Assurances for a safe return to school

As we advance towards the opening of the 2020-21 school year, we are excited about the multiple options that we have for all of our students and their families.  We know that you have become well versed in RCSD’s “Smart Restart” plan for a safe and orderly start.  Whether it be the “enhanced traditional” start (with options to go to a hybrid or total distance learning scenario) or the CHOICE option, we feel confident that all of you at this point have made the best decisions for your children during this time of uncertainty.  Regardless of the decision that you have made for your child, we are grateful that you have chosen Pelahatchie High School for your child’s education.   With that being said, we know that there are still many details regarding the start of the school year that remain unknown.  Rest assured knowing that we have spent the summer troubleshooting all aspects of the school day to ensure our students, faculty, and staff can not only be safe in a traditional setting, but successful as well.   We are asking all parents to observe their student’s health prior to coming to school on a daily basis.  All student’s temperatures will be checked upon arrival to school.  “Movement=Mask Up, Desk=Mask Down, Protect our Tribe” has been declared our school day slogan for the upcoming school year.  Clutter has been cleared from classrooms and desks have been spaced out to adhere to CDC guidelines.   All opportunities to gather socially before and during the school day have been suspended until further notice.  Transitions to and from class will be staggered within the classroom to minimize “bottlenecking” in the hallway and intersections.  Breakfast and lunch processes are “Grab and Go” and lunch schedules have been amended to minimize traffic through the hallways and the cafeteria.  Disinfecting all areas of campus will be a priority not only before and after school, but during transitions as well.  The same goes for our digital options.  First and foremost, we are more than blessed to be a part of a school district that places a computer in the hands of every student.  While faculty and students alike have enjoyed these resources for the past several years, we are now in the position of further expanding our knowledge of these instruments.  The district has scheduled professional development in this area to enhance our faculty’s abilities in distance learning.  Resources like Canvas and Zoom will be utilized early and often to ensure a successful transition to a distance learning environment.  Communication through these computers will be the norm, not the exception.  Whether at school or at home, your children will receive an optimal education during the 2020-2021 school year. As we move into the school year, keep an eye on our various media outlets such as Facebook and our school’s website.  These platforms, along with our “SwiftK12” communication tool, will allow us to communicate to you in the event that we need to pivot due to any environmental conditions that come our way.  Know that we will do our best to communicate as efficiently and effectively as possible when changes occur.  We appreciate all of you in advance for your patience in navigating these uncertain times. To close, allow me to communicate a few event dates to you.  On Tuesday, August 4, ALL seventh-grade parents (and their students) are invited to a ZOOM “Orientation” at p.m.  A virtual “Open House” for all students can be viewed through a Canvas module that will be published Friday, August 7 at p.m.  Students report to school on Monday, August 10, with school pictures taking place the following day, August 11.   Last but not least, our first volleyball match vs Pisgah is Thursday, August 1, and our first football game of the season will be at Scott Central on Friday, September 4.   It is my hope that you are as excited as we are for the start of the school year.  The greatest rewards always seem to come from the most trying times.  Let’s all do our part to ensure a safe and successful start to the upcoming school year. Go Chiefs! By Dr. Teague Burchfield, principal Pelahatchie High School