Two additional SGS students tested positive today making 5 active cases in the building. Based on the updated plan approved by the BOE, all students, staff, and visitors at SGS will be required to wear an approved face covering beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, August 24th until Tuesday, September 7th. Like last year, we will give opportunities for masks breaks, and teachers and staff will be on the lookout for students in distress. If your child is having difficulty please contact your child's teacher, or our school nurse, Kristi Wilson. We will make every effort to support our kids and families, and make sure SGS is a good and safe place for all.
SGS Parents,
Over the weekend we had 3 students test positive for Covid. The USD #376 Board of Education met last night and passed new gating criteria for mandatory masks in school. They approved a policy that set a 2% rate as the trigger for all students and staff to have masks mandated for 14 days. For SGS a 2% rate would be 5 positive cases. If your child was a direct exposure to these positive cases, you have already been notified. Teachers will be working directly with parents to provide instruction for students that can't attend because of direct exposure.
Covid precautions continue to be taken at school. We have implemented the same lunch protocol as we did last year with students paced out and assigned lunch groups. Third and Sixth graders are eating in their classroom in order to help make room in our commons to spread out. However, a volunteer parent group is helping to make it possible for parents who want their child to eat outside to do so. If you would like for your child to eat outside when possible, please email the grade school office at kroned@usd376.com and the classroom teacher. You will need to give permission for your child to eat outside when an adult volunteer is present. The adult volunteer is not being provided by the school, but would be a parent volunteer, not associated with the school. Parent volunteers should wait in the office or outside and not come into the lunch room. Our lunch schedule is as follows:
Kindergarten 11:00-11:20
1st grade 11:20-11:40
2nd grade 11:40-12:00
3rd grade 11:50-12:10
4th grade 12:00-12:20
5th grade 12:20-12:40
6th grade 12:10-12:30
ATTENTION ALL JH/HS STUDENTS & PARENTS:
PICTURE DAY IS THIS WEEK! 8/26
-Regular School Pictures (inter-state.com)
-JH Code: 61124KA (You must use this code before the day of pictures)
-HS Code: 61125GA(You must use this code before the day of pictures)
-If you forget to order pictures online you can fill out a form in our office!
Three students at SGS have tested positive for COVID-19. Our nurses are working to identify students that may have had a high risk exposure and will contact the parents of those students today. Right now it is more important than ever to keep your children home if they are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 to help limit the spread. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. gorackej@usd376.com
There will be a special meeting of the USD 376 Board of Education tonight, Sunday August 22nd at 7:00 in the SJSHS auditorium. The agenda will consist of three items, 1. Discussion of the Symmetry Settlement and new natural gas contract 2. Action on revision of gating criteria 3. Action on changes to the Mask policy at SGS. The meeting will be broadcast on 3BN.
The first day with a full building of teenagers is always exciting. We're glad to have everyone back. Below is the link for this week's Friday Focus. Have a great weekend!
https://www.usd376.com/article/516501
ATTENTION ALL JH/HS STUDENTS & PARENTS:
PICTURE DAY IS NEXT WEEK! 8/26
-Regular School Pictures (inter-state.com)
-JH Code: 61124KA (You must use this code before the day of pictures)
-HS Code: 61125GA(You must use this code before the day of pictures)
-If you forget to order pictures online you can fill out a form in our office!
Thanks to Sterling Stuco for a great first day of orientation! #WeAreSterling
Thanks to Sterling Stuco for a great first day of orientation! #WeAreSterling
We are glad to have your child attending Sterling Grade School this year! Here are some things for parents to know about starting this school year.
The School Day
+School begins at 8:00 am. Students that eat breakfast will be allowed in the building at 7:40 am and should report to the commons. Students not eating breakfast may enter the building at 7:45 am.
+School is dismissed at 12:30 pm on the first day and at 3:20 pm on regular days. All students will be dismissed at these times.
COVID Protocols
+As of now, masks are optional. If you choose to have your child wear a mask, please send a mask with them. (The school does have a limited supply of masks we can give students for free upon request or if you forget to bring one and want one.)
+ Large group or all school gatherings inside will be avoided.
+ We will spread out for lunch and begin with our modified COVID lunch schedule that we used last year.
+Masked students will sit close to other masked students whenever possible.
+Eating areas will be socially distanced and seating limited to the student’s classmates.
+If you would like your child to eat outside, you will be responsible for providing lunch supervision for your student as lunch staff is limited. Please contact the office if you would like to eat lunch outside with your student or arrange for outside supervision.
We are looking forward to seeing our students tomorrow!
ATTENTION ALL JH/HS STUDENTS & PARENTS:
PICTURE DAY IS NEXT WEEK! 8/26
-Regular School Pictures (inter-state.com)
-JH Code: 61124KA (You must use this code before the day of pictures)
-HS Code: 61125GA(You must use this code before the day of pictures)
-If you forget to order pictures online you can fill out a form in our office!
Sterling Volleyball volunteering to help Rice County Council on Aging load food for Sterling-area residents. #BearsGivingBack #WeAreSterling
The SGS Open House scheduled for Wednesday, August 18th, will be held at staggered times to reduce the number of students and families in the classroom at one time. Students with last names that begin with A-M will come from 6:00-6:25. Students with the last names that begin with N-Z will come from 6:30-7:00. Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to seeing our students back at SGS again!
Sterling Grade School will be hosting a back to school "open house" on Wednesday, August 18th from 6:30-7:00pm. It will be a come and go format and is an opportunity for students and parents to meet the teachers and see the classrooms. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Fall Sports Parent Meeting. Good to see everyone back in the OSAC. Practice starts Monday. All participants must have a physical on file before practicing. #WeAreSterling
The fall sports orientation meeting will be this Thursday the 12th at 6:30 in the Ora Shields gym. We will be having a brief meeting and then split off into separate sports. You may also bring your child's physical form or other paperwork that night. We will have an up to date list of what we are still needing.
TikTok has taken the social media world by storm and has likely captured the attention of your child. Check out these interesting stats on the popular platform! Learn more about TikTok best practices on our cyber safety hub. https://usd376.familyzone.com/hot-topics/tiktok
Here's your link to the Back-to-School Focus. See you in a couple of weeks!
https://www.apptegy.net/s/news-usd-376/articles/back-to-school-focus
There will be a special meeting of the USD 376 Board of Education on Monday August 2nd, 2021 at 7:00 in the SJSHS auditorium. The only items on the agenda are 1.)Discussion of the reopening plan (No action to be taken) 2,)Approval of a settlement agreement with Symmetry Energy in regards to gas and transportation charges (possible action taken).
Online enrollment is now live! Information regarding the online enrollment for returning students as well as any new students are shared in this news article. https://www.usd376.com/article/499757