Thank you to everyone who completed the survey. Based on your input, the GCSSD School Board voted to go with Option 5 (All students at home on Fridays for the first nine weeks). We had 2,108 survey responses in less than 24 hours.
This option will allow our staff additional time to build out lessons that will be used for the Digital Learning Academy. Off-campus learning on Fridays will not start until 8/28 and will continue through 10/16. Teachers will work with their students to give them assignments that they will need to complete while they are at home on Fridays. This could be through the Learning Management System or through instructional materials that are sent home. We understand that not all students have a device at home or internet access. Teachers will provide instructional materials for all students to ensure learning continues on Friday. Additionally, on Fridays until 10/16, students meals will be offered for parent pick-up and home delivery.
I know this is a major change. However, when we were originally developing the Digital Learning Academy in mid-July, we had 280 students enrolled. Once the decision was made to wear masks, our numbers increased to 650. At that point, the plan we had in place for 280 students was not possible. Therefore, we had to think through how best to manage the difficult situation we found ourselves in. Again, thank you for filling out the survey and helping us with that difficult decision. We also appreciate your patience as we try to ensure all students continue to learn. We are so proud of our staff as they continue to rise to the occasion to ensure each student at GCSSD has all their needs met.
Eddie Pruett
The COVID-19 releasing household contacts from isolation & quarantine has been updated. This is a major change. Please review page 15 of the Reopening Plan at: https://5il.co/i86m
The board is requesting feedback to help determine the option they take to give teachers additional planning time, to be used to develop digital learning content, during the first nine weeks. We realize that the decision will impact families and the board wanted to get your feedback. The board votes on 8/18 so we apologize for the quick turnaround.
Option 1 - School will be dismissed at 2 each day. (first 9 weeks)
Option 2 - Students will dismiss at 11:30 on Fridays. (first 9 weeks)
Option 3 - Students will attend Fridays on an A/B schedule. (every other Friday for the first 9 weeks)
Option 4 - Students attending is optional on Fridays. Families that do not have childcare can register for them to attend. Students that do not attend will use the learning management system. (first 9 weeks)
Option 5 - All students will stay home on Fridays and use the learning management system. (first 9 weeks)
Link to survey: https://forms.gle/ZT6caVHfkvCspMB39
The board is requesting feedback to help determine the option they take to give teachers additional planning time, to be used to develop digital learning content, during the first nine weeks. We realize that the decision will impact families and the board wanted to get your feedback. The board votes on 8/18 so we apologize for the quick turnaround.
Option 1 - School will be dismissed at 2 each day. (first 9 weeks)
Option 2 - Students will dismiss at 11:30 on Fridays. (first 9 weeks)
Option 3 - Students will attend Fridays on an A/B schedule. (every other Friday for the first 9 weeks)
Option 4 - Students attending is optional on Fridays. Families that do not have childcare can register for them to attend. Students that do not attend will use the learning management system. (first 9 weeks)
Option 5 - All students will stay home and use the learning management system. (first 9 weeks)
Link to survey: https://forms.gle/ZT6caVHfkvCspMB39
GCSSD on-campus instruction will start Monday, August 17, at a Level 3. Students will be required to wear a mask.
Digital Learning Academy start date has been moved to August 24, 2020 to allow teachers more time to prepare content.
We are excited for the start of school! Please continue to follow COVID-19 CDC guidelines to help us work together to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of students, teachers, staff, their families, and communities.
- Stay away from work, school, or other people if you become sick
- Wear your mask in public
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Sneeze or cough? Cover your mouth
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily
These are the most important actions that will support schools safe reopening and will help them stay open.
https://youtu.be/z067y5-KUQI
The Digital Learning Academy Handbook is now available for DL students and parents to review. Please click the link below to access. A timeline is available within the document to ensure all DL students are ready to begin August 17, 2020!
https://5il.co/j8et
Digital Learning Academy Device Request:
A limited number of devices are being provided for DL Academy students who do not have access to a device. The devices are to be used to engage in learning activities provided by teachers. If your student needs a device in order to participate in the Digital Learning Academy please contact Kary Parchman at parchmank@gcssd.org by Monday, August 10 at 12:00 noon and include the information below within the email. Devices will be loaned out for Digital Learning Academy students only and priority will be based according to the students meal eligibility status for the 2020-21SY. All aspects of District Policy 4.406 and the Responsible Use of Technologies applies to the use of the device and Internet access. Forms will be signed upon pickup to ensure guidelines are being followed when using the equipment along with a digital learning release permission form.
Information to include in Digital Learning Academy device request email:
- Student first and last name
- Student enrolled school
- Student grade
- Other students in the household that are Digital Learning Academy students
We are aware that families have access to their child's assigned teacher in PowerSchool. Please be mindful that teacher assignments are subject to change as we continue planning the reopening of our schools.
Tonight the GCSSD School Board decided to delay the first day of school to August 17, 2020. Below is a link to the new 2020-21 School Year calendar to reflect the delayed start. We hope delaying the start of the school year will help to support the decline of COVID cases in our area and allow us to start at a level that is as normal as possible. However, in order to achieve this, we need your help. Please wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after any activity. Maintain social distancing. Avoid large gatherings. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid unnecessary travel and wear a mask or cloth face covering.
We will continue to work with local health officials weekly to determine the start of school operating level and will inform you as soon as a decision is made so adjustments can be made if necessary. As a reminder, the Digital Learning Academy Registration closes this Wednesday, July 29. Click Menu > COVID-19 Information for details.
Link to calendar: https://5il.co/io7m
Tonight the GCSSD School Board decided to delay the first day of school to August 17, 2020. Below is a link to the new 2020-21 School Year calendar to reflect the delayed start. We hope delaying the start of the school year will help to support the decline of COVID cases in our area and allow us to start at a level that is as normal as possible. However, in order to achieve this, we need your help. Please wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after any activity. Maintain social distancing. Avoid large gatherings. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid unnecessary travel and wear a mask or cloth face covering.
We will continue to work with local health officials weekly to determine the start of school operating level and will inform you as soon as a decision is made so adjustments can be made if necessary. As a reminder, the Digital Learning Academy Registration closes this Wednesday, July 29. Visit www.gcssd.org under COIVD-19 Information for details.
Link to calendar: https://5il.co/io7m
See the latest Employment Opportunities at GCSSD! https://www.gcssd.org/article/267058
See the latest Employment Opportunities at GCSSD! https://www.gcssd.org/article/267058
GCSSD will be extending the Digital Learning Academy registration to July 29, 2020. Our Director of Schools, Eddie Pruett, will be addressing potential district plan changes this afternoon during his District Update. Below are a few questions we have had about the DL Academy and wanted to go ahead and address those as you make your decision on which learning environment fits for you and your student:
Before the start of school:
- Registration closes for the first 9 week Digital Learning Academy on July 29, 2020. However, we understand that these are fluid times and that things change daily. If you need to sign up or cancel Digital Learning Academy registration, please try to do so before July 29th. After July 29th you will need to contact your school to sign up or cancel your registration. A final decision on your child’s learning environment must be made before the first day of school so plans can be adjusted and made to ensure your child receives excellent education, no matter the learning environment platform.
- If you change your mind and want to attend on-campus but have already signed up for Digital Learning Academy, please contact your school BEFORE July 29th to remove your student from the registration.
After the start of school:
- DL Academy registration is for 9 weeks. We will open DL registration one week before the end of each nine weeks to register your child for the following 9 week period unless there is a level change (see below).
- If your student starts on-campus and we change levels, you will have one week to sign your student up to transition to the DL Academy. The student will continue to participate in on-campus instruction for five (5) days while we transition the student. Once you transition to the Digital Learning Academy, you will remain a DL student till the 9 week period is over, even if the district changes levels.
Please understand that we are working tirelessly to bring you the best options that are available for you and your student while thinking about the education, mental health, physical health and safety of all students. We appreciate your support during these times.
SGCES Parents, we are creating classroom rosters and still have students who have not completed the PowerSchool registration. To be placed on a roster, you need to have completed the registration. If you are choosing virtual learning, you will need to register through PowerSchool (https://www.gcssd.org/o/gcssd/page/register-your-student--3) and Complete the Virtual Learning (registrationhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2XMLSZH) . Both Links are located on our website.
Parents, I know some of you are upset about the peanut restrictions, but I want to share that this decision was made based research, data, consideration, and thought. I have chosen the past 4 years to go against the recommendation of our health officials to be peanut free at SGCES. Because we have a large number of students who have peanut allergies, the number of times we had to use epi-pens for students who were having reactions, as well as having students who were admitted to the hospital because of exposure at school, I have made the decision to have a peanut free school. In the past, we have been very cautious and precise with our procedures, but we are still having the exposures. This is why this decision was made. This is a very serious issue.
I want you to know that every decision we make is based on student, faculty, staff, and community safety and the continued educational development of our students. We are going to have bumps in the road, but I have full confidence in our faculty and staff to do whatever we need to do to make it the best we can. I am asking that you help us in supporting our decisions through this uncertain time. And know that they are based on the safety and welfare of every student at SGCES.
Thanks again to a great school and community family!
Billy Carey, Principal
South Gibson County Elementary School
NEW Substitute Teacher information for the 2020-21 SY GCSSD. If you are interested in becoming a NEW substitute teacher, please click this link https://jobapps.lgccloud.com/GibsonSSD/login.aspx to fill out an application. Once submitted, click on this link http://appgarden1.app-garden.com/subtraining/gibsontn.pdf to complete the NEW substitute training course. The cost to take the course is $29.00. Please send the certificate at the end of the training course to Mr. Brad Garner at GCSSD. Also, for more information contact Mr. Garner. Email: garnerb@gcssd.org Phone: (731)-692-3803
NEW Substitute Teacher information for the 2020-21 SY GCSSD. If you are interested in becoming a NEW substitute teacher, please click this link https://jobapps.lgccloud.com/GibsonSSD/login.aspx to fill out an application. Once submitted, click on this link http://appgarden1.app-garden.com/subtraining/gibsontn.pdf to complete the NEW substitute training course. It will cost $29.00 to take the course. Please send the certificate at the end of the training course to Mr. Brad Garner at GCSSD. Also, for more information contact Mr. Garner. Email: garnerb@gcssd.org Phone: (731)-692-3803
Dear Parents and Community,
We want to make you aware of a new policy at SGCES. Like most schools, we have a number of students enrolled that have potentially life-threatening food allergies. Children with peanut/tree nut allergies can have life-threatening reactions with exposure to even trace amounts of their allergen. Because our school has many young children that are still exploring their environment with their hands and mouths and frequently touch their faces, we have made the decision to become a peanut and tree nut free campus. It is our goal to ensure that every student in our school is safe and able to learn, and we believe this step is necessary to accomplish this goal. We are asking for your assistance in providing our students a safe learning environment by diligently selecting peanut and tree nut free foods when preparing meals and snacks for your student to bring to school. A list of acceptable foods can be found at http://snacksafely.com/safe-snack-guide/ . We trust that you understand how deeply important it is to respect and adhere to these guidelines. We wish you and your family a safe and healthy school year!
In order to ensure the safety of our students and meet distancing guidelines, the South Gibson County Before/After School program will offer our Before/After School program to Kindergarten-4th grade students who attend South Gibson County Elementary School. Additionally, 5th and 6th graders who attend South Gibson County Middle School are welcome to attend the program only if they have a Kindergarten-4th grade sibling registered for the program. If we see that we will have the capability to open back up for 5th and 6th grade students, we will publish this as soon as we can.
Thanks so much for your understanding.
Enrollment information will be posted on the school's website soon.
SGCES Proofs of residency can be delivered to school between 8:30-2:30 M-Th or email to masonm@gcssd.org. We need these as soon as possible. Thanks!