We are so excited to start the 2020-2021 school year with our valued students. Not only are we looking forward to teaching again, but we also can’t wait to create wonderful new memories. We want our reopening to be a smooth, gradual, and careful process, taking the health and safety of our students, teachers, and staff into consideration, so we are taking cautionary measures to help protect against the spread of coronavirus. In this blog, we’ll detail what we are doing to provide safety and quality education in these unprecedented times.
Masks and Distance
Virtual learning will begin on August 10, but we plan to open for face-to-face instruction on August 21, 2020. All students and staff are required to wear masks throughout the campus and on the bus. Directions to socially distance in the classroom will be in place, helping students to maintain a 6 feet distance the best we can. Physical education class will be contactless so students can be active and remain safe from the virus.
Cleaning
Making sure the campus is clean is particularly important. We are equipped with sanitizing devices to clean classrooms with anti-viral disinfectant multiple times per day. The devices will also be used to clean the bathrooms frequently throughout the day, and on busses in order to extend precautions our students’ transportation.
Face-to-Face vs. Virtual Instruction
Aspire will follow Orange County Public Schools in their decision to begin face-to-face instruction, but our families do have the ability to choose between face-to-face or a virtual instruction option. To implement these choices smoothly, we ask that parents choose ahead of time which model they would prefer. At Aspire, we have a 1:1 student-to-device ratio, meaning each student will have their own device for assignments while at school. For students who choose the digital instruction option, devices will be available for loan. A waiver must be signed accepting responsibility for any damage to a loaned device. Devices will be available for pickup by appointment only on August 6th and 7th, 2020, during our Meet the Teacher event. As the year progresses, if Orange County Public Schools district finds it necessary to discontinue face-to-face learning, we will follow suit and provide all our students with virtual instruction.
Temperature Checks
Parents are requested to monitor their children for any signs of illness and keep them at home if they do not feel well. Every morning, we’ll be doing temperature checks as students arrive at school. If anyone has a fever of 100.4 or above, we will kindly ask that that the student’s guardian pick them up immediately.
Curriculum
While health and safety precautions are crucial, Aspire Charter Academy is still committed to our low child-to-adult ratio. Each teacher will be assisted by highly qualified paraprofessionals in order to help students during face-to-face instruction as well as the students who are educating from home. We are also adopting a new curriculum for students that will better facilitate seamless learning while at school and at home.
During the last few months, we all have shared in the hardships that coronavirus has brought. With this reality, we want to provide our students with a quality education so they can continue to flourish during these uncharted times and develop fortitude. We are so excited to see what the new school year has in store—challenges, triumphs, creativity, and successes. For any clarification on our opening process and/or enrollment, please do not hesitate to call 407-297-9955. We can answer your questions.
