August 4, 2020
Dear GSA Parents,
We want to begin by saying thank you for your continued support of the Gateway Science Academy school community and for your patience as we work toward making important and difficult decisions regarding the start of the 2020-2021 school year. Your feedback has been helpful to us in making our decision for either on site face-to-face learning or virtual learning for our students.
With guidance and input from local health agencies, the Charter School Association, and observing the health trends in St. Louis, the GSA Board of Directors met on Monday, August 3rd to consider the safest option for GSA students. The school board voted to hold 100% virtual classes for all of our students from August 24th until October 22nd , which covers the first quarter of the 2020-2021 school year. Virtual classes will be held each day from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. with additional student learning opportunities to continue until 3:00 p.m. each day. The district’s virtual learning plan will be distributed to families by the end of next week. A specific virtual learning schedule will be provided by individual buildings.
GSA is still asking our families to make an education model selection in the survey previously shared with you to assist in our planning process beyond the first quarter. Families may continue to access the survey by using the School Options for First Semester link by Friday, August 7th to indicate your choice for onsite face-to face learning or virtual learning. If you have already completed the survey there is no need to add an additional
response.
Before the end of the first quarter, the educational model decision will be reviewed to determine if 100% virtual learning will continue past October 22nd. GSA will base this decision on current COVID trends and city guidelines in place at that time.
Sincerely,
E. Blackstone