From Mr. Mahoney
August 2020
August 28, 2020
Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,
I hope you have had the opportunity to enjoy the nice summer weather and found time to relax and enjoy your families. As you are aware, current circumstances have caused us to make some significant changes in how we operate on a daily basis. I realize this has raised many questions and concerns. My goal with this and subsequent communications is to provide you with information to answer your questions, ease some of the concerns and help us to be prepared as we start a new and unique school year.
Taking into consideration student and staff safety and following the Covid-19 guidance, we have made several adjustments. These involve the daily schedule, when students attend, the number of students who attend each day, arrival and dismissal procedures, along with several other changes.
Hybrid Students and Start Dates:
- Students have been split into two instructional groups alphabetically. Students whose last names begin with the letters A-K (Group 1) will attend on Mondays and Tuesdays and students whose last names begin with the letters L-Z (Group 2) will attend on Wednesday and Thursdays. This assists with social distancing by reducing the number of students in the building (creating small class sizes) and the number of students being transported daily.
- Wednesday, September 9 – Instruction begins for all students.
- Group 1 A-K Wednesday, September 9 - Students whose last names begin with the letters A-K (Group 1) will attend on-site classes at school. Monday/Tuesday are the on-site class at school days with Wednesday, Thursday and Friday being remote learning days.
- Group 2 L-Z Wednesday, September 9 – Students whose last names begin with the letters L-Z (Group 2) will attend remote learning.
- Group 2 L-Z Thursday, September 10 - Students whose last names begin with the letters L-Z (Group 2) will attend on-site classes at school. Wednesday/Thursday are the on-site class at school days with Monday, Tuesday and Friday being remote learning days.
- We will start our regular schedule on Monday, September 14, 2020.
100% Remote Students and Start Dates:
When possible, students will be scheduled into courses made up of 100% remote students. When not possible, they will be split into one of the two instructional groups with the hybrid students (see above).
NOTE: Some students' programs require them to attend more than the two days (Group 3). These students will be contacted individually.
Schedule:
We will run an eight period schedule with 40-minute classes.
The school day will run from 7:30 - 2:20. Regardless of the model of instruction chosen (100% remote or hybrid) all students need to plan to be available every day during this time.
Group 1 A-K will meet on Monday/Tuesday with Wednesday, Thursday and Friday being remote learning days.
Group 2 L-Z will meet on Wednesday/Thursday with Monday, Tuesday and Friday being remote learning days.
Each department will hold virtual office hours on Fridays at specified scheduled times.
Every attempt is being made to schedule hybrid and remote students into elective classes they selected.
Pending any changes or complications, the goal is to have student schedules available in Infinite Campus by the end of the day Friday, August 28.
Schedule changes will only be made if it affects the ability for a student to graduate.
Breakfast and Lunch:
A grab and go breakfast will be available before the first period each day.
Lunches will be served as usual.
Students will be seated using social distancing guidelines during lunchtime.
Arrival and Dismissal: Procedures for arrival and dismissal have changed significantly and must be followed exactly to maintain student and staff safety. Below are the times for arrival and dismissal. More details on procedures will be out soon.
WTCC: Wayne and Technical Career Center (BOCES) and New Vision students:
Start date for these programs is September 9, 2020.
Students participating in these programs will attend school 5 days a week and transportation will be provided.
Students attending may drive this year. Permission slips are required: COVID-19 WTCC Driving Pass
The WTCC program has sent out additional information to students and families in these programs.
Important note:
The Code of Conduct applies to both distance and in-person learning, and will be enforced accordingly.
The Code of Conduct can be accessed here: gananda.org/Students/Code of Conduct
There are several important documents for parents/guardians:
- Publishing Rights Release and Electronic Access Form - to be filled out by September 18 by all families
- What You Need to Know newsletter (revised link 8/30/20)
- Emergency Information Form to be returned to your student’s 1st period teacher by September 18 or mailed/emailed to the Main Office - mailed home to every student
- HS Health Letter 2020-2021 - mailed home to every student
- Over-the-Counter Medicine Form
- Permission to Administer Multiple Medications Form
- Wayne Behavioral Health Early Recognition and Screening Program document - mailed home to every student and is available in the main office
- Picture Day order form code 50251SB - mailed home to every student and is available in the Main Office
- Communication letter from the district - mailed home to every student
We are proud to welcome the following staff members to the high school
- Candace Abbott - High School Nurse
- Kristen Davies - Counseling Office secretary
- Teresa Fox - GPrep teacher joining our math team
- Chelsea Jean - joining our science team
- Kerry Mottler - art teacher joining our team
- Mick VanDeMar - Assistant Principal and GPrep Coordinator
- Chris Ward - GPrep teacher joining our team as the Humanities teacher
- Christene Wolanski - GPrep teacher joining our science team
Please contact me at 315-986-3521, extension 3154, or through email if you have any questions.
Do not forget you can find all this information on the high school website located at www.gananda.org
Enjoy the remainder of the summer!
Mr. Matt Mahoney
Principal, Ruben A. Cirillo High School
