Dear MAA Families – December 11, 2020
Dear Mesa Arts Academy Families,
The safety of your child/children is our top priority. As many of you know, we have been reviewing our health data every week. We have used data, science, and guidance from local, State, and National health officials to help make decisions. On November 12, our data went into the red in two areas. As of November 16, we returned to all virtual learning in hopes of return to hybrid in January.
We will continue to offer on-site support for parents who need a place for their child/children. Parents will need to call the office to sign up their child/children for on-site support. It is important that we know ahead of time who will be attending and who will remain at home. We want to be sure we have enough staff on campus to support this model. We are also limited in the number of spots for on-site support.
If you choose to keep your child at home, they will not be able to join on-site till March after Spring Break. If you choose on-site support, your child should be present each day. We cannot have students going back and forth due to the higher risk of spreading Covid.
It is important to note that while on campus, students must follow all COVID-19 health protocols listed in our mitigation plan posted on our website (Health Policy). Please remember that if you travel out of the country, you are required to quarantine for 10 – 14 days. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email.
Thank-you,
Miranda Koperno
Principal
miranda.koperno@bgcaz.org
480-844-3965
On-site Support Centers
Students will be able to log in and work on their remote learning in a supervised environment. These on-site support centers will not provide the same experience as an engaging classroom environment and do not include in-person instruction by a certified teacher. Transportation will not be provided.
Who’s eligible to attend?
The intention of the Governor’s Executive Order is that the district serve children of first responders, children in DCS custody, students with disabilities, students lacking adequate technology at home to participate in distance learning, and any student needing a safe place to participate in remote learning during school hours. Students must be previously registered with the district at their regular school of attendance to be eligible to register for on-site learning centers. Registration will be taken until the site is filled.
What will my child be doing at the on-site support center?
Students will participate in remote learning offered by their assigned teachers. MAA staff will assist students, as needed, to access daily lessons on the computer through Google Classroom and Acellus. Students will participate in Brain Breaks, recess, and lunch breaks. K-8th grade students are expected to attend the regular school day hours. If they wish to leave early, a parent or guardian must come to school to pick them up. Regular daily attendance will be taken. The school must be notified if any students will be absent. Students will still be required to mark attendance in Google Classroom. Families will be notified if students receive an unexcused absence.
Student and family expectations
- Students must follow MAA Health policies, including mandatory face coverings. If a parent does not want their child to wear a face covering, the child will be unable to attend the on-site support center.
- Each student is required to bring their MAA-issued device (fully charged), power cord, and headphones to complete school work.
- Each student should bring a filled water bottle.
- Free breakfast and lunch will be provided to on-site support students and virtual students.
- Meals will be served from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
- Students are expected to follow the MAA Guidelines for Student Behavior. Failure to follow behavior guidelines could result in a student losing the option to attend an on-site support center.
Frequently asked questions
What is the staff-to-student ratio at the on-site support center?
The student-to-staff ratio is 15:1.
Who will help my child with learning while they are at the on-site support center?
Classrooms will be staffed with paraprofessionals and other hourly support staff to supervise students and assist them with logging on to remote learning. Teachers will continue to teach remote learning from home and will not be available at the on-site support center.
Will students be kept together by grade level?
Students will be clustered in groups of similar students to allow supervising staff to become familiar with the students in their assigned group, easily identify who is absent, and provide the safest tracking and distancing possible. The groups might be multi-aged clusters.
In what area of the school will my child be during the day?
Students will be supervised in classrooms.
Does my child have to wear a face covering?
Yes, students must wear a face covering at all times. If a parent does not want their child to wear a face covering, the child will be unable to attend the on-site center. Adjustments will be made for students who might have an existing medical condition that does not allow a student to safely wear a face covering.