It has been a busy summer as our district workgroup is working to collaboratively develop our Reset/Restart plan for the start of school in the fall. Currently, subgroups are meeting to address important considerations of the plan prior to submittal of our plan to the Board of Education.
A School Board Meeting is scheduled for July 29 to seek a vote on the Reset/Restart plan. Per state requirements, our plan must be approved by our Board of Education and forwarded to the Ohio Department of Education by August 21. This plan must also align with the Governor's guidance which was delivered on July 2.
In the meantime, I want to extend my sincerest appreciation to the many parents, staff, and School Board members who are volunteering their time to assist with this task. Their input has been crucial in developing our plan.
A huge thanks also goes out to our families who completed the online survey -- in all we had about 450 families participating in the survey, representing a 70% participation rate. Your responses provide us with invaluable feedback that is informing the district's Reset/Restart planning process.
As I have stated previously, our goal is to have our students 100% back in our classrooms with our teachers and to be safe while doing so. At the same time, we know we must present options for families who are not able or ready to return to our buildings but still want to experience the outstanding education we are known for in Cuyahoga Heights Schools.
OPTION 1 | RETURN TO SCHOOL ON-SITE
Our first option will consist of students returning to school on-site. We are still in the process of putting this plan together. Our first consideration is that we must provide the safest environment possible for students and staff. With that goal in mind, please know that students and staff will be required to wear masks upon their return to school.
Here's what you need to know:
- There are of course many factors to take into consideration with this decision, but masks help us to provide the safest environment possible.
- At the same time, we know that August, September, and even into October, Ohio can experience temperatures into the 90's. Please be assured that we will provide safe opportunities for students and staff to take their mask off during the school day.
- We also know that some of our students experience underlying factors that will prevent them from wearing a mask. We will address these situations on a case by case basis.
- We will be providing a mask for each student and staff member and will have disposable masks available in each classroom. Students will also be permitted to provide their own mask if they choose.
Again, this decision has been made in the best interests of everyone who enters our buildings.
We completely understand that no one wants to, or likes wearing a mask. Our mask requirement will mirror that of the County Health Department. As they begin to relax restrictions, so shall we.
OPTION 2 | ONLINE LEARNING
We will have an online option for those students who will not be returning to the buildings. The online option will be composed of core classes and will have a limited number of elective classes to choose from.
The online option will align to the same state standards as our on-site courses.
We will send out a survey in early August to learn which of our students will be enrolling in online learning so that we can provide that curriculum to those students. We will have more details on this option as the final plan is completed.
Once the Board of Education approves the Reset/Restart plan we will forward it to families and provide several online meetings for parents to ask questions.
Until then, I hope you take some time this summer to rest up and enjoy your time with your families. Before we know it, we'll all be back to "normal" -- whatever that looks like -- very, very soon.
Thanks,
Tom
