August 24, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Our first day of school is Tuesday, September 1, 2020. As you know from previous correspondences, we will begin the school year in the remote learning phase for all students.  I wanted to give you a few updates as we get closer to that start date.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We continually update our Frequently Asked Questions which can be found on our website by CLICKING HERE.

The most recent update to the FAQs is:

If the county levels change, how quickly will the District switch instructional delivery for students?

  • If the county moves from a lower level to higher level (Level 2 to Level 3), we will need to move quickly to meet safety requirements for students and staff.  
  • If the county moves from a higher level to a lower level (for example Level 3 to Level 2 like it did last Thursday), we need to make sure that there is a sustained decline in the metrics used to determine the risk level for the county.  A sustained decline means that we not only stay at the orange level for at least three additional weeks, but there also is a decline in the positivity rate and a decline in the number of new cases. Once we have met these criteria, we can begin the process to bring students back into the buildings in the blended learning phase.  We will provide advanced notification to allow our families to make the necessary arrangements and allow our District to have the proper staffing levels to meet the educational and safety needs of the students.

Request to Change In-Person Instruction Days Form
All students will start the 2020-21 school year with instruction being delivered remotely.  When it is safe to move into our Blended Learning Phase, students will attend school on the following days according to the first letter of their last name:
Students with last names A-K attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays in-person
Students with last names L-Z attend on Wednesdays and Fridays in-person
*Mondays are a remote learning day for all students District-wide.

Requests to change in-person instruction days will only be considered in emergency situations. All requests may not be able to be honored. It is very important to maintain class sizes due the COVID-19 safety guidelines and social distancing rules, and balancing classes will be our top priority.  With that being said, we recognize that supervision/child care can be an issue for families in this learning scenario. To request a change for an emergency situation only, CLICK HERE for more information and to print a copy of the Change Request Form. 


Student Attendance During Remote and Blended Learning Phases
A critical component of remote learning is a consistent and high level of participation from the student. Unlike last spring, where every child was considered in attendance, that is not the case for the 2020-21 school year. Under the Ohio Department of Education guidance for Participation in Remote Learning, attendance is mandatory and must be taken by your child’s class/school. In addition, under Ohio law, the District is required to contact you within two hours of the start of the school day if your child is not in attendance. This procedure will continue during remote learning. Attendance will be documented and the rules regarding absences and truancy remain in place and the District will follow the processes for these regulations.

Technology and Supply Pick Up
Last week, your building principals sent out emails outlining technology and supply pickups.  If you are having issues with District-supplied technology, please contact our technology department at [email protected].

Thank you,

Greg Gurka
Superintendent
North Royalton City Schools