On March 12, Governor Mike DeWine announced that all Ohio school districts will be on an “extended three-week spring break” beginning Monday, March 16. Even though the Governor stated the extended break would begin at the end of the day, on Monday, Groveport Madison students will not report to school on Monday, March 16. They will remain out of school through Friday, April 3, 2020.
Our staff will still be working during this time and will be available to answer questions during the regular school day.
When the announcement was made there was no information provided as to what was meant by “spring break” and whether students were considered to be on a typical spring break or whether they were expected to continue their studies and classwork over the next three weeks while at home.
We have received clarification from the Ohio Department of Education indicating that the purpose of sending students home for the next three weeks is solely to reduce the potential for the Coronavirus to spread. However, it is still expected that staff will be working and students will be considered “attending school from home” during this time. We realize this may not be what most of us initially understood; however, this is the direction that the Governor’s Office and the Ohio Department of Education have provided to school districts across Ohio.
This letter is intended to provide you with information that outlines our school district’s plan for meeting your child’s academic and nutritional needs over the next three weeks.
Schedule for the Next Three Weeks
Even though the Governor stated the extended break would begin at the end of the day, on Monday, Groveport Madison students will not report to school on Monday, March 16, and will be out of school through Friday, April 3, 2020. Our staff will still be working during this time and will be available to answer questions during the regular school day.
Our Scheduled Spring Break
Regardless of the spring break schedule just announced by the Governor, Groveport Madison Schools also will continue with our scheduled spring break, which runs from Friday, April 10 through Friday, April 17.
Athletics, School, and Community Events:
All indoor and outdoor athletic events, including practices and conditioning activities, have been canceled through Friday, April 3. There also will be no school nor community-related events taking place on District property during this time.
Breakfast and Lunch Availability for Children and Youth Under 18
Our food services department will provide a Grab & Go-style bagged meal consisting of both lunch and breakfast items (the breakfast for the next morning). Meal service will run from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., M-F. Meals are available to all children age 18 and under – at no cost. Meal service will be provided at the following locations:
•Asbury Elementary School – 5127 Harbor Blvd., Cols.
•Dunloe Elementary School – 3200 Dunloe Rd., Cols.
•Glendening Elementary School – 4200 Glendening Dr., Groveport
•Madison Elementary School – 4600 Madison School Dr., Cols.
•Middle School Central – 541 Main St., Groveport
•Middle School North – 5474 Sedalia Dr., Cols.
Student Medications:
Many students have medications that are kept at school so that they can be administered to the student during the school day. With our schools being closed for the next three weeks, parents must immediately contact the school to make arrangements to pick up their child’s medications. No medications can be left at school during this time.
Academic Expectations
Over the past week, we have been preparing for the possibility of having to administer off-site instruction to all of our students. While students will not be physically attending school, daily attendance will be monitored by the student’s teacher(s) through the student’s completion of their online assignments.
Preschool – Students will receive educational packets to complete at home, with family members. Packets can be picked up at the child’s school or at any of our meal service locations. Students will keep their completed packets and hand them into their teacher upon returning to school.
Kdg – 2nd Graders – Students will complete online activities per the direction of their teacher. Students will be required to complete academic work for a minimum of 120 minutes each day, with additional time as needed per intervention service.
3rd – 5th Graders – Students will complete online activities per the direction of their teacher. Students will be required to complete academic work for a minimum of 155 minutes daily with additional time as needed per intervention service.
6th – 8th Graders – Students will complete online activities per the direction of their teachers. Students will be required to complete academic work for a minimum of 195 minutes daily with additional time as needed per intervention services.
9th – 12th Graders – Students will complete online activities per the direction of their teachers. Students will be required to complete academic work for a minimum of 200 minutes daily with additional time as needed per intervention services.
Students with Special Needs – Students will use online learning modules or they will receive individualized packets to meet their specific needs. Staff will work with children to ensure I.E.P. needs are met.
Student Technology
All K-12 students will be using their Chromebook computers to complete daily online assignments. On Friday, all elementary school students will check out their Chromebook computer and charger to take home for the extended break. Middle and high school students already have Chromebook computers and chargers assigned to them for use at home and at school.
All students will use the Clever dashboard to sign in to our online learning programs. These programs are already used daily by our students. If students have any difficulty signing in or accessing online programs, please contact the Groveport Madison Schools Tech Department at 614-836-4789. A list of our online academic programs and additional information about grade level requirements broken down by subject area will be located on our website in the coming days. PLEASE NOTE: If you do not have internet access at your home, please contact the school in which your oldest student attends. We will be happy to discuss options for your child to get internet access to complete their online studies.
Sample Student Daily Schedule
The following is just a sample schedule to help families who may wish to retain a sense of structure and consistency to their child’s day.
07:30 a.m. – Get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth, etc.
08:15 a.m. – Organize learning space, turn on computer/device, log in to Google Classroom
08:30 a.m. – Review daily announcements from the teacher(s) and get the necessary learning materials organized.
08:45 a.m. – Engage in the first online session or chat session or video tutorial or whatever the topic is for the day assigned by your teacher.
09:30 a.m. – Begin assignments
10:00 a.m. – Take quick stretch and nutrition break
10:15 a.m. – Return to assignments, keep working, document learning in whatever way is required
11:00 a.m. – Check Google Classroom for any additional announcements
11:15 a.m. – Lunch and movement (Take a walk, dance, do jumping-jacks, or run in the yard: just follow some sort of workout routine.
12:00 p.m. – Return to assignments, keep working, document learning in whatever way is required
01:00 p.m. – Engage in second online session or chat session or video tutorial or whatever you know you’ve been asked to do
01:45 p.m. – Take a quick stretch and nutrition break
02:00 p.m. – Return to assignments, keep working, document learning in whatever way is required
03:00 p.m. – Summarize your learning in whatever way your teacher(s) have requested, and submit your evidence online
03:45 p.m. – Pat yourself on the back for a full day of online learning
This is undoubtedly an unusual and unique situation in which all of us find ourselves. Please know that we are committed to keeping you informed of any new information as it becomes available. We will keep our website updated with all the information you may need, but please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s school for assistance.
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we all navigate these unchartered waters.
Respectfully,
Garilee Ogden
Superintendent, Groveport Madison Schools
