Dear Parents,
Thank you for your continued prayers and support as we’re navigating challenging times and changing conditions related to the reopening of our school. For months, we have been working to create a healthy school environment for our students returning to campus. We have modified schedules, limited class size, reorganized classroom space, and established protocols which will allow for the safe operation of Baymonte Christian School.
The Governor’s recent order linking school opening to the California County Data Monitoring Watchlist came as a surprise. In response, we are currently pursuing several options to allow as many students to return to campus as soon as we can do so safely. In addition to applying for a waiver that would allow for a full reopening, we are also making plans to allow for small group instruction and academic support. We also recognize that safe childcare is a major priority for many families and we are exploring our options for providing this service.
Our priority is to resume on-campus instruction as soon as we can, within the guidelines established by the state.
The three scenarios below outline our plans for reopening. We are monitoring the epidemiological situation carefully, and will make our final determination after reviewing trends and indicator data on August 19.
- Green Scenario: Santa Cruz County must be off the state’s COVID watchlist for 14 days before schools will be allowed to open fully. We have pushed back Baymonte’s start date to September 2 to give us the opportunity for a full reopening in the event that our county’s efforts to reduce the virus spread are successful. If our county is off the watchlist on August 19, we will plan for a full reopening on September 2.
- Yellow Scenario: If community transmission rates are declining but we have not yet been removed from the watchlist, we plan to use the first seven days of school to schedule one-on-one appointments for student assessment, parent-teacher conferences, and accommodation plan meetings. Students will also have an opportunity to meet teachers and preview some of the topics they will study this year at their personalized “Back to School” orientation. Assuming rates continue to decline, we will begin on-campus instruction for all students on September 14.
- Red Scenario: In the event that our county remains on the watchlist for an extended period of time, we will begin instruction on September 14 with small group instruction and campus support available to the extent permitted by the state. Some students may be allowed to receive on-campus support due to their unique learning needs, lack of success in distance education, or in the event parents work in essential services. This may be complemented by a comprehensive distance learning program. The specific mode of instruction will vary by grade level but could include daily live-streamed classes, recorded videos, and printed materials distributed through the school office.
In any event, we will be prepared to pivot to on-campus instruction as soon as permitted by our state. We invite you to participate in a Baymonte Parent Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, August 5 at 5:30pm to discuss these options and answer your important questions. A zoom invitation will be sent to all Baymonte families on Tuesday.
Please complete the linked survey to indicate your desire, and potential eligibility, for on-campus support if we remain on the watchlist. You may also submit questions for the Baymonte Parent Virtual Town Hall Meeting in advance on the survey here: Survey.
Childcare has been categorized as an essential service and therefore our Baymonte preschools will remain open with the fall program starting August 26 as planned.
Please pray with us for a successful school year for our students.
Yours in Christ,
Steve Patterson
Principal