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Back-to-School

Last updated: August 7, 2020

The Independence Mission Schools (IMS) network holds the well-being, health and safety of students and staff as a top priority. With this in mind, IMS is planning to reopen on September 8th in a fully-virtual model for all students through the end of September. IMS is taking all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our schools, while also ensuring that our students continue to be enriched with a rigorous academic curriculum. More information can be found in our Health & Safety Plan Summary.

As we work to reopen our schools, we are following medical and health guidelines from the Philadelphia Department of Health, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and other governmental health organizations. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you informed of our actions.

Please continue to check this page regularly for the latest back-to-school updates for the 2020/21 school year as it relates to the IMS network.

Latest 2020/21 Back-to-School Updates

Archived 2019/2020 School Year Communications

Meals for Students During Closure

Keep Learning Going

The IMS Academic Team has provided resources to schools for promoting learning during the school closure. Many educational websites (including those that are mobile-phone friendly) are offering free access as a result of the outbreak. Teachers and/or school leaders are communicating with parents/caregivers to share learning plans and additional resources. If you need support in obtaining learning resources, please contact your school’s principal.

While we strongly encourage students to engage in academic work during the school closure, please note that schools have been instructed that students’ grades should not be negatively impacted if they cannot complete these optional assignments.

  • Free video-based lessons: Great Minds, the publisher of our mathematics curriculum materials, Eureka Math – as well as other curriculum programs in reading/ELA and science – is now offering free video-based lessons that are taught by experienced teachers. These resources, including free PDF copies of student workbooks, can be found here. Continue to stay in touch with your school’s teachers and leaders on whether and how to utilize these resources.
  • Free internet for 60 days: Families without internet can participate in the Comcast Internet Essentials program. The program cost is FREE for 60 days.

What Families Need to Know

  • If your child is sick or has a fever, please do not send them to school until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines – including Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
  • Inform your school’s leadership team, including the principal, if your child has been diagnosed with the flu or another contagious disease.
  • Notify the principal if your child is planning to travel internationally.
  • Please encourage frequent hand washing and remind your child to cover coughs or sneezes in their elbow.

How is COVID-19 Spread & What Are the Symptoms?

   

How Can I Help Protect Myself?

  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
  • If you are sick, stay home until you are fever free for 24-hours
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick

FAQs

Please click here to read our UPDATED Frequently Asked Questions for IMS Families.

Resources

 

We will continue to monitor information from the Center for Disease Control and work closely with both the Office of Emergency Management for the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to stay up to date on this evolving situation. We will keep you informed as our preparedness planning progresses.

Last modified: August 7, 2020