Families
- District Updates & Communications to Families
- Learning Model Options Overview
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Resources for Families
- Annual Update
- Bus & Transportation Information
- Digital Citizenship
- District Student Handbooks
- Health Services: COVID-19 Resources
- Health Services: Daily Health Assessment for Students
- Health Services: Schools Dashboard
- Health Services: Video Library
- Immunization Resources
- Internet Services and Access Resources
- Mental Health Supports and Resources
- Online Enrichment Resources for Families & Students
- Online Learning Tips
- Parent Technical Support
- School Lunches & Meal Information
- Teacher Websites & Directory
- Wellness Resources
- Gilbert Public Schools
- Learning Model Options Overview
- Full-Time In-Person Learning On Campus Option
Full-Time In-Person Learning On Campus
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The on-campus learning model for K-12 students will be open for the 2020–21 school year with safety precautions in place.
Phased-in Reopening:
Hybrid model (in-person and online) September 8-18
Full-time in-person September 21
Dependent upon health benchmarks.
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Full-Time In-Person Learning On Campus:
- School hours and schedules remain the same, as appropriate
- Facility procedures and services modified
- Transportation services will continue to be provided
- Kindergarten–12th Grade
- Hybrid model (September 8 - 18)
- 5 days per week beginning September 21
- Preventive safety measures in place
- Gilbert Public Schools teachers and curriculum
- Social-emotional support
- Specials and electives
- Accommodations and support services provided
- Recess breaks
- Breakfast and lunch modified
- Modified extracurricular activities and events
- Modified Athletic Schedule
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If you do not wish to change your selected learning model you do not need to take action at this time.
Families that need to take action include:
- If you are changing your choice of learning model
- If you selected Flex Elementary you are already enrolled in-person, if you would like full-time online rather than in-person on campus you will need to select GPS Global Academy
If you are in one of the groups above and wish to choose In-Person On-Campus please click on the link below and register prior to 5:00 pm, August 24.
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Preventative Measures on Campus
Video: Welcome Back to Campus
Full-Time In-Person Learning On Campus FAQ
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Will secondary flex continue post 09/08?
Yes junior high and high school students who will receive credits upon completion of each class. These credits are posted to the student’s transcript and can be transferred to any of our junior highs or high schools at a later date. If students wish, they can take a complete course sequence at GPS Global Academy through high school graduation.
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Are there any changes to school start and end times for the 2020/21 school year?
No, those will stay the same. Bell Schedules - School Day Start & End Times
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Will transportation be provided?
Yes, transportation will continue to be provided for students attending in person at their boundaried school based on the district’s normal transportation procedures.
For more information on transportation and mitigation strategies in place please visit www.gilbertschools.net/bus
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Will specials still be offered?
Elementary specials will continue to be offered for students attending in person including Art, PE, General Music, Library, and Band/Strings (5th and 6th grade). Students will need to utilize personal or rented equipment. Limited sharing of instruments. Frequent sanitization of equipment as needed.
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For the full-time in-person option what measures are being put in place to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19?
A number of changes to our classrooms and campus set-ups are being made to reduce the proximity of students as much as possible. It is important to note that working in groups will still take place and will be managed in such a way the learning and health and safety are supported as best as possible under the current circumstances. These include but are not limited to:
- When possible, student desks and tables will be front-facing. At the elementary level, tables may have taped off student areas to help define the individual student areas.
- Cleaning protocols including deep cleaning and frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces
- Staggering bell schedules during the school day
- Hand sanitizer stations
- Plexiglass in specific areas
- Sanitization “gun” for deep cleaning of schools
- Not sharing supplies, for example, pencils, instruments
- Students welcome to bring their own wipes
- Opening up common areas during lunch to create extra space for students to spread out to eat, library, grass areas, etc.
- At this time face coverings are required on our campuses, as per the Maricopa County Emergency Order, we do not know what the requirements will or won’t be when school begins
- Employee health screening protocols
- Face coverings will be required for both students (1st grade - 12th grade) and staff as per the Maricopa County emergency order.
- Student health screening protocols
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How will the classrooms be cleaned?
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What will recess look like?
There will be a limited number of students on the playground spread out as much as possible. Social distancing activities will be encouraged and a limited number of students will be allowed on equipment at one time. Each day the playground equipment will be sanitized. Students will wash/sanitize their hands at the end of recess.
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How will lunch be managed?
Elementary
At the elementary school level, lunch will be staggered and the time between each lunch period lengthened to allow for fewer students in the lunchroom at a time. Students coming from the classroom will be organized alphabetically and walked to the cafeteria. Each student will be identified at the cash register where the nutrition services worker can identify the student’s account. Otherwise, the student must know his student number so that staff can input the account information. Again, hand sanitizers and ongoing cleaning of tables and chairs will occur throughout the lunch periods.
Students having lunch after recess will be encouraged to wash their hands and then use hand sanitizer readily available at cafeteria entrances.
Secondary
Tables will be spread out in the lunchroom with fewer chairs at each table. Students will be provided spaces outside, in libraries, and other areas throughout the building to eat their lunch spreading out students. Again, hand sanitizers and ongoing cleaning of tables and chairs will occur throughout the lunch periods.
Important Reminders for Elementary and Secondary
- Student cards shall be discontinued for the start of school - students must be identified with the Point of Service machine or must know their account number to be entered in by nutrition services staff.
- Salad bars will be eliminated at least initially at the start of school
- Choice will be provided but each meal and side will be prepared in the morning and packaged to facilitate placing on student trays and to minimize clean up and spillage
- Cafeteria tables will be marked decreasing table capacity by 30% to 50% to minimize proximity to other students.
- Additional garbage cans will be provided for disposal of completed meal packaging and leftovers.
- After each lunch period, tables and seats will be wiped down for the next group of students.
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How will breakfast be managed?
As the numbers for breakfast are much less than for lunch, it is expected that breakfast will occur as normal as possible. Seating will be provided, however, further apart and hand sanitizing stations will be readily available in the cafeterias and multipurpose rooms. Students will be required to wear a mask while entering the cafeteria and will remove their masks once seated in order to eat, under the current Maricopa County Order as of 06/19/2020.
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Will secondary students be changing classes through the day?
Yes, secondary students will move from class to class with a range of protocols in place including staggered passing periods and others listed on the preventative measures page. Click here to view.
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What will health screening for students look like?
Parents will be educated on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and will be required to keep their child home if they are exhibiting any signs. Parents will be expected to check their student(s) for symptoms daily. All of our campuses are staffed with Nurses and/or Health Assistants who will assess students who become ill while at school.
Additionally, we have modified our Health Office guidelines in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This will help us assist students who require first aid and medication, while also preventing them from being exposed to children who become ill while at school.
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What will health screening for employees look like?
Employees will be educated on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and will be required to stay home if they are exhibiting any signs. Employees will also be asked to complete a self-screening questionnaire, daily. All of our campuses are staffed with Nurses and/or Health Assistants who will provide support should an employee have questions or need to be assessed while at work.
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Will students be wearing masks?
At this time, face coverings are required on our campuses and school buses, as per the Maricopa County Emergency Order.
If a student comes under the exemptions for wearing face coverings, under the County guidelines, please reach out directly to your campus health office to inform them of this. At this time, as per the County guidelines, Preschool and Kindergarten students will not be required to wear face coverings.
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Will teachers and staff be wearing masks?
At this time, June 23, 2020 face coverings are required on our campuses as per the Maricopa County Emergency Order.
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Can students wear face shields instead of masks?
The Maricopa County Health Department Guidelines state that shields are ONLY acceptable if a student cannot wear a cloth mask. If your child cannot wear a cloth mask please visit your campus Health Office.
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What supports and services will be available for special education students?
Our guiding principles for delivering support for our special education students and families during this time include:
- Providing instruction based upon IEP goals
- Providing accommodations and/or modifications based upon student needs
- Communicating clearly and in a timely manner
- Implementing best teaching practices
On campuses, we will provide special education support through:
- Service delivery on campus per IEP
- Accommodations/modifications provided per IEP
- Related service transportation provided
- IEPs and Evaluations conducted on campus
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Will assemblies still be held?
Virtual assemblies will be encouraged. If there are in person assemblies the capacity will be significantly decreased to meet the guidelines in place at the time.
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Will Preschools be offered on campus?
Our Building Blocks 3 and 4, Kindergarten-Prep, TOYBOX will be offered in-person on-campus. A range of preventative measures will be in place:
- Drop-off/pick-up provided with curbside procedures.
- Smaller class sizes are anticipated due to lower numbers
- Frequent breaks and washing of hands between rotations
- Within classes students stay in groups of five
- Regular hand washing and hand sanitizing stations available in every classroom
- Individually assigned manipulative and instructional materials, as possible
Amanecer Developmental Preschool will have two options: the Global Academy/online option and the campus (in-person option) when school buildings reopen. The Flex option will not be available to Amanecer developmental preschool students.
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Will VIK before and after school care still be offered?
Yes, VIK will be provided at the 27 elementary locations with structured door side drop-off/pick-up. There will be small/consistent group assignments and a wide range of preventative measures in place, including cleaning protocols.
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What is available for Gifted students?
The GPS Gifted model provides gifted services to elementary students, grades 4-6 grades and will be available in all delivery model choices:
- Gifted math will be accelerated one year above the actual grade level.
- Gifted sixth graders will use the adopted ELA curriculum with learning extensions that include critical and higher-order thinking skills.
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What are the plans for athletics?
We are using a phased approach that reflects existing guidelines at a national, state, and local level.
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What are the plans for the performing arts?
We are using a phased approach that reflects existing guidelines at a national, state, and local level.
For performing arts, marching bands, choirs etc there is guidance from national organizations on the best ways to utilize space to promote social distancing, or working together in smaller groups using sections. Our district and campus teams are reviewing these guidelines and will share decisions as they are made with our students and families.
Storage facilities for instruments and set-up plans for practice are also being looked at to ensure that students are not congregating in large groups.
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Will field trips be offered?
Field trips will be determined on a month by month basis. There will be no elementary field trips during the first quarter of the school year.
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If we have not yet enrolled for the 2020/21 school year where do we go to enroll and register?
Links to register for in-person on campus are above. If you are interested in learning more about the Flex options or GPS Global Academy (full-time online) you can visit their pages to learn more, and register.
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What will determine another school closure?
The Maricopa County Department of Health will monitor any positive cases of COVID-19 and work closely with our Health Services Office. Schools would only close at their direction, or if the Governor calls for another, larger closure. As a school district, we will closely monitor our staffing levels at campuses to ensure student and staff health and safety. If at any time it is determined that all students need to return to online for their safety that will be clearly communicated to all families, and the district is prepared for this eventuality should it arise.