A Message from the Principal: Reopening Plans
As we continue to assemble plans for our Fall 2020 reopening, we wanted to share some current information with you.
Parent Input
In the spring, we provided families with a survey to better assist how we serve students and families during the time of our at-home learning. We found the information valuable in adjusting instruction for our students and families. As we prepare plans for reopening in the Fall of 2020, we would also like to solicit input from our parents and guardians on items they find important moving forward. We invite you to
complete the survey by July 17 so as to help in finalizing our reopening plans.
Reopening Planning
While there is still uncertainty and clarification needed with guidelines and conditions that may change, we are developing plans under current guidelines and preparing contingencies to adjust for a fluid situation. We are committed to school beginning on August 24. We continue to work with diocesan principals, area administrators and our local health department in crafting our framework for reopening plans for this fall.
Parent input
through the survey and work with our staff will help finalize these plans. As part of our preparation for having students on campus, we have reviewed our building and classroom capacities with our current enrollment. We have examined the guidelines and protocols that will be necessary to plan for student health and safety when students are on campus including:
Our schools and maintenance personnel have reviewed and prepared using the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Health Department guidelines for cleaning and student hygiene. Additional preparation and equipment has been added to address these areas. Working with our local health department, our planning includes limiting exposure and transmission, and additional protocols should there be any exposure or transmission.
Our planning has also involved how to best use online instruction should it be needed, required or requested. We have guidelines and mandates we must adhere to for our reopening of our schools in the fall.
We would appreciate input
through the survey on the best way to adhere to these guidelines and best serve the educational and safety needs of our families. We understand that all families are at various levels of how to proceed with school. Your input will help us better understand how to serve you within our resources. Thank you in advance for taking the time to assist us with this valuable step.
7th and 8th Grade Update
Below is updated information for students and parents.
Uniforms
7th and 8th graders will continue to wear uniforms under the same uniform dress code they had at Assumption. Information on this and ordering of sweatshirts will be provided in the coming weeks.
Homeroom Teachers
- Cheryl Sutlick will serve as the 8th grade homeroom teacher. Mrs. Sutlick will also serve as our Middle School Activities and ASB coordinator.
- Jo Anna Gogl and Christy Richard will serve as 7th grade homeroom teachers.
- Nick Hazeltine will continue as Athletic Director for sports at DeSales and Assumption.
Teaching Assignments and Schedules
In a previous email on staffing, we failed to mention the following:
- Cathy Hamada will be teaching Math 7 and Grade 8 Algebra
- Greg Fazzari will be teaching Math Grade 8 (Pre-Algebra)
Next week, information will be sent to parents regarding options for Middle School electives as well as the student's teacher recommendation for 8th grade Math.
5th and 6th Grade Update
Additional information will be forthcoming with more details regarding the class, including how we will initially handle the class size with social distancing, but at this time our planning includes the following:
6th grade will be separated for the following classes.
Math will be taught by Cathy Hamada
Language Arts will be taught by Lynne Kuntz
Religion will be taught by Jo Anna Gogl
All of these teachers will work with our primary teacher, Jenny Wood, to create consistency and transition in these classes. While the 6th grade students are working with these teachers, Mrs. Wood will be working with the 5th graders in similar subjects. There also may be some individualized instruction or ability grouping occurring during this time.
We are also looking at having Eric Rohde provide computer instruction to the 4th, 5th and 6th grade classes. This may allow for Mrs. Brinson to work collaboratively with Mrs. Wood in Science with the 5th and 6th grade class.
We appreciate your flexibility and understanding of our evolving situation and know that there are many questions left unanswered. We will do our best to continue to communicate as we have additional details.
-John Lesko, Principal
