability and report card provisions. As a results, no formal accountability determinations will be made for the 2019-20 school year. School districts may request an informal review of their School Performance Rating under Chapter 3 Rules if they were unable to administer the statewide assessment for good cause.

For more information on accountability, contact Sean McInerney, Accountability Supervisor, at 307-777-8752 or sean.mcinerney@wyo.gov.

Alternative Schedule Proposals

Alternative schedule requests are due May 1. For alternative schedule proposals, the WDE will accept virtual public meetings as compliant with Chapter 21 requirements. More information on alternative schedules is available here. Contact Elaine Marces at 307-777-6210 or elaine.marces@wyo.gov.

Hathaway Scholarship

• Districts may decide to utilize a pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading methodology as part of their Adapted Learning Plan. Courses graded in this fashion are not included in the student’s Hathaway GPA calculation, but districts still must report any credits earned from these courses in order to show completion of the Hathaway Success Curriculum.
• Students must still complete the Hathaway Success Curriculum to be eligible for the Hathaway Scholarship. Any students unable to complete the curriculum because a district was unable to offer courses due to the COVID-19 pandemic can apply to the WDE for an exception.
• The 8th Grade Unit of Study is still required. If students did not take it before the closure of school buildings, it should be delivered through the district’s Adapted Learning pPlan. Districts are still required to submit a certification form to the WDE assuring that all 8th graders have received the information. Resources are available here.

For more information, contact Bradley Barker, Hathaway Scholarship Consultant, at 307-777-6226 or bradley.barker@wyo.gov.

School Nutrition

Guidance is below regarding meal service during school closures due to COVID-19.  The two waivers that the WDE submitted to the USDA on March 9 regarding unexpected school closure and congregate feeding have been approved. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is the only program that allows for the provision of meals during school closure. To join the Summer Food Service Program, districts must contact Tamra Jackson. Once districts have joined the program, a waiver must be completed through the USDA process detailed below.

Questions and Answers

• Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option Nationwide Waivers Q & A
• Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program During COVID-19 Q & A
• Transitioning from COVID-19 to Regular Summer Food Service Program
• Child Nutrition Program Meal Service during Novel Coronavirus Outbreaks: Questions and Answers #4
• COVID 19 SFSP and SSO Meal Delivery Q and A
• Questions and Answers: Child Nutrition Program Meal Service during COVID-19 Outbreaks
• COVID-19 Meal Services Fact Sheet

Meal Service

• Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Program – Extension 4
• Approval Steps for Meal Service COVID-19
• Child Nutrition Program Meal Service during COVID-19 Outbreaks
• SFSP/SSO Congregate Feeding for Sponsors Operating during COVID-19 Unanticipated School Closures Waiver Request
• COVID-19 and Food Safety
• Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Program During COVID-19

Additional Resources

• COVID-19 Meal Times Nationwide Waiver EXTENSION
• COVID-19 Non-Congregate Nationwide Waiver EXTENSION
• COVID-19 Parent Pickup Nationwide Waiver EXTENSION
• COVID-19 Third Meal Pattern Nationwide Waiver EXTENSION
• Food Safety During COVID-19
• Nationwide Waiver of 60 Day Reporting Requirements for January and February 2020
• Waiver for Summer Food Service Program Approval Allowed to Sites That Do Not Meet Area Eligibility
• Emergency Procurement MEMO 2020
• Wyoming unexpected school closure waiver
• Donation of perishable food from the USDA Child Nutrition Programs due to closing of schools due to COVID-19.
• Food Service Accounting for the Summer Food Service Program
• Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children
• Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs

For more information, contact Tamra Jackson, Nutrition Program Supervisor, at
307-777-6263 or tamra.jackson@wyo.gov.

School Support

Adapted Learning
Districts wishing to implement alternative education delivery, such as Adapted Learning, should keep several considerations in mind. Assurances to maintain instruction fidelity for all students remain the responsibility of individual schools or districts. Guidance on creating an emergency school closure Adapted plan, training, and resources are available here.

Emergency Rules – Chapter 41 – Virtual Education
The modification to the rules adds language to allow for greater flexibility of delivery of instruction during times of emergency by establishing Adapted Learning. This includes direction for documentation and tracking student participation which will determine attendance, Adapted Learning providing the ability to expand currently approved virtual education programs, and the removal of some requirements during times of declared emergencies.

For more information, contact Laurel Ballard, Student/Teacher Resources Team Supervisor, at 307-214-0170 or laurel.ballard@wyo.gov.

Federal Grants
USED provided guidance regarding the use of federal funds to cover cancellation fees for all federally funded professional development opportunities.

The WDE is seeking guidance regarding the use of federal funds that cover programs, personnel costs, and professional development in light of school district closures and event cancellations that exceed carryover allowances and grants reaching the end of their cycle. This includes federal funding sources such as Title programs, TANF, Perkins, and IDEA.

USED recognizes that districts could face challenges meeting certain fiscal requirements. Districts are encouraged to reach out to the appropriate contact at USED. The WDE staff is also available to offer technical assistance.

Title I-A, School Improvement 1003(a): All allowable uses of federal grant funds still stand at this time. Reach out to the program manager if you have questions about how to use the program funds. Contact Leslie Koch at 307-777-6216 or les.koch1@wyo.gov.

Title II-A & Title IV-A: All allowable uses of federal grant funds still stand at this time. Please reach out to the program manager if you have questions about how to use the program funds. Contact: Mark Bowers at 307-777-8739 or mark.bowers@wyo.gov.

Title I-D Subpart 2 and Title III: All allowable uses of federal grant funds still stand at this time. Reach out to the program manager if you have questions about how to use the program funds. Contact Jessica Fancher at 307-777-8964 or jessica.fancher3@wyo.gov.

• Fact Sheet: Providing Services to English Learners During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Title I-D Subpart 1, Title IX-A McKinney-Vento: All allowable uses of federal grant funds still stand at this time. Reach out to the program manager if you have questions about how to use the program funds. Contact Shannon Cranmore at 307-777-3672 or shannon.cranmore@wyo.gov.

For General ESSA Grant Program questions, contact Jessica Binning at 307-777-6208 or jess.binning@wyo.gov.

The Grants Management System will still be accessible via the internet as always. For general GMS questions, contact Diana Thompson at 307-777-6209 or diana.thompson@wyo.gov.

Career and Technical Education (Perkins V)
Perkins work is continuing as normal. All allowable uses still stand as of this time. For questions or more information, contact Perkins managers Randall Butt (Districts beginning with A-L) at 307-777-5329 or randall.butt@wyo.gov or
Jeannie Coulson (Districts beginning with M-Z) at  307-777-6808 or jeannie.coulson@wyo.gov.

• Round #1 – Questions and Answers Regarding COVID-19 and Perkins
• Round #2 – Questions and Answers Regarding COVID-19 and Perkins
• Guidance on Donation or Loan of Protective Personal Equipment and Other Medical Supplies

Career Technical Student Organizations
For the most updated information regarding Career and Technical State Organizations and state competitions, contact the state adviser.
DECA: Mary Hopper, wyodeca@gmail.com.
FBLA:  Barb Frates, fratesb@wyfbla.org.
FCCLA: Angela Sweep, angsweep98@gmail.com.
FFA: Stacy Broda, sbroda@yahoo.com.
SkillsUSA: Janie Wilcox, rjhkwilcox@icloud.com.

TANF/ECCG
TANF Grant proposals have been extended until April 30, 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

For General Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Grant sites or the Early Childhood Collaborative Grant questions, contact Amy Reyes at 307-777-7708 or amy.reyes@wyo.gov.  

Special Education

All IDEA requirements remain in full effect when educational opportunities are offered by the district to any student. Districts are expected to document their efforts to meet the requirements. Upcoming RDA events will be held virtually or can be rescheduled by contacting Margee Robertson at margee.robertson@wyo.gov.

• Special Education COVID-19 Guidance
• Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Outbreak
• Council of Administrators of Special Education: Considerations for Special Education Administrators
• Wyoming Corona Virus COVID-19 Letter to Families of Students with Disabilities
• OSERS Supplemental Fact Sheet: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities

For more information, contact Margee Robertson, Special Education Director, at
307-777-2870 or margee.robertson@wyo.gov.

Finance

In alignment with previous guidance from WDE, Special Education and Transportation staff should be paid in a manner consistent with general education staff. Standard Special Education and Transportation reimbursement procedures are still in effect.

Entitlement and recapture payments will continue as scheduled. Out-of-state tuition collection remains due on April 15 unless otherwise instructed. COMPS payments will continue as normal unless otherwise instructed.

Transportation

Emergency Rules – Chapter 20 Transportation
The modification to the rules allows for the reimbursement of transportation services related to student needs. These needs include, but are not limited to, delivering meals or instructional materials during an emergency situation. The emergency rules have been approved by Governor Gordon and shared with district transportation directors on March 24, 2020.

COVID-19 Transportation Reimbursement FAQs

National Association for Pupil Transportation Update on COVID-19

For information on student attendance impacts on student funding, or school closure, contact Leslie Zimmerschied, School Foundation Program Supervisor, at 307-777-6000 or leslie.zimmerschied@wyo.gov.

Data and Reporting

All WDE data collections remain on schedule. However, the Post-Secondary Readiness Indicator Review window has been delayed until May 4-15. Any changes will be updated here.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
On March 30, 2020, The United States Department of Education (ED) Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) hosted a webinar offering guidance to schools and districts in the wake of school closings across the country.

• FERPA & Virtual Learning During COVID-19 webinar recording and slide deck
• FERPA & Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions

Best Practices for Districts Considering Work From Home Scenarios.