Points of Pride
March 16, 2020
Message from the Principal:
After my meeting this morning, district is trying to be the first line of communication so that they can ensure that everyone in the district is getting the same message, and then I will be following up/clarifying as needed.
Note: This newsletter was written a little after lunch. Some items could be a review after reading the district letter, while others could be new. I am anticipating much of their email discussing uninterrupted pay, so I left it out of this one.
Please know that this entire situation is anxiety-inducing for everyone involved. None of us have ever lead through a pandemic like this. Mistakes are going to be made, and there are going to be questions that I don't have an answer for. I think part of the stress comes in the unknown. As of this moment, this is a two week cancellation of school; however, this situation seems to change by the minute. What you are going to read is the information that the district is moving forward with as of this morning's meeting. As I get more information, I will pass it along.
If you have a question, please ask. With so many rumors out there, let's not add to the hysteria by assuming or not asking.
Most importantly, keep you and your family safe during this time. Be a mom, daughter, mother, wife, etc. and consider this extra time a gift, while the weather is nice (during summer no one wants to be outside). Read a book, laugh, binge watch a Netflix show, organize your guest room, just do something that you don't usually have time for that doesn't involve other people :)
Robert
Communications and Marketing...
The district is asking us to point all inquiries there to make it the "one true source" of information. During stressful times, we want to give people the facts, so that it doesn't continue to add to the panic.
I will be putting together an email blast for parents citing a lot of this information for parents. I will ensure that you all get a copy of what I send so that we can be united in our message.
Field Trips/School Events....
If you have a trip or event in April, I am going to assume it's going to be cancelled due to the CDC recommendation for groups of 50+ people to not happen. However, I am not going to "officially" do anything until it gets closer. Let's officially call it "pending."
Refunds can be provided so long as it was not donated via tax credit. We will have an opportunity to sort this all out when we get back.
School Personnel on Campus....
Staff will have until the end of the day Wednesday, 3/18 to come in and gather their laptop and any personal items they might need should the campus close for longer than two weeks. We need to allow our district cleaning crew time to disenfect. They are assuring us that each class will be "tagged" and "taped" to ensure that it's been cleaned according to rigorous standards.
Maria will be in off and on in the coming days. I am scheduled to work indefinitely, but will likely be working at home off and on. As you get questions, please direct them towards me via email. Ricardo will also be on campus off and on.
Instruction....
We have to ensure that EVERY student has access to a "free and appropriate public education." If we start assigning things, or saying to do this for a grade, we are preventing equal access from those that don't have a computer device, internet, or have accommodations to do the work.
We are not to be providing technology to students or assignments. If someone would like ideas, please refer them to the district site.
At this time ALL PD has been cancelled for the next two weeks. All ReadyGEN, Wendy Peterson, etc has been cancelled.
Spring Testing....
It is not out of the realm of possibilities for the state to apply for a waiver from the federal government to ask for postponement or cancellation of this requirement. I am sure we will hear about this in the coming weeks.
Time Off Expectations....
Gilbert was looking great in terms of instructional minutes and can miss "several weeks" of instructional time without having to make up time at the end of the year. However, the state may look at this different.
Certified staff: It is imperative that you do not use this time to work, as we don't know if days are going to need to be added to the end of our school year.
All employees should check their email daily for information from myself and/or the district.
Food Services...
Mesquite Junior and South Valley Junior are the ones closest to our boundaries. Anyone under the age of 18 is able to get a free, cold breakfast and lunch for the entirety of this break.
Contracts....
This is done electronically, so ensure that you are checking your email.
Domains 1 and 4...
You will get an email that says something is ready for you to "acknowledge" in MLP. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. After it's acknowledged, the evidence and scores will move into the final document, much like domains 2 and 3.
Grades for Quarter 3...
(I am not blaming or judging, but what I am going to say is contradicting above) The district provides a half day before Spring Break so that teachers are able to grade. Many take the opportunity to leave and start break early. With that in mind, working on these, during this break, is not an issue.