As of January 5, until January 29 2021 all GPS schools will be in a hybrid learning model as an additional mitigation strategy to minimize the spread of COVID-19 on campuses.

On Monday. February 1, 2021 schools will return to full-time in-person learning, utilizing a school by school approach moving temporarily of hybrid learning if required.

To find the latest information regarding hybrid learning, at a school or district-wide please visit www.gilbertschools.net/families where you will find the latest parent communications and updates from the district.

Gilbert Public Schools moved to a temporary hybrid-learning model district-wide Monday, December, 7.  At a December 15 Governing Board meeting it was approved that hybrid will continue for the first week back after winter break, followed by a return to in-person learning on January 11th.  At a January 4 Governing Board meeting that was updated to continue in a hybrid learning model until January 29, 2021.  On Monday. February 1, 2021 schools will return to full-time in-person learning, utilizing a school by school approach moving temporarily of hybrid learning if required.

The hybrid instructional delivery model splits students into two groups to minimize the number of students on campus each day.  This model maximizes opportunities for students to be on campus and learning in-person while additional mitigation strategies are in place to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19 on campuses.

Students and families will receive details of the days their students are in-person.  On the days that students are not in-person, they will learn virtually with the same teacher(s).

Transportation to EVIT from GPS schools will continue during hybrid learning, all five days.  On Wednesdays students will need to get to their high school on their own in order to take the bus to EVIT.

In the event of an individual school reaching the percentages below for active cases per campus population, a decision may be made for that school to move temporarily to a hybrid instructional delivery model for a minimum of 14 days.  This approach is designed to be a preventative measure that will act as an additional mitigation strategy and help to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.  As per the Governing Board motion approved on November 4, the Superintendent will make the final decision based on confirmed active positive cases reported on a weekly basis on the Gilbert Public Schools COVID-19 dashboard.

Percent (%) of active cases of COVID-19 per school population:

• 1% for High Schools
• 1.5 % for Junior High Schools
• 2% for Elementary Schools
• 2% for Canyon Valley School
• 3 active cases for RISE Junior High School

At that time all parents of students at that school will be notified.  While the school is in a hybrid instructional delivery model regular updates will be provided to the students and parents via email and on the school’s website.

The move to a hybrid instructional delivery model is designed to be an additional mitigation strategy that will support a decline in the % of active positive cases at that particular school.

A minimum of 14 days.

Online refers to our full-time GPS Global Academy option that is currently open for all students if they choose - K-12.  These students utilize the approved district online curriculum.

Virtual refers to temporarily moving online as part of a hybrid learning model or 5 day virtual online learning.  When a school is virtual students will remain with their in-person teachers for instruction continuing with their classroom curriculum resources.

This approach allows the district to maximize opportunities for as many students as possible to continue to learn full-time in person, while still promoting the health and safety of our students and staff.  

If a decision is made for a school to move temporarily to a hybrid instructional delivery model, parents will be notified immediately by email.  A text alert will be sent to parents notifying them of the email communication.  An alert will also be added to both the school and district website.  The school and district will communicate regularly with parents regarding updates and the anticipated date for a return to five days in-person.

The number of active cases per campus is monitored daily by our district leadership and Health Services team.  In addition, every Wednesday district leadership will meet to review the active case counts by the school.  If a school has reached a specific % active case count per population of that campus (including students and staff) the data will be reviewed and investigated along with the district Health Services department.

Within 24 hours it will be determined if the school will move, temporarily, to a hybrid instructional delivery model as an additional mitigation strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

If this is the case, parents and staff will be notified immediately by email, text and alerts on the school and district website.