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Skyvue School Closure FAQs

Posted on: April 17, 2020
Skyvue

Students and Families:

To be better prepared as we progress through the mandated school closure ordered by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, I thought it was imperative to prepare a frequently asked questions/ guidance list or a quick reference guide.  As the COVID 19 pandemic is a fluid situation, this document will be ever changing as new information is made known to us.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How long will the school closure last?  We do not know this answer.  We will provide students and parents/guardians with information as we receive it from the Governor’s weekly press conferences.  At this time, the school closure will last through Friday, May 1, 2020.  Although we are currently scheduled to go back to school on Monday, May 4, 2020 teachers will be preparing assignments/projects for the remainder of the school year in the event school is closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

Are teachers working during the school closure?  Yes, teachers are working remotely during the school closure.  Teachers can be reached for assistance via their virtual classroom platform (i.e. Google Classroom) or can be reached by Class Dojo, or email.

What if I left an essential item at school?  We will make sure you are able to pick up any essential item that you may have left at school. I visit the school once a week and have picked up essential items for students and distributed them appropriately (like eyeglasses and medications). Please contact a teacher to ask for the “essential item” and I will assist in the retrieval of the item/s. If you cannot get in contact with the teacher, please call our district office at 740-472-5801 and they will relay the message to me. Again, this is only for essential items, please.

Do we still have a Spring Break?  Yes!  From Monday, April 6, 2020 through Friday, April 17, 2020 no new assignments/projects/assessments will be delivered to students.  All students will have this time to spend with family and/or complete any assignments/projects/assessments he/she could not complete from the original assigned homework.  Please contact your teacher via email if you need additional assistance.

What if my student(s) have a positive lunch account balance?  You can contact the Switzerland of Ohio Local School District Central Office (740-472-5801) to inquire about refunds for your student’s lunch account balance for the 2019-2020 school year.  You may also carry your positive lunch account balance over to the 2020-2021 school year. 

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES/ATHLETICS

Will my student-athlete be eligible for the 2020 Fall Sport Season?  The Ohio High School Athletic Association requires a student to pass five, one credit courses during the previous grading period to be eligible for the next grading period. To summarize, a student who wishes to participate in athletics during the 2020 Fall Sport Season will need to have passed five subjects in the 4th grading period.

Will we have Black & Gold Day?  As of right now, Black & Gold Day has been postponed.  If we are able to return to school on Monday, May 4, 2020, there may be a possibility to schedule this event.

Will we have our PTSA Carnival? Same status as Black & Gold Day.

Will we have our 8th grade Trip?  The 8th grade trip has unfortunately been canceled.  This is due to missing some of our fundraisers during the school closure. The school money already raised for the trip will be evenly divided up and distributed back to the students. Students and families can use the money to meet their needs or organize a trip of their own if they choose to.

Will we have our Spring Musical Program?  As of right now, the Spring Musical Program has been postponed.  If we are able to return to school on Monday, May 4, 2020, there may be a possibility to schedule this event.

Will we have our Spring Musical?  The Spring Musical was scheduled to be performed in the River High School Old Gym from Thursday, April 2, 2020 through Saturday, April 4, 2020, which means the Spring Musical has been postponed.  If we are able to return to school on Monday, May 4, 2020 there will be discussion on how we can still ensure our students are able to showcase their talents in the Spring Musical.

ASSIGNMENTS/COURSEWORK

How do I get my assignments/projects from my teachers?  This will depend on your ability to access the internet.  If you are able to access the internet, then your assignments will be delivered via Google Classroom, Class Dojo, email, or any other electronic platform your teacher is using.  If you do not have a reliable internet source, you can either contact the child’s teacher and request paper documents, or you can contact our district office (740-472-5801) and leave the message with them and they will get the message to me.

When will I receive additional assignments?  You will receive new assignments/projects/assessments beginning on Monday, April 20, 2020.  You will either receive new materials electronically or by regular mail (if you have made arrangements with a teacher, principal, or district office).

When are my assignments due?  There are two answers for this question.  For the first set of materials that were assigned prior to the school closure (Monday, March 16, 2020-Friday, April 3, 2020) these materials will be due by Friday, April 17, 2020.  For those of you that have a reliable internet source, you can message your teacher.  If you have a smartphone, you can take a screenshot of your materials and message them to your teacher.  If you do not have either of the methods mentioned, please call the district office, leave a message and we will organize other arrangements to return your materials to your teacher. 

For the material that will be distributed beginning Monday, April 20, 2020, you will be asked to work on the material Monday-Thursday and return your assignment on Friday weekly.  Again, you have multiple methods of turning material in to your teacher and if you require regular mail, please call the district office and we will make other arrangements for technology barriers.

How does my teacher receive my work?  This will depend on your ability to access the internet.  If you are able to access the internet, then you can submit your assignments to your teacher’s digital platform.  You may also take a screenshot of your assignment(s) with your phone and email your assignment(s) to your teacher.  We are currently working on a method for those students who do not have a reliable internet source.

How much time should be spent on homework?  This will depend on the individual student, but we are requiring teachers to give ALL students ample time to complete assignments.  For example, you will be given an assignment on Monday and you will not have to turn it in until Friday of the week it was assigned.  Of course you can turn it in early, but please make sure that if a teacher assigns a due date that students make every possible attempt to adhere to the due date.

How is work graded?  Students in grades K-8 will be graded on a Pass/Fail scale. If students are making a conscious attempt to complete work to the best of their ability given the circumstances we are all facing, then they will receive a passing grade for the course for the 4th nine weeks grading period. A “Pass” or “Fail” will as always be determined by the teacher based on the above criteria and teacher’s discretion.

*STUDENTS IN ALGEBRA 1 ARE THE ONLY STUDENTS THAT WILL STILL BE GRADED ON AN (A,B,C,D,F SCALE). THIS WILL AGAIN BE DETERMINED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE TEACHER BASED ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND COMPLIANCE.

What about final grades for the quarter/semester?  Again, no student will be academically punished as a result of the extended school closure.  However, we are expecting our students to engage and utilize the lessons provided to them by their teacher to continue their education and this will be taken into account when determining credit, grade level promotion and semester grades. 

Do we have to take final exams/State Testing?  Final exams and State Testing have been cancelled for the 2019-2020 school year.

8th Grade Commencement

Will there be a 2020 Commencement Ceremony?  As of right now, the 2020 Commencement Ceremony has been postponed.  If we are able to return to school and the Governor’s orders on “large gatherings” and “social distancing” are lifted, then we plan to proceed accordingly and have the ceremony on May 26 @ 5:30pm.

2020-2021 School Year

How do I register for the 2020-2021 school year?  We are currently working on this topic.  It is important that you complete the assigned work for this school year and additional information will be delivered regarding classes for the next school year.

When will kindergarten registration be? Kindergarten registration is being postponed and will take place sometime in August. More information will be made available once we know more from our state and federal governments and we can establish an exact date in August.

How do I open enroll for the 2020-2021 schoolyear? Anyone that was previously open enrolled to Skyvue this school year will be granted permission to attend Skyvue Elementary for the 2020-2021 school year unless you are contacted by the building principal or superintendent’s office stating otherwise. You do not need to complete any open enrollment forms for the 2020-2021 school year unless you wish to change your current school status for next school year.

I know this has been an unimaginable and difficult time to deal with, but as we keep hearing everywhere…”we are all in this together”. I sincerely want you to keep making the best of this most difficult and historic time. With that being said, just give the best effort that you can in complying with school workloads and teacher requests. Education is important, but right not, and as always behind Safety/Well Being, and Family. Making the best of this time we are being given with our families and staying positive by feeling good inside ourselves is of the utmost importance right now. Please do not let school work stress you out and bog you down. I know what you are going through as parents because I have a 2nd grader that knows everything too.

Thank you all, and I know that things are going to get better soon, and we will all be better for it. Stay safe!

Yours truly,

Christopher Caldwell
Principal