July 28, 2020
Patriot Students & Parents,
As we get closer to the start of the new school year, we are very excited and anxious for your return. We know many of you have been following the news from the Governor and State regarding schools reopening. Mohave Accelerated Schools top priority is your safety, followed by your education. As an educational institution, MALC will do everything in its ability to protect you and our staff at all times. In order for us to safely reopen, we are mandated to follow the state and health department guidelines. With all of the constant changes, it has been very challenging this summer to plan our reopening.
At this time, the first day of school will remain Thursday, August 6th. You will receive a work packet from your teacher(s) for the first five days of instruction. This will come digitally via email or can physical be picked up on the first day of school, if requested. On one of the days, during the week of Aug. 10th - 13th, grades K - 9th grade students and parents will be invited in for an open house. Your open house date will be communicated to you by your teacher or staff representative. After open house, your parents will leave, and you will stay with your teacher for the day to take your Galileo assessments and get some instruction on distance learning. 10th grade students will be invited in for Galileo assessments only. Your teacher will also share with you some of the new social distancing rules that have been set into place for the school year. All other high school students are welcome by appointment only. Lunch will be provided by the cafeteria, or you can bring a lunch from home.
On Monday August 17th, we plan to have our first day of in-person instruction for all students. It is very important that we ALL abide by the state guidelines of social distancing when we return. We have taken many steps to mitigate student contact, mass gatherings, and strategic schedules to make this possible. All students and staff will adhere to the state guidelines for social distancing.
At this time, the state has mandated face coverings, when social distancing is not possible, for all students over the age of five. This will affect us all when we are inside the classroom. MALC has purchased masks and clear face shields for every student who needs one. Please feel free to bring your own if you have a preference, but make sure to wash your mask regularly. Teachers will be wearing face covering at all times to protect themselves. Your classroom will also look different, as desks have been spread out or clear barriers have been added for protection.
If at any time during the school year the state decides to enforce a "shut-down" of the schools again, we will begin our distance learning plan with continued instruction. More information will be given out about distance learning during open house. It is also important to note, that everything I have said thus far is today's plan. The state plans to release additional information to the schools on Aug. 7th, which could impact and make serious changes to our reopening strategies.
Currently, staff members are calling every parent to communicate this plan before we start the school year. If you haven't received a phone call yet from the school, please be patient. I know there are many questions and we will do our best to answer them all. We are very excited to see all of you and get back to learning!
GO PATRIOTS!
Educationally yours,
Casey M. Mulligan
Superintendent
