• Online Learning – will be facilitated by some of the GMHS teachers. If the original responses from the initial Jeffco survey that was conducted in June are consistent, 10% of families indicated a preference for online learning and 90% preferred to return to in-person learning. The responses of the most recent survey will give schools actual numbers so they can plan their staffing in terms of how many teachers will be allocated to online learning v. in-person learning. If we assume 10% of our families want online learning that equates to about 110 students for GMHS.
• Online learning will be based on a synchronous model, especially for core classes. So, classes will occur at specific times of the day. For example, math from 8:00-9:00 am on specific days of the week. Teachers will be available via Zoom Meeting or Google Meets to answer student questions and interact with students over the computer.
• In-person learning – includes many facets and systems that we have not previously had to create. We are consulting with our District health advisers and CDC for updated information. GMHS is utilizing our leadership teams and have expanded these teams with more staff to assist us in setting up the school per the health and safety requirements.
• We are scheduling a staff meeting for next week to talk with staff about the latest details and begin organizing the restart. The GMHS Staff have been great at reaching out and offering assistance.
• We will be scheduling a PTSA/RAC virtual meeting (tentatively scheduled for the evening of July 28th) to go over more detail of what we are planning and request input and feedback as we continue to plan.
• We will be scheduling a Student virtual meeting (tentatively scheduled for afternoon of July 28th) to request their input and feedback.
• Look for a virtual link to these meetings in next Tuesday's communication from us.

• Current Information:
• Mask wearing at all times that 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. This includes hallways, in classrooms when your student or another student has to come in close contact (less than 6 feet), while riding the bus. Mask wearing is how we honor each other and protect each other. Jeffco is providing 1 mask per student. We have several groups in the school who will selling Ram Masks. You may also provide a mask for your student. Bandanas will not be acceptable (due to issues around gang affiliation) and our hat policy will be strictly enforced.
• Student IDs will be required to be visible and we will be providing your student with a clip for their ID. This is due to wearing masks that cover the face and make it difficult for us to identify who belongs and not.
• Daily Before School Symptom Screening – all staff and students will have their symptoms screened and temperature (below 100.4) taken before they enter the school. We will communicate which doors will be access doors for morning entrance. Once the school day has started the main entrance will be the only door to enter for safety reasons.
• Lines for temperature taking will form outside of the doors. Families of students who do not pass the health screening will be contacted for prompt pick-up. We will have a specific area where students who do not pass the health screening will wait for pick up.
• Student items - students must maintain their own personal items and school supplies in their backpack. Please send your students with a full water bottle each day. We will not use lockers or drinking fountains. Our bottle filler fountains will be available for students to fill their water bottles.
• Hallways – all hallways will be marked for traffic direction to reduce the number of people passing each other. During the first few days of school our staff will practice transitioning between classes with your student. Masks are to be worn in hallways at all times. Students will travel between classes.
• School Day Schedule - The CDC and Colorado Health Dept. suggest that staff and students have contact with no more than 4 groups of students per school day.
• Students will be scheduled into classes as we have always done. We will offer core and elective classes. Depending on the final Bell Schedule, students may have 5-6 classes in the semester. This is to keep students on track to graduate. Class sizes will average 25-30 students.
• The Colorado Graduation Requirement of demonstrating competency in English and Math has been waived for the Class of 2021.
• The High School Principals are working on a schedule that all high schools will use. We hope to have the schedule finalized in the next week.
• We know that students will have no more than four classes in a day. It may be less depending on the final Bell Schedule.
• We are struggling with open vs. closed campuses. How we would feed all of the students in a high school, provide teachers time for their own lunch, and not use the Commons for lunch is a challenge.
• The stipulation that each person should not have contact with more than 4 other groups in a single school day necessitates the use of instructional blocks (80 minute to 2.5 hours). Implementing instructional blocks also minimizes the number of transitions. 
• We will strive to keep our start time between 8:00-8:30 a.m.
• Stay tuned for the final decision on the Bell Schedule.
• Scheduling: In order to proceed with scheduling we need:
• To know how many students will attend in person
• How many students will attend all online
• How many teachers will attend in person
• The bell schedule we will follow
• Once we have the above information we can proceed with scheduling classes for students. Please complete your family survey as soon as you can.
• A Staff Survey went out last week that asks whether they will return in person. We hope to have this data soon as well.
• We are currently planning to release student schedules in mid-August.
• After school activities and clubs – Sadly, Marching Band has cancelled the majority of their season. All other clubs and activities would be considered another grouping for the students that is not allowed currently. As this changes we will inform you.
• Athletics - CHSAA sponsored athletics are able to operate (for now). Our teams have been practicing for the last few weeks following strict guidelines. We are hopeful that we will have a fall athletic season. Fall Athletic Registration begins on July 24th. Please see more information on GMHSRams.org.
• Transportation – please respond to the survey to indicate if your student needs district transportation. GMHS has one bus that services our school so we believe this is an area that we can manage. Currently, 25 students are allowed on a bus. Prior to COVID-19, 60 students were allowed on each bus.
• The Transportation Department is working on routes and how to divide students to maintain the expectation of 25 or fewer per bus. If you have multiple students who live in your home and take the bus, they can sit together and count as one. Masks are expected on the bus at all times. Bus drivers or their assistants will screen temperatures. Once your student’s temperature has been taken by a bus driver or an assistant, they do not have to have it taken again at school. Instead, they can proceed to a designated entrance for bus riders only and go directly into the school and to Advise class.
• Parking Lot - Due to construction of the new auxiliary gym our parking lot will still have some construction restraints.
• Ram Time class – we intend to maintain our Ram Time class, which serves as a homeroom class for the students. We know that the transition back to school will be difficult. We will utilize Ram Time to reconnect with our students, assist with social emotional learning, community building, and creating ways to maintain a strong school culture.
• Large group gatherings – until further information is provided from CDC and Jeffco, we cannot have large gatherings such as concerts, assemblies, whole grade level meetings, etc.
• Instructional differentiation – based on how last school year ended, our staff anticipates needing to create different instruction more than ever before. If possible, an early administration of MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessments for math and language arts will help provide critical information to our teachers regarding which student needs which level of instruction. Our staff is committed to quickly identifying the needs of each student and moving them forward from wherever they may start.
• Signage and Health Expectations – each classroom and bathroom will have multiple signs to serve as reminders about social distancing, appropriate and frequent hand washing, and mask wearing. Every classroom will have a large bottle of hand sanitizer. 
• School Facility Adaptations – our office staff will have Plexiglas installed at their desks to protect everyone.
• Parent drop-offs/deliveries for students. We ask that parents drop off items in the drop box which is located outside of the school and then call to notify that an item has been dropped off for a specific student. 
• Parent/family pick-up – we are working on a system for parents to pick up students for appointment, etc. We are trying to create a system to have minimal physical contacts, but will maintain checking parent identification prior to releasing student(s).
• Cleaning procedures – all frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned each day. Items that are difficult to clean, such as bean bag chairs are being removed and stored. Bathrooms were cleaned daily prior to COVID-19 and will continue to do so under these conditions. 
• Face shields and Masks for staff members – Staff will receive masks, face shields, gloves, hand sanitizer, and any other health supplies needed. We are looking into voice amplification technology as well.
• Academy Pathways - We will be working with students individually to assist them in Pathway endorsements and Capstone Projects. We want to make sure that our students are treated fairly in every aspect of returning to school. We encourage you to communicate any concerns you have throughout the school year so we can support your student.

• GMHS Restart Questions form
• gmhsramnation@gmail.com - use this email for any questions and concerns. Multiple staff members are tracking communications to this email via spreadsheet to ensure your inquiries are addressed.

• Counselor Contact Information
• Alicia Kuehn - 10th grade for 20-21
• akuehn@jeffcoschools.us
• Erin Slaughter - 11th grade for 20-21
• eslaught@jeffcoschools.us
• Kim Angcay - 12th grade for 20-21
• kaangcay@jeffcoschools.us
• Laura Oliver - 9th grade for 20-21
• loliver@jeffcoschools.us
• Dr. Lisa Langerman - School Psychologist
• lschrade@jeffcoschools.us