We hope you and your loved ones are doing well and staying healthy. We have some updates written below, and we also invite you to watch
this video message from Superintendent Paul Imhoff, Ed.D.
Our staff has spent this first week back from break preparing for distancing teaching and learning to begin on Monday, March 30. Please read the announcements, tips and good news below to help prepare your family for next week, too.
Announcements / remindersDistance teaching and learning will begin Monday, March 30, 2020. As we have shared previously, we understand that we won’t be able to replicate the learning experiences that happen inside our classrooms. However, we are excited about what we can do for students in these unique times.
We know each family, each child and each staff member is going through this differently, and we all face different challenges. With that in mind, flexibility is key. The following times of learning engagements per day are approximate and maximums. We will adjust based on student, parent and teacher feedback. If we learn it is too much in some situations, we will adjust.
- Kindergarten students: should have the opportunity to engage in learning experiences approximately 1 hour total per day.
- Grades 1-2 students: should have the opportunity to engage in learning experiences approximately 2 hours total per day.
- Grades 3-5 students: opportunity to engage in learning experiences approximately 2.5 hours total per day.
- Grades 6-12: opportunity to engage in learning experiences approximately 3.5 hours total per day.
Again, we all need to give each other plenty of space and grace as we navigate distance teaching and learning - that goes for students, parents and teachers. We can do this!
Video conferencing: While we are not requiring teachers to use video conferencing, we know many will use our approved platform, called Zoom. You can access this video conferencing tip sheet to learn more. We'd like to highlight two very important things. First, students, parents and caregivers are not allowed to record audio or video of any portion of a distance learning video-conferencing session. Second, please remember that the Students’ Rights and Responsibilities handbook, which includes the Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy, will be in effect at all times during distance learning.
Student Services information: Families whose students on IEP, 504 and RTI plans, please click here for an important video message from Dr. Kevin Gorman, director of student services.
Reminder - breakfast and lunch service: Now that our first week of lunch and breakfast service is complete, we are adjusting our service hours to better match the times families visited our pick-up locations. Please take note of the revised hours listed below. These will begin on Monday, March 30. Please note that students must be present to receive meals. If your family cannot come to the school, please email Nutritional Services Director Irene Hunt at [email protected] to make alternate arrangements.
- Tremont Elementary School - 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
- Barrington Elementary School - 10:30 a.m. until 11:15 a.m.
- Greensview Elementary School - 10:30 a.m. until 11:15 a.m.
- Windermere Elementary School - 11:45 until 12:30 p.m.
- Wickliffe Progressive Elementary School - 11:45 until 12:30 p.m.
Playgrounds and athletic fields - With the beautiful weather we’ve had this week, I know we’ve all been wanting to get outside. But it’s important to note that, as of the beginning of this week, all of our city and school playgrounds have been officially closed on the order of the governor. In addition, we strongly discourage use of our play fields at this time. If you are using our fields or running tracks, please maintain social distancing — 6 feet or more.
Frequently asked questions - We’ve added a FAQ document to our website. We’ll continue to update this document with new developments and as new questions arise.
The Upper Arlington Community Foundation Good Neighbor Fund is helping residents and small businesses with emergency assistance due to extenuating circumstances and hardship with the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, thanks to a match challenge grant of $25,000, all donations given to the Good Neighbor Fund at this time will be matched up to $25,000. If you are interested in making a donation or are in need of assistance, please visit https://uacommunityfoundation.com/news/good-neighbor-fund-update-due-to-covid-19/
Tips
Keep your iPad running smoothly - We’ll need to ensure our iPads stay current with operating system updates and app updates. When these are out of sync, we often see quirky behavior or limited functionality. Please click here for easy instructions to keep things up to date and running smoothly.
Keep your devices clean - Computers and iPads are very susceptible to liquid damage, but you may clean your district-issued device with a disinfecting wipe, such as Clorox or Lysol brand wipes. Do NOT remove your iPad from its district-issued case.
- Begin by wringing out any excess liquid from the wipe.
- Lightly wipe down all of the frequently touched surfaces.
- Be sure to avoid using the wipe on any of the open ports on your device as this may allow liquid to damage your device. Liquid damage is not covered by the UA Schools device insurance plan.
Bright spots
These are tough times, but as our school district and community come together, I believe we are going to find many bright spots to celebrate.
Today I want to celebrate all of the Transportation and Nutritional Services staff members who continue to make sure that children in our community are getting a healthy breakfast and lunch each school day. I’m so proud of our team for making this happen.
I also want to celebrate all of you - our UA Schools families - for the way you are supporting your children, your neighbors and our schools.
I know we are going to get through this together. Two of the values of our school district are ringing so true right now. One of these is Start with Heart, and I’m seeing this all over Upper Arlington. I’ve never been more proud to be part of this community! The other value I want to highlight is Strength in Team, and I will tell you I am so proud of our entire UA Schools team for coming together in an unprecedented way and making me so very proud as they focus on meeting the needs of each and every child in our schools.
So please find a way to enjoy some downtime this weekend, and enjoy this time with your family. Let’s continue to watch for and celebrate the bright spots!