June 1, 2020
Grand Valley Local School’s current school year is now coming to an end. I want to let everyone know that we are being proactive when looking at the start of next school year. August will come quicker than you think and here is where we are focusing our efforts over the summer to help create the best public school experience we can in 2020-2021.
- We are working on creating the safest way to return to school. We are discussing bus routes, school buildings, class sizes, protocols and health checks and social distancing programs for next year.
- We are working on designing a program closest to our normal public school experience. We want programming with all the social experiences we can safely promote.
- We want our students to have every normal extracurricular experience that is possible. We hope that fall sports, band and the arts are back to full swing safely.
- We are working on creating a more robust and interactive online programming if still needed. Although we prefer traditional instruction, a blended learning model may still be needed and we are enhancing that for better online programming, availability to all children and consistency district wide.
- We are in hopes to have a one-to-one student to Chromebook ratio to help with any online/blended learning programming needed.
- We hope to have a before and after school program to help the working parents keep their kids in school and help those kids by have extended educational environments.
- We are working on our own alternative online school pathway for vulnerable students who need more online instruction vs. traditional instruction.
- We are designing a cleaning and sterilization program to help keep our facilities safe and to promote proper social distancing.
In early June, there will be more government directives on how and when schools return to school. We will then meet with stakeholders to get input on what our local wants, needs and opinions are in regards to opening schools next school year. We will keep everyone posted through email and social media. Please look for updates as the summer moves along. Take care and be safe.
Dr. William R. Nye Jr.
Superintendent, Grand Valley Local Schools