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GO COYOTES !!!!!

Combs Boys Golf Team is off to a great start! In their match on Tuesday at Las Colinas, 3 of the boys finished inside the top 6.

Combs Girls Golf has begun its season with a great start with Olivia Newell placing third twice against some tough competition against Williams Field, Gilbert, and Higley so far this year. Our team consists of and led by Seniors Olivia Newell and Chloe Butler. Fellow teammates include Maylee Lunt, Saydie Udall, Ella O'Dell, Franki Andersen, and newcomer to our team transfer student Amber Layton. We look forward to a great season of Girls Golf and appreciate your support!

I wanted to get out to you important information on our return to In-Person learning next Tuesday September 8th. We are excited to have our students back on campus.

I apologize in advance for the length in this email, but there are many pieces of information that need to be shared and instead of sending multiple emails, this one will be lengthy, pace yourself :)

Schedule

We will follow our Regular Bell Schedule starting September 8th. If students elect to work virtually from home, they will also follow this regular bell schedule.

Student Schedules

Students should refer to their Synergy StudentVue to download/print their student schedule to know their classroom location. Directions for this were sent in previous emails and the students have been following these schedules the last several weeks. If students need assistance, have them stop by the courtyard stage before school on Tuesday.

Masks

By Governor Ducey's Executive Order 2020-51 on July 23, 2020, All schools are required to develop and implement a policy requiring face masks or face shields for all staff and students. This is the law that we will have to follow and this is not optional for us. This is also a District Regulation, JICA-RB.

If your child suffers from a documented medical breathing condition, and they medically can not wear a face mask, or face shield, you can begin the 504 process to legally document this academic accommodation. Until this legal process is complete, students are required to wear a face mask or face shield. If you believe your child has a qualifying medical condition with doctor's documentation, you can contact your child's counselor to start this process. The counselor page is listed here.

Student Temperature Checks

As part of our Districts Board Approved Pandemic Response Plan, students will be required to have daily temperature checks. These will occur in the students first class of the day. If a student registers a temperature of 100.4 or higher, they will be sent to the nurse's office for further medical attention.

If a student arrives late to school, the front office staff will take their temperature before the student is given a pass to class.

Students Arrival and Dismissal from School

When students arrive at school, they will be required to go directly to their first class. They will not be allowed to socially gather on campus. Their first period teacher will verify that the student does not have a temperature.

When students are dismissed at the end of our school day, there will be a staggered dismissal by building and the students will need to go directly to their car or bus and again, will not be allowed to socially gather.

Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast will be available to our students in a Grab n Go format on the patio. Students will not be allowed to enter the cafeteria for breakfast.

We have increased our lunch periods from 2 to 3 each day to reduce the number of students at each lunch. These numbers will also be dependent on the number of students that selected virtual learning versus in-person. We have ordered more patio tables to expand out outdoor seating options for students. We are asking that only 4 students sit at each table during lunch. We are also asking that students not move chairs to other tables to exceed the 4 person per table social distancing limit.

Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch as lunch item selections will be limited.

Parent Waivers

All families are asked to sign a Parent Waiver form by Tuesday, September 8, 2020. This form acknowledges the risk of returning to in-person instruction and indicates agreement that you will not make a legal claim against the District if your child gets sick. All families will also receive a separate COVID-19 acknowledgement form via the ParentVUE portal in Synergy, which outlines parent expectations and responsibilities related to returning to school.

Bus Transportation

If you have questions about busing, postcards were sent home. If you still need to access this information, click here.

Laptop Return

If you have borrowed a laptop and are returning to in-person instruction, we need you to return the laptop to the school. Our laptop return will be next Wednesday September 9th from 3-6pm in the front office.

Virtual Learning

If students elect the Virtual Learning option, they will stay home learning until after a natural school break, October Break or Christmas Break. If you would like to return to in-person learning after October Break, please contact us by September 25th.

Students will follow the Regular Bell Schedule .

Attached is the Virtual Learning Expectations for our students.

Thank you for your understanding and the support of these alterations to our traditional school day to mitigate the risk for our students, staff, everyone's families and ultimately keep our school safe and open for in-person learning.

I hope your families are well, take care

 Attendance (Participating in class).

o In addition to synchronous (live) and/or asynchronous (pre-recorded) instruction, students may be assigned class assignments in their Google Classroom. To earn full credit students are expected to complete assignments before the start of the next scheduled class meeting unless otherwise determined by the teacher.

o Students are expected to participate in synchronous (live) learning activities for their classes following their bell schedule. However, we know that circumstances pose challenges (device access, internet issues etc.), so teachers are using the synchronous (live) learning as a time for direct instruction, enrichment activities or for students to check in with teachers for further clarification.

o If a student experiences technology issues during a scheduled class time, please reach out to the teacher.

o If you are unable to attend a scheduled class, or school day, please call attendance to excuse your child’s absence. Attendance can be reached at 480-882-3540.

 Virtual Instruction Expectations

o Students are expected to adhere to all school rules for in-person and virtual learning, including dress code as mandated in the student handbook CHS Student Handbook page 11 and School Board Policy JICA Student Dress

o All Student interactions with staff and other students needs to be academically appropriate and respectful, during virtual learning.

o Any student conduct intended to obstruct, disrupt, or interfere with teaching will result in a disciplinary referral and possible disciplinary consequences. School Board Policy JIC Student Conduct

o When possible, students are encouraged to be in a location free from distracting noises or conversations that might interfere with class participation.

 Appropriate use of technology

o Combs High School intends that technological resources provided by the District or students personal devices, be used in a safe, responsible and proper manner in support of the instructional program and for the advancement of student learning. It is our schools mission to maintain an environment that promotes ethical and responsible conduct in all electronic resource activities by staff and students. Students shall be informed that computer files and electronic communications, including email, are not private and may be accessed by the District at any time. Inappropriate use may result in disciplinary action and/or legal action in accordance with the law and Board policy. Please visit the student handbook at CHS Student Handbook on page 16 for further details about appropriate use of technology use.

We are excited to welcome our Coyotes back to campus on Tuesday! The counselors will be available to both in person and virtual students by appointment. To make an appointment, email Mrs. McDowell at smcdowell@jocombs.org and she will schedule a meeting and send you a calendar invite. If you are in person, the meeting notice will be your pass to leave class. If you are virtual, we will connect with you through either the phone or with Google Meet (in the link to the meeting). Remember, as we move forward, there will be lots of information and several activities, so be sure to watch your email to stay informed.

The counseling department is proud to announce that the Zen Den, a room where students can take a mental break from their busy day, will be open for students starting Tuesday. Students can visit the Zen Den during their lunch period on a first come, first served basis. Remember, it's a quiet room for resetting so it's important that we have no cell phones, no loud noises, and no eating while in the room.

We are also excited to announce that Combs High School is the newest PBIS (Positive Behaviors Interventions and Supports) school in Arizona. As part of the Coyote P.A.C.K. we live the values of

• Pride: As a Coyote I have pride in myself, my classmates, and my school
• Attitude: As a Coyote, I have an attitude of positive thinking
• Commitment: As a Coyote, I have a commitment to do my best in all things
• Kindness: As a Coyote, I am kind to others

Upcoming Events:

• September 28-October 5: Fall Break
• October 12-16: Civics testing
• October 14: PSAT for Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors (Sign up only...see email from Mrs. Lohr)
• October 14: School Day SAT for Seniors (see Mrs. Lohr's email)
• October 21-22: ASVAB for Seniors and select Juniors

Students must access their student email before their Student VUE and Parent VUE.

Contact the high school front office if assistance is needed. We have also created an IT help line for your convenience, 480-987-5314, or you can email your questions to ITSupport@jocombs.org

PARENTS - Please check your contact information in your Parent VUE for accuracy and make needed changes.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age or sexual orientation in admission and access to its programs, services, activities, or in any aspect of their operations and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. The following employees have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Compliance Officer for Title IX , Athletic Director, 2505 E. Germann Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-882-3540 and Compliance Officer for Section 504/ADA, Director of Student Services, 43371 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300.

El Districto Escolar Unificado de J.O. Combs #44 no discrimina en base a su raza, color, religión, origen nacional, sexo, discapacidad, edad, o la orientación sexual para la admisión y su acceso a sus programas, servicios, actividades, o en cualquier aspecto de sus operaciones y proporciona un acceso igualitario a los Boys Scouts y otro grupos de jóvenes designados. El Districto Escolar Unificado de J.O. Combs tampoco discrimina en sus prácticas de empleo y contratación. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para manejar las preguntas en cuanto a las pólizas de no discriminación: Funcionario de Cumplimiento de Título IX, Director Atlético 2505 E. Germann Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-882-3540 and Funcionario de Cumplimiento para la Sección 504/ADA, Director de Servicios Estudiantiles, 43371 N. Kenworthy Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300.

Combs Girls Golf has begun its season with a great start with Olivia Newell placing third twice against some tough competition against Williams Field, Gilbert, and Higley so far this year. Our team consists of and led by Seniors Olivia Newell and Chloe Butler. Fellow teammates include Maylee Lunt, Saydie Udall, Ella O'Dell, Franki Andersen, and newcomer to our team transfer student Amber Layton. We look forward to a great season of Girls Golf and appreciate your support!