Head of School Updates

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Dear JH Classical Academy Parents,
 
Our priority is to be in-school, in-person. In order to get students here, and keep them here, we must be vigilant. Our community will need to selflessly do tasks that take longer (and might even feel unnecessary) to assure the physical safety and emotional well-being of all.  Trust is built when together we sacrifice for the greater good. 
The importance of in-person learning is well-documented by the American Association of Pediatrics. The risk of COVID-19 illness for children under 15 is reported as “very low” by the Center for Disease Control.  The New England Journal of Medicine reports they have not found cases of children infecting their parents.  European countries that reopened schools last Spring plan to start the Fall academic year on time.  The totality of evidence makes a compelling case for us to reopen our Academy with care.
 
We will start the year with masks for students at appropriate times, such as during drop-off and pick-up, passing in the hallways, and bathroom trips.  We will allow mask breaks when seated at distanced desks or lunch tables and during outdoor learning and recess. We are fortunate to have a young student body, small class sizes, and plenty of indoor and outdoor learning spaces.  Every classroom has a sink for hand washing, which we will require, and we purchased a disinfectant sprayer that can be used during the day.
 
In addition to addressing our physical safety, we are also preparing mentally. The leadership team just completed a two-day off-site tactical meeting facilitated by two Table Group consultants.  Exciting insights were gained into optimal strategies for building and maintaining a cohesive team.  We assessed our organization’s overall health, clarified our mission and purpose, and identified the roadmap for success.  This focus and alignment of our team will trickle down into every part of our Academy. 
 
Despite all the unknowns, we are committed to educating your children with renewed dedication to our mission: to cultivate wisdom and virtue in students in order for them to discover and fulfill their God-given potential. If a love for truth and beauty and goodness is not cultivated, the mind loses the strength which comes from truth, the refinement which comes from beauty, and the happiness which comes from goodness.  Our new-faculty orientation is under way and our all-faculty training starts next week.  We are ready and eager to serve your family! 
 
Please mark your schedules for our Back-to-School welcome event on Monday, August 31 at 4:00 PM. While students enter the school to meet their teachers, find their cubbies, and identify their desks, parents will have the opportunity for outdoor introductions accompanied by live music and popcorn.   A Sign-up Genius will be coming soon for parents to set individual meetings with their children's teachers on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, August 25-27.  We are providing separate opportunities for parents and students to get to know their new teachers. 
 
Parents are highly valued in our community.  We are creatively planning ways to have family lunch tables, sidewalk recitations, Field House fairs, and other such opportunities for you to come on campus, despite the restriction of not having parents in classrooms.  If you have any extra time to help us prepare for the school year, either on campus or at home, please sign up below for volunteer opportunities.  Finally, I’m offering Zoom meetings for the next two Fridays to listen to your concerns and ideas.  I'm eager to hear from you! 
 
With great anticipation, 
 
Mrs. Polly J. Friess
Head of School
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Mountain Range

Contact

Physical Address:
2500 S. Park Loop Rd.
Jackson, WY 83001

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 7466
Jackson, WY 83002
 
Enrollment Inquiries:
Lisa Landis, Admissions 
(307) 201-5040 
 
All Other Inquiries:
School Office
(307) 201-5040
 








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Nondiscrimination Policy: Jackson Hole Classical Academy admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Jackson Hole Classical Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, tuition assistance, athletic, arts and other school administrated programs.