Today, you may have heard that Governor DeWine announced that Franklin County's COVID-19 alert level has moved to the "Purple" range on the state’s COVID-19 alert system.

As you’re aware, our Responsible Restart 2020 Parent Guide (issued in August of 2020) indicated that the District would implement a 100% remote online learning model if Franklin County moved to the “Purple Level” on the State of Ohio COVID Alert System. To that point, I think it's vital that we all recognize that decision was made when none of us had any idea that vaccine availability to most adults was only months away.

In a January 2021 survey, more than 80% of our staff indicated they planned to be vaccinated during the initial vaccine administration, which occurred in late January and early February. I know many indeed were vaccinated – and that many more staff members have been vaccinated since the initial administration.

With what we know today, the large percentage of our staff that have been vaccinated, and the ever-increasing availability of the vaccine to teens, We have decided that we will remain in an in-person learning environment. We will continue with our plans to move to a five-day-per-week schedule beginning May 3 - and we will stay on this schedule unless directed to do otherwise by the Governor or the Franklin County Health Department.

Students taking classes through Cruiser Digital Academy will remain in a 100% remote learning model through the remainder of the school year – as has been the expectation since the school year began.

After the year our students (and the rest of us) have had, I believe that providing consistency to our students and families, and supporting students' academic and social-emotional needs is crucial to their success as learners and their overall well-being.

We have a shared responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe from COVID-19. The OSU CATS (COVID Analytics and Targeted Surveillance) System provides community-level data by school attendance zones. The data indicates the primary spread of COVID in our area is not coming from our schools but rather from the community. Knowing that, if you can be vaccinated, please do so at your earliest opportunity. Follow the guidelines outlined by health officials, monitor your family for any COVID warning signs, and quarantine as necessary.

Please know that we are monitoring conditions within the school district very closely. Be assured; we will continue to do our part by being vigilant in enforcing the use of masks, social distancing, and rigorously cleaning and disinfecting our schools and offices.

We will keep you informed of any changes that may impact our current plans or any other new developments. Should you have questions, please contact our Communications Office at 614-492-2520 or email at [email protected].

As always, thank you for your continued support and encouragement. This has undoubtedly been a challenging year, but as a result of us all being flexible, patient, and working together, we're nearing the finish line on the 2020-2021 school year.

Respectfully,

Garilee Ogden
Superintendent

As you know, on Monday, March 22, the majority of our students (those who are in the blended learning model) will return to in-person classes four-days-per-week. We will remain on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday schedule through the end of April, and on May 3, we will return to five-day-per-week classes through the end of the school year.

 

Grab & Go meals also are available to all children 18 and younger on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Groveport Madison H.S., 4475 S. Hamilton Rd.

 

With more than one-third of our students taking classes through Cruiser Digital Academy, several bus routes have been updated. We strongly encourage you to check your child’s bus route this evening or tomorrow using our VersaTrans eLink app, located on our website's bus routes page. Should you have any concerns, please contact Petermann Transportation at 614-836-4962.

All students must take state-required assessments, which will be administered throughout March and April.

 It is very important that parents/guardians closely monitor your email for newsletters and other updates from your child’s school regarding the testing schedules.

 

I want to remind you that students and staff must wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines while on school property. We also will be promoting frequent handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer – and we will continue to be vigilant in the cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces.

 

With spring break and outdoor sports and activities just around the corner, it's tempting to relax a bit and possibly forgo some of the precautions known to prevent the spread of COVID. I ask each of you to continue to do everything you can to keep yourself and others safe. Wear a mask, socially-distance – and get the vaccine when it's available to you. We CAN beat COVID-19, but only if we remain determined and focused on doing so.

 

As always, I want to thank you for your support of Groveport Madison Schools and for your partnership in your child’s education. Should you have questions, please check with your child's principal or email us at [email protected].