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OPINION

Anderson: Teachers creating activities for students to review what was learned at school

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Dear Apache Junction Unified School District parents and families,

On Friday, March 20, Gov. Ducey and Superintendent Hoffman made an announcement to extend the closure of schools through April 10, 2020. We have shared a link to that announcement here for you to read.

This past week has been one that has challenged us all with many unknowns.

The district leadership team continues to work together with every new update that we are given by the state to make sure that we are aware of requirements and expectations that both Gov, Ducey and Superintendent Hoffman have for public schools, as well as keeping in mind our responsibilities to our students, their families and our staff.

It is important to us to follow the guidelines given while keeping the safety and health of everyone at the forefront.

The Educational Services Team along with the support of school principals and teachers are creating a document that will be shared on our district website to give families resources for learning opportunities.

During the next week, we will be working with our classroom teachers as they return back to school from their spring break. Teachers will be working on creating activities that will review learning that has happened throughout the school year.

As much as we can we have created “teams” of teachers to send out activities/resources together. For example, all Kindergarten teachers will be part of one team that work and collaborate for all Kindergarten students in our district.

You will hear from your individual teacher, but the activities, resources and suggestions will be the same. Teachers will share these activities and communicate with their students through the use of Google Classroom.

Our special-education teams will be working together with general-education teachers and families to provide support to their students as they work through the activities provided by their classroom teachers. These plans/activities will be shared weekly beginning on Monday, March 30.

Also beginning Monday, March 30, school administrators and teachers will be available during “office hours” to speak with parents or students to support them or answer any questions. Office hours for your child’s teacher will be communicated on Monday, March 30.

President Trump announced Friday that the U.S Department of Education will not require standardized testing for the current year for all students, elementary through high school. With that, we anticipate students will not be required to take the AzMERIT or AIMS testing at all grade levels and high school students will not be required to take the ACT this year. We will share additional information as it is communicated.

Our Food Services Department will be handing out sack meals, meals beginning on Monday, March 23. Children in the community ages 1-18 will be able to pick up with their parents/guardian. Food will be handed out to parents curbside in the north parking lot of the Apache Junction High School in front of the cafeteria. Parents/guardians can pick up food daily from 10:00-11:30 a.m.; any child needing a lunch must be present to receive one.

At this time AIA has suspended all practices and games for high school sports; as a district we have cancelled sports for Cactus Canyon Junior High School as well. We have also cancelled all fine arts performances and field trips through April 30.

We are aware that many parents would like answers about promotion/graduation events that were scheduled for this school year. Those events are as important to us as they are to all of you. We will continue to monitor what we are able to provide and keep you updated about what is decided about holding those events.

As a district we stay committed to the health and safety of our students, families, staff and community. We will continue to update you and appreciate your support through this challenging time. Your support and understanding at this time is appreciated.

Dr. Krista Anderson
Superintendent
Apache Junction Unified School District