December3, 2020
Dear Sacaton Families,
During the December 1, 2020 Governing Board meeting the Board voted to delay in-person to March 22, 2021. This date coincides with the end of the third quarter (March 12, 2021), and the conclusion of spring break (March 15-19, 2021). Although we miss our
students we know this difficult decision takes in consideration the health and safety of students, staff and the community. We continue to monitor the metrics, refer to guidance from the CDC, ADE and the Gila River Indian Community COVID-19 task force. We have to balance the need to accomplish our mission with current realities. Continued collaboration and problem solving among the caring and committed SESD team will be critical as this situation remains fluid throughout the 2020-2021 school year. Decisions will be made in collaboration with the Governing Board
and coordination with the Arizona Department of Health Services, Pinal County
Health, Gila River Tribal Health Department and Executive Orders.
In accordance with Governor Lewis’s Amended Executive Order No. 9 regarding the Coronavirus pandemic dated November 13, 2020 Sacaton Elementary School District submitted to the Arizona Department of Education and received approval to extend the wavier for onsite learning through February 1, 2021. Additionally, a revised distance Learning Plan has been submitted and approved by the Arizona Department of Education to meet the requirements for distance learning. This information is included in the latest version of the Return to School Plan.
We refer to the benchmarks/metrics as a guide, in collaboration with Local Health Departments, to determine the most appropriate instructional delivery model based on the local level of community spread. Currently
the Benchmarks (or metrics) are going in the wrong direction:
- Cases: Less than 100 new cases per 100,000 individuals for two consecutive weeks (not including the current week)
- Percent Positivity: Two consecutive weeks with percent positivity below 7% (not including the current week)
- COVID-like illness: Two consecutive weeks with hospital visits for COVID-like illness in the region below 10%
The health, safety, and well-being of students, staff, and families will continue to be our priority.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cherryl Paul
Superintendent