GMS Family Update – January 2021 The GMS staff wants to wish you all a healthy and happy !

We would like to thank each of you for your continued support and collaboration as we work through this pandemic together. We are proud to announce that we have been able to have our students in-person up to this point and are excited about being able to continue this practice. Of course, we would not be able to do it without your support in our processes and procedures. Thank you all!

Devices for Virtual / Quarantine Learners

We are working hard to ensure that our virtual students have reliable technology to work with while learning virtually or in quarantine. This is just a reminder that if you need a MIFI for internet service or a laptop computer for your virtual / quarantined learner, please let us know at the school so we can assist.

Virtual / Quarantined Learners Returning to School

At Home learners using HASD Devices: 1) Devices need to be returned the same day the child returns to school. Please turn them in to the GMS office 2) The equipment will be wiped down and checked over for any issues. 3) If there are no issues the device will be checked in. 4) If there are issues the principal will contact the parents with the issue and next step.

3rd Quarter Virtual Learner Material Pick-up

If you are a virtual learner, you will be able to pick up academic materials for the 3rd quarter from school beginning on Monday, January 25th. Materials can be picked up by simply coming to the GMS office during normal business hours.

GMS Parent Teacher Conferences Feb 17th – 19th

GMS will be holding their spring parent / teacher conferences 17th and 18th from 4:00pm – 7:00pm and February 19th from 8:00am - 11:30am. We will once again be holding them virtually. We ill be sending out a Skylert in the next week with instructions for signing up for a time slot. Please be on the lookout for this.

First Semester Progress Reports

As you know, we are rapidly approaching the end of the first semester of learning at GMS. This means that students proficiency reports will be coming soon. The end of the 1st semester is Thursday, January 21st. Staff will have the following week to finalize grades in Mastery Connect. A final summative report of your child’s progress for the first semester will be available for you to access on Friday, January 29th by the end of the school day.

Important Upcoming District Dates

• 2021-2022 School Year - Online Registration - Opens Monday, , 2021 - Students in 4K - 12th Grade • 2021-2022 School Year - Wisconsin Open Enrollment opens Monday, , 2021 and closes Friday, 30, 2021 • 2021-2022 School Year - HASD Intra-District Requests opens Monday, February 1, 2021 and closes Friday, , 2021 (Elementary & Middle Schools)

Check out the HASD website for more information.

Upcoming Student / Staff Work Days

Please mark your calendars with these very important dates:

Friday, January 22nd – Staff Work Day – No School for Students Friday, January 29th – Staff Work Day – No in-person school. Virtual Catch-up day. Wednesday, February 10th - Staff Work Day – No in-person school. Virtual Catch-up day. Wednesday, 10th - Staff Work Day – No in-person school. Virtual Catch-up day.

Thank you to our GMS community for helping provide for families in need!

Want some help with your students' virtual math lessons?

Wondering how you can help your students with their math lessons? The CESA 6 Math Center is here for you! Their math experts are offering a webinar series to help virtual learners and those supporting virtual learners understand everything from Kindergarten math to Calculus. The cost is just $10 per webinar. Click here for more information.

GMS Late Start Schedule Below is the GMS late start schedule in the event we need to run a two hour delay due to inclement weather. Doors open at 9:30. Students need to be in class by 9:55.

Student Use of Personal Devices While at School

There is no doubt that social media has impacted the lives of adults and children alike. To that extent, it is also important to note there are times when the use of social media is appropriate, and times when it is not. Over the course of the 1st semester there have been a significant number of situations in which students have not followed district and school procedures related to use of personal devices while at school. We felt it was important to remind you and your child(ren) of these expectations as we enter second semester so they can continue to have the privilege of having their phones at school.

The information below was taken directly from page seven (7) and eight (8) of the student handbook

The Hortonville Area School District has also implemented a Bring Your Own Device policy (BYOD). This new addition to the Acceptable Usage Policy allows students to use their personal digital devices (smart phones, iPads, tablets, etc.) at school. All personal devices must remain in backpacks* during the academic day unless given teacher permission for educational purposes. Students NOT use their personal wireless data plans at school under any circumstances. as all internet usage during the school day must be filtered. Students MAY NOT use their personal devices to text, place telephone calls, take pictures, take video, or access social networking sites during the school UNLESS permission is granted by a teacher.

CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP / BYOD EXPECTATIONS: 1. First Offense - Device will be confiscated and may be picked up in the office at the conclusion of the school day. A minor office referral will be entered. 2. Second Offense - Device will be confiscated and may be picked up in the office at the conclusion of the school day. A minor office referral will be entered. 3. Third Offense - Device will be confiscated and a parent will be required to pick up the device from school. A minor office referral will be entered. 4. Fourth Offense - Privilege revoked for the remainder of the quarter (or equivalent). Students will still have limited access to school issued devices for instructional purposes only. A major office referral will be entered. (District Policy #5136)

Depending on the offense, the consequence may go directly to step 4. Per administrator discretion.

When we returned to school on January 4th, we did a reteach / booster with all students related to the use of technology at school. Also – Because of the problems we have been having with students being on social media sites during school we are now implementing the following procedures (which are still in line with the handbook expectations) 1. Students will be allowed to be on their phones before school as long as they are following the expectations outlined above and in the handbook. Once morning announcements begin, students will be expected to power off their phones and put them in their backpack (unless they have teacher permission to keep then out)

2. Students will be able to be on their phones during flex period (2:45 – 3:07) as long as they are following the expectations outlined above and in the handbook. If a teacher needs them to be put away during this time, students should comply with this request.

3. Students will be expected to have their phones powered off and in their backpacks during lunch periods. We have had a significant number of issues during this time, which has prompted this response. Lunch period is a great opportunity for students to talk and connect with their friends face to face.

Health Room and COVID Mitigation Procedures

Students who need to utilize the health room will be divided into separate areas based on the specifics of their visit. If a student is displaying any of the symptoms on the symptom checker document, they will be separated from students that are symptom free. Students that are ill will be assessed and wait in a mitigation room until a parent/guardian is able to pick them up. Please be sure that your emergency contacts are up to date in Skyward. Students displaying symptoms will have their parent/guardian contacted and it is expected they are picked up within 30 minutes to reduce the potential spread of illness.

Daily Student Schedule for Third Quarter Grades 5 and 6

Daily Student Schedule for Third Quarter Grades 7 and 8

Symptom Checker

The district will provide you with a Symptom Checker document and we will ask that you use this on a daily basis prior to sending your student(s) to school. If your child is experiencing any of the symptoms identified, please do not send them to school. Additionally, if a family member in the household is going in to be tested or is in the process of being tested, please do not send your child to school until the results have come back. When the test comes back, we will follow the flow chart on the symptom checker. This is critical. In the event that your student displays symptoms identified, we will follow the protocol identified on the document. We will make it available to you on our website as well. If you are unsure or have questions about this, please contact the health office at GMS and we will assist you.

Canvas and Microsoft Teams Access

We will continue to use Canvas as our primary online learning portal to ensure consistency across the district and grade levels. Please utilize the Canvas access and directions support provided by our district to assist with this. We will utilize Microsoft Teams for digital conferencing and parent/guardian meetings through the year. Please download Microsoft Teams on your cell phone or digital device so that you will be able to join us in this way. Using Teams from a link provided to you, at times, can have connectivity issues. If you download the app directly to your device it works quite well. We encourage you to download both the Canvas and Teams apps on your devices rather than use them as a web-based tool. Canvas Login Instructions

Directions to IT Support

Drop Off/Pick Up

We are working hard to ensure that we have the most efficient drop off and pick up procedures in place. We know that the first week is a learning curve for everyone. Safety is of utmost importance. We will continue to have as many staff members as available to assist with traffic flow and supervision but also need your assistance. Students should be dropped off by 7:55a.m. daily. If your student has been dropped off at that time and their door is locked, they should proceed to the front entrance and enter at door 1. The following procedures are in place to keep everyone safe: Drop Off: • When pulling in, keep to the right. The left lane is for exiting only after you have dropped off a student curbside. Do not drop students off in the left lane, we do not want them to cross through the right lane of traffic. Do not use the left lane to cut ahead in line and then cut over to the curb. Please keep to the right and exit to the left once you have dropped off. • When you enter, please pull up as far as you can. Please don’t stop at the door your child is entering, this holds up traffic considerably backing it up to Hwy 76. Pull as far ahead as you can and have your student exit the vehicle there. They can walk to their door from your drop off point. Once you have pulled up as far as you can and your vehicle is stopped, your student should exit the vehicle and walk to their door from that point. This will keep the traffic moving. • Please have your students’ materials near them in the vehicle so they can quickly and safely exit the vehicle. Please avoid having students go around to the back tailgate of the vehicle to get their materials. Have them available next to them in the vehicle. • If you are having a GES student drop off with your GMS student, have that child also get out of the vehicle at the farthest drop off point that you can. Your GMS student can then walk them to their building if need be. We need to keep the vehicles limited to one stop in the drop off area. • You may not turn left out of the GMS driveway.

Pick Up: • When pulling into the pick-up line, you must keep to the right. Students can only be picked up curbside. Do not use the left lane to pull ahead and cut off another vehicle to get to the curbside. • Pull as far ahead as you can. Your student may be exiting from another door but they can walk to your vehicle from where they exited the building. We need to move cars all the way up to avoid more back-ups on HWY 76. This will allow our busses to get in on time. • Once your student has entered the vehicle, when space is available and the left lane is clear, you may exit into the left lane and proceed directly out. • If the person exiting in front of you has allowed for more spacing, move up as far as you can to keep the traffic flow moving. • Again, you may not turn left out of the GMS driveway. • We need to keep the left lane moving and clear for emergency vehicles at all times. We need to ensure that we keep the left lane free from backups because in the event of an emergency, emergency vehicles must be able to enter. We appreciate your support and help in making this process a successful one. In the event you have someone else picking up your child, please share this information with them. As always, please reach out to us if you have any questions.

Upcoming Dates to Remember

Friday, January 15th – Middle Level Ski Club Trip 4:00pm Thursday, January 21st – End of 2nd Quarter and First Semester Friday, January 22nd – Teacher Workday – No School for Students Monday, January 25th – Parents can begin picking up 3rd quarter materials for virtual learners Monday, January 25th – Board Meeting 7:00pm HHS Friday, January 29th – Teacher Workday – No In-person school for students (Student catch-up day) Friday, January 29th – Middle Level Ski Club Trip 4:00pm Friday, February 5th – Middle Level Ski Club Trip 4:00pm Wednesday, February 10th - Teacher Workday – No In-person school for students (Student catch-up day) – 19 - Spring Parent Teacher Conferences – Virtual Friday, February 19th – Middle Level Ski Club Trip – 4:00pm