Dear Elementary Parents,
Thank you for the positive responses you’ve given us regarding our plans to reduce our risk for COVID-19 transmission following the Thanksgiving break. If you’ve followed recent updates in the news, you know many schools are taking similar measures.
The schedule changes we have made this year to keep our grade level cohorts separated have created some unintended consequences. By eliminating our extended care programs, and scheduling teachers to supervise their classes before the start of the day, we have lost our ability to schedule convenient weekly faculty meetings. The middle school has scheduled a Wednesday early dismissal for several years to allow for faculty collaboration and group parent conferences. They have been using this time for faculty meetings this school year.
Our need for faculty meetings is critical this school year. In order to provide similar time for our elementary faculty, I would like to institute a similar schedule for elementary students following the Thanksgiving break. Starting on December 2nd, elementary students will be dismissed early on Wednesdays according to the following schedule:
Kindergarten: 1:30
First and Second Grades: 1:45
Third and Fourth Grades: 2:00
On another note, many parents have questioned how our county’s move back to the purple tier on the state COVID-19 response plan will affect our school. While we will continue our efforts to operate in a safe manner, the change in the state’s color designation does not impact our ability to meet in-person. I would only expect a change in our operation should the County Health Officer mandate a closure order.
Please continue to follow our health protocols, which are allowing our students the privilege of an excellent school year.
Yours in Christ,
Steve Patterson