Aug. 5, 2020
Dear Fox Chapel Area Family,
I hope that this email finds you all well and enjoying the last few weeks before school resumes. Though Fox Chapel Area’s administrative team continues to finalize the district’s return-to-school plan, I have some new information to share with you this evening.
- While the district has created a hybrid instructional model for grades pre-K-12, we are exploring the potential of using the hybrid model for only grades 6-12 and a five-day in-person instructional model for pre-K to grade 5. The Board and administrative team are gathering more information this week, and the Board will make a final decision on the elementary model at its August 10 meeting. All parents and guardians received a survey last night outlining the three instructional models that we will be offering for the 2020-2021 school year and asking you to indicate whether you favor in-person instruction or a fully online curriculum for your child. In the survey, we asked elementary parents only if they are interested in sending their child for five days of in-person instruction. However, please be aware that a hybrid schedule for elementary students (two days of in-person instruction and three days of online learning) remains a possibility. We ask that the survey be done no later than 8 a.m. August 9 so we can begin developing cohorts for our classrooms to adhere with our Phased School Reopening Health and Safety Plan, available at www.fcasd.edu/coronavirus. Also, please know that we understand that some of you still have specific questions regarding your child’s education and instructional model for the upcoming school year. We are working hard to come up with answers to all of these questions and will communicate that information as it becomes available. We do ask that parents choose an option by August 9. If a change in instructional model is needed later, after the final decision on August 10, or throughout the year, you will be able to make a change.
- A transportation commitment form is now available for parents and guardians to indicate whether their child(ren) will be utilizing district transportation during the school year. Please know that even though we are asking you to commit to a certain transportation option, it can be changed at any time by contacting your building principal. Please fill out the transportation commitment form here.
- A technology need request form is now available to parents and guardians of high school students. It’s important for parents and guardians to complete this form so that, if needed, we can provide a device that their student can use for instruction. Technology distribution is slated for later in August for younger students. Parents of high school students can access the technology need request form here.
- We released a video expanding on our enriched and refined fully online curriculum for our elementary students. The video explains key details of our program, such as how schedules and materials will be provided in advance, opportunities for small-group learning, and ways we will foster social and emotional development. The video can be viewed here.
- The district’s administrative team is in the process of finishing work on the entire return-to-school plan, which will be voted on by the Fox Chapel Area School Board. The Board will meet at 7 p.m. August 10, and the final plan will be made available on the district’s website.
Again, we know that uncertainty remains and that parents may have a hard decision in determining what instructional model is best for their family for the 2020-2021 school year. Please know that as our work continues, we will do our very best to answer all of your questions and adhere to the three principles that have guided this process: ensuring a strong educational program for any instructional model we choose to or are required to adopt; using evidence-based practices, such as wearing face coverings, washing hands, and minimizing COVID-19 exposure opportunities; and providing as much flexibility to families as possible.
Sincerely,
Mary Catherine Reljac, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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