17 minute read
OPINION
GlendaleStar.com
/GlendaleStar
July 23, 2020
GESD fi nalizing Healthy Return to School plan
BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF
Cindy Segotta-Jones, superintendent of the Glendale Elementary School District, recently sent a letter to parents that was also posted on the district’s website (gesd40.org).
She noted Gov. Doug Ducey recently gave an executive order delaying in-person schooling until Aug. 17, in light of an increase in COVID-19 cases in the state.
GESD teaches nearly 12,000 students at 17 schools.
“Though in-person instruction is delayed, the executive order does allow for schools to begin on their normally scheduled start date through distance learning models. We are still reviewing the requirements after the second executive order for the possibility of a distance learning model,” Segotta-Jones said.
“As we are currently reviewing the options outlined in the executive order it is clear to note that our parent surveys showed support for both in-person and online instruction.”
She added that GESD has submitted an application to the State Board of Education for approval of an Arizona Online Instruction program.
GESD recently posted a Healthy Return to School plan.
The district plans a two-phase reopening. Phase 1 is Distance Learning and Glendale Elementary Online (GEO) Learning.
“Using information from parent and staff surveys and our schools’ task force and safety committees, GESD has made the diffi cult decision to adhere to its current calendar and will begin distance learning and launch the GEO Learning online platform on Aug. 10,” Segotta-Jones said.
According to the district website, learning packets will be available for students who focus on academic reinforcement, skill development and enrichment. Teachers will provide support through Google Classroom, telephone calls and emails.
“GEO Learning mirrors an online class a student would take at the high school or college level only with grade level content,” the website explains.
For Phase 2, families will have the choice of in-person learning or GEO Learning.
The protocols for the two programs:
In-person instruction • Five days of instruction per week. • Reduced hours. • Students will report directly to classrooms when they arrive at school. • Cohorts of students stay together where possible throughout the day, including breakfast, lunch, recess, related arts and dismissal. • Restricted common area use. • Structured transitions. • In classroom celebrations and virtual trips. • Large events, such as Meet-the
Teacher-Night, may take place virtually or may be scheduled over a period of time to limit the size of the gathering.
Glendale Elementary School District has a two-phase plan for reopening its 17 schools. The district teaches nearly 12,000 students. (Photos courtesy GESD)
• Maximum space between desks, facing the same direction, when possible to allow for social distancing. • Students will be provided school supplies to limit and discourage sharing of supplies among students.
• Parent drop-off and pickup area; drivers stay in cars at all times. • Parent appointments made through the offi ce in advance. • Nonessential visitors and volunteers will be restricted and not assigned in classrooms. • May choose to assemble and celebrate students in small groupings. • In classroom celebrations and virtual. • Athletic and extracurricular activities will be postponed. • Written and digital collaboration encouraged, limited verbal collaboration. SEE GESD PAGE 12
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BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF
In keeping with Gov. Doug Ducey’s order to delay the start for in-person instruction until Aug. 17, the Glendale Union High School District “has decided to begin the 2020-2021 school year remotely from home on our scheduled start date of Monday, Aug. 10,” according to information on its website.
Even after schools reopen, students may continue to learn remotely for the semester or even the entire school year.
The district said its plan for the safe reopening of schools has been guided by student and family input as well as recommendations from the Arizona Department of Health Services, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arizona Department of Education, the GUHSD Reopening Task Force and the GUHSD Scheduling Committee.
Once schools are cleared to reopen, a potential hybrid learning approach would involve students being assigned to an A or B group. Half the students (Group A) would be at school and the other half (Group B) would be learning remotely from home, according to the posted information.
“This model would allow students to be in classrooms while still adhering to current social distancing guidelines. Mondays are scheduled for remote learning from home for all students. The shortened class periods on Monday would be focused on support for students as well as enrichment activities/
GESD FROM PAGE 11 • Teachers move (instead of students) between classes. Students would remain in cohorts—staying with the same group of students all day as much as possible. Related Arts teachers travel to classrooms (except physical education—may move outside).
Online instruction • Five days of instruction per week. • District technology devices available if needed. • Daily teacher-led instruction in whole and small groups.
After graduations were canceled, Glendale Union High School District continues to adapt to reopening changes brought on by COVID-19. (Photo courtesy GUHSD)
assignments,” said the posting.
“Various factors will be considered to make a decision to move from one learning approach to another. The health of our students and our staff is of primary importance in the decision-making process.”
The district noted moving from remote learning to the hybrid learning would require: moderate community spread of COVID-19 (“steady, consistent downward trend in new cases”) or communication from the Arizona Department of Health Services that schools can safely reopen.
GUHSD noted social workers will be available to provide social-emotional support to students.
Founded in 1911, Glendale Union High School District serves the communities of Phoenix and Glendale with nine high schools and nearly 17,000 students.
• Course content will cover: English
Language Arts, Math, Science, Social
Science and Related Arts. • Individualized supports and accommodations will be provided for all student populations as appropriate. • Virtual celebrations and field trips. • Families who choose online instruction must commit and complete by the quarter or semester. • State assessments are proctored on campus. • Students will be engaged in virtual activities.
For more information, visit gesd40. org.
Peoria Unifi ed modifi es back-to-school plans
BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a fl uid situation for school districts around the state. Gov. Doug Ducey, who closed schools due to coronavirus in March, in late June ordered schools not to teach students in classrooms until Aug. 17.
As such, the Peoria Unifi ed School District, which has 30,000 students in Peoria and Glendale, will start the fall semester online.
The Peoria Unifi ed School District will start the fall semester online, then offer families two options for learning. (Photo courtesy PUSD)
According to a letter to PUSD parents (also posted on its website), “All Peoria Unifi ed K-12 students will start school on Aug. 5 in a Virtual Instruction model. Within the next two weeks, your school principal will contact you with detailed information about how your student will log in, what to expect for the fi rst eight days of school, as well as more details about student laptops and internet access.”
The district scheduled a Tuesday, July 21, governing board meeting, then delayed it to await instructions from Ducey.
“Many families have expressed concern over choosing an option that is best for their child without knowing a defi nitive physical return to school date. With all of these variables, we are giving our families additional time to opt-in to the full-time virtual instruction model of our My School, My Way plan and ask that you opt-in by Monday, July 27,” said the letter.
environment that prioritizes optimal safety measures” once students are permitted to return to classrooms. • Virtual Instruction, which PUSD says is “a complete online delivery model” offered using the Florida
Virtual platform.
According to the PUSD letter to parents, “We realize that making a choice may cause angst for families that are undecided about our two options. We also recognize that each family has a different barometer of what feels safe and what they feel is best for their child.
“The information you provide us on your choice will help us properly staff our programs and train our teachers accordingly on the platforms they will use for learning this year.”
Classroom safety measures at PUSD include: • Hand sanitizing stations will be available at every school site for use in high-traffi c areas on campus. • All classrooms will have access to a hand washing or a hand sanitizing station and staff will encourage proper hand hygiene as students enter and leave each classroom. • Additional disinfecting of hightouch point areas on campus, such as countertops and door handles, will take place throughout the day. • All Peoria Unifi ed schools and sites will have a disinfectant available for all staff to utilize to conduct periodic disinfecting of all hightouch point areas, like doorknobs, desks, countertops, etc. • Students will utilize their own school supplies and will keep their belongings separate or in their backpack throughout the day. • Students will be asked to bring a water bottle or hydro-fl ask to school that can be refi lled from one of our water fi lling stations since drinking fountains will be inactive. • To limit exposure to other students and staff, elementary students will stay together throughout the day, including for breakfast, lunch, recess and dismissal. Where physical distancing is a challenge, students will be spaced out side by side.
For virtual instruction students, Peoria Unifi ed teachers will provide live lessons to students three to fi ve times a week “that will support the self-paced modules in our online system.”
While the district encourages students to participate in live lessons to allow for direct interaction with the teacher and their classmates, the lessons will also be recorded and will be available for playback.
For more information, visit peoriaunifi ed.org.
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Catholic Charities Westside Head Start and Early Head Start provide comprehensive, early, continuous, year-round, childhood education through a holistic approach by working with the whole family. We also offer in-home services for pregnant expectant mothers. Our programs emphasize pre-reading, language, math, cognitive skills, health, and social and emotional competence to prepare all children for school and to maximize their potential for a bright future. We also offer home based services for expectant mothers and children 0-3 through weekly home visits to each enrolled child and family. WSHS provides child-focused visits that promote the parents’ ability to support their child’s development. The visits last 90 minutes. Twice a month, the program offers opportunities for parents and children to come together as a group for learning, discussion and social activity.
Who is eligible?
• Expectant mothers • Children, ages 0-5 • Children with special needs, foster children, and homeless families
For our center based program we offer full day (8-2pm), or half day (8-11:30am or 12:30-4pm) options.
There are multiple class schedules, class times, and locations throughout the West Valley of the Phoenix Metropolitan area for those who qualify.
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July 23, 2020
Back to School Clothing Drive adapts for 2020-21 year
BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF
Though COVID-19 created dramatic changes in education, it didn’t change the fact that elementary school children at Title I schools in Maricopa County need uniforms, backpacks, supplies and clothes.
As such, Back to School Clothing Drive is as crucial as ever.
“We will fulfill our promise to provide school clothing, uniforms, backpacks, school supplies and other essential items for elementary school-aged students, their families and schools, even with the challenges COVID-19 has presented,” said BTSCD Executive Director Karl Gentles.
“Yes, we’ve had to adapt to the virus like everyone else while still being able to provide these essential needs to between 3,500 and 4,000 children. Even with a drop in fundraising support during this very difficult time, we are committed to our mission and to the children.”
Gentles said that BTSCD, Arizona’s largest provider of uniforms, back
Back to School Clothing Drive is keeping up with changes due to COVID-19, while still providing clothing and supplies to students in need. (Photo courtesy BTSCD)
packs and supplies, has converted from its annual on-site distribution to 5,000 Title I students at Grand Canyon University to: • A drive-by distribution event serving 1,000 Luke Air Force Base families on July 23 in a collaboration with
Fighter Country Partnership and the
BHHS Legacy Foundation. • Delivering requested supplies for 2,000 students to specific Title I schools in Maricopa County. • Delivering supplies to 600 children in foster care in partnership with
Arizona Helping Hands. • Delivering supplies for 400 children who may be homeless or in transition through Children’s
First Academy and Sequoia Choice
Charter School in Mesa.
Families at Luke Air Force Base and families whose children attend Title I and other participating schools had to pre-register for Back to School Clothing Drive support.
“Throughout the rest of the year, we will continue providing support to other schools and districts through direct delivery of supplies,” Gentles said, adding that “we are still in need of both financial support and donations of supplies which can be done online” at backtoschoolclothingdrive.com.
Sponsors who have made significant cash and in-kind sponsorship support for the current year include BHHS Legacy Foundation, Bank of America, Arizona Community Foundation, Charles Schwab, Discover Financial, Fiesta Bowl Charities, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and Wells Fargo Bank.
Bank of America, a long-time BTSCD partner, added a second cash sponsorship to underwrite the cost of this year’s school supplies since the bank could not host its annual company-wide employee supply drive.
Founded in 1967, Back to School Clothing Drive is Arizona’s largest provider of new school outfits, uniforms, backpacks and school supplies to children in need. Back to School Clothing Drive provides new school outfits and uniforms, backpacks and school supplies to more than 25,000 K-6 students at more than 260 schools in 40 Maricopa County school districts. Back to School Clothing Drive operates on an annual budget of approximately $1 million with three employees, a 15-member volunteer board of directors and more than 2,500 volunteers.
For more information, visit backtoschoolclothingdrive.com.
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GlendaleStar.com
/GlendaleStar
Farm-to-Arrowhead-to-table
BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF
The Tiny Kitchen, a farm-to-table chain in the Valley, held a July 17 grand opening at Get Local Arizona Farmers Markets in Arrowhead Towne Center.
The Tiny Kitchen owner/head chef Traci White’s philosophy: “People need healthy meals in their lives. Many do not have access to the tools, resources or time to grocery shop, prepare fresh ingredients (chopping, blending, sautéing for example) or both. Social distancing practices, shutdowns and homeschooling due to COVID-19 creates a vacuum where meal relief is now a priority.”
The Tiny Kitchen solution is a meal-prep service featuring vegan, plant-based, gluten-free and keto-friendly options.
At Get Local Farmers Markets, Tiny Kitchen will serve a variety
of bread (banana, zucchini, apple, cheddar jalapeno), sugar-free and traditional apple butter, jam (strawberry, blueberry, fi g), salads and pre-packaged meals.
For more business visit glendalestar.com
The Tiny Kitchen also has locations in Chandler, Carefree and Ahwatukee. (Photos courtesy the Tiny Kitchen)
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