December 30, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians:

As we start the second semester, we would like to thank you for your help in keeping Briggsdale School open for in-person learning.  You are integral in making decisions on whether to send your students to school or keep them home when ill.  We ask that you continue to monitor your child’s health before sending them to school, and we appreciate your hard work as parents and guardians.

The second semester will start on January 5, 2021, with in-person learning.  We firmly believe that this is best for students, and our school board, students, and staff also worked diligently to keep our school open.  We also firmly believe that parents are the experts for their own children.  If you plan to have your students participate in school remotely, please call the school and let the office personnel know.  You may have to leave a message.  As in the first semester, if remote learning is chosen, students and parents are responsible for teaching, learning, and turning in assignments on time.  Teachers are responsible for making the assignments available and grading.

For elementary students, the exciting news is that PE and music classes will return to the schedule.  We know that having music and PE is important for our students.  Mrs. Erickson and Mr. Jewell did a great job adding additional reading time as well as additional outdoor time for our elementary students. 

Sixth through 12th grade students will be in person and remain on the hybrid schedule that we finished the first semester on.  There will be a few changes to the operation of the hybrid schedule.  We have the exciting news that athletic directors and superintendents approved junior high basketball.  Practice will start on January 5th during junior high PE from 2:34 to 3:40.  The most pressing issue is that students will have to have physicals and all other athletic paperwork turned in before they can play in a game, and the first game is January 8th.  According to the league guidelines, no spectators will be allowed at the games.  We will make every effort to stream games so that you will be able to access the games online.  The details are being worked out, and we will get you the information as soon as we have it.  Additionally, all athletes must wear a mask.  We know from playing club basketball that this can and is being done effectively.  Your player should bring a mask to practice in order to prepare for wearing a mask during the game. 

We would appreciate your help in other areas of the hybrid schedule.  We ask that students who are on the Deficiency List stay in school during the cohort time.  The reasoning for this is that a student who is on the Deficiency List probably needs extra help or is missing assignments.  Please do not excuse your student if they are not academically successful.  If you plan to dismiss your student from cohort time, a new standing phone call to office personnel is required.  Please remember that junior high basketball players must be in practice from 2:31 to 3:40.  If you have questions, please contact your student’s teachers for the best information.  Also, teachers will make every effort to provide additional academic opportunities for your student.  This will include labs, skills practice in vocational programs, Accelerated Reader, IXL, MobyMax, or Khan Academy.  There will not be a lack of things to do for students.

Currently, high school basketball is scheduled to start with mandatory practice on January 18, 2021, and games would begin on January 25, 2021.  More details for high school players will be delivered through the coaches and athletic director.  You can expect that your high school player will also need to wear a mask while playing and practicing.

If you have questions, please email me at mrsfulton@briggsdaleschool.org or call me at the school at 970-656-3417.

Happy New Year!

Cathi Fulton, Principal