COVID-19 Resources

Important

End of Year Information

For

ELEMENTARY PARENTS

*Instructional Packet #3*

Drop off is FRIDAY, MAY 29^th (9:30-2:30)

At this time, ALL instructional packets should be returned.  Teachers need materials to assess student work before submitting grades.  Your cooperation is appreciated.  If there is an issue/concern, please contact your child’s school for assistance.

*Report Cards

We anticipate report cards being mailed beginning June 12^th.  Be reminded typical grades were assigned up until the March 13^th closure.  The final nine week grades reflect an “SC” (Satisfactorily Completed) or a “UC” (Unsatisfactorily Completed). 

*P-EBT Cards (Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards)

Each student in the District will be receiving one.  It is anticipated that students will receive them by mid-June.  For more information regarding the cards, please visit www.agasd.org .  Information is located under the “District Resources” in the COVID 19 option.

*District Website/Social Media

Please remember to frequently check our District website and social media postings throughout the summer.  Information and guidance we receive from the State and PA Department of Education will determine plans for next year.  As we receive updates, we will communicate them to parents/guardians.

*Parent/Guardian Contacts

Due to the changing situation and the necessity to plan for next year, it is VERY IMPORTANT that any changes to your contact information be reported to the district.  We need to be able to reach you.  This can be done by notifying your school or in the event you are unable to reach someone at the school, please call Mrs. Bezjak or Mrs. Berkshire at Central Administration with contact updates.

Mrs. Bezjak (724) 564-7190 ext. 8134

Mrs. Berkshire (724) 564-7190 ext. 8110

*Chromebooks

We have planned for the purchase of computers (Chromebooks) for all students Grades K-5.  Given that all provisions have been met, we intend on posting a timeline for distribution of devices prior to the start of school.  Additional postings and sessions will be provided as a follow-up regarding specifics related to Chromebook use.

Please look for these dates in early August.

*Parent/Guardian Surveys

Please watch for the link to a Parent Needs Assessment.  Be advised, additional follow-up surveys may be posted on an as needed basis.  Your input is extremely important.

*Learning Management System

The District is compelled to acknowledge the likelihood of online instruction being a part of any version of “reopening” school next year.  During the closure, some students in Grades K-5 having access to a home device, were able to participate in instructional activities online through Google Classroom.  This was a new experience for not only students, but for teachers AND parents as well.  We appreciate the perceptions of many regarding online instruction, both positive and negative.  However, technology’s role in instruction has become a reality. We are currently exploring a learning management system whereby teachers and parents/guardians could more easily access and monitor online learning and assignments at one site.  Our goal is to create a student/parent link directly on the District website.

*Start of School

At this time, no decision has been made regarding what “school” might look like for next year.  There are multiple options suggested by various resources such as (again these are ONLY ideas):

Scenario #1: Opening entirely with remote learning

Scenario #2:   Opening with a blend of classroom and remote learning with Instructional Variations:

a. 75% of students in school, 25% of students working remotely (rotating onsite attendance)

b. 50% of students in school, 50% of students working remotely (rotating onsite attendance)

c. 25% of students in school, 75% of students working remotely (rotating onsite attendance)

d. All students in Grades 3-12 working remotely, while all students in K-2 working at school and practicing social distancing in the available classrooms

 Scenario #3:  Schools open normally and then revert to scenario #1 or #2 at some point in the fall due to a new outbreak

The CDC has provided their suggestions which categorically are quite challenging for a district to meet.  Yet, we diligently continue to attend virtual meetings to discuss a multitude of topics related to starting school, participate in collaborative sessions with various neighboring district administrators, as well as our own administrative team and seek advice/ideas from other states.  It has been suggested “starting school” will be a “local decision”.  However, we remain hopeful that further information and guidance will be provided specific to our State and District.  The path chosen must work for the Albert Gallatin Area School District and the families we serve.

As I stated in a previous post, we want to thank you for your cooperation during this experience. We understand and agree this has been very challenging.  We look forward to the summer months and are hopeful that our future will be bright with better days ahead.  There is no doubt, we most certainly will have to “rethink” in order to “rebuild” in terms of school.  Yet, as long as students remain the priority, the right decisions will be made.   

*Instructional Packet #3*

Drop off is FRIDAY, MAY 29^th (9:30-2:30)

At this time, ALL instructional packets should be returned.  Teachers need materials to assess student work before submitting grades.  Your cooperation is appreciated.  If there is an issue/concern, please contact your child’s school for assistance.

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program Frequently Asked Questions

May 13, 2020

A: The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 provides temporary benefits, referred to as Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), to families of school-aged children who would receive free or reduced-priced meals if school was in session.

For each day school is closed, families of school-aged children certified as free or reduced eligible will receive the equivalent of the free high rate for lunch and the severe need rate for breakfast. Specifically, a family will receive $5.70 for each eligible school-aged child in their family for each day school has been closed since March 16, 2020.

A: Benefits will be issued in three waves beginning in mid-May. 

•       Phase 1: Direct Certification population, which are students receiving any of the following benefits: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Directly Certified Medical Assistance (DCMA). 

•       Phase 2: Students attending LEAs using the full Pennsylvania Student Eligibility System

(PA-SES) by PrimeroEdge, including students attending Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools or students individually enrolled and marked as eligible for free or reduced-priced meals.

•       Phase 3:  Students attending LEAs not using the full PA-SES, including CEP schools, and newly enrolled students will receive benefits later in June. 

A detailed timeline is available in the PDE Division of Food and Nutrition (DFN) memo, Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Next Steps and Timeline, dated May 11, 2020, located on PEARS Download Forms, COVID-19 Section. 

A: P-EBT is for all families with school-aged children that are eligible for free and reduced-price meals. If they already receive benefits through SNAP or TANF and currently have an EBT card, they will not be issued a new card. The existing card will be loaded with the additional benefits. Families that qualify for only P-EBT and do not have an existing EBT card will receive a P-EBT card in the mail (one per family, when possible). 

A: Any household with a student who is eligible for free or reduced-price meals and enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or School Breakfast Program (SBP) can receive P-EBT benefits. This population includes:

•       Students who attend a school where all students are offered free meals, regardless of income (i.e., CEP schools).

•       Students of migrant households. Receiving or using P-EBT benefits does not impact the student’s or any household member’s immigration status or any current or future application for permanent residency.

•       Households that recently lost income due to job loss or fewer hours and are newly eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.

A: Yes, all students enrolled in a CEP school will receive P-EBT benefits. 

A: No. A student must be enrolled in a school that participates in the NSLP and/or SBP and meet eligibility requirements for free or reduced-price school meals to receive P-EBT. 

Students who were free or reduced-price eligible by March 16, 2020 will receive full benefits ($370.00). Benefits for students who became eligible after March 16, 2020 will be calculated as follows: 

•       Students who become eligible between March 17 and March 31, 2020, will receive the benefit for March 16 through June 12 (65 days)

•       Students who become eligible between April 1 and April 30 will receive the benefit for April 1 through June 12 (53 days)

•       Students who become eligible between May 1 and May 31 will receive the benefit for May 1 through June 12 (31 days)

•     Students who become eligible between June 1 and June 12 will receive the benefit for June 1 through June 12 (10 days)

A. Yes, SFAs can continue to operate other Federal nutrition programs while participating in PEBT. The statute does not prohibit children from participating in more than one nutrition program. 

A: No. 

A: No. P-EBT is in addition to the meals being provided, not in place of those meals.

A: Families who do not wish to take advantage of P-EBT should shred their card. This benefit is non-transferrable, so recipients cannot use this benefit to buy food for others. However, they can use the benefits for their own eligible food purchases and, if they are able to, donate their own cash to an organization or a needy family. 

A: No, LEAs are not required to communicate P-EBT information to households. DHS will be mailing information to P-EBT eligible households.

Attention: ELEMENTARY PARENTS

Instructional Packet #3 -- distribution is MONDAY, MAY 11 (9:30-2:30)

Instructional Packet #2 – should be returned at this time

AG High School Parents, Guardians and Students:

We will be conducting locker content pick-ups during the week of May 4, 2020 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on the following days:

• Students Last Name A-L - Tuesday, May 5^th 
• Students Last Name M-Z – Thursday, May 7^th  

 If you are unable to pick up the items on the designated day, please call the school to arrange the pick-up. If belongings are not picked up by May 15^th we will remove them from the buildings. When you arrive at the school please pull up to the main entrance of the building and stay in your vehicle. Someone will be there to assist you.   Please make sure you know your locker number. If your child has a personal combination lock on his/her locker please call the school and provide the combination to enable us to gather their belongings. If your child has a personal key lock, please bring the key when you pick their locker belongings.

Stay Safe,

High School Administration

AG North & AG South Parents and Guardians:

We will be conducting locker content pick-ups during the week of May 4, 2020 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on the following days:

• 8^th Grade - Tuesday, May 5^th
• 7^th Grade – Wednesday, May 6^th  
• 6^th Grade – Thursday, May 7^th  

 If you are unable to pick up the items on the designated day, please call the school to arrange the pick-up. If belongings are not picked up by May 15^th we will remove them from the buildings. When you arrive at the school please pull up to the main entrance of the building and stay in your vehicle. Someone will be there to assist you.   If your child has a personal combination lock on his/her locker please call the school and provide the combination to enable us to gather their belongings. If your child has a personal key lock, please bring the key when you pick their locker belongings.

Stay Safe,

Randy Wilson and Zack Dillow, Principals

Hello AGASD Community, we hope you are all doing well as we continue on with this alternate way of life. Below is some important information regarding the coming days/week.

Thursday, April 9th and Tuesday, April 14th are make-up days therefore are learning days - lunches will also be available as normal.

Friday, April 10th and Monday, April 13th are holiday days therefore there is NO learning on these days - there will be NO lunch service on these days as well.

Please enjoy the Easter break with your families and stay safe!

Next week (4/6-4/10) will be a theme week as we SPRING INTO ONLINE FUN!

Monday----Crazy Sock Day

Tuesday----Hat Day

Wednesday---Crazy Hair Day

Thursday---AG Day

Friday---No School (Happy Easter)

Attention Parents/Guardians:

Please be advised that all learning packets are to be kept until further notice. This is very important. We will inform you of the drop off procedures in the future.

We are currently making plans for the next phase of our education plan.

Middle/High School Parents/Students:

Student Chromebook Repair Procedures

Below are instructions on how we will be handling student Chromebook repairs beginning on April 7th. For the safety of parents/students, as well as our IT staff – these guidelines MUST be strictly followed.

REMINDER:

AGASD's distance learning plan will begin tomorrow - Tuesday, March 31st.

Grades 6-12 will be online utilizing the Google Classroom platform.

Continuity of Education Planned Instructional Packets Grades K - 5

Date for Pick Up – Monday, March 30, 2020
Time – 9:30 AM through 2:30 PM
Location – Main Entrances at All Elementary Schools

=      Parents / Guardians are to pull into the school’s driveway and line up along the curb

=      DO NOT exit your vehicle

=      Give the name(s) of your child(ren) & grade level

=      Planned instructional packets will be handed to parent / guardian

=      Parents / Guardians may ONLY pick up packets for YOUR child(ren)

=      Once packets have been completed, please keep them until collection procedures have been established

Beginning on Monday, March 30th you will be allowed to pick up your child’s Chromebook and/or charger if it was left in their locker or classroom.

Specific school-based instructions are as follows: