To: All Staff and Community
From: Superintendent Bennett
Re: School Opening and Calendar
Date: July 28, 2020 (Updated memo)

OPENING DATES ON NEW CALENDAR
I am sure everyone is curious about the planning and introduction of the school year 20-21. Principals and school secretaries will begin July 27, 2020 and all other staff who have completed the 14-day quarantine will begin August 6, 2020. All students will begin August 12, 2020. A revised school calendar is attached for your review.

HEALTH AND SAFETY FIRST
The safety and well-being of children, the villages, and our staff has and will continue to be the priority shared by each of us. Even before the release of teachers in May, the district has been discussing and participating in virtual meetings with DEED to formulate a plan based on low, medium and high risks. I will attach this plan to this letter; however, I want to take a moment of your time to explain how we are working to ensure everyone’s safety. I also want to elaborate that the plan is a living document based on circumstances and will be evolving and changing throughout the virus pandemic.

As teachers it is important for us to remember we are visitors in the tribal communities and must respect the rules and culture of the land. Per village rules and YKHC guidance, everyone, regardless if you traveled outside of Alaska or not or have received a negative COVID test, must abide by the following expectations for 14 days upon their arrival in the village:

Staff will stay in their homes.
Staff will not walk around the village.
Staff will not interact with members of the village.
Staff will not go to the store.
Staff will not go to the post office.
Staff will not go to the school.
Staff will not go to the clinic unless they are in urgent need of medical attention.
If non-staff members reside in the household, they are expected to abide by quarantine guidelines as well.

This quarantine is for the safety of our villages. The district has hired an expeditor in each village to assist with distribution of mail, in-coming totes, garbage, and basic needs of our staff while in quarantine.

The return to school committee considered our district is a low risk based on the following facts:

Children and families have been intermingling throughout the summer and we currently have no one affected.
Children and families have not been seen wearing masks or social distancing, therefore at this time children will not be expected to wear masks. It is advisable to have as much as possible to distance between one another.
Children will be trained to routinely wash hands and keep the classroom clean.
Tribal councils have developed restrictions for entering and returning into the villages that are enforced by TPO in the villages. All are expected to quarantine upon return including other members of the household.
Protocols are in place for eating meals and socializing with one another.
Other plans are in place should anyone in the village acquire the virus. The school will close immediately for 14 days and be disinfected.

TEMPERATURE CHECKS
Each school will open at 8:00 am. All children and staff will have a daily temperature reading. Children are to arrive at school with a parent for a temperature check before entering the building. Should a child register with a temperature, the parents will escort the student to the clinic and/or remain at home for a 14-day quarantine. Children who during the day exhibit symptoms of the virus, will be asked to go home for a 10 day wait and symptom free clearance. During the quarantine period teachers will provide schoolwork for the child and parent.

ATTENDANCE AND GRADING POLICY
All children enrolled in school are expected to attend school daily. We are continuing to provide Acellus online courses for High School Students and teacher directed courses for elementary students. To receive credit and attendance for the courses for this school year students are expected to complete the assignments. The grading policy is located in our Parent/Student Handbooks which are online or you may request a hardcopy from your school secretary. Students not making progress, not completing academic packets or opting not to participate during this closure, will be eligible for course completion through Acellus. For promotion to the next grade level, students will need to have completed the requirements outlined in this grading policy. Please call your school to register your children. We have simplified registration to a one page sheet that can be done online.

ATHLETICS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
The Yupiit School District will follow guidance from the Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) regarding all athletic and extracurricular activities. The ASAA has published Return-To-Activities Protocols located on the ASAA website, which will be used for all ASAA related events. The Yupiit School District intends to follow ASAA guidance but may alter our stance at any given time based on current information from local, state and federal guidance. AASA’s current plan was updated 6/10/20. All staff and student travel related to athletics and extracurricular activities must be prior approved in writing by the Superintendent. There were no applicants for the admin director for the district. Mr. Doug Bushey has volunteered to assume the position as District Athletic Director. Please direct your questions regarding athletics to Mr. Bushey at dbushey@yupiit.org .

AKIAK SCHOOL HIRING NEW PRINCIPAL
We are sad to say Mr. Haberly will not be returning to Akiak. Due to family medical issues, Mr. Haberly will be working as a principal in Oregon to be near medical facilities for his new baby, Abby. We send our prayers and support to the Haberly family. The principal position has been posted on the ATP website with a wonderful response. The Akiak Interview Committee and the Local School Board will be meeting to look through the applicants and put together a pool of candidates to interview.

STAFF ADVOCACY COMMITTEE
The district would like to form a staff advocacy group to handle questions and concerns during this pandemic time and in the future moving forward. We are asking for staff who are interested in being a part of this committee to notify HR Director, Anthony Graham. The leadership team is open to questions and suggestions regarding the viewpoints of the teachers. This virus is troubling and fearful for all of us. It is the desire of the district to make the workplace and communities a safe place for all of us to live. Questions should be directed at Anthony Graham or Cassandra Bennett at 907-825-3600.

Looking forward to a new school year working with our communities and their children.

Respectfully yours,

Cassandra Bennett
Superintendent

Superintendent Memo 7.28.20 Rev.pdf

Yupiit School District

COVID-19 Information

Yupiit School District Smart Start Plan

Frequently Asked Questions- Smart Start Plan

Superintendent Memos

COVID-19 Facts and Information

Yupiit School District