March 16th, 2020
Dear GCS Parents,
Our school building is closed to classroom based instruction until April 27, 2020. Staff are here hard at work on distance learning plans for our students. All schools are at varying stages of this process and we are asking for patience and understanding that this is not going to be perfect. We are doing the absolute best we can to meet the varying needs of our families. We will have learning materials ready for parent pickup on Friday, March 20, between the hours of 8:30 - 3:00. Parents who are unable to get to school on Friday will be contacted on Monday, March 23, and the school will coordinate a plan to have materials delivered to your home.
I have asked our staff to make contact with every student each week. If we do not hear from you, we will be reaching out. This could be an isolating time for us all and we want you to know that we are here and will continue to provide support to you in any way that we are able.
The School will have free bag lunches available commencing Tuesday, March 17th. They will be available for pickup from 11:00 am -1:00 pm, each day, at the front entrance of the school. Per federal guidelines, the lunches are only for students age 18 and below. Please email Ms. Angie Mead by 5:00 P.M. the night before if you would like a school meal the following week day at amead@aos98schools.org. Example: Meal desired on Tuesday, March 17, must email Angie by 5:00 March 16. In extenuating circumstances the school will be happy to deliver meals to your home. The bags will also have your child’s next morning's breakfast inside.
We intend to limit building occupancy once all distant (remote) learning plans have been distributed home. Second trimester reports will conclude this Friday and report cards will be mailed home by March 27. We hope to have a clear decision about Parent-Teacher conferences by the end of this week. Next week we will begin to deeply sanitize the school and follow the recommended guidelines of “social distancing” to “flatten the curve” and proactively reduce the spread of COVID-19. While it is unfortunate to close our school, the level of uncertainty surrounding this virus leads me to believe we’re making the best informed decisions we can given the information we currently have.
Please know that I am available for questions and needs that may arise for your family:
Cell phone: 207.751-6968
E-mail cbaribeau@aos98schools.org
Nurse Jen will be available to answer questions via e-mail and phone about symptoms and next steps for resources, if you need to reach her:
School phone: 371-2160 (Tuesdays only)
E-mail: jmitchell@aos98schools.org
Deb Thibodeau will be available for questions and support through her Guidance FaceBook, as needed:
Email: dthibodeau@aos98schools.org
Take time to breathe fresh air. Find a safe trail or park where you can walk with enough distance from others for health-safety. Seek moments of basking in creation. As the next weeks unfold of studying and working from home, it will be important to get outdoors and stretch the muscles and the mind. Do this daily. Today, when the right moment arrives, reflect on what happens after those strong storms that shake the house as night falls: yes…the sun comes up again.
Stay Healthy,
Chris Baribeau, Principal