Dear Council Rock South School Community,

First and foremost, we hope that everyone is healthy and managing the pandemic as best as possible.

It is incredible to consider the many changes to our daily lives, individually and collectively, since last March.

As we begin to “gear up” for the 2020-2021 academic year, there are a number of items I would like to raise for your consideration.  As you well know, however, matters can pivot very quickly within the pandemic arena, so I thank you far in advance for your patience, cooperation, and agility.  There will surely be more information to come on the areas below, this correspondence is simply intended as a broad overview as we get underway.  I certainly encourage you to visit the district website in order to review the Health and Safety Plan and the CR Reopening Hub Frequently Asked Questions.

Thank you very much for completing the registration process and indicating your preferred learning option come September 29^th.

As a reminder, all students will begin the year virtually on Tuesday, September 8^th.  Virtual instruction will continue until September 29^th, when the two day per week in-person cohort option becomes available. 

South’s 12-month staff reported back to the building today, August 17^th.  We have secured and are utilizing a number of PPE’s including plexiglass shields, masks, sanitizer stations, and social distancing signage… so far, so good!  The building remains closed to visitors at this time.

Here is a list of some important tentative dates:

   August 24                                             Schedules are released through HAC

   August 25-September 1                       Teachers participate in Professional Development

   August 31-September 4                       Textbook and Chromebook (if needed) distribution for students

   September 8                                         All students begin the year VIRTUALLY

   September 22                                      Back to School Night

    September 29                                    First Day of HYBRID

    November 11                                     End of the 1^st Marking Period

If you have any textbooks or instructional materials from last academic year, please drop them at the tables set-up outside of South under the front canopy.  You may drop the materials anytime between 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Unreturned items will be considered obligations.

We are especially cognizant of transitioning the Class of 2024 into our school community.  This Thursday, August 20^th, we will send out a short presentation for incoming 9^th graders.  Please do not worry if you miss it on the 20^th, we will post it on our website.  It is our hope to offer the Freshman class in-person tours of the building prior to September 29^th.  Please stay tuned.

While I personally believe teachers and students did an outstanding job last year under extraordinary circumstances, there is a general expectation that virtual learning will be enhanced starting September 8^th.  There are some fundamental differences this time around which should bolster accountability.  For instance, we will be following our traditional grading practices rather than a PASS/FAIL system.  Additionally, we will endeavor to take attendance period by period rather than once daily.  We will be following a more structured day (similar to our traditional bell schedule 7:33 AM – 2:15 PM).  And finally, we will be engaging in more synchronous/direct instruction.  While it is difficult to replicate the bricks and mortar experience, I do believe these structural changes will result in a better experience.  We will give it our all for the students!

While I am sure that there will be a degree of angst as we plod forward, I encourage everyone to keep breathing and take matters one step at a time.  I am confident that the CR SOUTH school community will perform exceptionally well, as per usual!

Stay safe!

Albert R. Funk

Council Rock High School South

2002 Rock Way

Holland, PA  18966

215-944-1115