First we are excited to announce the curriculum that will be used for our online option. Students in grades K-5 will use Lincoln Learning (https://lincolnlearningsolutions.org/) and students in grades 6-12 will have access to Edgenuity (https://www.edgenuity.com/). Both curriculum tools will offer Garfield students choosing to learn online for the first semester a high quality, rigorous learning option.
Next, I would like share that our elementary principal, Ms. Leindecker, will be taking a brief leave of absence to start this school year. Mrs. Rachelle Craine will be filling in as our interim principal at the elementary school until Ms. Leindecker returns. All of our thoughts are with Ms. Leindecker and we wish her a speedy return. In the meantime, the elementary school will be in good hands under the leadership of Mrs. Craine.
I would like to encourage everyone to view the new school calendar that was approved last week. We will be starting a week later to give our staff time to receive training on all of our new safety procedures. School will resume for students in grades 1-12 on Tuesday, September 8th and Preschool and kindergarten on Monday, September 14th. The new calendar also incorporates a soft opening where half of our students will attend so we can offer them some instruction on all the new safety protocols in smaller groups. Students will be divided into two groups, A or B, by last name. We are currently working on creating these groups and will communicate them with you as soon as they are completed. Students in group A will begin school on Tuesday, September 8th and students in group B will begin on Wednesday, September 9th. Students in both groups will begin on September 10th. Students in Preschool and Kindergarten will all begin on Monday, September 14th.
Finally, we are announcing today that due to large crowds and an inability to social distance, our annual “Meet the Teacher” night will be cancelled. Our staff is actively working on alternative plans that will give students and parents the opportunity to meet their teachers in some way.
Once again, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your patience and support as we navigate through an opening like no other. Plans are coming together, and we will be ready for students to return to our buildings in early September.
As always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me directly.
Have a great day.
Go G-Men!
Ted