March 17, 2021

Parent/Guardian Guide and Information for Grades 6-8

Dear MaST Schools Families,

On behalf of our school teams, we are excited to be preparing for 6th through 8th grade back on March 22nd! We understand there are a lot of questions and concerns about the buildings, protocols, and programming. We realize that there will be items that will change as we move forward with adjusting to transportation times, movement in the building, and daily transitions, but we have outlined a plan to prioritize safety for our school community.

In order to answer the many questions parents/guardians may have, we have created a Reopening Parent/Guardian Guide linked here: http://bit.ly/reopeningmast. All important information on returning to the building is outlined in the guide for your convenience. We have added information pertaining to grades 3 through 8. As we get closer to the next phases and additional grades attending, we will continue to communicate updates through our usual communication channels, in our Parent Guide, and on http://mastccs.org/reopening.

Additionally, please take time to discuss a few key points with your children prior to their return to the building:

1. Students should keep a mask on at all times: the bus, entering school, in classrooms. Masks will only be allowed off at lunch, and we will be asking the kids to eat without communicating. Masks will need to go back on to socialize. This will help prevent any transmission and allow lunches to progress on time and schedule.
2. Students should follow the marks and signs throughout the buildings. This includes 7 foot markers so that if two children are standing in a line, they will be at least 6 feet apart.
3. Students should only use the spaces they are assigned. Each room has desks 6 feet apart. The cafeteria will have individual assigned desks for lunch and all eating will take place in the cafeteria or specific location outside of the classroom. Students will be allowed water bottles in the room and will be allowed to drink under their mask.
4. Students will be allowed to have mask breaks outside of the classroom. Teachers will review the process for this. Our goal is to keep students in the classroom with masks and 6 feet apart at all times.
5. Chromebooks - Students need to bring a school provided Chromebook to school. If you are in need of a Chromebook, please email virtuallearning@mastccs.org. If you have already filled out the form then a device will be waiting for them when they arrive in their homeroom.

Sincerely,

John F. Swoyer III

Chief Executive Officer

MaST Schools Network