Drew Reopening Plan Updates

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Last week, we announced a revised 2020 – 2021 Drew Charter school year calendar with a new start date of August 3, 2020, for students. In this follow-up communication regarding Drew’s 2020 – 2021 reopening plan, we are sharing:

1. Updates regarding reopening models under consideration, and
2. A Family Survey (The survey link is included here and later in this letter.)

UPDATE TO REOPENING MODELS

At this point, it seems highly unlikely that public health guidance will allow for a traditional Face-to-Face reopening model.  Based on current information, Drew is focusing on planning the following two reopening models:

• Virtual/e-Learning Model 
• Hybrid Model (combination of Face-to-Face and Virtual learning)

As we continue building detailed implementation plans for both models, below please find a high-level summary of key components that each model’s plan will address once completed.

All Virtual Model

If Drew reopens under an all virtual model, key components of the model will include:

• Instruction – standardized daily student instruction on Zoom for core contents classes and enrichment/pathways including the introduction of new content, academy specific schedules, attendance tracking, and assigning grades
• Student Social Emotional and Academic Supports – the incorporation of social emotional learning supports and Special Education, RTI, and Gifted programming
• Technology Support – ensuring all students are equipped with necessary devices, internet access, and technical support for success
• STEAM/PBL – a re-implementation of and emphasis on STEAM and PBL with student collaboration and projects.

Hybrid Model

If Drew reopens under a Hybrid model, each student would come onsite two days a week for face-to-face instruction and would have virtual instruction (home-based) three days a week.  Key components of the Hybrid Model, would include:

• Instructional Model Design – two (2) cohorts of students (Cohort A and Cohort B) divided as follows:
  • Students assigned to Cohort A would report to school on Mondays and Tuesdays and would receive instruction virtually on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays via Google Classroom
  • Students assigned to Cohort B would report to school on Thursdays and Fridays and would receive instruction virtually on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays via Google Classroom
  • Siblings would be grouped in the same cohort to ensure on-campus and virtual days are the same 
  • Onsite class sizes would be limited to 12 students per classroom
• School Operations – protocols for social distancing (6 feet at all times), cleaning/sanitizing the buildings, morning drop off/afternoon dismissal, meals, classroom design, and transitions 
• Safety Precautions – protocols for PPE requirements (wearing masks and/or face shields), visitors, early pickup procedures and increased hygiene and safety measures 
• Health/Wellbeing – protocols for handling student illness, daily screenings/temperature checks and potential outbreaks/quarantine plans
• Technology Support – ensuring all students are equipped with devices and technical support to be successful on virtual days 
• Before and After School Care of Students on Onsite Learning Days –  considerations for if/how this care could be provided safely
• Offering a full-time virtual learning model for students unable to participate in a Hybrid Model. 

FAMILY SURVEY

As we move forward with our planning process, it is critical that we hear from you.  Please take the following survey now or no later than Friday, June 26th, at 6pm:

FAMILY REOPENING SURVEY 

Your input will help us better evaluate how we can support you as we continue planning our reopening.  Thank you in advance for participating in the survey.

Please be assured that the reopening model we ultimately implement will focus on ensuring the health and safety of our students and staff in light of the most current public health data and guidance.  We will notify you by mid-July of our decision on which reopening model we will implement.  In the meantime, please stay safe and healthy.

For the Love of Drew,

Peter McKnight

Head of School

Shoutout to Rising 11th Grader

We would like to thank and highlight A. Cave for sharing her expression of art about the Alabama church bombing which took place September 15, 1963 that escalated a lot of emotions, especially within the African American community. Feel free to click the link above.

Intent to Play [In Relation to All Sports]

Message from Director of Athletics, click here for letter

Update: Cheerleading

Summer Reading

Attached, you will find a copy of the AP summer reading list for students who selected an AP course for school year 2020-2021.  The counselors have sent out an email to all those students who will need to complete the summer reading before the start of school in July.  If your child selected to take an AP course and did not receive an email, please contact your child’s counselor.

Rob Richardson (Grades 9 and 11):  rob.richardson@drewcharterschool.org

Tara Davis (Grades 10 and 12): tara.davis@drewcharterschool.org

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lteTmwQZE57xFLRXgHYmK2-mJRo7lDrzITxi54pTc5E/edit?usp=sharing

Uniform Needs

• In the interest of best serving our community, Drew has moved forward with Flynn O’Hara as our new uniform vendor. Thank you to Dr. Allen for all of her work to find a company to best serve our community. Please see the flyer and link below for more information:

Drew Opportunity Fund: First Initiative  

Last school year, Drew Charter launched its inaugural annual fund campaign, the Drew Opportunity Fund, in honor of our retiring Head of School Don Doran.  Under Mr. Doran’s leadership Drew students had myriad opportunities to innovate, achieve, travel and compete, all of which help to close the opportunity gap and make Drew an exemplary learning community. 

As this is a new initiative for Drew, please encourage others to participate, feel free to share ideas for support, and join me in making a donation to this year’s campaign if you haven’t already.  The more we raise, the more we can do!

PTA UPDATES
 CLICK HERE TO JOIN PTA TODAY! 

Week of 06/22- 06/28

Monday

06/22

• None

Tuesday

06/23

• None

Wednesday

06/24

• Times were assigned by Coach Mayes

Thursday

06/25

• Times were assigned by Coach Mayes

Friday

06/26

• None

 06/27| Saturday

•   N/A
  • Please note access to the school building will NOT be available. Security have been advised to not allow access to outsiders until further notice.

06/28| Sunday

• None
  • Please note access to the school building will NOT be available. Security have been advised to not allow access to outsiders until further notice [inclusive of staff].

Upcoming Events:

• 09/03 – Start Date for 2021-2022 School Year
  • more details coming soon..

See the information below regarding the importance of communities achieving a “complete count” in the 2020 Census!

Wifi and Internet Resources

Please see the Xfinity flyer above and information to internet access at a deep discount with Comcast–> CLICK HERE .

PTA UPDATES

CLICK HERE TO JOIN PTA TODAY!

Uniform Concerns!

Portal for Paying for Nutrition/Lunch Fees

Portal for Paying for Drew Events, Dues, Field Trips, etc..

Update for Students: