Gilford School Board - Special Meeting

November 23, 2020 ~ 6:00 p.m. ~ Gilford High School Library

The public has access to listen and participate in this meeting through the following phone number and pin:

1-636-707-2385 (PIN: 759366271#)

Comments can be made by emailing comments@sau73.org during the comment section of the meeting.

This email address will only be open during public comment. 
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November 13, 2020

Dear Gilford Parents and Guardians:

I am writing to provide an update on the Gilford Schools and give you some timely information as we move into the holiday season.  It is important to first acknowledge that what we are doing in Gilford Schools is outstanding and I am so proud to be a part of the teaching and learning that is happening in our schools.  We have also been able to participate in middle and high school athletics and have had high school drama productions this fall.  Forty-five days and counting.  Well done by everyone involved.

I think it is important to follow Governor Sununu’s lead and remember that it is every person’s responsibility to reduce the spread of this virus.  It is important to continue to do the things that we know are helping us stay safe; wash our hands often, use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available, wear a mask, and maintain social distancing of at least three to six feet or greater when possible.  We do not want to become complacent and let our guard down. 

GILFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT FACTS:  To date we have had two documented cases of COVID-19 in our high school and two documented cases in our middle school.  The administration and the school nurses in both the high school and the middle school acted swiftly and connected with DHHS to make sure everything was covered and that the correct procedures were followed.  The nurses in all three schools are communicating daily and they have a great pulse on all of the siblings in our schools.  There have been 37 elementary, 38 middle school and 76 high school students and staff tested for the virus that we know of in the Gilford School District since the start of the school year on September 8^th.  It is not a requirement, but it is helpful if the nurses know if students or staff have been tested and the results of the test.  We are accepting results from both the Rapid and the PCR tests.  It is my understanding that the Rapid test may be less reliable unless you have had symptoms for a few days. 

DAILY SCREENING:  Thank you to all of you who remember to do the daily screening each morning.  I have attached the daily screening form to this email.  It is so important to check your child for a fever and symptoms on a daily basis.  This year more than ever we need people to keep their learners home if they have any of the classic symptoms; fever, runny nose, headache, sore throat or body aches.

TRAVEL:  Governor Sununu has updated the travel guidance.  People can still travel within New England and return to school the next day.  Traveling outside of New England requires a quarantine upon returning to school.  The quarantine for travel outside of New England can be a 14 day quarantine upon return or a 7 day quarantine with a negative COVID test upon return.  Please contact your child’s school BEFORE planning travel outside of New England around the holidays to make a plan for missed assignments/classwork.

WEATHER CALLS:  Please make certain that the schools have up to date phone numbers in our student information system.  If we have no school due to a weather event we will have a remote instruction day.  The schedule will be the same as in person instruction.  This of course will work when there is power and internet service.  If electrical lines are down or there is an ice storm we would have a regular snow day with no remote instruction.  I will make those calls early in the morning, but if a storm is coming and we can put word out the night before I will make the call earlier.

SECOND TRIMESTER: The principals, school counselors and teachers are working on plans for the second trimester.  The second trimester will start on December 14^th and finish on March 26, 2021.  We have surveyed families regarding your preferred instructional model for the second trimester.  The second trimester will look very similar to the first trimester for our remote and in person learners in the elementary and middle school.  However, the second trimester will look different in the high school for the remote learners.  Details continue to evolve regarding the high school second trimester.  Please contact the schools if you have any questions related to the second trimester.

WINTER SPORTS:  The start of the winter sports season will be delayed across the state.  Skills and drills, under Phase 1 and 2 of the NHIAA Re-Opening Guidelines and the NH State Guidelines, will begin on November 30^th.  Tryouts and practices, under phase 3 of the guidelines, will begin on December 14^th.  Games will be delayed until January 11, 2021. 

Please let me know if there are questions or concerns.  Have a fantastic weekend.

Respectfully,

Kirk Beitler

Superintendent of Schools
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October 7, 2020

Good morning,

I hope this email finds you well.  I want to say thank you to all the students, parents, staff and community members for all you are doing to make our schools safe learning environments for our learners and staff.  I appreciate that everyone is doing the daily screenings and taking precautions when they are not feeling well.  It is certainly an exceptionally challenging year for everyone. 

I am writing to share two items.  First, a reminder that parents still need to complete the application for free and reduced breakfast and lunch to maintain seamless service when the current USDA funding expires.  The application deadline is October 21, 2020.  We urge families to complete the application prior to October 21^st.  The application and Food Service Director, Jonathan Dupuis contact information, can be found on the Food Service page here.

Please contact Food Service Director, Jonathan Dupuis, at jdupuis@sau73.org, with any questions.

Second, I am sharing the guidance from New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services related to travel outside of New England.  We have had several inquiries regarding travel for Thanksgiving or otherwise.  “NH residents or out-of-state visitors traveling to/from areas outside of New England (Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, or Rhode Island) need to self-quarantine for the first 14 days of any intended stay in NH after travel (starting from the last day of their travel outside New England). This recommendation is irrespective of the mode of transportation for travel (public vs. private transportation). It is also acceptable for travelers to New Hampshire to self-quarantine in their home state prior to arrival as long as they do not travel on public transportation.”  This is directly from the NH Division of Public Health Bureau of Infectious Disease and Control.  This was also discussed at the October 5^th School Board meeting and reaffirmed at the meeting.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Respectfully,

Kirk Beitler

Superintendent of Schools
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Fingerprinting for Volunteers and Chaperones

The Gilford School District welcomes volunteers in our schools.

A fingerprint background check is required in all Gilford schools for individuals, volunteers and chaperones engaged in the following activities:

Once a thorough background investigation and criminal records check is complete with no disqualifying records and the volunteer has completed orientation, the volunteer will be issued an identification badge to be worn every time the volunteer works in the school.  Click here for complete volunteer fingerprinting procedure.  

Fingerprint clinics are scheduled at the SAU office located at  2 Belknap Mountain Road.  A photo ID is required for identification.  

There are no volunteer clinics currently scheduled. 

The process takes approximately 20 minutes.  New sessions start every ten minutes.

Photos will be taken for ID badge.

Anyone who volunteers in the Gilford School District must complete an annual volunteer affidavit.

Volunteers who have already been issued an ID badge and would like a new badge for the 2020-2021 school year need to complete the Volunteer Affidavit and submit to the SAU office. 

The form can be printed, completed and submitted to the SAU.  

Gilford School District policies JFABD (Admission of Homeless Students), JBAA (Sexual Harassment) and JICK (Bullying and Cyberbullying) must be reviewed annually by all volunteers.