GCSSD Temporary Procedures Due to COVID-19
1. Students taking online dual enrollment may do their coursework at home during the block the dual enrollment course is assigned on their schedule. Although, they may need to remain on campus for the first week of school to complete paperwork required for the Dual Enrollment Grant. Students choosing to leave campus to do online dual enrollment at home will not be able to check out a laptop. Students arriving at school after the beginning of first block must report to the main office to sign in. Students will have their temperature checked upon arrival. Students leaving during the school day must follow the appropriate sign-out and return sign-in procedures. Students leaving during the school day who are transporting other students or riding with another student must complete a driver/passenger form to do so.
2. Students in the Digital Learning Academy participating in an extra-curricular activity (band, athletics, theater, and chorus) may still participate in these activities during and after the school day. Should the student choose to participate during the school day they will need to sign in and sign out through the main office. Students will need to provide their own transportation. Students will have their temperature checked upon arrival.
3. Students in the Digital Learning Academy participating in certain CTE courses (Advanced Manufacturing 1 and 2, Industrial Maintenance 1 and 2, MLR 1 and 2, Dual Enrollment MLR 1 and 2, Fundamentals of Construction, Residential and Commercial Construction 1 and 2, Dual Enrollment Welding 1, 2, and 3, Culinary Arts 1 and 2, Dual Enrollment Culinary Arts 1 and 2, Ag Power and Equipment, and Nursing Education) will be required to come on campus for those courses and will then be allowed to leave. Students in WBL Practicum (formerly Clinical Internship) will need to come on campus one day per week to complete the skills portion of the course. This day will be determined by the teacher. Students will need to sign in and sign out through the main office. Students will need to provide their own transportation. Students will have their temperature checked upon arrival. If students choosing not to come on campus for these courses will have their schedules changed.
4. Students in the Digital Learning Academy with an IEP will be allowed to come on campus to receive some of their services as scheduled through the special education dept. Should the student choose to come on campus during the school day they will need to sign in and sign out through the main office. Students will need to provide their own transportation. Students will have their temperature checked upon arrival.
5. Students in the Digital Learning Academy enrolled in the SAILS math course must come on campus during their assigned block to take tests. The SAILS program requires that tests be monitored by the assigned teacher of the course. Students will need to sign in and sign out through the main office. Students will need to provide their own transportation. Students will have their temperature checked upon arrival. If students choose not to come on campus for the SAILS tests will have their schedules changed.
Jostens video: https://view.vidreach.io/q/juPsKcO3
Class of 2021 - Graduation Orders - All seniors are receiving Jostens order packets today. Orders are due Thurs., 8/27. Deposits can be made online. If you want to ask a rep questions or order in person, Jostens will be available on Thurs., 8/27, 3-5 PM outside at the main entrance. See order form for more info. and contact info. And check out this video: https://view.vidreach.io/q/juPsKcO
In an effort to make Schoology sign-in more user friendly, I have updated the log-in process while Schoology was down this afternoon.
Students will utilize their GCSSD username (NOT the full email) and their GCSSD password to log in to Schoology from this point forward. This change will allow multiple users to log in to one computer much easier as the log-in credentials will not be saved.
EXAMPLE:
gcssd.schoology.com
UN: caseya
PW: ac2345
Additional help located at: https://www.gcssd.org/o/gcssd/page/schoology-lms
3 wins tonight! Go Pioneers!
Golf team won! Peyton Selph was the low medalist!
Volleyball beat West Carroll 3-0!
Girls soccer beat South Fulton 4-3!
Thank you to everyone who completed the survey. Based on your input, the GCSSD School Board voted to go with Option 5 (All students at home on Fridays for the first nine weeks). We had 2,108 survey responses in less than 24 hours.
This option will allow our staff additional time to build out lessons that will be used for the Digital Learning Academy. Off-campus learning on Fridays will not start until 8/28 and will continue through 10/16. Teachers will work with their students to give them assignments that they will need to complete while they are at home on Fridays. This could be through the Learning Management System or through instructional materials that are sent home. We understand that not all students have a device at home or internet access. Teachers will provide instructional materials for all students to ensure learning continues on Friday. Additionally, on Fridays until 10/16, students meals will be offered for parent pick-up and home delivery.
I know this is a major change. However, when we were originally developing the Digital Learning Academy in mid-July, we had 280 students enrolled. Once the decision was made to wear masks, our numbers increased to 650. At that point, the plan we had in place for 280 students was not possible. Therefore, we had to think through how best to manage the difficult situation we found ourselves in. Again, thank you for filling out the survey and helping us with that difficult decision. We also appreciate your patience as we try to ensure all students continue to learn. We are so proud of our staff as they continue to rise to the occasion to ensure each student at GCSSD has all their needs met.
Eddie Pruett
The golf team won their match today vs Westview! Ben McKinney was the low medalist!
The COVID-19 releasing household contacts from isolation & quarantine has been updated. This is a major change. Please review page 15 of the Reopening Plan at: https://5il.co/i86m
The board is requesting feedback to help determine the option they take to give teachers additional planning time, to be used to develop digital learning content, during the first nine weeks. We realize that the decision will impact families and the board wanted to get your feedback. The board votes on 8/18 so we apologize for the quick turnaround.
Option 1 - School will be dismissed at 2 each day. (first 9 weeks)
Option 2 - Students will dismiss at 11:30 on Fridays. (first 9 weeks)
Option 3 - Students will attend Fridays on an A/B schedule. (every other Friday for the first 9 weeks)
Option 4 - Students attending is optional on Fridays. Families that do not have childcare can register for them to attend. Students that do not attend will use the learning management system. (first 9 weeks)
Option 5 - All students will stay home on Fridays and use the learning management system. (first 9 weeks)
Link to survey: https://forms.gle/ZT6caVHfkvCspMB39
The board is requesting feedback to help determine the option they take to give teachers additional planning time, to be used to develop digital learning content, during the first nine weeks. We realize that the decision will impact families and the board wanted to get your feedback. The board votes on 8/18 so we apologize for the quick turnaround.
Option 1 - School will be dismissed at 2 each day. (first 9 weeks)
Option 2 - Students will dismiss at 11:30 on Fridays. (first 9 weeks)
Option 3 - Students will attend Fridays on an A/B schedule. (every other Friday for the first 9 weeks)
Option 4 - Students attending is optional on Fridays. Families that do not have childcare can register for them to attend. Students that do not attend will use the learning management system. (first 9 weeks)
Option 5 - All students will stay home and use the learning management system. (first 9 weeks)
Link to survey: https://forms.gle/ZT6caVHfkvCspMB39
We are requesting that parents load money on their children's accounts for breakfast and lunch. This can be set up here: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain.action?clientKey=&requestAction=home . Otherwise, please send a check or money to deposit at the beginning of each week. We want to limit the exchange of money and help our socially distanced lines to move faster.
We look forward to finally seeing students back on Monday, 8/17! We have missed our Pioneers so much! Schedules are available on Parent Portal/PowerSchool. Paper copies will be available if needed. (Students, see signs to know where to go.) - Doors will open at 7:15 AM. All students must go straight to 1st block after picking up a schedule. 1st block will begin at 7:55 AM. Bus riders will be dismissed at 11:30 AM, and car riders/drivers will be dismissed at 11:35 AM. Breakfast and lunch will not be served. - Remember that a mask must be worn covering the nose and mouth.
GCSSD on-campus instruction will start Monday, August 17, at a Level 3. Students will be required to wear a mask.
Digital Learning Academy start date has been moved to August 24, 2020 to allow teachers more time to prepare content.
We are excited for the start of school! Please continue to follow COVID-19 CDC guidelines to help us work together to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of students, teachers, staff, their families, and communities.
- Stay away from work, school, or other people if you become sick
- Wear your mask in public
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Sneeze or cough? Cover your mouth
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily
These are the most important actions that will support schools safe reopening and will help them stay open.
https://youtu.be/z067y5-KUQI
Immunization information & forms can be found here: https://www.gcssd.org/o/gcssd/page/immunization-program
Digital learners can pick up textbooks tomor/Friday, 8/14, 8:30 AM - 3 PM or Monday, 8/17, 12 - 4 PM.
The Digital Learning Academy Handbook is now available for DL students and parents to review. Please click the link below to access. A timeline is available within the document to ensure all DL students are ready to begin August 17, 2020!
https://5il.co/j8et
Digital Learning Academy Device Request:
A limited number of devices are being provided for DL Academy students who do not have access to a device. The devices are to be used to engage in learning activities provided by teachers. If your student needs a device in order to participate in the Digital Learning Academy please contact Kary Parchman at parchmank@gcssd.org by Monday, August 10 at 12:00 noon and include the information below within the email. Devices will be loaned out for Digital Learning Academy students only and priority will be based according to the students meal eligibility status for the 2020-21SY. All aspects of District Policy 4.406 and the Responsible Use of Technologies applies to the use of the device and Internet access. Forms will be signed upon pickup to ensure guidelines are being followed when using the equipment along with a digital learning release permission form.
Information to include in Digital Learning Academy device request email:
- Student first and last name
- Student enrolled school
- Student grade
- Other students in the household that are Digital Learning Academy students
Open House for 10th-12th graders has been cancelled for this semester. Schedules are available via Parent Portal, but keep in mind they aren't finalized. Paper copies will be available on Mon., 8/17.
Freshmen Orientation / New Student Orientation has been rescheduled for Tues., 8/11. This event will be come & go 3:30-6:30 PM, and social distancing will be utilized. Freshmen, new students, and their parents can pick up schedules in the gym before visiting the fall classes.

Don't forget to take advantage of the Sales Tax Holiday this upcoming weekend! Stock up on binders, loose leaf paper, dividers, pencils, & highlighters before school starts.
https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-and-use-tax/sales-tax-holiday.html#:~:text=School%20Supplies-,Exempt%3A,drawing%20pads%2C%20and%20artist%20paintbrushes
