GIS School Newsletter
August 2020
Important Dates
Thursday, September 3...................................................................................GIS Virtual Open House
Tuesday, September 8........................................................................First day of school for studentsMonday, October 5...........................................................................No school students/PD teachers
Friday, October 30.................................................................Half day students: AM/PD teachers PM
Wednesday, November 11...............................................................GIS Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 26 & 27.................................................................................................Thanksgiving Break
A message from the GIS principals...
Respectfully,
Mrs. Putnam and Mr. Byram
GIS Virtual Open House
Return To Learn Plan
What is new this year at GIS?
- Instruction - Parents have the option of remote learning or in-person instruction for their child. Both platforms will be taught by GCS teachers and will provide a quality education to meet the unique needs of each and every child. Note: The last day to sign your student up for online learning is Tuesday, August 25, 2020.
- Student Arrival/Dismissal—The 2020-2021 school day is 8:25 A.M.- 2:40 P.M. Students will not be allowed to enter the building before 8:25 A.M. We are implementing a new traffic pattern for arrival and dismissal times. In an effort to keep traffic flowing efficiently, please do not arrive early for drop off or pick up and have your child remain in the car until 8:25 A.M. Fourth grade students will be dropped off/picked up by the GIS playground. Parents will enter the parent parking lot by the football field and go to the back of the parking lot. Fifth grade students will enter the front doors by the office so the drop off/pick up will be in the front of the school. Sixth grade students will enter the doors in the front of the building on the NE side so sixth graders will be dropped off/picked up in the front of the parent parking lot by the football field. Please see the link that is attached to see the new flow of traffic.(https://docs.google.com/document/d/18vCUQqAZ-SdKWhB76R2tzsVSaFneqadUbGqudsf6NRU/edit) We are asking that everyone abides by this system to ensure the safety of our students. Please be patient. We are certain that if everyone is patient and keeps safety the main priority, the process will go smoothly.
- Bus riders will use the gym doors to come into the school at 8:25. All students will be allowed to begin entering the school at 8:25 A.M. and will go directly to their homeroom class.
- Masks - Masking at GIS is required for all students, staff, and visitors. Details about masking requirements can be found in the Return-To-Learn Plan on the district's website. The cloth mask MUST be worn by every student and staff and it must cover the nose and mouth at all times.
- GIS Welcome Letter - A GIS welcome letter will be mailed out next week. This mailing will include: homeroom teacher, required daily health screening, lunch/breakfast information, and information about the GIS virtual open house.
- A copy of the COVID-19 School Health Screening Agreement is attached below.
- School Entrance- Even though access to the building and office will be different this year, we continue to value our educational partnerships with our parents. Parents will be allowed to sign their child in and out of school or they can make an appointment for other matters. In order to enter the office, visitors must complete a self-health questionnaire and wear a mask. No visitors will be allowed past the office.
- Lockers and Band - We will not start the year with band or lockers. Students will keep their personal belongings at their seats.
- Lunch and breakfast - Students will eat lunch and breakfast in their classrooms at their seats.
- Recess - Students will be allowed to have a recess break with their teacher. Students and staff will be required to wear masks.
School Day, 8:25 A.M.- 2:40 P.M.
Important Information for Parents and Students
School newsletters - School newsletters will be sent to the emails that we have on file, as well as posted on our school website. Please make sure that you have updated your email address on your child's emergency card or call the school office with any changes to your email throughout the year. The GIS monthly newsletters contain pertinent information that you will need to know to stay informed.
Instant Alert Update- Our school district utilizes an automated system to notify parents of important events, such as school closings. These notifications, which enable us to get information out to thousands of students and their families in a matter of minutes, depend upon us having accurate contact information. Please make sure that you have current contact information in the GIS office so that you receive the alerts. If you have any questions or need to make a change to your contact information, please call the GIS office at (989) 731-0856.
Signing Students In and Out of School—When bringing your child after the start of the school day or picking your child up before the end of the school day, we need you to come in to the office and sign him/her in or out. Students cannot sign themselves in or out.
Transportation Changes—Please send in a note to the teacher or call the school office as early in the day as you can (before 1:45 P.M.) if your child will need to go home in a manner that is different than s/he normally does. Students who do not have written parental permission or a phone call note from the office are not to make changes in how they go home or where they go after school.
GIS Office Hours
The GIS office is open Monday-Friday from 7:00 A.M.- 3:45 P.M. Please call 989.731.0856 with questions or to schedule an appointment.
Debbie Putnam, Principal
Sean Byram, Assistant Principal
Gaylord Intermediate School240 East Fourth Street
Gaylord, MI 49735
989.731.0856