September 3, 2020
Re: 2020-2021 School year
Hello Gardner Academy Families,
I am very excited to announce our plans for the 2020-2021 Gardner Academy school year. As you may have heard, our district is opening school in a remote learning environment on September 15th. Our remote schedule is vastly different form the Spring model and so are the expectations and requirements. Gardner Academy is going to have students in the building but in a limited capacity. Our schedule is listed below. As you can see from the chart, your student is to be scheduled for a full day. We are running from 8am-3pm during the remote period. M/T and Th/F classes will focus on graduation requirement classes from 8-12:50. Credit Recovery/ Strategies for Success classes will run from 1:20-2:18 with enrichments running from 2:18-3:15. The enrichment classes are things like School to Career and Phys. Ed., The classes have always been managed of campus and are directed by the student. On W we will be completely remote and run our elective classes and advisory from 8-12:00 with remote off campus classes running from 12:00-3:15. When we move to Hybrid/ in-person schedule, the school day will run from 7:00-2:15. There will be more specifics on that model when we change.
Remote Schedule Students
Start | End | Mon. | Tues. | Wed. | Thurs. | Fri. |
8:00 | 8:58 | A | A | 8:00-9:30 Elective classes | A | A |
8:58 | 9:56 | B | B | 9:30-11:00 Elective classes | B | B |
9:56 | 10:54 | C | C | 11:00-12:00 Advisory | C | C |
10:54 | 11:52 | D | D | 12:00-3:15 Remote off campus learning activities (school to career, Wellness, Phys ed, Community service) | D | D |
11:52 | 12:50 | E | E |
| E | E |
12:50 | 1:20 | Lunch | Lunch |
| Lunch | Lunch |
1:20 | 2:18 | CR/strats | CR/strats |
| CR/strats | CR/strats |
2:18 | 3:15 | Enrichments | Enrichments |
| Enrichments | Enrichments |
What is different in our schedule is our Credit Recovery/ Strategies for Success classes. During this time period on M, T, Th, F Students will be assigned to enter the building. We have already identified several students that we will need to see M, T, Th, F. All other students will be given a day to be in-person at least once a week. The purpose of this class is two-fold. One of our highest priorities was to reconnect to your child both academically and personally. Building strong relationships is our strength. During this time, students will meet with our guidance counselor and with our school based care coordinator. They will also meet with teachers, by appointment, for direct tutoring if needed. Special populations are expected to receive direct services in person. This will be coordinated directly with administration and the special education department.
The district has taken extensive measures to provide technology for all students. Presently due to supply chain issues this is taking some time. If your child needs a chrome book please contact us ASAP at 978-632-1606 (6100). We will be distributing these chrome books on Wed. 9/7 from 12-3 pm here at the school. You are to come to the front of the school and pick up your tech needs. We will also be asking you to fill out some forms to update your info and also your child’s status.
So what are the other changes to expect? It goes without saying that safety is first and foremost on our minds. All students, staff, visitors, and parents will follow ALL protocols surrounding COVID 19 at all times. Please review these protocols in our student handbook posted on our district website. All visitors to the school will have to make an appointment. Entry will not be allowed without an appointment. PPE and student health status will start at home. If your child is showing any symptoms or feels ill, they are to stay home. Your student is expected to bring a proper mask. Within the building there will be specific protocols posted that pertain solely to Gardner academy. All students will follow these protocols.
As for academic changes, attendance is being taken in each class and it will count toward grading and legal requirements for high school. All students are expected to attend every class that is assigned on time. Advisory will be attended and will count for grading. PARENTS will be expected to be in contact with the teachers weekly. In other words, even though we are remote and distanced, all expectations are applicable as if we were in a traditional setting.
Again, this plan is for the remote model that we are starting off with. When the status changes to “hybrid/ in-person” we will give further details on that plan. As always we consider you our partners in your child’s education. We realize that certain circumstances will arise. We are prepared for several different scenarios. If you have any concerns please contact us at 978-632-1606 (6100). I thank you for all of your hard work and patience during this entire time period. This has been a unique experience that has and continues to test us. It is our resilience that had stood the test. No matter what format we are in, we look forward to educating your child. Let’s have a great school year together.
Sincerely,
Peter F. McMorrow
Principal. Gardner Academy