Dear Families,
First, I hope that this note finds you and yours all healthy and safe during these unprecedented times. I had hoped to write this letter with the intentions of moving forward and conducting school as usual. However, with the Governor’s last Executive Order issued we will not be opening school for the “Campus Model (in-person)” as was previously slated to begin August 5th. The earliest the “Campus Model” can start would be August 17th, although this date is subject to change as well.
So what are we going to do now? The GPS Governing Board determined last week that school would begin as originally planned on August 5th, but we will be utilizing the “GPS Global Academy Model”, which is entirely online and considered a learning requirement/opportunity for students that closely matches current Arizona Standards for each grade level. Students are expected to attend these classes as attendance will be recorded, complete homework/projects, take quizzes/tests, as well as following school rules for their use of technology and decorum during the online environment. In other words, this is truly a school in every sense of the word for students even though it is in the virtual online world. Please note, this is not REMOTE learning which is what we did the last 9 weeks of school last year. In the “GPS Global Academy Model” online world there are real expectations of student achievement, accountability, and participation. Last, in the event of any school closures during the 20-21 school year, the “GPS Global Academy Model” will be used to continue with your student(s) education.
Today, you should have received an email from the District that is asking for how you would like to enroll your student(s) for the 2020-2021 school year. Please ensure that you take the time to read this email and follow those instructions accordingly per the website/email. IF you did not get the email, you can access the link here: https://www.gilbertschools.net/families. The link also contains important information already sent out for your reference.
It is important to note the following when understanding what will happen for the 2020-2021 school year beginning on August 5th:
- ALL students will start school August 5th using the “GPS Global Academy Model” (ALL online).
- Watch for communication regarding how to check out Chromebooks from school coming soon, if you are in need of technology for the”GPS Global Academy Model”.
- August 17th is the earliest start date of the “Campus Model” (in-person) per the Governor’s Order
- TODAY GPS email regarding your school choice for the 20-21 school year to begin at the earliest for your students on August 17th (subject to change per the Governor)
- GPS Choices for your student(s):
- “Campus Model”
- In-person ONLY with safeguards in place
- More information to follow as we get closer to the August 17 date
- “Flex Model”
- Both in-person and online
- See email and/or link for more information
- “GPS Global Academy Model”
- Online ONLY
- All students will begin here on August 5th
- More information to come regarding log in instructions and technology check-out
I know this is quite a bit of information but I wanted to get everything out to you so planning can be done now as we move closer to August 5th. Please keep checking your emails/texts for information either from the District or I.
I know that this is not the most ideal start of any school year, and I know that the end of the year last year was not the greatest either. However, Harris teachers did rise to the challenge and provided amazing content and a continuation of learning for your children if they participated in the Google Classroom Remote Learning. Together we will overcome this obstacle and continue to do the very best we can to ensure your students are learning appropriately. Rest assured that I am already thinking of ways that we can provide additional support for your children this school year in an effort to ensure all are on the right track.
As always, thank you for your support and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
“Whatever it Takes!”
-Bill
