Dear GMS Community,
We are so excited to be coming back together again in significant numbers! We are finally starting to get some good news about the virus: case rates are dropping and Santa Clara County has shared that they anticipate vaccinations should be available to teachers starting in March. This trajectory lends itself well to our expanded reopening plans.
As we head into Winter Break, we are laser-focused both on putting the finishing touches on our plans to welcome students back to campus and creatively imagining what the school year will look like next fall.
Grade Level Rotation Model Begins February 22
When we return from break, we will be welcoming over 90% of our 6th graders back to campus for a full week of on-campus instruction. About 90% of the 7th-grade class will come back the week of March 1, and 85% of 8th-grade students will return the week of March 8. Prior to each of those weeks, you will receive information about your child’s on-site COVID testing, and the grade level teachers will share information about what school supplies to bring for the week.
Students who remain remote will join the classes by Zoom, and they will be able to see (and be seen) in the classroom with our new A/V technology (cameras, mics, and large screens.) This system has been upgraded since November to improve the experience, and as before teachers will do all they can to make our remote learners feel a part of the class.
Extracurricular Activities
There has been a lot of interest in GMS after-school opportunities. We have created a program of physical activities, with a choice of Cross Country Running or Sports and Fitness, and we will be able to enthusiastically welcome any GMS students who are not participating in other in-person activities. You should have received an email from Simone outlining the programs we are offering, with additional details. The deadline to sign-up is Monday, February 15.
Our other after school activity, the School Musical, will be produced using Zoom, and so students participating in the musical can also participate in an in-person activity (GMS or external).
Drop Off and Pick Up
Students should be dropped off between 8:00 and 8:20 am. We will not be assigning drop-off times as we did in November, and otherwise, drop off procedures remain the same. Please remember that students must show their green “Go” message from Magnus Health to come on campus each day.
The school day finishes at 3:20, and students not participating in after school activities should be picked up between 3:20 and 3:35. Students participating in GMS after school activities should be picked up between 4:45 and 5:00.
Carpooling
If you will be carpooling to school, please follow these guidelines:
- Wear a face covering; a medical-grade mask or double-masking is recommended.
- Seat students as far apart as possible in the vehicle.
- Only the driver’s child should use the front passenger seat.
- Keep windows open to maximize outdoor air circulation.
- Make sure the carpool driver or students have screenshots of their Magnus Mobile “Go” message on their phone prior to arrival on campus.
Travel and Quarantine
Santa Clara County requires people who travel more than 150 miles to quarantine for ten days upon returning to the county. Students who travel must follow this quarantine guidance and may not attend school until their quarantine is complete. If a different family member travels, we request that your household do its best to keep the traveler and other household members separated, at least until the traveler has received a negative test result. Additional guidance on quarantine is available at http://www.sccstayhome.org/.
Mask Recommendations
In partnership,
Laura and the COVID Response Team
