Hello ICSAtlanta Community,

This is a very difficult and trying time, and we acknowledge and understand your fears and concerns for the safety of your children and families, especially given the unprecedented (in most of our lifetimes) events taking place around the world and in our communities.  In an effort to alleviate some of your concerns, I wanted to reach out with another update on ICSAtlanta’s efforts to promote safety and prepare for the weeks ahead.

Healthy Practices
As we have done since the beginning, we are sanitizing our school several times per day, washing hands/ providing hand sanitizer, and continuing to restrict sick students and staff from attending school. This being said, as general classroom sanitation supplies are becoming more difficult to find, if you are willing and able to donate Clorox wipes and/or hand sanitizer (preferably, large bottles), please feel free to drop them off at the front desk of either campus.  Thank you to those who have already sent in supplies.

Long-term School Closure Days (LTSC Days)
We have developed a long-term school closure (LTSC) plan for when it becomes necessary to close school.  This LTSC plan has been explained to our teachers and practice sessions on the technology required for online learning have been provided to them as well.

In the event of a school closure, on the first full-day of the closure, all parents will receive an email by 9 AM with specific information regarding your student’s online-learning, “classwork”, and homework expectations.  Please plan ahead, to the greatest extent possible for your family, to have the resources and supplies needed to ensure these LTSC days are efficient and effective: computer/laptop/tablet with audio capability (microphone or video cam not needed), ability to connect to the Internet (wifi or device data), your child’s login information (most importantly for Google Classroom and/or Clever), paper, pencils, and if at all possible, a printer (please make sure to ensure you have enough ink/toner).  If you do not have Internet connectivity, please reach out to your child’s teachers to make them aware; we will do our best to find alternative arrangements for work completion.
Please note that we cannot roll out this LTSC plan unless school is canceled.

Additional Large-Group Cancellations
In an effort to eliminate large-group activities, the following events will be cancelled or modified:
Milestones Parent Education Night will be  pre-recorded and sent out to all parents.
Donuts with the Directors (spring session) is cancelled.
PYP Student-led Conferences for 3rd through 5th graders are cancelled.
Chick-fil-a biscuit sale on the 27th is cancelled.
The UC drama performance is  postponed (new dates to be determined). Drama practices, for now, will continue.
Please note that all student-only, in-school activities will continue as scheduled  as long as school is still in session (After School Program (ASP), tutoring, clubs, etc.).

Though we completely understand, share, and empathize with your feelings of helplessness and frustration, we ask for everyone to make a concerted effort to be patient with each other over the weeks and months ahead.  Our staff is committed to supporting our entire ICSAtlanta community through these stressful days.  It is times like these when family and community are most essential.

Sincerely,
Tanya Parker
Executive Director