As I shared with families last week, GVA-DC is facing staffing shortages for substitutes, and other essential staff due in part to COVID and the Omicron variant. While we are doing everything we can to minimize the potential disruption COVID may have on our learning environment, I encourage families to prepare to transition students to remote learning quickly if needed. Preparation includes:
- Identify a distraction-free study space that students can consistently access for synchronous and asynchronous lessons.
- Furnish study spaces with flat, desk-like surfaces, comfortable chairs, good lighting, and requisite school supplies.
- Acquire a computer/laptop/tablet that supports school applications including Zoom, Google classroom, and iReady.
Should the need arise to move students to remote learning, we will inform families as soon as possible. We will also provide families with the opportunity to pick up materials and borrow Chromebooks if needed.
Please continue to do your part in keeping our staff and students safe by
- Keeping students home if they are showing signs of illness. Please reference this symptom screening document for guidance on when it is safe to return to school after illness.
- Getting students vaccinated (or accessing the booster vaccine) if you haven’t already (this is not required). The guidance and protocols indicate that being vaccinated helps to prevent quarantining.
- Encouraging students to wear a face-covering while indoors at school (except while eating or participating in activities that would not be conducive to mask-wearing). This is not required, with the following exceptions:
- Consistent with a federal public health order, students and staff are still required to wear face masks on school buses.
We will continue to send additional information and updates. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Stacy Bush at [email protected].
The Week Ahead
- Principal's Coffee, Tuesday, January 11th at 8:30 am (Cafeteria).
- Join us on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
82466080328?pwd= UzdYaEk4LzVjdGtLRWc1VnRaU1dCQT 09 - School Accountability Meeting, Tuesday, January 11th at 4:30 pm (Art Room)
- BOD Meeting, Wednesday, January 12th at 6:30 pm (Cafeteria).
- PIC Meeting, Thursday, January 13th at 6:30 pm (Cafeteria).
- Early Release for Students on Friday, January 14th HOWEVER- International Day has been rescheduled for Friday, January 21st. January 21st will not be a half-day.
Thank you for your ongoing support and trust as we navigate these crazy times! Stay healthy!
Stacy Bush
Principal, GVA Douglas County