March 31, 2021

Spring Break Update 

Dear Families,

As we approach spring break, there are a few important updates and decisions that affect all of our schools. As always, the impact of COVID-19 carries over to every decision we make and we are trying to consider the safety and well-being while providing opportunities for the students to learn and grow both socially and academically. There is a lot of important information, so please read all the way through this letter. Thank you for your continued support as we navigate these challenging times!

Testing Update:

In a typical year, we would be preparing for spring assessments, but given the context and experience that COVID has presented, PA has extended the window for taking the assessments until September 30, 2021.

We have considered the pros and cons of giving the assessments now versus when we return in the fall. Testing will take 5 days on the current hybrid schedule, so PSSAs will require us to commit to 10 days of scheduled testing to accommodate all students (Groups A & B). Since we are finally returning to the school building, we have decided to delay the PSSA testing for grades 3-7 until the beginning of next school year (September 2021).

8th Grade PSSA (This school year - April/May 2021):

During the month of April and May our 8th graders will be taking the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) exams. At this time only 8th grade will be taking these assessments.

The state is mandating our responsibility for this test no matter where are students go to school next year, therefore we have decided it would be best to complete the 8th grade testing now.This will be due to the fact that each school will be responsible for testing 95% of their student population and as 8th graders sometimes move on to explore new opportunities in High School it could pose many challenges for MaST to track these students next year and request they complete the PSSA while attending 9th grade at a new school. Based on the fact that MaST will be held accountable for PSSAs and we must provide this information to PDE we will be sending out a testing schedule for our 8th grade students shortly.

PSSA Details for 8th Grade:

There will be 5 days of testing: 3 days for ELA, and 2 days for Math and Science. Currently, we are planning to complete these assessments following our Hybrid model (Group A & B testing dates). We understand this allows for an extensive testing schedule however our students and staff’s safety is a top priority and we will continue to socially distance our students and staff throughout the assessment period. PDE has extended the testing window for schools to allow them take the necessary precautions to complete the test safely and effectively.

• PSSA Assessment Window: April 19 - June 12
• MaST Testing Dates: TBD

PSSA Details for Grades 3-7:

Upon returning in the Fall our current grades 3-7 will complete the assessment for the 2020-2021 school year. For example as 3rd graders move up to 4th grade in the fall they will complete the 3rd grade PSSA for the 2021 school year. Then in the spring of 2022 they will complete the 4th grade PSSA. This assessment will be considered our preparation testing for the school year to establish where we are on the state’s metrics.

Keystone Exams for High School Students:

During the month of May our high school students enrolled in a Keystone course will be taking the Keystone exams. At this time only students currently enrolled in a Keystone course will be taking the exams. Specific testing dates will be shared once the schedule has been finalized.

• Keystone Exam Window: May 17 - June 12
• MaST Testing Dates: TBD

The same ability to opt out for religious reasons exist, but the school must administer the test.  PDE has provided an explanation for the extension of the testing window as well as the option to test in the fall. Please click here for an overview from the PDE Assessment and Accountability page.

Health Notifications:

Change in Notification to Families:

Moving forward, MaST Schools will continue to update its COVID-19 Dashboard if/when new cases arise, however, we will no longer be sending community letters for each and every case unless it results in a larger scale issue that the whole school (or at least a large part of the school needs to know) like a school closure.  If/when future positive cases arise, we will continue to communicate directly with parents/guardians of students and with staff regarding any directives or needs to quarantine.  All safety procedures, including cleaning of rooms, will still be followed with any and all future positive cases.  The COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily and is always accessible on the school’s website.  

If your child is identified as a close contact to a COVID positive case, you will be notified by the school as soon as possible.  Please answer the call or return the call if a message is left.  This is essential to keeping everyone safe.  

Daily screening procedure

Please remember to complete the daily screening tool each morning before sending your child to school.  If you answer “yes” to any of the three questions on the screening tool, you need to keep your child home and complete the Student - Potential/Confirmed COVID Notification Form.  Once the form is submitted you will receive a call from a school representative shortly.

What happens if my child gets sick at school?

If during the school day your child develops any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 screening questions, you will be notified immediately and required to pick up your child as soon as possible.  It is essential for sick students to be picked up in a timely manner to prevent any unnecessary exposure to other other students and staff.  Please make sure to have a plan in place in the event your child develops symptoms and needs to be picked up by you during the school day.  Symptomatic students will not be permitted to ride home on the bus.

If my child is sent home from school due to illness, when can he/she return to school?

If your child is sent home, it is expected that you will contact your child’s healthcare provider for further evaluation prior to their return to school. Once they have been evaluated, we will discuss with you a return to school date.  Please also note that all students and staff will be temperature checked upon arriving at school.  In the event a child registers a temperature over 100.0 upon arrival, he/she will be immediately directed to an isolation area and parents/guardians will be immediately contacted to come pick up the child.  

High School - Van Protocols

Van Usage Requirements for High School Students

School vans will be available for those high school students looking to get to/from Fellowship Bible Church during arrival and dismissal as well as student-athletes on baseball and softball teams that need to get to fields for practices and games that are in close proximity to the school.  Mr. Keenan will communicate with teams when vans will be available vs. when buses will be used.  Student-athletes that do not have signed waivers must provide their own transportation for any situations where school vans would be the method being provided by the school.  Regardless of the reason for taking the vans, this Student Van Transportation Waiver must be completed and signed by both the student and parent/guardian before a student will be permitted to board the school van.  Once the waiver is completed, passes will be issued to students.  Students must show this pass in order to board the van each time.  Mr. Roth will be present in the church parking lot the morning of April 12 and April 13 to issue passes to those students that completed the form so they can take the van that morning.  If students wish to take the vans, they are highly encouraged to complete this paperwork prior to April 12 so they can receive their pass right away.  As indicated in the waiver, students must abide by the face covering protocol at all times or they will lose riding privileges.  Students wishing to park on-site at the Fellowship Bible Church must also submit additional paperwork detailed in the waiver.  We will limit the number of students on the vans at once when possible.  

Summer Programs:

MaST Schools is planning to host summer programs for students this summer across our campuses. Registration details will be shared once the programs are finalized based on campus availability, staffing and student interest. MaST Schools is looking forward to hosting our returning programs: ESY, STREAM Camp, and Remarkable Readers / Math Matters. We are hoping to expand our offerings this summer to include: MaST Schools Summer Academy and Sports Camps.

In order to gauge summer camp interest from our student body, please complete this linked form (please complete one form per MaST student):

MaST Schools Summer Program Interest Form (Linked here)

4th Quarter Hybrid Virtual Interest:  

In order to continue planning for an expanded model of in person instruction, we wanted to ask parents to choose one option or the other for your child to finish the 2020-21 school year if offered. This information is needed to help guide decision making and understand the preferred instructional model for the rest of this school year: in person instruction (4 days a week or current A/B schedule) OR remaining fully virtual. Use this form below to submit your interest by next Thursday, April 8th. Currently, this is only for grades K-6 as the CDC isn’t supporting under 6ft in classrooms for middle or high school.

Updated Interest Form (Linked here)

Thanks,

John F. Swoyer III

Chief Executive Officer

MaST Schools Administration