All Aboard Update

Click here for March 8th parent letter

02-10-2021

Dear All Aboard Charter School Families,

We look forward to welcoming our students back to school on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.  Those families that have chosen distance learning will remain in distance learning. Thank you to all families that participated in our survey of returning to school. Please take a look at our return to school plan on our website. This communication will be placed in Class Do Jo and  emailed to all parents and posted on our website: www.allaboardcharter.com.

• Keep your child at home if he/she is sick.
• If your child tests positive for COVID-19 or has come into contact with someone who is positive with COVID-19, please reach out to our front office at 602-433-0500 or 602-973-1555 or email sgarcia@allaboardcharter.com
• If your child has any COVID-19 symptoms while at school they will have to return home and do remote learning.

We continue to share the numerous reasons why allowing students to return to school is important for students. Our data shows that students and staff are not spreading COVID-19 at school. In addition, data has shown us that many of our students are more academically successful in our safe campus learning environment. When students are on campus, we are able to provide better support, more opportunities for social connections, and consistent academic and safety routines that are important to many students and families.

All Aboard staff regularly communicates with public health experts, such as Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH), and reviews information related to those factors when making decisions to continue being on campus. It is important to note that the community levels of transmission metrics (i.e. case count, percent positivity, COVID-19 like illness) are only one of the factors that MCDPH recommends schools  utilize when making decisions about in-person learning. Other factors identified by MCDPH are:

• whether cases have been identified among students and staff
• if cases are identified, how many classrooms are affected
• percent absenteeism in the school
• student population being affected (i.e., age of students, classrooms affected, etc.)
• the model of instruction delivery and mitigation plans in place
• the importance socializing, emotional support, and academic growth and well-being of the student population 

We have a strong mitigation plan and follow the MCDPH guidelines for reporting COVID cases. We hope your student continues to have a successful second semester. We value your partnership.

Thank You,  All Aboard Charter School

12-18-2020

Dear All Aboard Families,

We want to provide you with an update concerning returning in January for our Return to School plan that School leaders and Governing Board members have discussed.

During the Governing Board meeting in December we addressed the schools response to COVID-19 since the onset of the holiday season. We believe that school is the safest place to be due to our mitigation plan and the dedicated work of our administrators, teachers and support staff. This belief is consistent with Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) guidance as well. However at this time all 3 of our benchmarks (Cases Per 100k People, Percent Positivity and Covid-Like Illness), we are substantial, which means we will return to Remote/Distance learning with onsite support services.

Currently as of today, we will start the Third Quarter (January 5, 2021) in distance/remote learning, with onsite support services. During winter break we will continue to stay informed through the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) for guidance.

Our mitigation procedures will remain in place. We do believe that our mitigation measures such as wearing masks, increased cleaning protocols, as well as social distancing when possible, will allow us to provide remote/distance learning, with onsite support for students that qualify.  We will be using the results of the survey that was sent out November 20, 2020 to place students in on-site support classes. The survey was for families that were on campus for Hybrid/Blended Learning.

Our onsite support services are for those students with Special needs and students of essential workers. If families do not qualify for onsite support services, they will be asked to stay at home and complete remote/distance learning until it is safe to return to Hybrid/Blended learning. Our tentative date for returning to hybrid/Blended learning will be January 12, 2021.

We will have material and supply pick on Monday, January 4, 2021 for all students, unless you qualify for onsite support services.

We understand that these times are not easy for students, parents and staff. We are notifying you today, so that you have the next couple of weeks to make necessary arrangements.  If you have questions we can be reached at (602)433-0500 or (602)973-1555. You can email Rhonda Newton at rnewton@allaboardcharter.com or Sonia Garcia at sgarcia@allaboardcharter.com.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support,

Rhonda Newton

Administrator

All Aboard Charter School

08-06-2020

All Aboard Families,

We want to update you on our onsite support services starting August 17, 2020. The results of our onsite support service survey of our families, determined that less than 20 students need these services.  Therefore, we will be opening up a classroom at All Aboard Charter School for those students with a couple of para professionals supervising students.

We will soon be introducing on-site opportunities on our campus in one of the classrooms for students who need a place to go during the school day while we conduct online learning. This on-site opportunity is at the direction of Governor Ducey’s July 23 Executive Order.

On-site spaces will open on August 17 and allow students a safe place to come, log-in, and work on their online coursework in a supervised environment. The on-site opportunities are NOT the same as an engaging classroom environment and do not include in-person instruction by a certified teacher.

The intention of the Governor’s Order is that we serve the more vulnerable high-risk students in our district, such as the children of first responders, those with special education services, English language learners (ELL) or homeless and foster care students.

All students when arriving on campus will have their temperatures taken, wash hands or use hand sanitizer and apply a cloth mask.  The school will provide all the masks. .Students and staff must wear masks all day.  Please do a health screening every morning. Please do not send your child to school if they have any COVIDD_19 symptoms.  While at school, if students are not feeling well and have any COVID-19 symptoms they will be sent home.  We will following the CDC and Maricopa County Department of Public Health guidelines on when a child may return to school.(See attached policies for face masks and health screening)

If you have any questions regarding your child’s progress with online learning, please contact their teacher.

• Kindergarten: smathis@allaboardcharter.com
• 1st Grade: efrazier@allaboardcharter.com
• 2nd Grade: rmiller@allaboardcharter.com
• 3rd Grade:ahenderson@allaboardcharter.com
• 4th Grade:ejohnson@allaboardcharter.com
• 5th Grade:scrisp@allaboardcharter.com

Students may arrive at 7:30a.m.and classes will begin at 8:30a.m.

Online Learning Schedule
Monday - Thursday		Friday
7:30-8:30	Student Arrival/Breakfast	8:00-8:30	Student Arrival/Breakfast
8:30-2:30 8:30-3:00	Classroom Time Kindergarten Classroom Time 1st – 5th Grade	8:30-12:30	Classroom  Time(All Grades)
12:30	Dismissal or stay at school till the end of the day. (All students) *parent choice	12:30	Dismissal (All Grades)
12:30–2:30	(K) Independent Work at Home or at school
12:30-3:00	(1st -5th grade) Independent Work at Home

 

Lunch / Recess Schedule
10:00-10:10	K: Recess
11:00-11:30	K: Lunch
12:30-1:00	1st  - 5th grade: Lunch / Recess

If you need further information, please contact us.  Thank you for your support as we navigate these challenges. This is posted on our website at allaboardcharter.com

Thank you,
All Aboard Administration

Face Coverings

All Aboard Charter School

COVID-19 STUDENT FACE COVERING POLICY

As required by Executive Order 2020-51, All Aboard Charter School (the “School”) is implementing this COVID-19 Student Face Covering Policy to help protect our students, our staff, and our school community. This policy applies to all students enrolled at the School.

When Face Coverings Are Required

The School requires all students over the age of five to wear face coverings that comply with this policy and the School’s dress code standards whenever a student is on school grounds, in school-provided transportation or attending a school sponsored event, whether inside or outside.

Exceptions 

Subject to and in accordance with public health guidance, the School will not require students to wear face coverings under the following limited circumstances:

• When the student is eating or drinking;
• When the School determines, in its sole discretion, that students can socially distance – i.e., sustainably maintain at least 6 feet of separation from other students or staff;*
• When students are outdoors and able to socially distance;
• During breaks intended for students to remove their masks in a safe environment;
• If the student has a documented medical or behavioral condition or disability that makes them unable to wear a face covering (e.g., has trouble breathing, severe respiratory impairments, sensory concerns or tactile sensitivity, or is unable to remove the face covering without assistance); or
• If the student is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

The Executive Director may consider additional exceptions to this policy; provided, however, that such an exception must comply with applicable public health guidance.

*Given the serious health and safety risks associated with the rapid transmission of COVID-19, the School may, in its sole discretion, require students to wear a face covering even if social distancing is possible.

Acceptable Face Coverings

The school will be providing face masks daily upon arrival to all students.  A face covering is acceptable only if it meets current public health guidance and:

• Completely covers the nose and mouth;
• Fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face;
• Is secured with ties, ear loops, or another reliable method;
• Are made to sufficiently block respiratory droplets from permeating the face covering; and
• Allows the user to breathe without restriction.

Students may not use any face covering that incorporates a one-way valve that is designed to facilitate easy exhaling.  The School will not use medical grade masks (i.e. N95, KN95, or other masks intended for a health care setting) for those serving in front-line health care settings.

Face Shields:  Although not required, the School will allow students to wear face shields in addition to face masks. Wearing a face shield without wearing a mask is not permitted unless approved by the Executive Director; provided, however, if a face shield is used without a mask, the face shield must wrap around the sides of the wearer’s face and extend to below the chin.

Provision of Face Coverings

The school will supply face coverings to students that comply with the requirements set forth above; however, the School will provide students with disposable face masks if cloth masks are not clean.

Adaptations and Alternatives 

In accordance with public health guidance, as well as applicable disability laws and guidance, the Executive Director will consider adaptations and alternatives to a student being required to wear a face covering, including for specialty classes and for students with disabilities.

Enforcement and Non-Retaliation

Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the School’s disciplinary policies and procedures.

The School will not tolerate any bullying, harassment, or discrimination arising from or related to students wearing a face covering.

Policy Subject to Change

The School may modify or rescind this policy at any time, in its sole discretion, and without advanced notice in order to adapt to changing public health guidance, legal obligations, and operational needs.

If any part of this policy conflicts with applicable local, county, state law, regulation, or public health guidance, the School will comply with the applicable law, regulation, or public health guidance.

https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/61739/Face-Coverings-Schools?bidId=

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Cloth-Face-Coverings-for-Children-During-COVID-19.aspx

Health Screenings

COVID-19 HEALTH SCREENING POLICY

This policy applies to all All Aboard Charter School (“School”) students.

All parents/guardians are required to conduct a self-screening of COVID-19-related symptoms for each child that attends All Aboard Charter School each day before arriving on campus, by using the Health Screening.

Students who satisfy any of the following criteria at the time of screening, the parent/guardian must not send the child to school and need to contact the school office before the start of the school day.

We need all students/parents, staff, and teachers to self-monitor for symptoms at home prior to leaving for school.

• Is experiencing the presence of any COVID-19 symptoms that cannot be explained by another health condition, including:
  • Fever (a body temperature reading at or above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit[1])
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • Recent loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Any other COVID-19-related symptom identified by the CDC or Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS)
•  Has tested positive for or has been diagnosed with COVID-19
•  Has been advised to self-quarantine by a medical professional or public health official
• Has had recent close contact with an individual who:
  • Tested positive for or has been diagnosed with COVID-19
  • Has or had COVID-19 symptoms, as set forth above

Any student who does not have access to a thermometer at home, may report to the Drop off line upon arriving to get their temperature taken before entering the campus. 

Students who become sick or begin exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms during the school day will be separated from other students until they can be safely sent home. Parent/Guardian need to pick up a sick child within 1 hour of call from the school.  An Isolation room will be set up within a designated space for students or staff who may be sick.

https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/63050/Schools-Isolation-Room-Guidance

• The circumstances under which the student may return to school is based on applicable guidance issued by the CDC, MCPHD and ADHS;

Students who have developed COVID-19 symptoms or who have tested positive for COVID-19 may not return to campus until they have met the applicable guidelines issued by the CDC or ADHS.

 https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/62267/Symptom-Screening-for-Schools

 11-20-2020

We have an important update this week as we approach our Thanksgiving holiday next week. This update will be emailed to all parents and posted at allaboardcharterschool.com.

We have seen a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases and percent positive on the metrics over the past weeks. ( www.maricopa.gov/5594/School-Metrics#map ) However, the COVID-like illness metric is not increasing at the same rate. This has placed our school in the overall risk level of substantial which recommends preparing to return to distance learning with onsite support. The school is working closely with county health officials on this. Nonetheless, we are moving forward with contingency planning in the event that MCDPH recommends a change. The metrics are expected to increase in coming weeks due to the Thanksgiving holiday. We will monitor the health metrics as they are released and continue to plan for the future.

We continue to ask for your support so that we can keep our school open and slow the spread of Covid-19 in our school. Please do the following:

• Continue encouraging your child to wear his/her mask properly, wash hands and social distance
• Do not send your child to school if sick
• Report positive cases or exposure to Mrs. Sonia in our front office sgarcia@allaboardcharter.com or 602-433-0500

We show that students and staff are not spreading Covid-19 at school. We believe that our mitigation measures such as; wearing masks, increased cleaning protocols, desk and table shields in all classrooms, as well as social distancing when possible are all making a difference.

 

All Aboard Charter School will be preparing to possibly return to virtual/distance learning if the benchmark and metrics continue to increase. We will provide onsite support services with limited capacity to support students with Special Needs and students of essential workers. We encourage you, as much as possible, to keep your children in your safe home environment.

Notices:

• As we near the end of the fall semester, please ensure your child completes all assignments and assessments in Savvas and Class Do Jo.  If you have any questions about completing these tasks reach out to your child’s teacher.
• MCDPH has identified flu shots as an important strategy for supporting public health this year.

07-31-2020

All Aboard Families,

We will soon be introducing on-site supervision opportunities compensated for by the school at Boys and Girls Club of the valley or At Teach and Play for students who need a place to go during All Aboard’s school day while we conduct online/remote learning. These on-site opportunities are at the direction of Governor Ducey’s Executive Order.

Note: that on-site (Boys and Girls Club of the valley or At Teach and Play) will be available for students on Monday, August 17, 2020 and allow students to go, log-in, and work on their online coursework in a supervised environment. These on-site opportunities are NOT the same as an engaging classroom environment and do not include in-person instruction by a certified teacher.

The intention of the Governor’s Order is to serve the more vulnerable high-risk students in our district such as the children of first responders, those with special education services, English language learners (ELL), or homeless and foster care students.

You may register online at the most convenient location of the Boys and Girls Club.

or

You may register in person with At Teach and Play. Their phone number is (602) 973-1405.

Thank you for taking the time to complete our survey that was emailed to all families on 7/31/2020 to better understand your needs and how we can best serve you. This will allow us to understand the needs for on-site opportunities until schools can physically re-open to regular classroom instruction.

If you need further information please contact us. Thank you for your support as we navigate these challenges.

All Aboard Administration

07-29-2020

All Aboard Families,

As we shared with you by way of phone calls last week. We will soon be introducing on-site opportunities at Boys and Girls Club or At Teach and Play for students who need a place to go during the school day while we conduct online/remote learning. These on-site opportunities are at the direction of Governor Ducey’s July 23 Executive Order.

Note that on-site spaces will open on August 17 and allow students a safe place to come, log-in, and work on their online coursework in a supervised environment. The on-site opportunities are NOT the same as an engaging classroom environment and do not include in-person instruction by a certified teacher.

The intention of the Governor’s Order is that we serve the more vulnerable high-risk students in our district, such as the children of first responders, those with special education services, English language learners (ELL) or homeless and foster care students.

Thank you for taking the time to complete our phone survey to better understand your needs and how we can serve you. This allowed us to understand your needs of on-site opportunities until schools can physically re-open to regular classroom instruction.

This is a reminder to parents of your legal obligations under statute A.R.S. 15-802 that your children are participating in school and are following the details of the expected level of student engagement in distant learning as indicated in our “Distance Learning Plan.”

Thank you for your support!

All Aboard Administrators

07-31-2020

All Aboard Families,

We have reached out to all families that completed the survey that stated that they need on site support services.  We want to update families that need onsite support services based on the survey results. Starting August 17, 2020 on-site supervision opportunities will take place on campus for students who need a place to go during All Aboard’s school day while we conduct online/remote learning. This on-site opportunity is at the direction of Governor Ducey’s Executive Order. On-site services on campus will be available for students on Monday, August 17, 2020 and allow students to go, log-in, and work on their online coursework in a supervised environment. These on-site opportunities are NOT the same as an engaging classroom environment and do not include in-person instruction by a certified teacher.

The intention of the Governor’s Order is to serve the more vulnerable high-risk students in our district such as the children of first responders, those with special education services, English language learners (ELL), or homeless and foster care students. Students will attend Monday – Thursday from 7:45a.m. – 3:00p.m. or 3:30p.m. and on Fridays from 7:45a.m. – 12:30p.m. on Fridays during All Aboard Charter School  student calendar schedule. They will also get breakfast and lunch. This will allow families on-site support opportunities until schools can physically re-open to regular classroom instruction.  If you need further information please contact us.  Thank you for your support as we navigate these challenges. This is also posted on our website.

All Aboard Administration

07-07-2020
Dear All Aboard Families,
We know you are eager to know what the new school year will look like for your family, especially after Governor Ducey’s announcement last week to push back the start of the physical school year. We are excited that our school year will still begin as planned on Monday, August 3 in an all distance learning environment. This was one of the contingency plans that our Committee had been diligently working through over the past two months, in addition to our work developing safe plans for our physical return to school.
During the first week of our school year, August 3-7, we will provide a half day of instruction to all students to allow them to acclimate and ease into this completely distance learning environment. Throughout the duration of these five days we will focus on getting to know each other, social and emotional support for students along with our school wide assessments, and a few academic subjects. All of these activities will help us move forward with this school year. These half days will also allow us to implement our plan to support technology and connectivity needs of our students.
You will be hearing more from us on what online platform will be used, what you can expect from our distance learning environment and how instruction will be different than what you may have experienced at the end of last school year. In addition, you may also find information on our website, emails, Facebook and Class Dojo.
As we continue to monitor our environment and take guidance from Maricopa County Health Department, Governor Ducey and CDC, we will update you on our scheduled date to return to physical learning. In preparation for that time, we will introduce future choice models through our plan to return to school so that each family can review information and select the educational experience that is best for their child.
We know this time of uncertainty feels daunting, but we cannot wait to reconnect with your family, even if that connection will begin through a computer screen. Our team of educators and support staff are ready to partner with your family academically, socially and emotionally to ensure that your child is successful at the start of the new school year. As always, email or call us or reach out to us through Class Dojo (for our families that already have accounts) and visit our website for information regarding our school plans.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to continue to serve you and for entrusting us with your child’s educational journey.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Newton
06-01-202

We have completed another school year. The last seven weeks of this school year were very challenging and different for all of us. Our school year ended on May 15, 2020. We want to address report cards and reopening for the next school year.
The following Report Card Expectations for Kindergarten through fifth grade students were established:
● 4th Quarter Report Card Grades will remain the same as the 3rd quarter grades, this does not impact a child’s school record. Assessment will be given at the beginning of the next school year to assess the gaps that students have.
●We released the 4th quarter remote online learning points received, these are based on the assessments that the students were assigned, completed and submitted during the remote/online learning opportunities provided. These calculations are for you to have for your records of what your child completed during these 7 weeks of remote/online learning.
● Kindergarten report cards are based on skills that ensure essential learning standards. Your child’s teacher continued to provide remote/online learning opportunities. The teacher reached out to each family at the end of the remote/online learning to assess each child.
The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) released a Roadmap for Reopening Schools. The document serves as a guide for schools and districts across the state by detailing strategies for preparing to reopen schools for the 2020-21 school year. We appreciate the support of State Superintendent Hoffman and the team that worked to compile the document given so many unknowns.
In preparation for this release, All Aboard Charter School has been working on our own plans, which take into account multiple variables for a safe start to the new school year. Depending on data from state and local health agencies, our start may include: a normal schedule with increased sanitation and cleanliness measures; a modified schedule so fewer students are present on campus each day; or an online remote learning schedule with grading and assessment that mirrors the traditional classroom expectations. We recognize that no matter which plan we move forward with to start the new year, we will need to be flexible enough to move in between plans through the course of the year, if needed.
For now, we want parents to know that we want nothing more than to have our students safely back in school on August 3, learning in an environment that is most conducive to their individual needs. We are doing all that we can to ensure our campuses are clean, our staff members are trained and comfortable with new sanitation procedures, and that our school models can sustainably protect the safety of our students and staff.
The first day of school is just two months away, but in pandemic days, we know that much can still change in our communities to either increase or slow the spread of the coronavirus. Given the rapidly changing environment, we are not yet ready to make a commitment to how the first day of school will look or feel for our students and staff. What we can commit to is the following:
• In early July, we will provide you with all the details you’ll need on how we plan to start the new school year. Until then, we will continue to monitor our ever changing environment, refine all return to school options and stay in contact with ADE and health officials.
• Soon we will be submitting our CARES Act application, as well as other reimbursable grants, that will allow us to secure funding for increased safety measures, like masks, hand sanitizer, sneeze guards and machines that deep clean our facilities.
• Next week, our Office will reopen to the public, by appointment, with appropriate physical distancing and sanitation standards in place.
Safety always has been, and always will be, our number one priority. If at any time we see an increase in the spread of coronavirus through our community or we do not feel that safety standards are being maintained, we are prepared to suspend services or modify our plans for reopening. We appreciate our parents and community partners for providing us with feedback, encouragement, and support as we continue to keep our focus on our students.
As always, we welcome the opportunity to hear from you. Reach out to us through or you can email us allaboardcharterschool@cox.net
Our hope, is that you remain healthy and safe.
Thank you,

All Aboard Charter School
Executive Director
03-30-2020

To: All Aboard Families

This is a current update from the Governor

Governor Doug Ducey and Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman today announced the extension of Arizona school closures through the end of the school year. The extension follows updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and an announcement from the White House extending physical distancing guidelines until April 30, 2020.

Governor Ducey and Superintendent Hoffman released the following joint statement:

“In alignment with yesterday’s updated federal guidance, today we are announcing the extension of school closures through the remainder of the school year. Today’s announcement is intended to give parents and educators as much certainty as possible so they can plan and make decisions. While this isn’t the outcome any of us wanted, we are grateful for the partnership of schools around the state, who have stepped up to offer virtual and take-home learning opportunities for our students. These efforts are crucial, and we recognize that schools are making every effort possible to continue providing instruction during closures. We also thank our legislative partners for passing legislation ensuring all educators and staff see no disruption in pay. Our number one priority will continue to be health and safety, and we will continue to work closely with public health officials to make the best decisions for kids, families, and our school communities.”

This is from All Aboard Charter School

Today we are beginning our distance/online learning that will carry us through the end of the school year. We will all work together to make this as successful as possible. We will need to be patient and flexible during this time of learning. When you picked up your child’s materials last Friday, we gave you everything you will need for the next 7 weeks of learning. This should carry us through the end of the school year.

Thank you again for your patience and support through these challenging times. Most importantly, please be sure to keep you and your family safe by following all recommended precautions from local, state, and federal authorities. This certainly is an unusual time, but we will successfully navigate it, together, as a community.

All Aboard Charter School

03/30/2020 Letter to parents

03/22/2020 Letter to parents

3/20/2020 Letter to parents

3/15/2020 Letter to parents

3/13/20 Letter to Parents