Galena Schools COVID-19 Update/FAQ
April 22, 2020
With the Governor’s and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) decision to close schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 Academic Year we wanted to provide an update regarding the end-of-year procedures for the Galena R-II School District. Please take time to review these FAQs regarding Galena R-II Schools and the closure:
How will 2nd semester grades be determined?
2nd Semester grades will be based off of 3rd quarter grades. Per DESE guidelines all students will be afforded a “Hold Harmless” status for the 3rd Quarter. In other words, no student’s grade will be lowered as a result of assignments completed or not completed during the school closure. Online college courses will continue to be graded using the policy of the University in place. Seated Dual Credit courses will follow the “Hold Harmless” procedures as recommended by DESE. Assignments may be completed through Friday, May 15th.
Any student that had a failing grade at the end of the 3rd quarter will be contacted by their respective teacher(s) in the coming weeks to discuss options for improving upon that grade prior to May 15th.
How will assignments/activities that were completed during the school closure be graded?
Assignments completed during 4th quarter will be assessed for grade improvement ONLY. Work completed during the closure will be added to the 3rd quarter. Students are encouraged to continue to complete assignments/activities for their classes as a means to increase their level of mastery in the content area and to improve their 3rd quarter grade.
Will the school continue to mail assignment packets home?
High School Procedures (7-12):
Assignments/activities for GHS students will continue to be provided online through Google Classroom. For students that specifically request assignment packets, Galena Schools will continue to provide work through the mail. Assignment packets will be mailed on Monday, April 27th and Thursday, May 7th. If you need to receive packets in the mail you need to contact the HS principal via email: bakerb@galena.k12.mo.us
Elementary Procedures (prek-6):
Students in grades 4-6 are primarily online. Students who need paper packets in grades 4-6 need to contact the ES principal. Students in grades PK-3rd will continue to receive paper assignment packets with online support via Class Dojo. Assignment packets for the next two weeks will be available on Tuesday-Thursday from 9-7 at the ES building, where personal items will also be available for pick-up. The final assignment packet will be mailed home on Friday May 8th.
If my student has been receiving work packets how will I return those assignments to their teachers?
If possible, students and parents are encouraged to take pictures or scan their completed assignments and submit them to their teachers via email. If that is not an option, bins will be located at both campuses where packets can be dropped off. The bins will be available Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 am–2:00 pm at the HS and 9:00-2:00 Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the ES. Bins will be located on the sidewalk near the main office doors. Please drop off completed packets in those bins as needed and the work will be distributed to the appropriate teachers the following week. Work can be dropped off at either campus and will be delivered to the appropriate teacher. Additionally, library book bins will also be at both locations to return library books.
How will my student(s) be able to gather their personal items from their lockers before the end of the school year?
High School Procedures: All items have been removed from lockers and have been placed in plastic bags with the appropriate locker number. Those bundles will be available for pick up at the high school on Wedneday, April 29, and Thursday, April 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you are a student-athlete and have items in your athletic locker you will be receiving information from your individual coach about a time to clean out your sports locker.
Elementary School Procedures: Student items from classrooms and/or lockers will be available for pick-up on Wedneday, April 29, and Thursday, April 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Additionally, if paper assignment copies were requested, these will also be available for pick-up at the same time.
Will food delivery be available throughout the school closure?
Galena R-II Schools will continue to distribute food to all children in the district aged 18 and under. Food will be delivered on Monday afternoons between 2:00 pm–3:30 pm on bus routes. Food is also still available for pick-up at the HS from 3:00-4:00.
How will the school closure impact spring events (Field Trips, Prom, Banquets, etc)?
Unfortunately, the majority of traditional spring events will have to be canceled for the 2019-2020 school year. All class and grade-level trips (8th Grade Trip, Senior Trip) have been canceled. All academic and athletic banquets have also been canceled. Academic achievement will still be recognized and a virtual presentation will be available in early May. Academic certificates will be mailed to recipients. 8th grade promotion will not be held this spring and certificates and academic awards for 8th grade students will be mailed home in late May. Elementary students will still receive their classroom certificates and recognitions. These will be mailed home on Friday, May 8th.
Prom has been postponed indefinitely as we await the possibility of a venue that will be suitable for hosting. We are currently unable to commit to a specific venue as they can not determine if/when they are re-opening.
How will the school closure impact Graduation?
Galena High School is making every attempt possible to host a Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2020. We are awaiting additional direction from the state and county health departments. More information will be available at a later date.
How does the school closure impact spring sports seasons?
MSHSAA has canceled all spring sports and activities for the 2019-2020 school year. At this point we do not have specific guidance regarding summer activities (weight-lifting, camps) from MSHSAA.
Will Galena R-II be holding Summer School in 2020?
Galena R-II is currently committed to hosting summer school for 2020. The courses available and dates of attendance have not yet been determined as we are awaiting additional guidance from state and county health departments.
How will 2nd semester grades be determined?
2nd Semester grades will be based off of 3rd quarter grades. Per DESE guidelines all students will be afforded a “Hold Harmless” status for the 3rd Quarter. In other words, no student’s grade will be lowered as a result of assignments completed or not completed during the school closure. Online college courses will continue to be graded using the policy of the University in place. Seated Dual Credit courses will follow the “Hold Harmless” procedures as recommended by DESE. Assignments may be completed through Friday, May 15th.
Any student that had a failing grade at the end of the 3rd quarter will be contacted by their respective teacher(s) in the coming weeks to discuss options for improving upon that grade prior to May 15th.
How will assignments/activities that were completed during the school closure be graded?
Assignments completed during 4th quarter will be assessed for grade improvement ONLY. Work completed during the closure will be added to the 3rd quarter. Students are encouraged to continue to complete assignments/activities for their classes as a means to increase their level of mastery in the content area and to improve their 3rd quarter grade.
Will the school continue to mail assignment packets home?
High School Procedures (7-12):
Assignments/activities for GHS students will continue to be provided online through Google Classroom. For students that specifically request assignment packets, Galena Schools will continue to provide work through the mail. Assignment packets will be mailed on Monday, April 27th and Thursday, May 7th. If you need to receive packets in the mail you need to contact the HS principal via email: bakerb@galena.k12.mo.us
Elementary Procedures (prek-6):
Students in grades 4-6 are primarily online. Students who need paper packets in grades 4-6 need to contact the ES principal. Students in grades PK-3rd will continue to receive paper assignment packets with online support via Class Dojo. Assignment packets for the next two weeks will be available on Tuesday-Thursday from 9-7 at the ES building, where personal items will also be available for pick-up. The final assignment packet will be mailed home on Friday May 8th.
If my student has been receiving work packets how will I return those assignments to their teachers?
If possible, students and parents are encouraged to take pictures or scan their completed assignments and submit them to their teachers via email. If that is not an option, bins will be located at both campuses where packets can be dropped off. The bins will be available Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 am–2:00 pm at the HS and 9:00-2:00 Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the ES. Bins will be located on the sidewalk near the main office doors. Please drop off completed packets in those bins as needed and the work will be distributed to the appropriate teachers the following week. Work can be dropped off at either campus and will be delivered to the appropriate teacher. Additionally, library book bins will also be at both locations to return library books.
How will my student(s) be able to gather their personal items from their lockers before the end of the school year?
High School Procedures: All items have been removed from lockers and have been placed in plastic bags with the appropriate locker number. Those bundles will be available for pick up at the high school on Wedneday, April 29, and Thursday, April 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you are a student-athlete and have items in your athletic locker you will be receiving information from your individual coach about a time to clean out your sports locker.
Elementary School Procedures: Student items from classrooms and/or lockers will be available for pick-up on Wedneday, April 29, and Thursday, April 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Additionally, if paper assignment copies were requested, these will also be available for pick-up at the same time.
Will food delivery be available throughout the school closure?
Galena R-II Schools will continue to distribute food to all children in the district aged 18 and under. Food will be delivered on Monday afternoons between 2:00 pm–3:30 pm on bus routes. Food is also still available for pick-up at the HS from 3:00-4:00.
How will the school closure impact spring events (Field Trips, Prom, Banquets, etc)?
Unfortunately, the majority of traditional spring events will have to be canceled for the 2019-2020 school year. All class and grade-level trips (8th Grade Trip, Senior Trip) have been canceled. All academic and athletic banquets have also been canceled. Academic achievement will still be recognized and a virtual presentation will be available in early May. Academic certificates will be mailed to recipients. 8th grade promotion will not be held this spring and certificates and academic awards for 8th grade students will be mailed home in late May. Elementary students will still receive their classroom certificates and recognitions. These will be mailed home on Friday, May 8th.
Prom has been postponed indefinitely as we await the possibility of a venue that will be suitable for hosting. We are currently unable to commit to a specific venue as they can not determine if/when they are re-opening.
How will the school closure impact Graduation?
Galena High School is making every attempt possible to host a Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2020. We are awaiting additional direction from the state and county health departments. More information will be available at a later date.
How does the school closure impact spring sports seasons?
MSHSAA has canceled all spring sports and activities for the 2019-2020 school year. At this point we do not have specific guidance regarding summer activities (weight-lifting, camps) from MSHSAA.
Will Galena R-II be holding Summer School in 2020?
Galena R-II is currently committed to hosting summer school for 2020. The courses available and dates of attendance have not yet been determined as we are awaiting additional guidance from state and county health departments.