The Special Board Meeting held on the evening of September 27 had only one agenda item, to discuss the safe re-entry of students into our school house. In-school instruction was scheduled to begin on October 12, 2020. There was worry from parents, the community, and employees that the District was rushing its decision. Thus, the Governing Board decided to meet on September 27 to determine if the school re-entry should be delayed. After considerable discussion, the board voted unanimously to extend on-line learning and delay opening on-site learning until November 16.
The Board studied and discussed the below criteria, statistics, and bench marks:
All of these facts played into the decision by the Board to continue online instruction for all students through the remainder of the quarter.
We continue to monitor the situation, and are currently planning on transitioning students who's parents request a change to in-person learning in November. Distance learning will continue to be an option for any student desiring to do so throughout the year.
11-17-2020
Good Morning,
Parents, guardians, students, staff and community members,
On Monday November 2, 2020 the Grand Canyon School Board voted to continue Distance Learning for all enrolled students and further delay In-Person instruction until the end of the first semester on January 28, 2021. Additionally, the Grand Canyon School Board voted to suspend Winter sports for the 2020-2021 school year, both decisions were not made lightly.
Additional supports are being implemented by the school and staff for our students during this continuation of the Grand Canyon Distance Learning instructional model. At the High School level, we are adding after school virtual tutoring for all students Monday through Thursday. Please take advantage of this opportunity to get support from our HS SPED, Math, Science, ELA and History teachers! The schedule of teachers and Zoom links have been shared with all High School students through their school provided email. Middle School teachers have scheduled additional open Zoom meetings in order to encourage students to receive tutoring, direction and instructional support. If you have any questions, please contact the respective HS and MS teacher or school office.
In the last couple of weeks, the High School and Middle School have begun fully implementing the social emotional programs Second Step and Why Try. Mr. Magana is teaching Second Step during Middle School PE twice a week and Ms. Duthie and Ms. Benefield are teaching Why Try to the High School students during scheduled virtual meetings and Career Exploration classes. The Elementary school continues to implement the Second Step social emotional program during morning announcements and continuing throughout the school day.
We have also updated the Grab and Go school lunch and breakfast program as well. We now have two delivery routes to provide free grab and go meals to all children ages 0-18. The updated schedule has been shared via text blast and is on the school website.
We thank you to all of our parents, students and community members for your continued encouragement and understanding during these challenging and changing times. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or if I can be of support in any way.
Respectfully,
Principal Matt Yost
*******************************************
10/19/20
Dear Parents and Guardians of Grand Canyon Middle School and High School students,
This year our school is using PTCFast.com to make virtual parent-teacher conference signups as convenient as possible. In the past, we have had parents, students and teachers meet in the MPR to conference with each teacher in person. This year we will have a new virtual format. This virtual format will have parents, students and teachers participate in virtual parent teacher conferences via Zoom. PTCFast will allow you chose a time between 1:00pm and 7:00pm on October 21, 2020 to have these Zoom conferences. Please log on this scheduling program and choose a date and time that is more convenient for you.
Please enter the following web address into your browser window:
https://ptcfast.com/schools/Grand_Canyon_School_District
It's fast and easy. Simply follow the instructions below.
How to Schedule a Parent/Teacher Conference Online
1. Select the school link
and then the teachers with whom you wish to schedule conferences.
2. Provide your student's name, your name, and your email address. (An email address is required.)
3. You will receive an email immediately from "Do Not Reply" from your child's school via PTCFast.com.
4. Click on the link in the email to reserve your conference times. You must complete this step in order to reserve an appointment.
5. After selecting your time, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Confirm Selections.
6. Access the following link for more instructions -- https://ptcfast.com/SWP_overview.htm
Teachers will be notified of your appointment(s) automatically via email, and you will receive a reminder email about the conference. If you have more than one student, select the teachers you wish to meet with, and you will be prompted to provide the name for each student. If for some reason you need to cancel, please email the teacher(s) directly.
If you do not have internet access or are having issues with scheduling a virtual meeting please contact us via phone at 928-638-2461.
In order to make conferences as efficient as possible for parents and teachers, we will only be accepting scheduled appointments at this time.
Thank you for your support and understanding. We are looking forward to successful and productive parent teacher conferences.
Principal Matthew Yost,
10-2-2020
Good Afternoon Parents, Guardians, Students and Staff,
This is the end fourth week of the 2020-2021 school year and we continue to adapt and update our Distance Learning Program we are providing to all our students. We are proud of all the hard work that is being accomplished by all to make Distance Learning the best it can be.
Continuing from this last week, teachers will provide paper packets and manipulatives to support student learning. Currently, these items are available at the school office on Monday morning for those students and parents who are able to pick them up. Students and families who are not able to come to school will be able to receive these items during the daily breakfast and lunch delivery drop off locations in Tusayan and Valle. If you have any questions about this process, please call the school office.
Last Sunday September 27, 2020, the Grand Canyon School Board voted to post-pone in person learning until Monday November 16, 2020.
The Grand Canyon Faculty is looking forward to having students back on campus in the future. For those families who are interested the Distance Learning instructional model will be offered for the duration of the 2020-2021 school year. We thank you for your continued understanding and support during these complicated times. As always please reach out to us if you have any questions or if I can be of support in any way.
Respectfully,
Principal Matt Yost
9-23-2020
Parents, Guardians, Students and Staff,
This is the third week of the 2020-2021 school year and we are very excited about the distance learning program we are providing to all of our students. We are immensely proud of all the hard work that students, parents, and teachers have done during these first couple of weeks to make Distance Learning the best it can be. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we continue to improve and refine our Distance Learning Program.
Starting this week, many teachers will begin to provide paper packets and manipulatives to support student learning. These items will be provided at the school office on Monday’s for those students and parents who are able to pick them up. Students and families who are not able to come to school will be able to receive these items during the daily breakfast and lunch deliveries drop off locations in Tusayan and Valle. Your patience with the implementation of this system is greatly appreciated.
Last week, the Grand Canyon School Board agreed to meet weekly to assess the current health and safety metrics in order to select the appropriate time for in-person school to begin. The Sunday night meeting details can be found on the school website.
The School Board also requested parent input within a survey located on the school website. Please take a moment to fill out the survey!
While we look forward to having students back on campus in the near future the Distance Learning instructional model will be offered for the duration of the 2020-2021 school year for those parents and students who prefer this offering.
As a reminder many communications will be going home weekly. Please make sure your phone number and email address are up to date with the school office. Additionally, we request that everyone remember that all of us are doing something new. Any time you are growing, there are challenges that require patience and grace to work through together. If you or your student need support, we request that you please contact your teacher first, then the school office. We will do everything we can to help.
Our staff appreciates all of our families for your continued encouragement and understanding during these challenging and changing times. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or if I can be of support in any way.
Respectfully,
Principal Matt Yost
