Updates

Dear Groves Community,

I am thinking about you all and hope you and your loved ones are doing well.  I have heard from many of you recently and the stories you’ve shared are heartwarming and heartening during these weeks of weirdness.

Today, I am specifically writing to tell you about some adjustments we are making with the plan for gathering materials and working from the building given Governor Walz’s announcement to stay at home, which begins on Friday night.  Below are the relevant points:

• Tomorrow (Thursday, 3/26) the building will be open from 7am – 4:30pm for you to gather and prep materials
• Friday, 3/27, the building will be open from 7am – 11am for the same purpose.  There is a hard-stop at 11am when you must leave the building
• On Friday, from 12pm to 5:30pm, Lower School parents will be allowed to drive up to the building to retrieve materials.  They will not enter the building.
• John, Colin, and Curtis will support the parent pickup

There are a few non-negotiable parameters you must all follow in order to get this done with as much caution as possible:

• Gloves will be available to everyone who enters the building.  Please use them at all times
• Disinfectant wipes will also be available.  Please use them in your room, at the copier, at the printers, etc.
• Please confine yourself as much as possible to your room or office; limit your movement in the building only to the areas you need to access; avoid common areas like the teacher’s lounge or staff spaces.
• Some rooms will be sealed off.  Please avoid them.
• We would like you to use specific entrances based on your division:
  • Lower School–Front Entrance
  • Middle School–Northeast entrance/old main entrance
  • Upper School–PBL Room/Northwest Entrance
• Administrative/all others–back entrance by the parking lot in front of the playground
• If I reached out to you to inform you that you may have had contact with the Groves person who had a positive COVID-19 test result, then you are not to come to the building.  You can make arrangements with your supervisor who will support you.
• If you are currently sick, displaying any symptoms, or believe you had contact with someone who has COVID-19, then please inform your supervisor right away, and do not come to the building
• Todd Olson and his team spent much of this week on a very deep cleaning of the building–THANK YOU TODD and TEAM!

Because of the stay at home order, the building will be completely closed from this Friday evening through April 10th, barring any changes in the Governor’s mandate.  I know this makes this process a bit more burdensome and I appreciate your attention to the details above.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, or to Kim Peeples.

As always, you have my sincere gratitude for all your hard work and dedication.  I wish you a calm and quiet rest of spring break, and I am eager to see you soon.

Best,

Dan Morgan
President

Dear Groves Partner School leaders,

I hope the end of this week finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy.  The past two weeks were incredibly challenging for all of us, and I want to thank you for your flexibility and for your support as we pulled together the plan to balance everyone’s safety with the strong desire to continue our powerful partnership.  I also want to extend my deep gratitude to your staff, as well as to Katharine Campbell, and all the Groves coaches who worked tirelessly to prepare for virtual coaching and communication–a new process for them, but one I know will prove useful in the coming weeks.  Katharine and the team will provide ongoing communication about instruction, technology, and coaching support so please be on the lookout for that. I ask for your continued grace and support when we launch online communication and coaching. The Groves team is dedicated to delivering powerful instruction, and it will be great, but there will be times when it isn’t perfect. We hope you understand and partner with us as we discover how to make this an impactful experience.

Thank you again for your continued support.  Our partnership with you is a unique opportunity in the world of education to make revolutionary change in literacy teaching, and in outcomes for students.  I am so incredibly thankful to be on this journey with you. I wish you all a calm and healthy few weeks.

With deep appreciation and gratitude,

Dan Morgan
President

Dear Groves Families,

I hope the end of this week finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. The past two weeks were incredibly challenging for all of us, and I want to thank you for your flexibility and for your support as we pulled together the plan to balance everyone’s safety with the strong desire to continue a powerful Groves education.  I also want to extend my deep gratitude to all instructors, tutors, and staff at Groves who worked tirelessly to prepare for virtual instruction and communication–a new process for them, but one I know will prove useful in the coming weeks.

Moving forward, I also want to provide a couple of reminders:

1. There will be more communication about schedules, instruction, tech, etc forthcoming so please be on the lookout for that
2. Nancy Segreti and the Learning Center team are available to connect with you about any financial questions you may have pertaining to adjusted schedules
3. I ask for your continued grace and support as we launch online communication and teaching. The Groves team is dedicated to delivering powerful instruction, and it will be great, but there will be times when it isn’t perfect. We hope you understand and partner with us as we discover how to make this an impactful experience

Thank you again for your continued support. Groves would not be what it is today without our incredible families working together to create an environment of love and excellence. I wish you all a calm and healthy few weeks.

With deep appreciation and gratitude,

Dan Morgan
President

Distance Learning Priorities and Expectations

Thanks to the support of our technology team at Groves and in partnership with the division directors and faculty, we have prepared an outline for distance learning. This plan includes schedules, resources, and communication structures for 2nd through 12th-grade students.

Overview of the Groves Academy Distance Learning Plan

Groves Gala Rescheduled to Wednesday, July 15th

As we all navigate these unprecedented times, our focus is on the health and safety of our guests, our families, ourselves and our greater community. Following guidelines from the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health, in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, we have decided to postpone the 43rd Annual Groves Gala until Wednesday, July 15th.

There is much that is still unknown about how the Coronavirus (COVID-19) will affect our community and we will continue to monitor the situation as the new date approaches.

We hope you will join us in celebrating Groves on July 15th!

Thank you for your steadfast support and flexibility. Please reach out if you have any questions, suggestions or want to talk through anything by contacting Becky Busselman at busselmanb@grovesacademy.org or 952-210-1856.

Please visit our Groves Gala webpage.

March 16th, 2020

Dear Groves Partner Schools,

The Groves coaching team met this morning to brainstorm and develop a distance learning model that will meet the needs of our partner schools. Recognizing that each school may define distance learning a little differently, based on the needs of their students, families and teachers, we discussed the need for flexibility in our model. I want to reiterate that meeting the needs of your teachers is our top priority. We want teachers to feel supported by their Groves coach during this time of e-learning.

We will be using Zoom technology for video conferencing and Google Classroom as our coaching platform. On a weekly basis, the Groves coach will provide a videotaped lesson for each of your teachers involved in the literacy partnership. In addition to the lesson, coaches will include supporting workbook and reader pages for each lesson. These lessons will address PA, Phonics, Fluency and Handwriting. The lessons may extend longer than 30 minutes, to allow for the additional workbook, handwriting or fluency instruction. It is up to your teachers whether to include the complete lesson to students, but we wanted to make those components available, since any of those might be addressed this time of year in an on-site coaching visit. This lesson will help your teachers with the pacing of the lessons and concepts, as we realize that pacing may vary in a distance learning model. I have also asked each team member to schedule a daily 2 hour block via Zoom as office hours, to make sure all teacher, administrator, and curriculum questions are answered.

Your monthly team meetings will continue, using Zoom video conferencing. Your Groves coach will work with you and your teachers to schedule the March meeting prior to the transition to distance learning at the end of the month. Coaches will also continue to schedule monthly administrator meetings. Later in April, we will schedule our Logistics meeting via Zoom, to prepare for a strong launch in the fall, under much more normal circumstances. If you don’t have Zoom, it is being offered free of charge to K-12 schools.

https://zoom.us/docs/ent/school-verification.html?zcid=1231&_ga=2.228851412.995105 639.1583699918-735451631.1546545079

Several teachers have already asked whether to send home workbooks with children. This is a school decision. If you decide to send them home with students, it will be helpful as students complete lessons. We will include PDF’s of all workbook pages appropriate to lessons on Google Classroom. We have a limited supply of Groves Method workbooks if you need to purchase additional workbooks when students return in April or May. We do not stock PAF workbooks.

Coaches will be reaching out this week to you and your teachers to learn more details of your distance learning model. We know that you are still in the process of working out your plans.

Currently, we are putting together a list of literacy resources for parents and will include that list on Google Classroom when complete.

As we navigate this new model of learning together, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Warm regards,

Katharine Campbell
Director of Groves Literacy Partnerships

Commitment to Our Mission
The mission of Groves Academy is to build confidence, success, and purpose through transformative learning experiences.

March 15th, 2020 

Dear Groves Partner Schools, 

We are facing unprecedented and challenging times that can cause justifiable uncertainty and anxiety. We all are having our own personal reactions to coronavirus that ranges from calm to fear, and everything in between. Let us remember this: there is no right or wrong way to experience this; we can only do our best to stay calm, make the best decisions we can with the available information, and support and trust in each other. Keeping this in mind, you’ll find the plan for Groves Literacy Partnerships as discussed all weekend with the Leadership Team, based on the most recent updates from MDE and the Governor. 

Please know that should further information become available, this could change: 

1. Beginning tomorrow, March 16, coaches will not be in partner schools providing coaching. We feel it is important that as your school begins planning for distance learning, your coach be a resource that supports your teachers as they develop their classroom model for literacy instruction, during a school closure. Our planning begins tomorrow, in anticipation that teacher requests will begin on Tuesday.
2. On Monday and Tuesday, all coaches will receive training in online instruction and meetings. Supporting our partner schools this spring is our top priority. Providing GLP team members with training in online learning will help your Groves coach continue to support your teachers, using the distance learning model in place in your school.
3. If your school moves to a distance learning model later in March, your Groves coach will continue to provide coaching support to your teachers, virtually, based on your school’s model.

Please know that we strive to balance the passion we have working with schools to ensure all children learn to read, with the wider goal of keeping everyone safe and healthy in a truly trying time. 

Once again, thank you for your ongoing support and patience as we traverse this unknown path together. 

Warmest regards, 

Katharine Campbell
Director of Groves Literacy Partnerships

Dan Morgan
President 

Commitment to Our Mission
The mission of Groves Academy is to build confidence, success, and purpose through transformative learning experiences. 

Dear Learning Center Families,

We are facing unprecedented and challenging times that can cause justifiable uncertainty and anxiety. We all are having our own personal reactions to coronavirus that ranges from calm to fear, and everything in between. Let us remember this: there is no right or wrong way to experience this; we can only do our best to stay calm, make the best decisions we can with the available information, and support and trust in each other. Keeping this in mind, you’ll find the plan for The Learning Center at Groves Academy as discussed all weekend with the Leadership Team, including feedback from many parents, faculty, staff, and based on the most recent updates from Governor Walz.

On Wednesday March 18th, CAMPUS IS CLOSED.
Please see below for details. Please know that should further information become available, this could change: 

• We will remain open on Monday the 16th and Tuesday the 17th. Staff and faculty will receive training during this time in online instruction and meetings. This may require your meeting or session to be rescheduled. Office Manager, Meagen Sundstrom, will reach out if that is the case.
• We will shift to online learning and meetings from Wednesday March 18th – April 17th. Please note this is subject to change as we learn new information.
• Diagnostic and Speech-Language Evaluations: These services will be canceled and rescheduled. Office Manager, Meagen Sundstrom, will be in contact with you individually to discuss a plan that best fits your family. We understand that this causes a disruption in the educational planning for your child. We will make every effort to reschedule your evaluation appointment as soon as possible. During this time our team is here to provide additional conversation and discussion about your child’s needs. If you would like to  consult with a member of our team, please reach out to Office Manager, Meagen Sundstrom, at sundstromm@grovesacademy.org
• Diagnostic and Speech-Language Evaluation Feedback Meetings: These services will be held via an online platform called Zoom. You will receive a calendar invite with an easy to click link to join these meetings.
• Tutoring Sessions: These will be held via an online platform called Zoom where appropriate beginning March 18th. Your tutor will be in touch with you regarding your child’s tutoring schedule and will provide you with an easy to click link in a calendar invite for each session.
• Speech-Language Sessions:
  • For Students in Our School: Our School is operating on a half day schedule Monday the 16th and Tuesday the 17th. If your child has a session prior to 1pm, that session will continue as planned. For students who have sessions after 1pm on these days, they will not have services. Conferences will be held as planned on Wednesday the 18th and Thursday the 19th via an online platform or via phone. Please coordinate with your child’s Speech-Language Pathologist. Our School will observe Spring Break from Wednesday March 18 – March 31st. Speech-Language sessions will resume on April 1st via online learning.
  • For Families in Our Community: Planning and preparation for your child to have a quality learning experience is our priority. We will continue offering sessions at Groves on Monday the 16th and Tuesday the 17th as schedules allow. Speech-Language Providers will use Wednesday March 18th – Friday March 20th to learn the online platform and prepare lesson plans and materials to ensure we are prepared to offer services that will continue to foster growth for as long as we need to. There will not be sessions Wednesday March 18th – Friday March 20th. Your student’s speech-language pathologist will be in touch regarding your student’s schedule over the next few weeks. Online speech-language therapy sessions for students in our community will resume on Monday March 23rd.
• Summer Programs: Applications will continue to be processed without interruption or delay.

Tips for a successful online meeting or educational session: 

1. Dedicate a consistent, distraction-free space (no TV, radios, etc.) in your home for students. Preferably, this would include a cleared counter or desk and a chair.
2. If able, provide the following for your child in their work space: headphones to eliminate distraction, writing utensils, and paper.
3. Establish a routine around preparing for tutoring and speech-language sessions.
4. When possible, we recommend that a parent or guardian join the first online session and be available for future sessions to support their child as needed.

If you have meetings or sessions scheduled in The Learning Center on Monday the 16th or Tuesday the 17th and you are concerned about coming in, please let us know and we will do everything we can to reschedule your appointment or schedule it to occur online. You can reach out to Meagen Sundstrom at sundstromm@grovesacademy.org

In closing, Groves Learning Center Families, please know that we strive to balance the passion we have for the unique type of student and instruction we deliver, with the wider goal of keeping everyone safe and healthy in a truly trying time.

Once again, thank you for your ongoing support and patience as we traverse this unknown path together.

Warmest regards,

Nancy Segreti
Director of The Learning Center

Dan Morgan
President

Commitment to Our Mission
The mission of Groves Academy is to build confidence, success, and purpose through transformative learning experiences.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are facing unprecedented and challenging times that can cause justifiable uncertainty and anxiety. We all are having our own personal reactions to coronavirus that ranges from calm to fear, and everything in between. Let us remember this: there is no right or wrong way to experience this; we can only do our best to stay calm, make the best decisions we can with the available information, and support and trust in each other. Keeping this in mind, you’ll find the plan for Groves Academy as discussed all weekend with the Leadership Team, including feedback from many parents, faculty, staff, and based on the most recent updates from Governor Walz.

Please know that should further information become available, this could change:

• We will remain open on the early release schedule Monday and Tuesday only to allow for training on our virtual learning plan as well as for parent conference prep.
• We will officially stop school instruction on Wednesday and the building will close to students.
• Parent conferences will occur as scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday but will be conducted virtually or via phone. Communication will be sent tomorrow with directions.
• New dates for Spring Break: Wednesday, March 18 through Tuesday, March 31.
  We will shift to full virtual learning at this point that will begin with students on 4/1/20 and continue until 4/17/20 (unless we receive new information). More details are forthcoming.

Care for Children of Families of Emergency Workers:
In accordance with Governor Walz’s request and the Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 12.21, subdivision 3(11), Groves will provide child care for currently enrolled students 12 and under who are children of emergency workers critical to the State’s response to COVID-19.

• Dates for Care: Wednesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 19.
  You must contact Amy Luffey luffeya@grovesacademy.org by Tuesday, March 17.
• Healthcare staff as described below:
  • Health care providers and systems, including hospitals and clinics
    Post-acute and long-term care facilities, including nursing and assisted living facilities
  • Other health systems and organizations, such as:
    Home Care workers or Personal Care Assistants
    Ambulance/emergency
    Direct Care and Treatment
  • Other emergency staff, including:
    First responders
    Firefighters
  • Personnel providing correctional services
    Essential Court personnel
    Minnesota State Veterans Homes staff
    State and local public health agency employees
    MNsure Navigators
    County financial/eligibility workers
    County case managers
    Or any county staff in emergency management or health and human services

We fully understand that some families may be concerned about having their students come to school tomorrow. Please know that we will follow all the advice laid out by GovernorWalz and his team today, and will do everything we can to mitigate opportunities for exposure and transmission, but we know that there is inherent risk involved in simply being in public. If you decide that you are not comfortable with your student coming to school, please send an email to Amy Luffey– luffeya@grovesacademy.org — and let the homeroom teacher or advisor know as well.

In closing, Groves Parents and Guardians, please know that we strive to balance the passion we have for the unique type of student and instruction we deliver at Groves, with the wider goal of keeping everyone safe and healthy in a truly trying time.
Once again, thank you for your ongoing support and patience as we traverse this unknown path together.

_______________________ ________________________
Kimberly Peeples
Head of School

Dan Morgan
President

Commitment to Our Mission
The mission of Groves Academy is to build confidence, success, and purpose through transformative learning experiences

Commitment to Our Mission and Contingency Planning

The mission of Groves Academy is to build confidence, success, and purpose through transformative learning experiences. We are committed to fostering those experiences as well as planning for instances where alternative instructional delivery methods warrant exploration.

With the evolving nature of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States, particularly in our neck of woods, the Groves Academy leadership team is actively monitoring the spread of the virus and is keeping abreast of recommendations from health authorities. As a precautionary measure, we are also in the process of developing a contingency plan to best prepare ourselves for prolonged absences and/or school closures.

Our Next Step

*IMPORTANT UPDATE* We will be using Monday March 30th as a training day for our staff. If you have an appointment on that day, we will be in contact with you if we need to reschedule your appointment. If you have any questions, please contact Office Manager, Meagen Sundstrom, at sundstromm@grovesacademy.org

Groves Learning Center Staff will use Monday, March 30 as a planning and professional development day to solidify our systems and procedures. We realize this will impact your schedule, however, we appreciate your patience, understanding, and partnership as we navigate these unusual waters. As noted above, the schedule for this day is currently being solidified and we will be in contact with families and staff if we need to reschedule your appointment in order to allow for staff training. If you do not have internet access at home, please contact us at learningcenter@grovesacademy.org

Below is a description of three levels of protocol. We are developing systems and procedures for each Learning Center service while keeping in mind student and family well-being, safety, and academic needs when the conditions for teaching and learning aren’t like anything we’ve experienced before:

THE LEVEL I SCENARIO: The Learning Center IS OPEN.
INCREASED ABSENCES.
In Level 1, the Learning Center is open and there are increased absences. Students and adults are absent more frequently and in greater numbers. Diagnostic and Speech-Language
feedback meetings will be held via video conference. When you schedule your appointment with our Office Manager, you will receive instructions on how to join that meeting with your Psychologist or Speech-Language Pathologist. This will begin after staff training on Monday, March 30th.

THE LEVEL 2 SCENARIO: The Learning Center IS OPEN.
SIGNIFICANT AND PROLONGED ABSENCES.
In Level 2, we are trying to find creative ways to support families who are more vulnerable and may need to stay home, those who may be quarantined but otherwise able to participate in school assignments, and those who are recovering from illness and want to get back on track. We will work with you to determine the best way for your student to participate in ongoing services like Tutoring and Speech-Language therapy. Feedback meetings for Diagnostic testing and Speech-Language evaluations will continue to be held via video conference beginning after staff training on Monday, March 30th.

THE LEVEL 3 SCENARIO: CAMPUS IS CLOSED.

• Diagnostic and Speech-Language Evaluations: These services will be canceled and rescheduled.
• Diagnostic and Speech-Language Evaluation Feedback Meetings: These services will be held via an online platform.
• Tutoring and Speech-Language Sessions: These will be held via an online platform where appropriate.
• Summer Programs: Applications will continue to be processed without interruption or delay.

We recognize that virtual learning and testing is not a substitute for the in-person, multisensory instruction our students receive in The Learning Center. Given the needs for 1:1 Diagnostic and Speech-Language testing, we will reschedule those services if we move to Scenario 3 (Campus is Closed). Groves will make every effort to provide students with the opportunity to continue Tutoring and Speech-Language sessions using a virtual instruction model should the campus close.

We are currently finalizing the technology and training components for shifting to teaching completely online. We appreciate your patience and grace in giving us space to do this well. It’s worth mentioning again that we can all work together to help mitigate the spread of illnesses like coronavirus, flu, and colds by staying home if you are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning and disinfecting common spaces, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

If you believe that you or someone in your family is at risk for coronavirus, please stay home and contact us at Groves immediately so we can create a plan for you. Should this continue to be a concern as we head into the summer months, we will evaluate the needs keeping the health and safety of our families and staff top of mind. We will communicate with staff and families as needed regarding any updated plan for the Summer Program as necessary.

For further thoughts on prevention consult the CDC website, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Thank you for your continued support of Groves and our mission. We so value your partnership and your understanding.

Nancy Segreti
Director of The Learning Center

Dan Morgan
President

Following up on yesterday’s communication (attached), I want to provide an update concerning our ongoing contingency planning:

Groves will dismiss at 1:00pm next week – Monday, March 16 through Thursday, March 19.  This will allow the necessary time for our faculty/staff to receive training and planning for virtual learning. Like a typical Wednesday, aftercare will be available until 5:30 for families that need it. Please RSVP.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will continue as scheduled, Wednesday, March 18, 1:30pm-7:00pm and Thursday, March 19, 1:30pm-6:30pm.

CHANGE: We will host conferences remotely via Zoom and/or phone rather than in person. More details and instructions will be sent out early next week. As a reminder, the conference scheduling system will close tomorrow March 13 at 11:55pm. 

Travel Plans for Spring Break:  Whether you are staying local or traveling abroad, it is important to stay apprised of updates and information on COVID-19. We recommend the following sites for direct communication and information:

COVID-19 Situation Summary – Centers for Disease Control

Travel Health Notices – Centers for Disease Control

Travel FAQs – Centers for Disease Control

Travel Advisories – U.S. Department of State

Information for Travelers – Centers for Disease Control

Health Alert Network – Centers for Disease Control

The Minnesota Department of Public Health states that it is the responsibility of public health officials to manage and enforce quarantines for travelers going to countries the CDC has identified as “Warning Level 3” and “Alert Level 2”. However, families anticipating a visit to these regions, including flight layovers, should expect public health officials to request a 14-day self-quarantine based on current travel advisories. If you believe your student will experience an extended absence due to a required or self-imposed quarantine following spring break, please contact your classroom teacher (LS) or advisor (MS/US) to make a plan for homework and instruction.

References:

Commitment to Our Mission and Contingency Plan 

Prevention, Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) _ CDC.pdf

What you need to know about COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease.pdf

Weiman_Kow_Artwork_Coronavirus_.pdf

We at Groves Academy wish to thank you for your ongoing support and patience as we traverse this unknown path together.

Warmest regards,

Kim Peeples
Head of School

Dan Morgan
President

Dear Groves Family,

As I am sure you are well aware, the coronavirus continues to present a potential challenge.  At Groves, we are monitoring the situation closely as we want to take precautions with our organization to ensure that everyone is safe and healthy.  We continue to refine Groves’ Crisis Management Plan for infectious agents.  For coronavirus specifically, we will follow the guidelines defined by the CDC, and the process of Minnesota Public Schools.  In the recent past, action plans were implemented both for SARS as well as Swine Flu (H1N1) so this process will be similar.

In the event of an outbreak, anyone who is considered to be a medium risk will be asked to stay home for two weeks.  If there are opportunities to virtually support their education or their work at Groves, we will explore that individually.  In our building, we always work to ensure that our spaces are clean and sanitary.

We can all work together to help mitigate the spread of illnesses like coronavirus, flu, and colds by staying home if you are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning and disinfecting common spaces, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.  If you believe that you, or someone in your family is at risk for coronavirus, please stay home and contact us at Groves immediately so we can create a plan for you.  For further thoughts on prevention, you can consult the CDC website, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

More information will be forthcoming as we monitor the situation, but please know that all steps will be taken to keep our community safe.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Kind Regards,

Dan Morgan
President