March 21, 2020

Dear North Royalton City Schools’ Community,

My deepest appreciation to NORO Nation for working together in our first week away from our classrooms and buildings.  Our transformation to virtual learning is going well and many thanks are to be given.  

I want to thank our students and parents for being so willing to adapt to this new learning environment.  Nothing can ever replace a teacher interacting with children in a classroom setting, however, if we cannot have that, the interactions that I am seeing taking place virtually have been amazing.  I love seeing the pictures and stories on Twitter and Facebook and encourage you to keep sharing these using the #NRInspireGreat and #NRSchoolsGoDigital. Thank you students for your excitement to try new things!  As we continue to move forward with this situation, know that your principals and teachers will continue to communicate with you about the materials and resources students will need to continue their activities. If you have any questions in regards to your child's learning activities during this time period, emailing the teacher or principal is the best form of communication.

I want to thank our teachers and administrators for their commitment to learn new things themselves and to make sure that they do whatever they can to create a new normal and provide a structure for our students and parents.  As a District, we have 2,700 District Chromebooks being used at homes and 897 Google Classrooms being accessed by our students. Our teachers and students have shared stories, pictures and videos on Twitter and Facebook all week.  I know that our teachers also continue to provide resources, materials and lessons to students that will engage them and allow them to continue to grow.  

Finally, I need to thank our food service workers who are helping out our families by preparing a lunch and breakfast for anyone in need.  I am always so proud how our staff and community step up to help each other in a crisis, so thank you to them for what they are doing!

I want to take a moment to reiterate some information I know has been sent out by our building principals.

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT
As we continue to grow with virtual learning, we want to make sure you and your student have the support you need to utilize the technology resources.  If you are having difficulty, you can email your child’s teacher who will then get that issue directly to our technology team. We have also created an email address for you to send your issues.  That address is helpdesk@nrapps.org .  One additional way to send questions is to call our main phone line of 440-237-8800.  We check this line daily for messages and will have someone get back to you as soon as possible.  Please use these contacts for questions and in the event the District issued technology device is in need of repair.

FOOD SERVICES UPDATE
During this time of school closure, we know that there are some children who are affected by the closure of school.  The North Royalton City Schools’ Food Service program is providing bagged lunches and breakfasts for students at no charge through April 3.  Please note we have changed pick up to Monday, Wednesday and Friday only between the hours of 10 - 11:15 a.m.  We will be making lunches for two days at a time.

Parents who are interested in their student receiving a meal should complete this electronic form or call 440-582-9041 for each child, by 5 p.m. the day before the pickup. 

Parents may pick up the meal at North Royalton High School between the hours of 10 - 11:15 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday by entering driveway #4 and pulling up to the side of the building on the left.  Stop at the ramp with the yellow railing for meal pick up (Door #26). There will be a sign to direct you to the location. Once you provide your child's name and school to the food service worker, you will receive the meal.

SCHOOL TRIPS CANCELLED
Out of concern for the health, safety and wellness of all students, staff, families and the community, the District has made the decision to cancel or postpone the following out-of-state spring break trips:
  • The Royal Harmony trip to New York City
  • The NRHS baseball team trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
  • The NRHS softball team trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
The coach/advisor for these trips will communicate with you as to the next steps.
 
At this time a decision on the eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., which is scheduled for May 6-8, has not been made.  When we do make that decision we will communicate it to our students and families.

Please know that these decisions are not taken lightly  and will be made with the safety and well-being of our students and staff in mind.  We will also closely follow the recommendations of the Governor and other government officials.

2020 SPRING SPORTS SEASON SUSPENDED
The Ohio High School Athletic Association has suspended the 2020 spring sports season and a no-contact policy has been implemented between coaches and student-athletes for the duration of the ordered school closure. As a father of three daughters who were very involved in sports, I know what a tremendous disappointment this is for all of our student-athletes. In issuing the cancellation, the OHSAA has also stated some strict rules regarding a no-contact period.  Remember that athletes may not practice with club or summer teams, use District facilities, fields and courts to practice and “informal captains practices,” where student-athletes congregate or practice on their own are prohibited.

FINAL THOUGHTS
As I think about the changes and disruptions that we are all experiencing, my thoughts always travel to the Class of 2020.  As I wrote last week, our students are experiencing a great deal of emotions and I know in talking with parents of seniors, this is so true for this group of students.  Please know that, together with Principal Sean Osborne, we are all committed to trying to reschedule as many of the special events for the Class of 2020, especially prom and commencement.  While so much is unknown at this time, I know Mr. Osborne will be working to try to make this happen and will communicate that with you as soon as possible.

Again, I want to thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we navigate through these uncharted waters.  Please feel free to email your child's principal or teacher if you have any questions regarding the learning opportunities for your children.  I am also available via email and can be reached at greg.gurka@northroyaltonsd.org .

Thank you.

Greg Gurka
Superintendent
North Royalton City Schools