Dear Parents,
After much conversation and consideration, we have completed the “Return to School Safely” plan. It has been provided to our teachers and staff for feedback, planning and discussion, and it has been reviewed and approved by the Clark County Health Department. In addition, parents were surveyed and we received over 180 responses in regard to components of the plan.
Given the current environment, it is a difficult proposition to develop a plan that makes everyone content. However, we feel that a plan has been developed which takes the recommendations made from the CDC, Ohio Department of Health, and the American Association of Pediatrics all into consideration. This plan is attached to this email.
ECA Community “Town Hall”
We will hold a parent virtual “Town Hall” on Thursday, August 6th at 6:00 pm to answer questions and clarify any areas that are not understood. Parents can access this meeting through the following:
Thursday, August 6 at 6:00 pm
Meeting ID: meet.google.com/rws-rbhf-nko
Phone Number: (US)+1 321-428-6148
PIN: 757 429 863#
We believe that the best scenario is for students to be back into the classroom and building. The “Return to School Safely Plan” covers the base of actions we are taking but does not contain the exhaustive list of everything we are doing. Operationally, there are many situations we are working through to provide a safe environment, but we do understand that some parents and students may not be comfortable with this option at the moment. With this in mind, we are asking that all parents indicate a choice of whether their student will choose a remote or traditional environment so that we can plan for adjustments as needed.
Parents: Please use this link to choose: https://forms.gle/eM9G69HyMPp9LuNH8
New Calendar/School Day
I am attaching a new calendar for the 2020/21 school year. The need to expand our training and inservices for our teachers as well as to change the way that we conduct our “Open House” format has become evident. These changes have pushed the first day of school back to Tuesday, August 25. This does not change the end of our school year.
One small change in the school day this year is that instead of ending at 3:00, we will end at 3:10. Moving the day back 10 minutes allows for some creative scheduling and “flex” time during the day which will help our academic environment immensely. It also helps to shorten the amount of school days in the calendar.
Open House/Packets
The new calendar has now been changed to reflect the formatting change for Open House. We are developing a schedule that will decrease the amount of families that will be in the building at one time. Our goal is to streamline this process for families. Open houses will be designed for families to drop off supplies, meet their teachers, purchase the spirit t-shirt, and for every student to pick up their Chromebooks.
Junior high and high school students will also receive their schedules. It is important to note that students who have chosen the remote option will still need to come to the open house time and pick up their Chromebook.
Packets and needed paperwork will be uploaded to our website and emailed to each family to bring to the open house. Please contact the office if you need a pre-printed packet so that you can pick up and return.
Open house schedule: Staggered times will be provided based upon family and last name. This schedule will be released by August 7. However, the days with grade levels are listed below.
TK-6th grades Open House: August 20 (11:00-7:00 pm) August 21 (9:00-3:00 pm)
7th-9th grades Open House: August 19 (2:00-7:00 pm)
10th-12th grades Open House: August 24 (2:00-6:00 pm)
Dress Code/Consignment Shop
Changes in regard to the dress code were emailed on June 19. The easiest way to understand this policy is that the major revision deals with pants. The policy has been amended to allow all students to purchase pants outside of the “Educational Apparel” brand. The new policy states: “Any “khaki, casual, dress, or cargo pants” (no “joggers” or cuffed).
The pant may be blue, black or any shade of tan or khaki
The pant may be “tapered, skinny fit, stretch, or regular fit” but must be worn at the waist
Educational apparel pants may still be worn.
No changes have been made to tops other than the clarification that ECA polos or ECA approved outwear may only be worn. “Outerwear” does not include ECA short-sleeve t-shirts except on designated days. ECA long sleeve t-shirts and sweatshirts are still APPROVED outerwear.
*Please note: The consignment shop will NOT be open during open house. We would encourage you to call and make an appointment to stop by during the month of August up till the first day of school.
Student Handbook
Student Handbooks are in the process of being updated and the new edition will be added to our website by Friday, August 7th.
Athletics
Fall Athletics are continuing to move forward utilizing our current athletic Covid-19 guidelines that are in place. If and when I receive additional information and/or directives from Governor Dewine or OHSAA, I will pass along that information to our families and coaches as soon as possible.
If you have not yet registered for fall athletics, FamilyID is open until 11:59pm on August 4th. Late registrations WILL NOT be accepted. Also a current physical is required per OHSAA regulations and must be uploaded to the registration, either on your own or by giving a paper copy of the signed completed physical to Mrs. Fadley, BEFORE your student will be able to attend official practices on August 3rd.
The Mandatory Fall Sports Virtual Meeting will be this coming Monday, August 3rd at 6pm.. The OHSAA requires that you attend this meeting. Please see the link below:
Meeting ID
meet.google.com/xpj-qoaf-xzw
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 650-530-3803
PIN: 868 922 019#
DOCUMENTS REFERENCED IN THIS DOCUMENT
(Click each link to download)
Thank you for the opportunity to continue to partner with you and your family. Grace and peace be with you all.
By His Grace,
Dan Moore, Building Principal
John Essig, Superintendent
