Principal's Corner
Parents/Families/Students
As we prepare to welcome back students to Altamont Grade School on August 13th, we are also making many plans to adhere to Phase-4 COVID I.S.B.E./I.D.P.H. guidelines. Although this will not be a typical return from summer vacation, we will do everything in our power to make sure all students feel welcome, safe and secure when attending school. The following procedures will be in place for all students who are returning for in-person learning here at AGS.
The doors to the grade school will not be open prior to 7:30 a.m.
7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. - Students will move directly to their first period class or the cafeteria for breakfast upon arriving at school.
*The Effingham County Health Department needs for us to observe all social distancing norms at all times from arrival until departure.
*Students will be required to have their temperature taken upon entering the building each day, and masks will be required at all times when you are inside the building
*Breakfast and lunch will take place in the cafeteria.
*We will not issue lockers to begin the school year. Students will be permitted to carry backpacks with them to homeroom.
*Students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and wear their own face masks.
8:00 a.m. - Academic School Day Begins
*Students will not be permitted to leave the classroom once the bell has rung, except for I.E.P. support. Teachers will switch classrooms as necessary. JH Students will move once to go from Specials and PE to their JH Homerooms.
*Each teacher has developed a plan to follow I.S.B.E./I.D.P.H. guidelines in their classrooms.
*There will be scheduled breaks for all classes during the day as scheduled by teachers.
*Students will travel to and from cafeteria for lunch. *No outside lunch will be permitted for delivery, and no visitors will be admitted.
*Hallway travel will be “Right Side Only.” Teachers will be in the “median” to discourage students from grouping and to keep the process in motion.
2:00 p.m.- Student Dissmissal
*Junior High and Grade School Students will go to buses from each end of the building in a staggered schedule beginning at 1:50pm.
*Walkers and pick-up students will be released when buses have departed.
*Teachers will remain for work on remote lessons until 3:00 p.m.
Initially we will not use locker rooms for Physical Education. Students are required to wear face coverings when Physical Education is indoors.
Extracurricular practice times will be discussed with individual coaches by Mr. Biggs. Heat and travel issues will be a major concern, particularly for our outside sports and our out of district coaches.
In the morning, we will utilize the AGS Conference room as an “isolation room” in the event that a student arrives at school with a temperature above the recommended 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Students who exhibit symptoms of the virus listed in the I.S.B.E./I.D.P.H. guidelines will be sent to the nurse’s office in isolation until Mrs. Duplayee can confirm a “Safe or Send” diagnosis.
Again, we all will do our best to make this a great beginning to the year. If you have any questions, please contact the office at 618-483-5171.
