From the Principal's Pen
February 25, 2022
Dear Parents,
Another snow day! These Friday storms are catching up with us. We understand that today was a frustrating day for both parents and staff. It was obviously a very difficult weather call to make and we apologize for the inconvenience. Hopefully, everyone was safe and warm. How long till Spring? Well, I counted ….23 days until March 20th which is the official first day:)
As you know the Greenwich BOE has voted to lift the mask mandate and make masks optional starting on Tuesday, March 1st. This means families will have a choice on whether or not to have their child wear a mask to school. Please assist us in teaching our children to respect one another’s choices. Students should be prepared to see some of their classmates or teachers in masks and some without masks. Some students and teachers might have immunocompromised family members at home and still need to wear a mask. Each family has their own reasons for this important choice. Please know we will be sensitive to the needs of all students and teachers as we transition to this next phase.
Staff will not be asked to regulate mask wearing during school hours. If a parent has told their child to attend school with a mask, the student must do so willingly. It is important for parents to be clear with their own children. As of now, staff and students will likely be required to wear a mask if they are returning from quarantine for five days, and if they choose not to wear a mask in school, the quarantine period will be extended to a total of 10 days.
ALL students who ride the buses to or from school will be required to wear a mask on the bus. This is a Federal regulation requiring that face masks be worn on all forms of public transportation including school buses. If your child rides the bus, please make sure they are wearing a mask as they board the bus in the morning. If your child only rides the bus in the afternoon please provide them a mask in their backpack to be worn on the ride home or to the Boys and Girls Club.
Many of you have asked about other mitigation strategies. At this time the requirement for other mitigation strategies such as distancing in the classroom and the cafeteria will remain in place until further notice from the superintendent and the BOE.
As we shared this week, GPS is offering COVID-testing kits to be utilized this weekend ahead of our policy change to masks-optional effective on Tuesday 3/1. Please complete this form, indicating whether or not you would like a kit to go home with your student. Unfortunately, the kits were delayed due to weather and we hope to have them early next week. Here's the link to the Covid form: https://forms.gle/P261giibDvmzSzPLA
If you have any questions please feel free to email me at trish_mcguire@greenwich.k12.ct.us.
Thank you for your patience and partnership during this time.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Trish McGuire and Matthew Hartigan
Please follow Mrs. McGuire and Mr. Hartigan on Twitter
@JCSPrincipal and @JC_EagleAP
Mrs. Trish McGuire - Principal
Email: trish_mcguire@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Website: www.greenwichschools.org/jcs
Location: 180 East Elm Street, Greenwich, CT, USA
Phone: (203) 869-1896
Twitter: @jcsprincipal