Jamie's Update: Planning for Fall
June 22, 2020
Dear SGS Community,
I hope your summer is off to a good start and you and your kids are enjoying the break now that summer has officially started. Enjoy the sunshine and warm weather this week.
Just a couple of updates regarding our fall planning. The SGS Re-opening Task Force and working groups continue to develop plans for the 20-21 school year and we hope to finalize and share them by the end of June. We are integrating the OSPI, the Department of Health and the Spokane Regional Health District’s guidance and directives as part of the SGS Re-Opening plan. Based on our enrollment and our facilities, we feel we are able to meet the compliance standards set forth at this time for an in-person start. Since the release of the OSPI Re-opening Guidelines, several points have been clarified.
1. Bus Transportation – At this time, we understand that busses will operate with a social distancing “concept.” This means to social distance as much as possible, in addition to all riders wearing masks and the bus windows will be open.
2. Safety - Social distancing in classrooms has been established at six feet in all guidelines. We are measuring the classrooms, developing entry/exit procedures, traffic patterns, alternative space usage and cleaning protocols that will be used in the fall.
3. Essential Learning – This area has been assigned to one of the working groups and will help define and establish the essential learning expectations in both in-person and within a Distance Learning model. Additionally, the OSPI has added requirements for recording attendance and creating a transition plan in the event of a full distance learning model.
4. Sports and Activities – The WIAA released guidance today related to interscholastic athletics and activities for the fall. SGS Athletic Director Ryan Peplinski will send out an email soon with more details on what to expect when athletics and activities resume at SGS.
Stay tuned for the full Task Force report later this month. We will also be providing an update on June 30th for Graduation scheduled for July 30th.
Thank you and enjoy the week!
Sincerely,
Jamie Tender
Head of School