Yorkville School

Thank you for a great first week of learning for all students at GCSSD. Due to the number of COVID-19 cases not declining as rapidly as we had hoped, we are adjusting enrollment for the Digital Learning Academy. Enrollment for the Digital Learning Academy will always remain open allowing a student to transition into the Academy at any time. If you would like to transition your student to the Academy, email the Director of Schools, Eddie Pruett (epruett@gcssd.org) with the required information below. Once approved, your student will continue in-person instruction until the student’s teacher or principal alerts them that it is time to transition. From that point forward, the student will remain as a Digital Learning Academy student for the remainder of the 9 weeks. All Digital Learning Academy students will re-register each 9 weeks. As a reminder, GCSSD feels that on-campus learning is best for all students but we understand that you, as a guardian, know which learning environment is best for your student and family. If you choose to transition your student, you must: - Have reliable internet connection. - Your own personal device (with keyboard). - Email Eddie Pruett at epruett@gcssd.org with the student name, grade, and school.

In an effort to make Schoology sign-in more user friendly, I have updated the log-in process while Schoology was down this afternoon. Students will utilize their GCSSD username (NOT the full email) and their GCSSD password to log in to Schoology from this point forward. This change will allow multiple users to log in to one computer much easier as the log-in credentials will not be saved. EXAMPLE: gcssd.schoology.com UN: caseya PW: ac2345 Additional help located at: https://www.gcssd.org/o/gcssd/page/schoology-lms

Thank you to everyone who completed the survey. Based on your input, the GCSSD School Board voted to go with Option 5 (All students at home on Fridays for the first nine weeks). We had 2,108 survey responses in less than 24 hours. This option will allow our staff additional time to build out lessons that will be used for the Digital Learning Academy. Off-campus learning on Fridays will not start until 8/28 and will continue through 10/16. Teachers will work with their students to give them assignments that they will need to complete while they are at home on Fridays. This could be through the Learning Management System or through instructional materials that are sent home. We understand that not all students have a device at home or internet access. Teachers will provide instructional materials for all students to ensure learning continues on Friday. Additionally, on Fridays until 10/16, students meals will be offered for parent pick-up and home delivery. I know this is a major change. However, when we were originally developing the Digital Learning Academy in mid-July, we had 280 students enrolled. Once the decision was made to wear masks, our numbers increased to 650. At that point, the plan we had in place for 280 students was not possible. Therefore, we had to think through how best to manage the difficult situation we found ourselves in. Again, thank you for filling out the survey and helping us with that difficult decision. We also appreciate your patience as we try to ensure all students continue to learn. We are so proud of our staff as they continue to rise to the occasion to ensure each student at GCSSD has all their needs met. Eddie Pruett

The COVID-19 releasing household contacts from isolation & quarantine has been updated. This is a major change. Please review page 15 of the Reopening Plan at: https://5il.co/i86m

The board is requesting feedback to help determine the option they take to give teachers additional planning time, to be used to develop digital learning content, during the first nine weeks. We realize that the decision will impact families and the board wanted to get your feedback. The board votes on 8/18 so we apologize for the quick turnaround. Option 1 - School will be dismissed at 2 each day. (first 9 weeks) Option 2 - Students will dismiss at 11:30 on Fridays. (first 9 weeks) Option 3 - Students will attend Fridays on an A/B schedule. (every other Friday for the first 9 weeks) Option 4 - Students attending is optional on Fridays. Families that do not have childcare can register for them to attend. Students that do not attend will use the learning management system. (first 9 weeks) Option 5 - All students will stay home on Fridays and use the learning management system. (first 9 weeks) Link to survey: https://forms.gle/ZT6caVHfkvCspMB39

The board is requesting feedback to help determine the option they take to give teachers additional planning time, to be used to develop digital learning content, during the first nine weeks. We realize that the decision will impact families and the board wanted to get your feedback. The board votes on 8/18 so we apologize for the quick turnaround. Option 1 - School will be dismissed at 2 each day. (first 9 weeks) Option 2 - Students will dismiss at 11:30 on Fridays. (first 9 weeks) Option 3 - Students will attend Fridays on an A/B schedule. (every other Friday for the first 9 weeks) Option 4 - Students attending is optional on Fridays. Families that do not have childcare can register for them to attend. Students that do not attend will use the learning management system. (first 9 weeks) Option 5 - All students will stay home and use the learning management system. (first 9 weeks) Link to survey: https://forms.gle/ZT6caVHfkvCspMB39

Yorkville School will offer meal delivery to enrolled students during the off-campus learning period (August 18 - August 26, 2020). Daily meals will consist of a hot lunch and breakfast for the next day for a total of 2 meals. Meal cost will be applied to the student account based on the child's 2020-21 school year meal eligibility status of free, reduced, or paid. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNEngOM9x9AYLdecBdKbgOu3_u2thDojC9edeN0w6AwYXn9A/viewform?usp=sf_link

GCSSD on-campus instruction will start Monday, August 17, at a Level 3. Students will be required to wear a mask. Digital Learning Academy start date has been moved to August 24, 2020 to allow teachers more time to prepare content. We are excited for the start of school! Please continue to follow COVID-19 CDC guidelines to help us work together to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of students, teachers, staff, their families, and communities. - Stay away from work, school, or other people if you become sick - Wear your mask in public - Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water - Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth - Sneeze or cough? Cover your mouth - Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily These are the most important actions that will support schools safe reopening and will help them stay open. https://youtu.be/z067y5-KUQI

The Digital Learning Academy Handbook is now available for DL students and parents to review. Please click the link below to access. A timeline is available within the document to ensure all DL students are ready to begin August 17, 2020! https://5il.co/j8et

Digital Learning Academy Device Request: A limited number of devices are being provided for DL Academy students who do not have access to a device. The devices are to be used to engage in learning activities provided by teachers. If your student needs a device in order to participate in the Digital Learning Academy please contact Kary Parchman at parchmank@gcssd.org by Monday, August 10 at 12:00 noon and include the information below within the email. Devices will be loaned out for Digital Learning Academy students only and priority will be based according to the students meal eligibility status for the 2020-21SY. All aspects of District Policy 4.406 and the Responsible Use of Technologies applies to the use of the device and Internet access. Forms will be signed upon pickup to ensure guidelines are being followed when using the equipment along with a digital learning release permission form. Information to include in Digital Learning Academy device request email: - Student first and last name - Student enrolled school - Student grade - Other students in the household that are Digital Learning Academy students

Tonight the GCSSD School Board decided to delay the first day of school to August 17, 2020. Below is a link to the new 2020-21 School Year calendar to reflect the delayed start. We hope delaying the start of the school year will help to support the decline of COVID cases in our area and allow us to start at a level that is as normal as possible. However, in order to achieve this, we need your help. Please wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after any activity. Maintain social distancing. Avoid large gatherings. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid unnecessary travel and wear a mask or cloth face covering. We will continue to work with local health officials weekly to determine the start of school operating level and will inform you as soon as a decision is made so adjustments can be made if necessary. As a reminder, the Digital Learning Academy Registration closes this Wednesday, July 29. Click Menu > COVID-19 Information for details. Link to calendar: https://5il.co/io7m

Tonight the GCSSD School Board decided to delay the first day of school to August 17, 2020. Below is a link to the new 2020-21 School Year calendar to reflect the delayed start. We hope delaying the start of the school year will help to support the decline of COVID cases in our area and allow us to start at a level that is as normal as possible. However, in order to achieve this, we need your help. Please wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after any activity. Maintain social distancing. Avoid large gatherings. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid unnecessary travel and wear a mask or cloth face covering. We will continue to work with local health officials weekly to determine the start of school operating level and will inform you as soon as a decision is made so adjustments can be made if necessary. As a reminder, the Digital Learning Academy Registration closes this Wednesday, July 29. Visit www.gcssd.org under COIVD-19 Information for details. Link to calendar: https://5il.co/io7m

See the latest Employment Opportunities at GCSSD! https://www.gcssd.org/article/267058

See the latest Employment Opportunities at GCSSD! https://www.gcssd.org/article/267058

GCSSD will be extending the Digital Learning Academy registration to July 29, 2020. Our Director of Schools, Eddie Pruett, will be addressing potential district plan changes this afternoon during his District Update. Below are a few questions we have had about the DL Academy and wanted to go ahead and address those as you make your decision on which learning environment fits for you and your student: Before the start of school: - Registration closes for the first 9 week Digital Learning Academy on July 29, 2020. However, we understand that these are fluid times and that things change daily. If you need to sign up or cancel Digital Learning Academy registration, please try to do so before July 29th. After July 29th you will need to contact your school to sign up or cancel your registration. A final decision on your child’s learning environment must be made before the first day of school so plans can be adjusted and made to ensure your child receives excellent education, no matter the learning environment platform. - If you change your mind and want to attend on-campus but have already signed up for Digital Learning Academy, please contact your school BEFORE July 29th to remove your student from the registration. After the start of school: - DL Academy registration is for 9 weeks. We will open DL registration one week before the end of each nine weeks to register your child for the following 9 week period unless there is a level change (see below). - If your student starts on-campus and we change levels, you will have one week to sign your student up to transition to the DL Academy. The student will continue to participate in on-campus instruction for five (5) days while we transition the student. Once you transition to the Digital Learning Academy, you will remain a DL student till the 9 week period is over, even if the district changes levels. Please understand that we are working tirelessly to bring you the best options that are available for you and your student while thinking about the education, mental health, physical health and safety of all students. We appreciate your support during these times.

NEW Substitute Teacher information for the 2020-21 SY GCSSD. If you are interested in becoming a NEW substitute teacher, please click this link https://jobapps.lgccloud.com/GibsonSSD/login.aspx to fill out an application. Once submitted, click on this link http://appgarden1.app-garden.com/subtraining/gibsontn.pdf to complete the NEW substitute training course. The cost to take the course is $29.00. Please send the certificate at the end of the training course to Mr. Brad Garner at GCSSD. Also, for more information contact Mr. Garner. Email: garnerb@gcssd.org Phone: (731)-692-3803

NEW Substitute Teacher information for the 2020-21 SY GCSSD. If you are interested in becoming a NEW substitute teacher, please click this link https://jobapps.lgccloud.com/GibsonSSD/login.aspx to fill out an application. Once submitted, click on this link http://appgarden1.app-garden.com/subtraining/gibsontn.pdf to complete the NEW substitute training course. It will cost $29.00 to take the course. Please send the certificate at the end of the training course to Mr. Brad Garner at GCSSD. Also, for more information contact Mr. Garner. Email: garnerb@gcssd.org Phone: (731)-692-3803

District Update: 1 In addition to normal COVID-19 meetings, the District team will set aside time weekly to discuss the COVID-19 spread within the community, information gathered from local and state health officials, and TDOE guidance to decide if the current operating level will change. Each week, if a level change happens, all GCSSD stakeholders will be made aware of the change by Friday to prepare for the following week. By Friday, July 24, GCSSD will announce the reopening level of operations. Additionally, based on recommendations from the regional health department, GCSSD will require masks for all staff and students regardless of the level as we begin school. (We understand there will be case-by-case exceptions.) If you need to review the GCSSD COVID-19 Levels, please see our Reopening Plan located at https://www.gcssd.org/o/gcssd/page/information-updates

Digital Learning Academy plans have been finalized and are posted on the district website under District Updates within the COVID-19 Information section. As a reminder, DL Academy registration closes Friday July 24. All students, no matter what learning environment is chosen, must fill out the GCSSD registration through PowerSchool Parent Portal. A District Update from our Director of Schools, Eddie Pruett, will be posted later today to address current GCSSD plans and reopening. Link to COVID-19 Information: https://www.gcssd.org/o/gcssd/page/support-resources

Immunization and Physical requirements for school: • A valid Tennessee Certificate of Immunization must be on file before a student can attend school per state law. There will be no grace period allowed. We must have this by the first day of school. This applies to pre-school, kindergarten, or any new student in GCSSD. • Before entering seventh grade, a Tdap booster is required. Documentation must be on the official Tennessee Certificate of Immunization. • The only allowable exceptions for incomplete immunizations in Tennessee are valid medical and/or religious exemptions. The state does not accept philosophical exemptions. o For medical exemptions, the treating physician must indicate the specific vaccines that are medically contraindicated on the Tennessee Certificate of Immunization. Other vaccines remain required. o If vaccination conflicts with the religious tenets and practices of the family, parents must complete a religious exemption form (located on the GCSSD website) or provide a written statement indicating the need of religious exemption of vaccination. If a child has received some immunizations, those should be recorded on the incomplete vaccine certificate. o During an outbreak of any vaccine-preventable disease, students who are not fully immunized may be excluded from school with guidance from the state or local health department. o Out of state immunization records are not acceptable and must be transferred to the Tennessee State Immunization Record. This can be done at the local health department or at your pediatrician’s office. • A physical exam is required for student is first entering school (pre-school and kindergarten) or enrolling from outside the United States. The exam must be completed in this school year. If the child’s annual exam is not due until after August 3, 2020 the 2019 exam is satisfactory until the 2020 due date is reached, then documentation of a new physical exam is required. No grace period will be allowed.