Grand Prairie Grade School

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Welcome Back!

July 25, 2020

To: Parents and/or Guardians

I hope this letter finds you doing well as we prepare for the new school year. I have several points that I have listed below, in a bulleted format. Please note, our district is following guidelines and suggestions provided by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health.

While it is difficult to establish a definite schedule, I feel we have developed a plan that will meet the needs of our students and employees from a safety and educational perspective. Please note, this plan is subject to change in the event we receive additional information from the state and health officials. The following plan is designed through the first nine weeks only. The school plan will be re-visited as we progress into the school year.

Parents may choose a plan for the education of their child(ren)

The child will attend school and wear a mask. Students will have a combination of in-person and remote learning.
The child will stay home and register as a Remote Learning Student.
The child will participate in a home school setting, provided by the parent.

(Please email brichjohnson@gp6.org with your decision by: August 5, 2020)

Transportation….will your child ride the bus?

(Please email brichjohnson@gp6.org with your decision by: August 5, 2020)

Remote Learning students will receive their education, in nine week increments. Students will not be able to change to an in-person option until the end of the nine weeks. These students will be able to participate in extracurricular activities. Please note, the IHSA and IJHSAA are currently discussing whether we will be able to have fall sports.

A child attending school will be required to wear a mask, each day. These students will participate in a daily health screening, either at the front door or on the school bus by school personnel. The child’s temperature cannot surpass 100.4 degrees, and the following questions will be asked:

Within the last 14 days, have you had:

Dry cough
Shortness of breath
Other respiratory symptoms
Close contact with anyone who has COVID-19

Information will be recorded and filed in the school office.

Students will be required to wear a mask. Please purchase a minimum of two masks

and write your child’s name on the interior. Masks should be washed each school day, and returned to school. Please note, I am currently attempting to add a washer/dryer area for this purpose.

Illinois schools have heard from health experts, a mask will help deter the spread of the Coronavirus. If your child has a medical condition that will not allow them to wear a mask, please provide documentation from your medical provider.

Masks will also be purchased for a student unable to provide their own protective equipment.

A mask free zone has been created to assist students and staff with the concern of the mask. I have organized three areas outside of the school with markers located six feet apart. Teachers may choose to take their class to these designated areas as needed. Students and the employee will have an opportunity to remove their mask if necessary.

A child attending school will receive instruction in the areas of math and language arts, in a block schedule format. Quarter 4 (Spring 2020), and Quarter 1 (Fall 2020) content will be provided Monday - Thursday 8:30 - 1:30.

A child attending school will participate in Remote Learning for science and social studies.

On Friday, the child will not attend school, but will complete assignments from home.

The early dismissal (1:30 - 3:00) and no attendance on Friday are required for two reasons: To cut down on the amount of time a student and employee will be required to wear a mask, and; To provide my teachers ample time to prepare for remote learning.

The school has added an exterior WiFi area to the school property. Parents can use the free service to log onto the internet. Please park in the school parking lot near the main entrance. Welcome_Wildcats_Guest

This area will also allow the student to print their work free. Parents should log in as a guest, locate the assignment provided by the teacher on our school website: www.gp6.org Complete the assignment and print to one of the airless printers located inside the building, or return the assignment to the teacher electronically.

August 10th teacher in-service

August 11th - 12th school planning days for teachers

August 13th first day of school for students 8:30 - 1:30

Friday, August 15th the students will not attend. (Remote Learning Day)

Students will not attend classes on Friday August 15th, and every Friday thereafter through October 9th

Weekly schedule, August 10th - October 9th: Monday - Thursday 8:30 - 1:30, Friday students will not attend school.

New changes to accommodate the safety and well being of our students and staff:

Bus transportation will be provided, however, students will be required to sit with their siblings. Students will be seated in alternating rows between each group or family of students, to maintain social distancing.

We are expecting a longer than normal transportation schedule. We could possibly run behind by at least an hour.

In the event of one school bus, we will deliver those students to the school before continuing to the next route.

Students will participate in a daily health screening.

Employees will participate in a daily health screening.
Any guests to the school (FedEx, UPS, parents, etc) will be faced with the same health screening process.

Students will report to the gymnasium each morning.
Breakfast and lunch will be served in the gymnasium. Students will sit with their group of peers. An effort will be made to keep students separated by six foot increments.

A restroom/water schedule has been made and these areas will be disinfected between each group of students.

All school property (school bus interior, and all school interior areas) will be disinfected each day.

A bottle filling station has been added to the school. Students will have the opportunity to fill a water bottle for their convenience, if it is acceptable with the teacher. For example, I assume water will not be allowed around a computer. Please begin thinking about a plastic water bottle with a spill proof lid for your child. Please write their name on it.

Students will store their personal items in their backpack. Backpacks will hang on the back of the student chair. Lockers will not be used to allow for social distancing.

Information centers have been added to the school to provide a positive communication opportunity between the school and community.

Class assignments have been altered to allow for smaller group instruction. For example, students (grade1) will meet with their teacher, while the second group (grade 2) of students will meet in an enrichment setting, in an alternative location of the building. The teacher will then leave group A and travel to group B.