October 21, 2020
GMS Parents, Guardians, & Students:
As a reminder, Thursday, October 22nd and Friday, October 23rd have been changed to Professional Development days to allow for staff to prepare buildings and classrooms for hybrid learning which begins on Monday, October 26th. These two days (10/22 & 10/23) will be non-school days for all GPS students. The updated GPS school calendar can be found here.
Starting on October 26th, Students in Cohort A will attend in person learning on Mondays and Tuesdays, and will be learning remotely from home on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Those in Cohort B will learn remotely from home on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will be in person learning on Thursdays and Fridays. The school day for all students, both remote and in-person will begin at 7:45am. Students who are in-person, will transition home beginning at 12:45. Dismissal will happen in 3 waves: Parent pick-up, bus students, walkers. After students arrive home, they will need to go back online for Lesson Reinforcement and Academic Assistance. Wednesdays will be fully remote for all students. This day will be a blend of live lessons and independent work time.
How to Prepare for In-person Learning
Be sure to fully charge your Chromebook prior to coming to school
Bring a reusable, filled water bottle to school with you
Pack what you need for the day in your backpack/school bag: pencils, pens, handheld sharpeners, notebook, Chromebook and charger
Adhere to visuals and social distancing guidelines posted throughout the school. Students and staff must remain 6 feet apart from one another at all times.
On Wednesday October 28th and Thursday October 29th from 2-4, Ms. Higgins will be passing out art kits to any students who are planning on staying fully remote (Cohort D). There will be a drive through pick up in front of GMS for 5th, 6th and 7th grade students who need art supplies for the rest of the school year. The kits will include paper and art supplies for the projects we are working on this year. You do not need to reserve a kit, but I am asking students to let me know if they would like one, so I can get a basic count of how many kits to prepare.
If you are coming to school for hybrid learning, you will not need to pick one up, as any art supplies you need will be given during the school day.
If you have any questions, please contact me at higginsc@gardnerk12.org.
Thank you!
Technology
Please be aware that each student will need a school issued Chromebook when we transition to hybrid learning. These devices will travel with students to be used in school while students are here and will also be used at home on the remote learning days. Please reach out to the GMS Main Office if you need to pick up a Chromebook for your student.
Bussing
Gardner Public Schools is now using a new app called “Here Comes the Bus” which will allow parents to see where the bus is at any given time. This will help knowing when students should be heading out to the bus stop and when they will be arriving home. In order to sign up for this service you will need to know the SASID number assigned to your student. The second document linked below explains how you can obtain this information from Plusportals. Bussing information should be sent out from the Superintendent’s Office shortly.
Here Comes the Bus
Directions for finding the SASID on Plusportals
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JtBqdQj-npuw67odSxq7eLB9VmnTMeSg/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12dF-ZN_MJEY0feS_h1wUQxeltLt2PZJy/view?usp=sharing
Food Services Under Hybrid Model - Begins Monday Oct. 26th
GMS
Virtual Learner’s Meal Service
Keep Smiling and Go Wildcats!
Arthur Murphy, Principal
Gardner Middle School