GALA COVID-19 Update #2 (July 10, 2020)

Dear GALA Families,

Thank you for your patience as we continue to work out plans for the upcoming 2020-21 school year.  Last week, Governor DeWine released a planning guide for Ohio’s schools: Reset & Restart. This guide is designed to help schools understand guidelines and considerations for reopening school buildings during the continued presence of COVID-19 in a way that protects the health and safety of everyone in the school community.

The GALA Return to School Committee has been planning and talking about instruction, use of spaces, new procedures, health and safety.  In light of the Reset & Restart Guide and guidance from the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics, GALA will be ready for the first day of school on September 1st.

While some details are still to be determined regarding the opening of school in the fall, GALA is moving forward with plans to provide two options for our students: (1) All Remote will be delivered completely online, and (2) Hybrid will be delivered partially online and partially in the school building.  At this time, GALA will not be providing an “All in Person” option.

Please complete this student registration form (https://forms.gle/UsiHvTyFLxM4GbD49) to select the learning plan you want for your child (Form also below).  All parents must submit a separate form for each student.  Registration is required and the deadline is Monday, July 20th.  For consistency in scheduling, students will be required to remain in the learning option they are registered for (All Remote or Hybrid) through the end of December 2020. There may be an opportunity to change your registration in December for the second half of the school year, which begins in January 2020.

Learning Options:

• All Remote  – Students will be required to participate in online instruction 4 days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Assignments will be provided and students are expected to complete assignments. There will be no live instruction on Fridays for cleaning and professional development.

• Hybrid – Students will be required to participate in a combination of online and in-person instruction. In-person instruction will be 2 days a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Online instruction will be 2 days a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Assignments will be provided and students are expected to complete assignments. There will be no live instruction on Fridays for cleaning and professional development.

At the end of this month, you will be receiving further details of GALA’s plans for the school year, including updates on: back to school orientation, instruction, attendance, technology, and new procedures related to face covering, physical distancing, entrance screening, pick up and drop, health and safety, and sanitization.

We appreciate your support and trust in us as we navigate guidelines and do our best to be safe and welcoming for students and families.

Sincerely,

GALA Return to School Committee