Principal letter to families, survey for 2020-21 school year

Dear SAVHS Parents/Guardians,

I hope that you and your family are doing well. It has been a complex summer as schools and families across the country prepare for the upcoming school year. Thank you for your patience as we continue to finalize plans and provide information as it becomes available. As a parent and principal, I understand how hard it is to figure out all of the logistics for your family.  

These past few months have been challenging for students, families, and our community. I recognize that students and families are experiencing a wide range of emotions due to COVID-19, local and national civil unrest, and the need to improve relationships and the culture within our school. We will continue to be here to support you and your student(s).

As we prepare for the upcoming year, our priorities will focus on:
1) Supporting students in a caring environment. 
2) Rigor, relevance, relationships, and equity. 
3) Keeping students and staff safe. 
4) Providing the best possible school experience for your students. 

Based on the number of COVID-19 cases in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, we have options for how we will begin the school year. Each plan will reduce the number of classes that students will take at once. In the past, students have taken six or seven classes at once for a whole semester. Now students will take three or four classes at a time, but only for a quarter. Yet, graduation requirements and total courses offered during the school year will remain the same. Student schedules are currently being rebuilt and will be available the week before school starts.  

All of our Hybrid and Distance models rely on content being delivered via Distance Learning, which allows for the flexibility to shift between those models, as needed,  and provide instruction to students who are not able to come into the building.  

Distance Learning: all students are learning from home through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities 

Modified Hybrid Learning: all content will be delivered through a distance learning platform and students who have been identified as needing additional support will have the opportunity to come to school to receive additional help and support from teachers. Identified students will be assigned to small grade level groups. The anticipated school day will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Full Hybrid Learning: all content will be delivered through a distance-learning platform. Students will have the opportunity to come to school one day a week to receive support from teachers. Up to one-fourth of the students participating in Full Hybrid Learning will be allowed to enter the building on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday (Wednesday's will be dedicated to at home learning, communication, and cleaning and disinfecting buildings).  Students will be assigned to a specific day based on their preferences and available space. The anticipated school day will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On-Site Learning: all students have the opportunity to return to school buildings for in-person learning on a regular Monday through Friday format. 

**Full On-Site Learning would only resume if there is a significant drop in the number of new cases in Hennepin and Ramsey counties**

IMPORTANT- Parents/guardians: please complete this Google Form for every student that you have attending St. Anthony Village High School. If you have other children that attend elementary or middle school in our district, each of our schools will be sending out their own Google Form. It’s crucial for our planning purposes that families fill out a Google Form specific to every child and the school that they attend.

On Aug. 18, the St. Anthony-New Brighton School Board will make a final decision on how our schools will begin the school year. More information will be shared at a later date. 

I am confident that our students, staff, families, and community will come together to make this a great school year!

Thank you,

Justin Sawyer
Principal
St. Anthony Village High School
jsawyer@isd282.org 
@jsawyerSAVHS

SAVHS COVID Re-Opening Plan Outline

• Priorities
  • Health and safety
  • Providing a caring environment
  • Providing rigorous, relevant, and student centered learning
• Distance Learning
  • All students learning from home
  • All content is provided online (Google Classroom)
  • Students will take 3 or 4 classes at a time
• Modified Hybrid Learning
  • All content is provided online
  • Students will take 3 or 4 classes at a time
  • Identified students will have the opportunity to come to school
    • In School Days
      • Shortened school day
      • Identified students will come into the building to get additional help and support from teachers
      • Students will remain in grade level groups of no more than 12 students 
    • Out of School Days
      • Students will work from home
      • Small group work
      • Support from teachers
• Full Hybrid Learning
  • All content is provided online
  • Students will take 3 or 4 classes at a time
  • Students will have the opportunity to come to school one day per week
    • In School Days
      • ¼ of students will attend each day 
      • Shortened school day
      • Students will get help and support from teachers
      • No more than 12 students will be in a classroom at a time
    • Out of School Days
      • Students will work from home
      • Small group work
      • Support from teachers
• On-Site Learning
• All students have the opportunity to attend school every day