Tuesday, July 14, 2020
To students and families,
I want to thank our families for taking the time to complete our educational survey that was shared at the beginning of summer. Your responses have been very informative. Not only have they assisted us in determining the instructional and assessment areas that worked for our students, the feedback has also shown us what areas need improvement.
The first day of school for students is Tuesday, September 8, 2020. We are prepared to start back to traditional on campus education if health conditions should improve prior to the start of school; however, if state/local social distancing guidelines and conditions have not changed, the intent is to return to school using a hybrid learning model that blends both traditional face-to-face and online remote learning. Students will be divided into two cohorts; for example, cohort A attends school on campus face-to-face face Monday and Thursday each week with remote learning on Tuesday and Friday, while cohort B attends school on campus on Tuesday and Friday with remote learning on Monday and Thursday. Wednesday, in this scenario would be utilized for additional remote learning online, as well as teacher office hours and family engagement opportunities to ensure each student’s needs are being met. Cohort assignments will be shared in the coming weeks, but in most instances will be based on families to assist with siblings being together at home and school.
A small percentage of parents expressed in the survey that their students will be unable to return to school for face-to-face instruction on campus. We are working to develop an independent, online learning option for those students. More information for this alternative option will be made available after August 10, 2020, by contacting your child’s building principal.
We understand that our families may have questions and concerns as we move toward the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. We have opened an online question and answers form, like we've done in the past, that will reside on our website and social media where families can ask their questions and receive responses when information is made available to us. Specific or personal questions about your child or family situation should be directed to your child’s respective principal or school guidance. This is just one of many updates that I will be sharing as we move closer to our school start. Due to the potential for rapidly changing conditions, directives, and guidelines, we ask for your patience and understanding when we are compelled to change decisions or direction as we work to make this school year the very best possible for kids, families, and staff.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Kevin Spicher