Hybrid Instruction District Update

During the school board meeting on Wednesday February 17, 2021, the Ambridge Area School District Board of Directors voted to make changes to our current Instruction Model.  Those changes are listed below.  Please see attached Garnet and Gray Days calendar for more details.

GRADES 6-12

All secondary students, grades 6-12, to return back to our hybrid model. This return to hybrid education will start on Monday March 1, 2021. Groups will return to learning activities as follows:

Garnet
Face-to-Face – Monday and Wednesday
Bridger Virtual Learning Academy– Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

Gray
Face-to-Face – Tuesday and Thursday
Bridger Virtual Learning Academy– Monday, Wednesday and Friday

The Bridger Virtual Learning Academy provides students with direct teacher instruction, a structured schedule, teacher support and classroom interaction as they remotely participate in their class periods from home.

Ambridge Area School District understands that some parents are not comfortable sending their child to school with the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents have two options for educating their children during our return back to hybrid education:
• 2 days a week face-to-face, 3 days Bridger Virtual Learning Academy.
• Bridger Virtual Learning Academy (5 days a week remote learning).
Because we understand that the COVID-19 situation is evolving and may change how you want your child to receive instruction, you may alter your child’s educational plan at any time. Please contact the main office at the respective building to make the change.

GRADES PreK-5

All elementary students in grades PreK-5, to continue to our hybrid model and add every other Friday by Cohort.  The additional Friday instruction, by Cohort, will begin during the week of February 22^nd with the Garnet Cohort.   Groups will return to learning activities as follows.

Garnet

Face-to-Face Instruction:

Monday, Wednesday, and every other Friday

Bridger Virtual Learning Academy: Tuesday, Thursday and every other Friday

 

Gray

Face-to-Face Instruction:

Tuesday, Thursday, and every other Friday

Bridger Virtual Learning Academy: Monday, Wednesday and every other Friday

The Bridger Virtual Learning Academy provides students with direct teacher instruction, a structured schedule, teacher support and classroom interaction as they remotely participate in their class periods from home.

Ambridge Area School District understands that some parents are not comfortable sending their child to school with the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Parents have two options for educating their children during our return back to hybrid education:

• 2 days a week (plus every other Friday), face-to-face instruction and 2 days Bridger Virtual Learning Academy (plus every other Friday).
• Bridger Virtual Learning Academy (5 days a week remote learning).

Because we understand that the COVID-19 situation is evolving and may change how you want your child to receive instruction, you may alter your child’s educational plan at any time.  Please contact the main office at the respective building to make the change.  Below are some important reminders from our district health and safety plan.

Student arrival:

o    All students must wear a face mask/covering at all times from the time they get on the bus until the time that they get off of the bus, except when eating.

o    All students must enter and exit through either the main entrance or designated doors by each building.

o    Doors to the entrance/exits will be propped to limit touching of surfaces.

o    Upon arrival, students must keep 6 feet of social distance according to the dots/arrows on the ground.

o    Upon arrival, students will have their temperature scanned.  Students must have a temperature of 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit or less and must not exhibit any of the following symptoms:

• Fever (Above 99.5)
• Diarrhea/Vomiting
• Body Chills
• Sore Throat
• Persistent Cough
• Pain/Difficulty Breathing
• Shortness of Breath
• Loss of Taste or Smell
• Unexplained Headache

o    If a student is over the temperature, the nurse will be radioed for assistance.

o    All students will exit through the main entrance or designated doors of the building.

Proper mask wearing:

o    Please be sure to wear a mask anytime on school property.

o    Masks should be covering your mouth and nose.

o    Students are allowed to wear face shields or masks.

Social Distancing:

o    Be sure to keep your distance of 6 feet throughout the day.

o    Follow the arrows and center lines in the hallways to help with social distancing and traffic during the school day.

Water:

o    Students should still bring clear water bottle for water each day.

o    Water dispensers are located in each building.

Washing/sanitizing hands:

o    There are hand sanitizer stations all throughout the buildings.  Students should be sure to use these on a consistent basis to help stop the spread of germs.

o    Please remind your children to also wash their hands anytime they visit the restroom.

Thank you for your support to keep everyone in our school and community safe!  The learning this school year has also been far from normal.  We want to be sure to reiterate some important aspects of our Bridger Virtual Learning Academy (remote education) to help students be as successful as possible.

Attendance:

o   Students should be sure to be logged in promptly so that they are marked present AND so that they are not marked late to class.

o   Students must also be sure to remain online for the entire period.  Teachers will take attendance through our student information system (Tyler) and also download attendance from Microsoft Teams (which timestamps students arriving and leaving a meeting).

Participation:

o   Participation is always important but virtual participation is even more important due to our new form of online education.

o   If students have their cameras on their backgrounds should be blurred or changed to keep privacy within your homes.

o   Students should mute their mics during each class period and raise their “virtual” hand to participate during virtual class time.

Be prepared:

o   Even when in school, students should have their devices charged and ready to use.

o   Keep other devices and windows closed during class time so that you are fully engaged in learning.

Grades:

o   Tyler is the school district’s official student information system.  Please use this to monitor your child’s grades and attendance.