January 14, 2021
Hello High School Students and Families,
As we finish the first semester, we would like to share additional information to help students get off to a great start when second semester begins next Tuesday. Whether returning to in-person learning or continuing as a virtual student, please read carefully the information that applies to your scheduling choice. All students should read the section on Live Virtual Sessions at the end of this message.
IN-PERSON STUDENTS
Through recent correspondence, we have introduced you to the Advanced Hybrid Schedule for second semester. Students returning to the building will attend classes in-person from 7:35 am – 11:35 am four days per week and will meet virtually with one block of their scheduled classes from 1:35 pm – 2:35 pm each of the four designated days. Wednesdays will remain virtual for all students.
There are some classes scheduled for only one period, also referred to as “skinny” periods, that are half-credit courses. These courses will meet for a full block (or two periods) two days per week instead of meeting for a half block (or single period) each day. For example, a student scheduled for Wellness period 1 and Digital Foundations period 2 will have a full block of Wellness on Mondays and Thursdays and a full block of Digital Foundations on Tuesdays and Fridays. This adjustment will reduce multiple hallway transitions and allow more concentrated time for these courses.
The graphic below, created by Mr. Miller in our STEAM department presents a visual of the high school schedule for second semester. The schedule for skinny periods is highlighted using blue and gold colors on the graphic.
ALL-VIRTUAL STUDENTS
Students choosing to remain virtual will follow their schedule in PowerSchool and log in to Schoology to complete coursework and correspond with their teachers. Virtual classes are listed on student schedules as a single period only for scheduling purposes and to establish a dedicated time for teachers to be available for live sessions. The graphic below illustrates the times during the school day when teachers will schedule live sessions with virtual students. Even when not meeting virtually with their teachers, it is very important for students taking virtual classes to establish a routine and complete their coursework during the school day, as if they were physically attending school.
AFTERNOON LIVE VIRTUAL SESSIONS – ALL STUDENTS
All students will participate in afternoon Live Virtual Sessions and follow the schedule that corresponds with the day of the week for each block. Half-credit courses will be held for 30 minutes each based on the Block Schedule indicated horizontally on the graphic. For example, a student scheduled for Wellness period 1 and Digital Foundations period 2 (Block 1) will participate in two Live Virtual Sessions each Monday afternoon. Their Wellness class would meet virtually from 1:35 – 2:05 pm followed by their Digital Foundations class from 2:05 – 2:35 pm. On Tuesday afternoons students will meet with their Block 2, {period 3/4 class(es)}. Thursday afternoon students will meet with their Block 3 {period 5/6 class(es)}, and on Fridays they will meet with their Block 4 {period 7/8 class(es)}.
Student attendance and participation during Live Virtual Sessions is required. Please Click Here or visit the high school webpage at https://gahs.gcasd.org/ and click on “Important Information for High School Families – January 11, 2021” for more information.
We hope this information provides you and your student with a better understanding of how the high school schedule will operate as we begin second semester. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we strive to meet the educational needs of all students this school year.
We are G-A Proud! Dr. Edward Rife High School Principal
January 11, 2021
GAHS SECOND SEMESTER: 2020-2021
RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING We are excited for high school students to have the opportunity to return to in-person learning when second semester begins on Tuesday, January 19. The high school schedule for second semester will address the need for both in-person and virtual learning while keeping our three major priorities at the forefront:
- the health and safety of students, staff, and our community
- maintaining high quality teaching and learning
- addressing the social and emotional well-being of our students, staff, and families.
HIGH SCHOOL ADVANCED HYBRID SCHEDULE
Students opting to return to in-person learning will follow an advanced Hybrid Schedule. In-person classes will be held on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings with Live Virtual Sessions held in the afternoon. Wednesdays will remain virtual for all students. The Hybrid Schedule will be as follows:
7:10 – 7:30 Student Arrival
7:35 – 8:32 Block 1 – Pd. 1/2 (57 min)
8:36 – 9:33 Block 2 – Pd. 3/4 (57 min)
9:37 – 10:34 Block 3 – Pd. 5/6 (57 min)
10:38 – 11:35 Block 4 – Pd. 7/8 (57 min)
11:35 – 12:00 Student Dismissal
1:35 – 2:35 Live Virtual Sessions
Live Virtual Sessions will be held during the afternoon on in-person learning days. Students will log in and meet virtually with one of their scheduled classes from 1:35 – 2:35 pm each day according to the following schedule:
Monday – Block 1 Class (Period 1/2)
Tuesday – Block 2 Class (Period 3/4)
Thursday – Block 3 Class (Period 5/6)
Friday – Block 4 Class (Period 7/8)
Live Virtual Sessions for half-credit courses will be held for 30 minutes on the designated day.
LIVE VIRTUAL SESSIONS - PURPOSE AND STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
Live Virtual Sessions are an important extension of in-person classes and provide a time of support and guided practice. These daily live interactive sessions will enable teachers to:
- Check for student understanding
- Provide authentic learning experiences
- Further build relationships
- Provide “Live” Support/Assistance – answer questions and assist students, as needed, as they work on classwork/projects/performance task
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS FOR LIVE VIRTUAL SESSIONS
- Student attendance and participation during this time is required. Login at the time your virtual session begins. Non-attendance may impact class participation grades as well as other grades for content missed. In addition, students may receive disciplinary consequences for cutting class. Please remember this is part of the regular school day and students must login each day.
- Students will join meetings with their camera on (appropriate background selected), so they can be seen, and sign in with their first and last name. Students should keep microphones turned off until they receive further instruction from the teacher.
- Communicate with your teacher and examine feedback.
- Reach out to your teachers if you are overwhelmed.
- Seek help when needed (teachers, counselors, principals).
- Students must practice academic honesty and present original work.
- The GAHS Code of Conduct should always be followed.
HEALTH & SAFETY
- Very Important! Masks must be worn appropriately in hallways, classrooms and on school transportation.
- Students are discouraged from bringing anything unnecessary from their homes but may bring their own water bottle. Students will have access to a “touch free” water bottle refill station.
- One-way traffic patterns are designated in hallways using arrows and floor displays.
- Students should use hand sanitizer when entering and exiting classrooms – Hand sanitizer dispensers are available throughout the school.
- Classroom seats will face the same direction and students will have assigned seating for distancing and contact tracing.
- Wellness classes will not dress for class.
- No lockers will be assigned to students this school year.
- Classes will be held outside when possible.
- All restrooms have non-contact flushing devices, soap dispensers, sinks and towel dispensers.
- Information regarding monitoring and responding to student and staff health concerns at school as well as all health considerations and protocols may be found within the District’s Health and Safety Plan (posted on our GASD website).
- Questions regarding student or family health concerns should be directed to Mrs. Poper, School Nurse. Questions regarding our Health & Safety plan may be directed to Mr. Crable, Assistant Principal.
ADDITIONAL IN-PERSON LEARNING INFORMATION
- Bus arrival and dismissal will be handled in 5-minute increments for social distancing.
- HS Students will report directly to their 1st period classroom.
- All students must be in their first period classroom by 7:35 am; First period classes begin at 7:40 am
- Students attending Franklin County Career & Technology Center report directly to the FCCTC bus.
- Students will be dismissed beginning at 11:35 pm in 5-minute increments.
ALL-VIRTUAL LEARNING OPTION – STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
- An All-Virtual option is available upon request. Students will log in to Schoology to complete coursework and correspond with teachers. All students are expected to be actively engaged in education 5 days per week, whether in the building or as a virtual learner.
- Students opting for an all virtual schedule should establish a routine to follow their daily schedule and complete coursework between the hours of 7:35 am – 2:40 pm, as if they were physically attending school. An attendance login report will be used to record attendance. If a student does not log in by 9:00 am they will be marked absent for the day.
- Students are to join Live Virtual Sessions with their camera on (appropriate background selected), so they can be seen, and report with their first and last name. Students should keep microphones turned off until they receive further instruction from the teacher.
- Communicate with your teacher and examine feedback.
- Reach out to your teachers if you are overwhelmed.
- Seek help when needed (teachers, counselors, principals).
- Students must practice academic honesty and present original work.
- The GAHS Code of Conduct should always be followed.
Please note, due to the complexity of the scheduling and grading processes, moving from one schedule option to another is not recommended once the semester begins.