Dear Families,
The state has just directed all school districts in Florida to keep schools closed through May 1st due to concerns over the coronavirus.
In order to comply with that directive, the following facts will be in effect immediately:
- All Hillsborough County Public Schools will be closed, including traditional and charter, through May 1st;
- ALL extracurricular activities will be cancelled during this time;
- We will continue online eLearning during this time. You can find our district’s eLearning Plan on our website, HillsboroughSchools.org/coronavirus;
- We will continue providing our students nutritious meals, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 147 sites. You can find those sites on our website, HillsboroughSchools.org.
We understand this is a challenge for families. But the threat of this virus is very real, and we must take major steps to keep it from overwhelming our healthcare system.
As you know, the health and safety of our students, staff, and community members are our top priority. Our district will continue to provide updates to make certain everyone is apprised of all next steps. You can always visit HillsboroughSchools.org/
I appreciate your understanding and flexibility during this time.
Addison Davis
Superintendent of Schools
Familias,
El estado acaba de ordenar a todos los distritos escolares de Florida que mantengan las escuelas cerradas hasta el primero de mayo debido a las preocupaciones sobre el coronavirus.
Para cumplir con esa directiva, los siguientes hechos entrarán en vigencia de inmediato:
- Todas las escuelas públicas del condado de Hillsborough estarán cerradas, incluidas las tradicionales y las chárter, hasta el primero de Mayo.
- TODAS las actividades extracurriculares se cancelarán durante este período de tiempo;
- Continuaremos brindando a nuestros estudiantes comidas nutritivas, de lunes a viernes de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. en 147 sitios. Puede encontrar esos sitios en nuestro sitio web, HillsboroughSchools.org.
Entendemos que esto es un desafío para las familias. Pero la amenaza de este virus es muy real, y debemos tomar medidas importantes para evitar que abrume nuestro sistema de salud.
Como saben, la salud y la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes, personal y miembros de la comunidad son nuestra principal prioridad.
Nuestro distrito continuará proporcionando actualizaciones para asegurarse de que todos estén informados de todos los próximos pasos.
Siempre puede visitar HillsboroughSchools.org/
Agradezco su comprensión y flexibilidad durante este tiempo.
Addison Davis
Superintendente de Escuelas
Click on the links for the Hillsborough County Call Hotlines in English or Linea Telefonica Directas en Español.
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El Departamento de Educación de Florida acaba de proporcionar la directiva para que todos los distritos escolares de Florida cierren las escuelas durante las próximas dos semanas debido a las preocupaciones sobre el coronavirus.
Mientras que estamos actualmente en las vacaciones de primavera (Spring Break) para la semana del 16 al 20 de marzo, esto significa que extenderemos nuestro cierre hasta el 27 de marzo. Nuestro plan de acción es reabrir las escuelas a partir del lunes 30 de marzo.
Para cumplir con la directiva del Departamento de Educación, los siguientes hechos entrarán en vigencia de inmediato:
- Todas las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Hillsborough estarán cerradas, incluyendo las escuelas tradicionales y las chárter, durante las próximas dos semanas;
- TODAS las actividades extracurriculares se cancelarán durante este período de tiempo;
- Durante la semana del 23 de marzo, todos los estudiantes tendrán acceso a actividades educativas a través de nuestro Plan de contingencia de educación en linea (eLearning) para garantizar instrucción educativa;
- Durante las próximas dos semanas, todas las escuelas recibirán una limpieza profunda para garantizar un ambiente seguro
- Además, el estado retrasará el inicio de todas las pruebas de FSA y EOC por al menos dos semanas.
Además, el estado retrasará el inicio de todas las pruebas de FSA y EOC por al menos dos semanas.
Como saben, la salud y la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes, personal y miembros de la comunidad son nuestra principal prioridad. En los próximos días, continuaré proporcionando actualizaciones para asegurarme de que todos estén informados de todos los próximos pasos.
Aprecio su comprensión y compromiso con nuestros estudiantes y espero que cada uno de ustedes tenga unas vacaciones de primavera (Spring Break) relajantes.
Addison Davis
Superintendent of Schools
Please see below for the Coronavirus Preparation Update provided by Hillsborough County Public Schools on March 3rd. Grady Elementary will be taking directives from the district. The most up to date information will be found on our district website at HillsboroughSchools.org.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Here are some preventative steps you can take to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19 according to the CDC:
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay home when you are sick.
What can you do to help Grady?
Please note that the district will be installing hand sanitizer dispensers on school buses, at the school's main entrance, and in the cafeteria in the coming days. In addition, the district will be providing disinfecting wipes for teachers to use in their classrooms, but it may take time for them to deliver to schools because of the large quantities required and current product shortages. Grady has hand sanitizer in our office and classrooms and the PTA purchased 38 containers of 110 Lysol wipes for our teachers to use in the meantime, but we appreciate any donations as they are not readily available in stores.
Coronavirus Preparation Update – March 3, 2020
We know you have questions about coronavirus/COVID-19 and how it may affect our schools and community. Our school district has been in constant contact with the experts at the Florida Department of Health.
Coronavirus is spread just like the flu, through droplets from sneezing or coughing. It can lead to a respiratory illness (an illness that affects breathing and involves the lungs) called COVID-19. If you have specific questions about you or your family’s health, contact your health care provider.
Current situation
1) We are operating our schools as usual, with normal hours. We are taking proactive steps for the health and well-being of our students and staff—frequently cleaning our classrooms and common areas. We are also installing more hand sanitizer dispensers in our schools. At this time, based on guidance from the Florida Department of Health, there is no reason to be scared—just be smart about prevention.
2) It is important to talk with your family about using good hygiene—this stops the spread of most illnesses. Follow the prevention steps here, especially:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth without washing your hands first
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve—not your hand
3) Stay home if you are sick. This helps stop the spread of any illness, including a cold or flu, and lets you rest and recover. If you have the symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus—fever, cough and shortness of breath—call your regular doctor and don’t go to school or work.
Absences due to illness
We always encourage our parents to keep their children home if they are sick. If a student stays home from school due to illness, and the student’s parent or guardian reports the reason for the absence to the school, the absence is excused under our district’s Attendance Policy.
For excused absences, students can make up the work they missed and can work with their teachers for missed assignments and tests.
We are working with our teachers to ensure teachers who use Edsby are posting assignments there whenever possible and all teachers are making arrangements for make-up work.
Spring Break and travel
With Spring Break coming, you may be asking yourself—should I travel? The CDC’s Coronavirus Information for Travelers webpage has the latest information. This is important: There are specific areas around the world and in the U.S. with high numbers of coronavirus cases. If you travel to a place where coronavirus transmission is happening and then you develop symptoms, you will be isolated by the Florida Department of Health for at least two weeks and you will put your family, friends and others at risk.
Hand sanitizer in schools and buses
We have ordered hand sanitizer dispensers to install on school buses and at the main entrances and cafeterias of all district-operated schools. We will be installing them as we receive them over the coming days. We are also looking to purchase disinfecting wipes that teachers can use as needed in their classroom. Because of the large numbers involved—235 schools with 12,000 classrooms—we have to find suppliers who have the large quantities we need and then have them shipped here, so this may take time.
Updates
We will continue to share regular updates via email and on our district website at HillsboroughSchools.org
Grady Elementary School Book Fair
March 9th - 13th
Grady Elementary School’s Spring Book Fair is next week, and we need more volunteers to make the event a success! Volunteers help children make their choices while they shop and ensure the process runs smoothly. Please take a moment to sign up here: https://volunteer.scholastic.com/#/signup/834NSzDgy
The event runs from March 9th-13th and is located in the Kathryn Hance Media Center from 7:20 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. daily. There will be family nights on Wednesday (March 11th) and Thursday (March 12th) for parents to shop from 4:00-7:30 p.m.
To view the interactive Book Fair Flyer: Click Here
Consider using the new eWallet feature in lieu of sending kids with cash. For more information, please click on eWallet. If you plan on sending cash, it is recommended to place cash in an envelope with students names for younger children. Keep in mind that there is an 8.5% sales tax added to all items.
If you are unable to shop in person, click on Shop Online to access our online book fair.
If you have any questions, please contact our Media Specialist, Mr. Tsourakis, at [email protected].
To view the full list of submissions and winners, please click on the powerpoint file below.