School Dismissal

South Sanpete School District assigned iPads will have limited INTERNET ACCESS FROM 11:00 PM UNTIL 6:00 AM

PARENT ALERT SCHOOL DISMISSAL FOR TWO WEEKS BEGINNING MARCH 16TH

Due to the COVID-19 situation and as per Governor Herbert and the Utah State Board of Education, all schools in Utah will be dismissed for two weeks beginning March 16, 2020.  State leaders are determined to do their part to protect the health and safety of our communities. These decisions are not made lightly. 

Per Utah Rule R277-419-12, a school dismissal (soft closure) means that students would be sent home, but facilities would be kept open and faculty and staff would be allowed to continue to work. 

South Sanpete School District will implement the following action plan to continue instruction.

There will be no instruction on Monday and Tuesday, March 16th & 17th for teacher preparation.  SSSD will begin providing online instruction for all students on Wednesday-Friday, March 18th - 20th, with the possibility of continuing after Spring Break.  Spring Break, March 23rd-March 27th, will remain as scheduled.

Online Instruction

South Sanpete Schools are very prepared to provide online instruction due to our one-to-one efforts.  Each teacher will provide information to students/parents on how to access class materials. 

  • Students in grades 6-12 have individual school-issued iPads that will be used in providing curriculum.
  • Students in grades 3-5 will be issued an iPad and given further instruction accessing curriculum online.Times and locations of staggered iPad deployments for grades 3-5 will be sent to parents on Monday, March 16th.
  • Information regarding online instruction for grades K-2 will be sent to parents.
  • Students will be expected to complete all work assigned by teachers.Usage of Canvas will be monitored by teachers.

Home Internet Access

For families who do not have internet access at home, we are working with local providers to offer public access points for families (i.e. parks, school parking lots, etc.).  Additional information will be provided early next week.

School Lunch

School lunch will not be provided on Monday and Tuesday, March 16th and 17th but will be served beginning Wednesday, March 18th.  Additional information about when and where lunch will be served will be sent out on Monday, March 16th.

Gatherings at Schools

All school activities have been cancelled and no gatherings will be permitted on school premises.

Parent Updates

Updates to parents will be sent out via e-mail and text message using the SwiftReach system.

Thank you 

We appreciate your patience with us as we work through this difficult process. We recognize the responses to COVID-19 have significantly disrupted the school year. We hope you understand these changes are meant to protect you, your extended family, and members of our community.

Questions

Please understand this situation will require extensive discussion and we will not have answers to all questions right away.  However, questions can be directed to the District Office at 435-835-2261 or individual schools.

pdfParent_Alert.pdf

Dear Parents:

As the South Sanpete School District begins our two weeks of school dismissal today, March 16, 2020, we would like to have you consider some things that can support improved mental health, despite a stressful and somewhat unpredictable situation.
We recognize the increased burdens placed upon you.  We also know first hand what dedicated parents you are and how important your child's health, education, and emotional well being are.  This letter is written with the hope that information might be given that could mitigate some of the difficulties of the imposed quarantine. Below are some suggestions.

 SEEK INFORMATION FROM TRUSTED SOURCES: Obtain information and updates from the world health organization at who.int  or the CDC at CDC.gov

TRY TO AVOID EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE TO MEDIA:  Constant monitoring of news updates and social media feeds about COVID-19 can intensify feelings of worry and distress.  Children are emotional receptors and can sense worry. Their fears and emotional insecurities are often manifested by emotional fluctuations, irritability, a return to behaviors they have outgrown, separation anxiety for younger ones, and possibly emotional withdrawal from older children.  Our efforts at emotional health and balance will spill to them.  

LOOK AFTER YOURSELF: Making self-care a priority will allow you to continue to meet the needs of your children with less burnout, emotional numbness, and feelings of being overwhelmed.  Where possible, focus on things you can control, maintain as much of your daily routine and activities as you can; for example, meal-times, reading, playing outside, getting enough sleep, and doing things you enjoy.

CONSIDER IMPLEMENTING A DAILY POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE:  Begin a daily practice of exercise, meditation, taking a walk, learning to breathe mindfully, and practicing how to stay in the moment and avoid the "what ifs." 

TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN IN A WAY THAT ALLOWS THEM TO EXPRESS FEARS:  Children of all ages often misunderstand what is happening, and consequently, this heightens fears and insecurities. Have conversations that allow them to ask their questions and feel heard. When they are done expressing their worries, clarify misconceptions.  Give them extra love, listening, and support.

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR FEELINGS:  You may have your own fears and frustrations.  Be sure to acknowledge them.  Allow yourself to feel them and then move forward.  Repressed emotions fuels stress and emotional disconnection.   

MAINTAIN HEALTHY CONNECTIONS WITH OTHERS:  Isolation can be a breeding ground for increased anxiety, depression, and frustration.  A connection is an antidote.  Be creative in ways to connect with others: i.e., family online support groups, face timing, family dinners, game nights, and long talks with your friends and family who are good listeners.   

SAFEUT:  SafeUT recently sent out the following: “We wanted to take a moment to reassure you that SafeUT is still available as a resource for your students, parents, and yourself during this stressful time.  We have master’s level clinicians available to chat or call 24/7/365 and will continue to have them available throughout the outbreak.”  Just download the SafeUT app and use it as frequently as needed.

FEEL FREE TO CONTACT YASMIN HEYWOOD,  OUR SOUTH SANPETE  MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST:  If you would like increased resources, clarification, suggestions, or ideas in dealing with your specific concerns, feel free to contact Yasmin Heywood at yasmin.heywood@ssanpete.org or call (435) 835-2261.

As we navigate the next few weeks as a district family, we want you to know we are here as a resource for you.  While a continued educational focus is a priority, we also recognize the impact of mental health on our students and on you as their care-givers. We hope these suggestions prove useful.

Sincerely yours,
Yasmin Heywood
pdfmental_health_Mar_16_2020_Spanish.pdf

pdfLetter_to_Parents_about_Mental_Health_and_Covid19.pdf

Gunnison Valley Elementary

 

 

GOB5 Gunnison High School

 

Student Dismissal

 Students will be receiving home instruction  until May 1, 2020. conditions will be reevaluated at that time.  If you have questions, please call the office @ 435-528-7880

Parent Pick-up

Parents may pick-up material again on Tuesday, March 31 from 11:30-12:30 at the elementary. Teachers will be in the bus lane. 

Community Council

GVES Community Council will meet again on April 1, 2020. All are invited to attend. 

Drop Off Lane

Please do not park in the drop-off lane. If you need to come in the school, please park in the parking lot. 

Names on personal items

Please put your child’s name on his/her backpack, coat and lunchbox.  That way the item can be returned when it is lost. 

Transportation

The South Sanpete School District is responsible for the transportation of all eligible South Sanpete students to their assigned schools in accordance with State Department of Education guidelines. Eligibility is determined by the following criteria:

Elementary school studentswho, if not provided transportation, would have walking distance to the school which they are normally assigned of more than one and a half (1 ½) miles.

Bus routes will start the same as they did last year. Adjustments will be made as needed. You can find the routes at ssanpete.org. Look under resources then transportation. 

In order to keep all students safe and not overload our buses, students will not be allowed to switch buses to go to an alternate location after school.  

If your student wants to play with friends after school, have him/her come home first, and then go to the friend’s house.  Please make all after school pick-up arrangements before students come to school. We usually only have one secretary in the office and it is impossible for her to make all the changes that are called in.

We have many children with allergies. Please do not send food on the bus with your children. If they have snacks in their backpack, they need to wait until they are off the bus to eat them.  

Community Council

The duties of the Gunnison Valley Elementary Community Council are to advise and make recommendations to the school, school district administrators and the South Sanpete School Board regarding our school and our programs, district programs, and other issues relating to the environment of the school. The Community Council has six members; four parents, one teacher, and the principal.  Membership on the Community Council is limited to parents of children who will be enrolled in Gunnison Valley Elementary School.

Late Arrival

If your student is late, please remind them to check in at the office before they go to class. 

Checking students out of school

When you need to check your student out of school, please come into the office to sign him/her out. Please DO NOTgo directly to the classroom. The office personnel will call him/her to the office.  

 School visits

You are welcome at GVES any time. All visitors must check in at the office 

Box Tops

This is an easy way to help us earn money. Please send BOX TOPS from General Mills products with your student to school.

Lost and Found

Please put your student’s name and phone number on his/her coat, jacket and backpack. Every year we take MANY items to D.I. We would love to return items to their owners instead. It also helps us avoid student conflicts when students have matching items. 

Pledge of Allegiance

The state legislature has passed a law requiring all schools to have the students recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each day in every classroom. 

 Dress Code

The following are highlights from the district’s dress and grooming policy that particularly apply to elementary age students. The entire policy is available on the Internet at www.ssanpete.org, policy JFCA. These dress standards will be enforced at school and all school activities. 

* Hairstylesthat are conspicuous, extreme, or odd shall not be allowed when they draw undue attention and distraction or disruption.

* Hair colorshall be within the spectrum of natural hair colors. 

* All clothesmust be clean and modest. 

(No tank type shirts, halters, bare midriffs. Shirts must cover students’ mis-section. Shorts and skirts need to be as least as long as their fingertips when their hands are down to their sides. )

* No pajamasor other sleeping attire (unless specified as a dress-up day or activity)

* No obscene, Lewd, Sexual innuendos, racial, ethnic, indecent, vulgar, violent, or inappropriate saying, writing, diagrams, or pictures are allowed on clothing or personal belongings, e.g. notebooks, backpacks, gym bags, water bottles, lockers, badges, patches, etc. 

* No head coveringof any kind are allowed to be worn in school buildings during regular school hours. This includes all types of hats, bandanas, hooded shirts or coats, sweatbands, etc.

* No skate shoes, bedroom slippers, or bare feet are allowed at any time.

* It is strongly recommended that flip-flops not be wornto school due to health and safety concerns. {Because of recess and P.E. activities, this is especially important in the elementary school.} Open toes shoes are also a danger for elementary aged children.

Violence and Bullying Incidences

Violence and bullying cannot be allowed in our schools. The complete policies are available at www.ssanpete.org, policies JG, JGA, and JH. The age of our students is considered as we deal with the discipline problems, but we would like you to remind your children that guns and knives are not allowed. This includes toy knives and guns. 

 

Concussions

The long-term consequences of concussions are a concern for parents and schools. The school board has adopted a policy dealing with concussions. The policy is available at www.ssanpete.org, policy JL. Our fourth and fifth graders play dodge ball, which has some risk of concussion associated with it. If you do not want your child to participate in dodge ball please contact the school. 

General District Policies

The following are other policies you may be interested in. Again, they are found at www.ssanpete.org

            * Student Conduct and Discipline                  Policy JG

            * Attendance and Truancy                             Policy JE

            * Electronic Devices                                        Policy JGB

            * Bullying and Hazing                                     Policy JGA

Family Education Right and Privacy Disclosure

School directory information including student’s name, address, phone number, email, photos, honors and awards, and dates of attendance may be released on a limited basis to the PTA, the Utah Health Department, the local newspaper, GVES newsletter, and other similar groups or for similar purposes, but for the most part this information will remain confidential. If you do not want this information used, please contact the principal, Arleen Jensen, at 528-7880

School Accident Insurance

Student accident insurance is available for students. If you would like a flyer or more information please stop by the office. 

 

Busing

Please do not drop your student off in the bus drop-off area. Please use the student pick-up /drop-off area. 

In order to keep all students safe and not overload our buses, students will not be allowed to switch buses.  

Which means… students have a regular bus that they ride after school. They can only ride that bus. If they need to go to a different location, you will need to pick them up or transport them after they get home.  Also, please make all after school pick-up arrangements before students come to school. We usually only have one secretary in the office and it is impossible for her to make all the changes that are called in.

We have many children with allergies. Please do not send food on the bus with your children. If they have snacks in their backpack, they need to wait until they are off the bus to eat them.

Bus Parking Area

If you are picking your student up after school, please use the parent pick-up area. If you are parked on the street, please use the sidewalks. To keep everyone safe, please do not walk between the buses or in the bus parking area.

 Electronic devices

Students are not permitted to use personal electronic devices such as cell phones, iPods, iPads in school unless assigned by their teacher. If they need a phone to contact you after school, remind them to turn it off and keep it in their backpack until school is over. 

   

Important Dates: 

April 1        Community Council 3 p.m. Zoom # 540-273-2798

 May 22       Last Day of School

 

  

 

 

                          

 

 

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