Dear Parents,
The first week of school is quickly approaching and we can't wait to welcome your students back to campus. We have really missed seeing our PCA family.
I'm sure many of you are aware that some surrounding school districts are considering a virtual start to their school year, but because we are smaller, more nimble and are able to strategize specifically for our campus, we continue with our plan to start in-person the week of August 17.
Reconnecting Our School Community (Staggered Start Dates)
:
- Friday, August 14 – Meet the Teacher for Grades K-12 (Staggered and Alphabetical)*
- Monday, August 17 – Early Release Day for Odd Number Grades Only (No Lunch served). Students in grades 1,3,5,7,9,and 11 will attend school with a regular start time of 8 am. Grades 1 and 3 dismiss at 11:30 am and Grades 5,7,9, and 11 dismiss at 11:45 am.
- Tuesday, August 18 – Early Release Day for Even Number Grades Only (No Lunch served). Students in grades K,2,4,6,8,10, and 12 will attend school with a regular start time of 8 am. Grades K, 2, and 4 dismiss at 11:30 am and Grades 6,8,10 and 12 dismiss at 11:45 am.
- Wednesday, August 19 – Full Day for Lower School Only (Grades K-5)
- Thursday, August 20 – Full Day for Upper School Only (Grades 6-12)
- Friday, August 21 – Full Day for ALL Students (Grades K-12)
- Monday, August 24 – Teacher Workday to Review Processes (No Students)
- Tuesday, August 25 – First Full Instructional Day Of School
- Tuesday – Thursday, August 25-27 – Staggered Meet the Teacher for Preschool*
- Monday, August 31 - First Day of Preschool
*We will be sharing the details on Meet the Teacher times for students and parents soon.
For our
Virtual Learning students
, we are developing our plan to connect you to your classrooms the week of August 17-21.
Large Group Gatherings/Field Trips/Chapel:
- Back to school Parent Orientation Meetings are on hold for now, however we will communicate everything you need to know for a successful start to the school year through email, loom videos, and our website. If we need to hold parent meetings in the near future, we will follow recommended guidelines including wearing masks, physical distancing and limited numbers. 6th Grade orientation for students will be incorporated into school hours during the week of August 17.
- All field trips will be postponed until further notice
- Chapels will be held in classrooms (livestreamed or recorded); no chapel dress required
Calendar Changes For The School Year:
No calendar changes have been made at this time
. However, the Board of Directors is reviewing various scenarios regarding breaks and holidays if needed to adjust for the few missed instructional days. We will also follow guidance from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and state requirements. We will keep you updated if any calendar changes are made.
Changes to Student Absence/Staff PTO Policies:
- Student absences for COVID-related quarantine will not be counted against their allowed absences each semester
- Faculty and Staff absences for COVID-related quarantine will not be counted against their allocated Paid Time Off (PTO) days
Face Covering Policy:
The face covering policy remains unchanged from our last weekly update.
All students in grades K-12 will be required to wear masks while on campus
as recommended by DHEC, the CDC and our own medical professionals.
Our classroom space simply does not allow for the 6 feet of physical distancing that is recommended. Many of you have asked about face shields. Our health and safety task force committee has shared that
"CDC does not recommend use of face shields for normal everyday activity or as a substitution for cloth face coverings because of a lack of evidence of their effectiveness."
As our students adjust to the new safety protocols, we want to assure you that we will show grace. We are also looking for ways to make this as fun as possible. PTF will be offering PCA branded masks and buffs for sale or your child can wear a design of their own choice. We do ask that no inappropriate message or images are displayed on the masks.
While we understand that our face covering policy may not rest well with some of our families, please know that we are doing all we can to respect and protect each student, teacher, and staff member by working to maintain a healthy and fully operational school
on campus
. We are thankful for your understanding and flexibility as we navigate this situation.
As we prepare for the start of a new school year, we want to assure you that our hearts are aligned in seeking God's best for your children. Community and relationships are what make PCA the special place that it is. Let's come together and celebrate the opportunity to reconnect and return to our campus.
