*** What's Happening Next Week 11/9-11/13 ***
The PS school will be OPEN next week!
~ The Enhancement Center and Daycare will be OPEN.
• MS & HS students will learn virtually through Friday, Nov. 13th
• MS & HS students will return to in person learning Monday, Nov. 16th
Again, the closure is due to the number of staff quarantined, NOT the number of Covid19 positive tests.
If you have questions, please call your school office.
Thank you.
*** WE NEED YOUR HELP! ***
Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools will continue to serve nutritious meals through this school year. All children ages 18 and under may receive meals at no cost. This includes both breakfast and lunch. In this time of uncertainty, it is even more important to stay as healthy as possible. School meals are being provided at NO charge to all students this year.
Even though all meals are available at no cost during this school year, we still NEED families to complete the free and reduced meal application. The collection of this information is CRITICAL as it is directly tied to state and federal educational funding for G-A Schools to support our students.
Applications are available online at www.lunchapp.com. A free and reduced lunch application will be included with every meal we distribute this Friday 11/6. We can accept a mailed, faxed or e-mailed application just as easily! So, don’t delay—fill out and return an application today! If you have questions, please call Cheryl Cadwell at 269-484-2016.
While applications may be submitted at any time during the school year, those received by November 9th will be included in the district’s fall count!
Covid-19 Update 11/2
GACS has identified a total of five (5) G-A individuals who tested positive this weekend & today. They include: 1 high school student, 1 high school teacher, 1 middle school teacher/coach, 1 middle school support staff & 1 primary school teacher have tested positive for Covid-19. All contract tracing has occurred.
Unfortunately, like most workplaces, we also have staff who are quarantined because of exposure OUTSIDE of school. ALL staff & students who have been exposed MUST quarantine for 14 days.
As difficult a decision as this is, we are unable to staff our buildings for in person instruction.
• At this time learning for Pre-K – 12th grade students will occur VIRTUALLY the rest of this week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (No School Friday).
• 4th – 12th grade students will learn virtually through Friday, Nov. 13, 2020.
• MS/HS students will return to school on Monday Nov. 16, 2020.
• The Enhancement Center and Daycare will remain OPEN. Students MUST attend ONLY on their normally scheduled days.
Again, the closure is due to the number of staff quarantined, NOT the number of Covid19 positive tests.
You can read the full statement here: https://5il.co/mp5l
Total COVID-19 positive cases per building & the district totals are now available on our website under “COVID-19 Dashboard.”
Covid-19 Update 11/1
We have had 2 staff members test positive for Covid-19 this weekend. We need to close our HS for tomorrow, Monday November 2. We need this time to further contract trace any other students or adults who may have been a close contact. The HS building will not be open for in person learning.
~ All of the Cardinal HS students will learn remotely tomorrow.
~ The primary school, enhancement center and the middle school will all be open.
A robo call went out this evening to families & we will provide an update tomorrow.
Thank you & take care.
*** Schedule Changes For NEXT Week ***
On Monday, November 2nd and Tuesday, November 3rd, the Cardinal cohort will be in person, with the Gold cohort learning online.
On Wednesday, November 4th and Thursday, November 5th, the Gold cohort will be in person, with the Cardinal cohort learning online.
There will be no school next Friday, November 6th.
*** We would also like to let you know that our meal distribution will be on Friday next week, due to the schedule change. ***
Thank you. 🙂
Covid-19 Update 10/30/20
Yesterday evening we confirmed that a HS student tested positive for Covid-19. We have completed our contact tracing and all individuals have been placed in quarantine. Unfortunately, it does mean that both our JV and Varsity volleyball teams will not be able to complete their season as they were exposed to the positive individual.
We need to stress how important it is, that parents ask their students each day whether they have any symptoms at all and if so, please keep them home. Even if you and your student think it's allergies or "just a head cold." The virus is spreading significantly in the community and we need to be vigilant.
You can read the full statement here: https://5il.co/mndd
Total COVID-19 positive cases per building, staff, students and the district totals are now available on our website under “COVID-19 Dashboard.”
NOTICE OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools Board of Education will be conducting a Committee of the Whole School Board Meeting via video conferencing.
DATE OF MEETING: November 2, 2020
HOUR OF MEETING: 6:30 P.M.
To join Zoom Meeting by computer
o Enter: https://zoom.us/j/3416004497 into your web browser
o Then click Open Zoom Meeting
o Enter password: 123456
Meeting ID: 341 600 4497
Agenda: https://5il.co/mnhl
Covid-19 Update 10/29/20
Today, the Galesburg-Augusta Community School District learned of a high school student who has tested positive for COVID-19. As in every situation, close contacts have been identified. Please know, whenever a student that tests positive has siblings within the district, all members of the household are asked to quarantine.
You can read the full statement here: https://5il.co/mmc6
Total COVID-19 positive cases per building, staff, students and the district totals are now available on our website under “COVID-19 Dashboard.”
*** Schedule Changes For NEXT Week ***
On Monday, November 2nd and Tuesday, November 3rd, the Cardinal cohort will be in person, with the Gold cohort learning online.
On Wednesday, November 4th and Thursday, November 5th, the Gold cohort will be in person, with the Cardinal cohort learning online.
There will be no school next Friday, November 6th.
*** We would also like to let you know that our meal distribution will be on Friday next week, due to the schedule change. ***
Thank you. 🙂
Covid-19 Update 10/26/20
Today, the GACS District learned of a kindergarten student who has tested positive for COVID-19. The student is part of the Gold Cohort and was in attendance last week, therefore, we do need to put several staff and the Gold Cohort group in quarantine. All individuals (adults and students’ families) have been notified of their quarantine.
Because the teacher will be quarantined and it is very difficult to get guest teacher coverage, the Cardinal Cohort from the impacted classroom will learn virtually this week and next week. All students from the quarantined classroom can return as normal the week of November 9, 2020.
Read the full statement here: https://5il.co/mhi5
Total COVID-19 positive cases per building and the district totals are now available on our website: http://galesburgaugustami.apptegy.us/o/gacs/page/covid-19-dashboard--13
*** School Board Candidates for the November Election UPDATE ***
We have four School Board vacancies up for grabs on the November ballot.
Four (4) of our current board members' terms will expire on December 31, 2020. Archie Silkworth, Carolyn Martin, Benjamin Overgaard and Stephanie Knobloch.
• Archie Silkworth and Carolyn Martin both decided not to run for reelection.
• Benjamin Overgaard and Stephanie Knoblock are running for reelection, however, due to Covid shutdowns they missed the deadline for turning in their paperwork in July. They are both now running as write-in candidates.
• Marcie Barber, Penny Seume, Jessica Eberstein, and Krista Simmons, are also registered as write-in candidates.
• Additionally, Abby Calala is listed on the ballot.
G-A is very excited about the level of interest from our community members in serving and supporting our students and staff!
We have 7 individuals running for 4 open positions. Six (6) of the 7 are write in candidates.
You may vote for 4 candidates for the School Board. 🙂
Drive-thru Flu Vaccine Clinic on Saturday October 24, 2020
KALAMAZOO, MI— Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department is hosting a drive-thru flu clinic on Saturday October 24, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Stones Church, located at 1225 W. Paterson St., located in Kalamazoo. People will remain in their vehicles the entire time. Per CDC guidelines, all vehicles will be asked to park for 15 minutes following vaccination. Clinic will run while supplies last. The senior high-dose will not be available. Walk-up vaccination is possible for those without vehicles.
People must bring a picture ID and insurance cards for everyone 6 months of age and older who will be receiving their flu shot. The flu vaccine is covered by most health insurance plans; however, the health department is offering the vaccine at no cost to people who are uninsured or underinsured. In addition to the drive-thru clinic, the flu vaccine is also offered by appointment at the health department by calling 269-373-5203 or visiting www.kalcounty.com/hcs/fluvaccine.
*** School Board Candidates for the November Election ***
We have four (4) School Board vacancies up for grabs on the November ballot.
Four of our current board members' terms will expire on December 31, 2020. Archie Silkworth, Carolyn Martin, Ben Overgaard and Stephanie Knobloch.
• Archie Silkworth and Carolyn Martin both decided not to run for reelection.
• Ben Overgaard and Stephanie Knoblock are running for reelection, however, due to Covid shutdowns they missed the deadline for turning in their paperwork in July. They are both now running as write-in candidates.
• Marcie Barber, Penny Seume, and Krista Simmons, are also registered as write-in candidates.
• Additionally, Abby Calala is listed on the ballot.
G-A is very excited about the level of interest from our community members in serving and supporting our students and staff!
We have 6 individuals running for 4 open positions. Five (5) of the 6 are write in candidates.
You may vote for 4 candidates for the School Board.
NOTICE OF REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools Board of Education will be conducting a Regular School Board Meeting via video conferencing due to the current Covid-19 Pandemic.
DATE OF MEETING: October 19, 2020
HOUR OF MEETING: 6:30 P.M.
To join Zoom Meeting by computer
o Enter: https://zoom.us/j/3416004497 into your web browser
o Then click Open Zoom Meeting
o Enter password: 123456
Meeting ID: 341 600 4497
Covid-19 Update 10/16
Today, the Galesburg-Augusta Community School District learned of a high school student who has tested positive for COVID-19. The student was already in quarantine and the exposure occurred outside the school setting. Therefore, no contract tracing will need to occur.
** No closure of any buildings is needed at this time. **
You can read the full statement here: https://5il.co/m7de
Total COVID-19 positive cases per building, staff, students and the district totals are now available on our website under “COVID-19 Dashboard.”
To see our Covid-19 Dashboard please click the link below:
https://www.g-aschools.org/o/gacs/page/covid-19-dashboard--13
Parent/Guardian Survey: Improving our Pandemic Learning Models of Instruction and Safety Procedures.
We need your feedback and input as our District's Board of Education, Administrators and Staff evaluate our current Continuity of Learning Plan. Your input will help determine what changes may need to be made to our instructional models and safety protocols. Please fill out the survey linked below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjz2OEQyFPftz5oWRdDymyRFSIiKX5z64A3mpYhR9KLUG06g/viewform
Covid-19 Update 10/7/20
Today, the GACS District learned of a HS student who has tested positive for COVID-19. The student is in isolation, & their close contacts have been identified, notified, and are in quarantine.
The MS & HS remain open. We believe we have isolated all individuals & the building is safe for continued learning. The Primary School (including all programming, the enhancement center & daycare) will reopen on Monday, October 12, 2020.
Please find the full statement below from Galesburg-Augusta Community School District and Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department regarding the recent COIVD-19 outbreak:
https://5il.co/lvkv
NOTICE OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
In accordance with Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-154 (COVID-19), The Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools Board of Education will be conducting a Committee of the Whole School Board Meeting via video conferencing.
DATE OF MEETING: October 5, 2020
HOUR OF MEETING: 6:30 P.M.
To join Zoom Meeting by computer
o Enter: https://zoom.us/j/91622622034? into your web browser
o Then click Open Zoom Meeting
o Enter password: 12345
Meeting ID: 916 2262 2034
Notice of Meeting: https://5il.co/lppg
*** Covid-19 Update ***
~ MS & HS will reopen on Monday, October 5, 2020
~ All extracurricular activities (including practices, games, and performances) will be postponed this week and will resume on Monday, October 5, 2020
~ Primary School will reopen on Monday, October 12, 2020
~ This includes all programming, the enhancement center, and daycare
The health and wellbeing of our staff, students, and their families are of the greatest importance. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these challenging times.
Please click the link below to read the full statement from GACS District and Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department regarding the recent COVID-19 outbreak:
https://5il.co/lol0
G-A Community School District and the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Service Department (KCHCS) statement regarding the recent COIVD-19 outbreak:
Out of an abundance of caution, GACS District has decided to close all school buildings due to individuals testing positive for COVID-19 within the Early Childhood Special Education classroom (ECSE). At this time, there are three positive cases associated with this outbreak.
The KCHCS uses the CDC outbreak definition, which is when two or more cases are epidemiologically linked. Per the CDC guidelines, individuals who have tested positive have been isolated, and individuals who have been identified as a close contact have been notified and quarantined. To date, there is no known exposure outside of the ECSE classroom.
KCHCS is working closely with GACS on all public health recommendations for the school district, ECSE Center, and those identified as affected individuals.
GACS District is tentatively scheduled to reopen on Thursday, October 1, 2020. Further communication will be sent confirming this reopen date.