Cruiser Parents/Guardians, and Staff:

 

I want to make you aware that effective Wednesday, November 18, Groveport Madison Schools will return to our 100% remote learning model. The last day of in-person attendance for Group B students is tomorrow, Friday, November 13, and the last day of in-person attendance for Group A students is Tuesday, November 17. Any students whose parents want them to go online immediately can do so, but the student must log into their classes following their normal schedule to be counted as “present” for the day.

 

Like many area school districts, we began the school year in a 100% remote online learning model. Our staff worked diligently throughout the summer to ensure that we were well prepared to implement a rigorous and highly engaging online instructional model successfully. Students adapted very well from all indications, and the online classes were very effective in accomplishing their goals.

 

When we transitioned from 100% remote online instruction to our blended learning model on October 19, it appeared that COVID-19 indicators in Franklin County were improving, and it was safe for us to return to in-person classes two days per week.

 

Despite our best efforts to prevent the spread in our schools, the impact of the COVID pandemic in Central Ohio has significantly impacted our ability to safely and effectively maintain our operations and provide the high-quality educational programming that our students need and deserve.

 

Last week, we realized that we would need to temporarily suspend transportation services due to an outbreak of COVID-19 among our transportation staff. Now, conditions in our schools are such that we cannot cover all of our in-person classes, even when using all available substitute teachers.

 

In the past few days, some teachers have had to work outside of their area of expertise and licensure (such as when having a middle school band director teaching a seventh-grade math class) to cover unfilled absences. Principals have had to teach courses because there's no one else available to do so, and we’ve created impromptu study halls when no one else was available to cover a class. Quite simply, I’m concerned that the quality of instruction we’re providing now is less than what it was when we were in a 100% remote learning mode. In just the last month alone one school has had more than 200 class periods covered by other teachers as a result of COVID-related absences.

 

At present, more than 40 staff members are either infected with COVID-19 or quarantined for an extended period due to exposure to COVID-19. Coronavirus-related student absences are also increasing, with more than 150 students either infected or quarantined today. Given the exceptionally high infection rate in the county, we fully expect the number of staff absences to increase over the coming weeks and beyond.

 

We know that our staff and students can effectively conduct their work in a 100% remote learning model. We did it for more than a month at the start of the school year. I believe the current environment is creating more turmoil and uncertainty for students, and that we need to resume 100% online learning for the next several weeks.

 

Based on information available today, we anticipate we will remain in a 100% online mode until mid-January. At that time, we will reassess conditions within the area to determine if it's safe – and we have the capacity to support – a return to in-person classes using our blended learning (hybrid) model.

 

We recognize this decision directly impacts our students, you, and your entire family. We wish there were a solution other than the one we've been forced to choose. Unfortunately, we do not feel we can safely and effectively serve our students when operating as we’re doing so now.

 

We will have additional information coming out to you this weekend to review Grab & Go meal service, student technology, how to get belongings left at school, athletics, etc. 

 

 We also are in the process of updating the Coronavirus page of our website to include all updated information and resources.

 

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students, staff, and the greater Groveport Madison Community safe and healthy. We will get through this situation, and we'll do it by working together, being patient, and supporting one another.

 

Respectfully,

 

Garilee Ogden

Superintendent

Healthcare organizations in Ohio follow the state's guidelines that allow them to order a test for COVID-19 for anyone who wants one. However, some testing sites may have restrictions, and testing standards may differ among providers. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as:

or have been exposed to a person who has COVID-19, you should get tested. 

 

Healthcare providers, community health centers, and retail pharmacy locations will screen individuals before ordering or performing testing. Calling ahead and asking about screening procedures and standards, including insurance requirements, physician's order requirements, the minimum age for testing, is important. If you or someone you know are experiencing emergency warning signs* for COVID-19, seek emergency medical care immediately. Signs include:

The Ohio Department of Health provides COVID-19 data on its website. Find information on the following topics by clicking the links below:

As you know, effective Wednesday, November 18, Groveport Madison Schools will return to our 100% remote learning model. The last day of in-person attendance for Group B students was Friday, November 13, and the last day of in-person attendance for Group A students will be Tuesday, November 17. Students whose parents want them to begin online immediately can do so, but they must log in to their classes following their regular schedule to be counted as "present" for the day.

 

We wanted to provide additional information that you may need or find helpful over the coming weeks.

 

To maintain the support services you expect, the District's and schools' offices will remain open following our regular schedule, so feel free to call with any questions. If you need to come to any of our offices, you must wear a mask and follow posted safety protocols when on District property.

 

If your child has forgotten something at school, please call the school’s office to make arrangements for the item(s) to be picked up.

 

Even though schools are closed, we must continue to report student and staff illnesses to Franklin County Public Health. If your child has COVID-like symptoms or has been diagnosed with COVID-19, we need to know your child's name and symptoms, when symptoms were first noticed, where your child was when he/she developed symptoms, and the date on which a positive COVID diagnosis was determined. Please also leave your name and a number where you can be reached for follow-up. 

 

Schools are not permitted to store medications when we're working in a 100% learning mode. Medication cannot be sent home with students, so please contact your child's school right away to arrange a time for you to pick-up medications.

Breakfast and lunches will be distributed from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the following locations:

Free meals also will be offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., at Groveport Madison H.S., 4475 S. Hamilton Rd., Groveport.

 

*  All Grab & Go Meals are served outside of the school building or the neighborhood location. Look for yellow “Grab & Go Meal” signs or our Groveport Madison School bus indicating the meals' actual distribution location.

 

Each Monday, students will get two days of breakfast and lunch, and on Wednesdays, students will get three days of breakfast and lunch. On Friday evenings, students will get two days of breakfast and lunch.

 

All meals are paid for by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and are free to youth 18 and younger through the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

 

 

If your student’s computer isn’t working properly or you need assistance in any way, please call our Technology Department at 614-836-4789, or email them at [email protected]. They will get back to you right away to figure out if the problem can be corrected remotely or if they need to arrange a time for you to come to the office and switch out equipment.

 

Students derive many benefits from participation in sports and other activities. However, our greatest responsibility is to keep students healthy and safe. While permitted to do so, Groveport Madison Schools will continue to offer the following winter athletic activities:

 

      High School

 

 

 

 

 

All off-season activities are canceled until after the winter holiday break. During the break, we will reevaluate the situation and determine when conditioning and other activities may resume.

To ensure our students' safety, we have temporarily suspended cheerleading until after the winter holiday break. During the break, we will reevaluate the situation and determine when practices and other activities may resume.

 

Broadcasting of Games Via Facebook Live
The middle and high school athletic departments also will stream games via Facebook Live. More information will be forthcoming.

BAND/CHOIR/THEATER/CRUISERETTES

At the March 5, 2020 State of the Schools Celebration, only a week before COVID threw our lives into unanticipated chaos, we unveiled our new belief statement. As I think about where we are today and the unique opportunities before us, I am convinced our new belief statement is even more powerful now than when I first shared it with you. The statement reads, "We believe all Cruisers are valuable. We will unconditionally SERVE, SUPPORT, AND INSPIRE. Therefore, every Cruiser will maximize their unique PURPOSE, POTENTIAL, and POWER to produce the results they want.” 

 

Our staff is committed to our students' success and will do their absolute best to ensure students get what they need, academically, socially, and emotionally over the coming weeks. 

 

This is undoubtedly one of the most stressful times in all of our lives. There's nothing that could have prepared us for what we've dealt with for the past eight months. While there are many uncertain things, I know that Cruisers are tough, and we can take on any challenge – especially when we work together.

 

Thank you for your continued support of Groveport Madison Schools.  Please 

wear a mask, stay safe, and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Respectfully,

 

Garilee Ogden

Superintendent