August 3, 2020
Dear Shaler Area families,
Thank you to all of the families who have completed the 2020-21 Reopening & Commitment Form sent last week. The Reopening & Commitment Form identifies your commitment for the following for each child:
- School Instructional Model: Select either the hybrid or 100% virtual model for each child. Students who enroll in the 100% virtual model MUST remain for a minimum of Nine Weeks.
- Transportation Services: If possible, fully commit to providing transportation to/from school during the 2020-21 school year to help with social distancing requirements. Families who fully commit to providing transportation to/from school will not have their student rostered to a school bus for the 2020-21 school year. Please note that while this decision is for the entire school year, we can reevaluate at the semester break if circumstances change.
To help inform your decision, we have updated our Back-to-School 2020 page with additional information, including the recording of the Back-to-School Task Force Report Town Hall presentation and a Frequently Asked Questions page:
https://www.sasd.k12.pa.us/BacktoSchool2020.aspx
Additionally, we plan to host a series of virtual Town Hall meetings for families on Monday, August 10, 2020 to help answer specific questions related to the district’s reopening plan. We will send out the meeting links later this week. Please note the updated date and times for these Town Hall meetings:
- Primary Schools (K-3): August 10 at 10 a.m.
- Elementary School (grades 4-6): August 10 at 12 p.m.
- Middle School (grades 7-8): August 10 at 2 p.m.
- High School (grades 9-12): August 10 at 4 p.m.
Because of the date change for these Town Hall meetings, we have delayed the deadline to complete the Reopening and Commitment Form. Forms now are to be completed no later than Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 4 p.m.
We also understand that families may have questions regarding the Shaler Area Titan Cyber Academy, our 100% virtual offering. This option provides a full online program using a standards-based curriculum delivered by either a Shaler Area School District teacher and/or a contracted employee through the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Additional information regarding this program will be forthcoming. We ask that if you are strongly considering this option, that you please select it on the Commitment Form. Enrollment in the program will have a significant impact on the delivery model of the Cyber Academy. We ask for your patience and understanding and we work toward finalizing this unique and complex option. If you have specific questions related to your student, please contact your building principal.
As a reminder, below is the schedule of important dates and deadlines in the coming weeks. Please note the updated dates and times:
- Parent Town Hall meetings (via Zoom)
- Monday, August 10, 2020 (see the above schedule)
- Parent Commitment Form - Selection of instructional and transportation options
- Distributed July 27, 2020 via email
- Commitment Forms are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2020
- Full online learning via Titan Cyber Academy
- Informational meeting date and time to be announced
- Deadline for full enrollment is August 13, 2020
- Education Committee to review Back-to-School Health & Safety Plan
- August 5, 2020 - 6 p.m. via a virtual meeting platform. Details will be posted on the website
- School Board approval of the Back-to-School Health & Safety Plan
- August 6, 2020 - 6 p.m. via a virtual meeting platform. Details will be posted on the website
Also, know that we recognize that these are very challenging times for our families with many unknowns. We thank you for your continued patience and support as we navigate this ever-changing pandemic and work together to provide a healthy and safe learning environment for our students and staff.
Sincerely,
Sean C. Aiken
Superintendent of Schools
Bryan E. O’Black, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent