Principal's message
Dear Families,
So much is happening at Garfield right now. We are preparing for the first students to be back in the building and we are so excited. I wanted to share some information about hybrid instruction. Next week we will be holding two information sessions for families about hybrid instruction. On Tuesday 3/9 at 6:00 pm, we will have an English informational meeting and on Thursday 3/11 at 6:00 pm, we will have a Spanish informational meeting. Our hope is to share general hybrid instruction information and answer any questions you may have.
I have been receiving questions about the airflow systems in our classrooms so I wanted to share information with you all. Good air circulation, along with wearing masks, maintaining 6 feet of distance between people and frequently washing hands are all precautions that we will take to minimize the spread of the virus. We have two types of classrooms at Garfield; in building classrooms (K-2) and modular classrooms (3-5).
The in building classrooms have individual ventilation systems that supply fresh outside air and filter existing air before circulating. Air circulates through the room, is then drawn into ducting and exhausted outside by a fan on the roof. Air is not shared between classrooms.
Each modular classroom has its own individual ventilator located on a wall outside. Air is drawn in from directly outside, heated, and then blown into the room. The maximum amount of outside air will be drawn into each ventilator. The air moves around the room, then vents outside through doors and windows or is drawn back into the ventilator, heated, and recirculated. During the pandemic, in each modular classroom two windows will be opened three inches to increase ventilation. A portable air purifier will be located in each modular building.
We wanted to share information with you about arrival and dismissal procedures when students return to campus. We have included a short video that explains these procedures.
- Please send your student to school with a jacket but leave the backpack and supplies at home. If you need a jacket for your student, please let us know in the office. We will provide anything that students will need during the time they are at school. If a teacher needs students to bring something to school, they will share that information with families.
- If walking or biking to school, please drop your student off at the sidewalk surrounding the perimeter of the school or at the back gate.
- If driving to school, you can use our new pick up and drop off lane in front of the school. Adults should stay in the car.
- Staff will be at the front and the back of the building to welcome students and help them find their classroom.
- At dismissal (2:15) you can pick your child up at the back gate or at the pick-up and drop off lane in front of the school.
- If you are walking or biking, you will want to pick a spot to meet up with your child away from the classroom doors. Even though some classroom doors will be accessible from the front of the building, we are asking people not to congregate at doors in an effort to minimize people in one location and maximize physical distancing.
Sincerely,
Principal Santy
