Virtual Learning for All Students: December 16–22
December 15, 2021 • Leer en español.
Dear Creative Minds Families:
I’m writing to share the news that Creative Minds is switching to virtual classes for all students starting tomorrow, Thursday, December 16, and running through Wednesday, December 22.
With winter break beginning next Thursday, December 23, and travel likely for many of our families, my team and I have decided to take this preemptive measure to protect the health of our community.
It has been wonderful to be back at school this year, and you have been doing an amazing job with masking, daily health screenings, and all the other practices that are helping to keep our community healthy.
As you know from the recent health updates we’ve shared, Creative Minds, like many schools, is experiencing a post-Thanksgiving spike in COVID-19 cases. Today more than 20 percent of our students are excluded from school due to COVID-like symptoms, quarantine, or a positive test for COVID-19.
Among staff members, nine are absent for the same reason. There have been breakthrough cases among a small number of staff, and we are requiring booster vaccinations and supporting staff with information about when and where to get vaccinated.
I know that attending school virtually is not ideal, but it is a temporary necessity that will decrease opportunities for exposure and help to prevent even more COVID-19 cases at school. Each case is a community member, and my greatest wish during this pandemic is that all our community members are healthy.
Students will have asynchronous assignments on Thursday, giving teachers time to transition to virtual instruction. Students should log in to Seesaw to see assignments.
Starting on Friday, students will have synchronous, or live, instruction with our teachers. Classroom teachers will email schedules to families by 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.
This afternoon, we are working to get tablets and laptops ready for students who don’t have them and will send home as many devices as possible with students today. If your child does not receive one today, you may pick up a device at school tomorrow, Thursday, December 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Home delivery of free meals is available to our students for next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. To sign up, please email covid@cmipcs.org by Friday, December 17, at 12:00 p.m.
Over the next week, my team and I will determine whether a short period of virtual learning after winter break will benefit our community. We will share information with you as soon as possible.
Thank you for your resilience as we navigate an ever-changing situation together. If you have any questions, please email covid@cmipcs.org.
Best,
Chuck Jackson
Executive Director