Principal Jensen's Updates
Dear Canyons District Parents and Guardians, The countdown to the start of school begins! As we prepare to welcome students back on Monday, Aug. 24, I want you to know how much we look forward to reconnecting with students and providing them the support, resources and encouragement they need to settle back into learning. School will look a little different this fall. We’ll be wearing face coverings, staggering lunches and recesses, promoting physical distancing, and keeping classrooms and buses freshly scrubbed and disinfected. Some of our students will be learning online, and we’ll be ready to pivot to remote instruction for all students should the need arise. Our commitment to keeping all students safe, learning, and growing endures. Families have made it known that the connection students have to their school is important, and our principals and teachers are working to renew those connections and restore a sense of normalcy for all learners. The COVID-19 pandemic also has reinforced the value of strong school-to-home connections as we pull together as a community, each of us doing our part, to stop the spread of this virus and keep everyone safe. As a District, we are committed to keeping families informed in this fluid, fast-changing environment. Following are a few key points of information to help make this first week a success, and resources to keep top of mind as the year progresses. Welcome to a new school year. Stay safe, stay positive, and be ready to do great things. Sincerely, Superintendent Dr. Rick L. Robins Back-to-School Checklist
COVID-19 Information Resources
2020 CENSUS UPDATE: The pandemic has resulted in some unexpected changes from the U.S. Census Bureau — namely, they have begun sending emails to non-responders. This is an about-face from their previous decision to avoid email so as to not confuse residents about official 2020 Census correspondence. The email messages will come from [email protected] and will give recipients the option to opt out of receiving future messages. The Bureau is also considering sending text messages to areas with low response-rates. CLARIFICATION ON FACE COVERINGS: On Thursday, Aug. 13, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and the Utah Department of Health clarified that face shields are not a substitute for face coverings, except in special situations. CSD’s Department of Responsive Services is working on forms and protocols for granting exceptions to students with special medical or mental health needs (see this week’s memo for more information about the face covering requirement). In the meantime, we have updated our FAQ page to reflect the following: Will the District require students and school staff to wear face coverings? If so, how is that being enforced? Canyons District schools and facilities are adhering to Utah Gov. Gary Herbert’s order requiring the use of face coverings in K-12 schools. Schools will make accommodations for students with disabilities and special medical or mental health needs, which often can be handled through the use of face shields. Students may remove face coverings while eating lunch and participating in outdoor recess provided they are able to maintain adequate physical distancing. The face covering requirement will be enforced in the same way all behavioral expectations are enforced, through positive feedback and working with families to make sure students have the resources and supports they need to succeed. If a student forgets to bring a face covering, the school will provide one. Refusal to wear one will result in an office referral and, if necessary, a phone call home to the student’s parents or guardians. Online learning is an option available for those who will not wear a face covering. Can students and employees wear face shields? On Thursday, Aug. 13, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and the Utah Department of Health clarified that face shields are not a substitute for face coverings, except in special situations. This is in line with recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which advises that face shields do not provide protection comparable to a face covering. The use of face shields may be permitted for students seeking accommodations for disabilities or special medical or mental health needs; in situations when a teacher is communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing; or for speech therapy where seeing the mouth and lips is necessary. A cloth face covering is secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears, or is wrapped around the lower face. A cloth face covering can be made of synthetic or natural fabrics. Information on how to make and properly care for cloth face coverings can be found on the CDC’s website. Will face coverings be provided by the schools? Students are encouraged to choose and bring their own face coverings. Schools and buses, however, will have on hand supplies of cloth and disposable face coverings, and will make them available as needed. Comments are closed.
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