GENTRY -- Due to positive covid-19 numbers and the numbers of students and staff under quarantine, Gentry High School suspended on-campus instruction and all athletic activities at the high school campus from Wednesday through Friday of last week.
According to a report released by the school district, there were 86 new covid-19 cases reported in the school district last week, with another 34 people added to the quarantine list. An additional 135 people were reported to have avoided quarantine requirements by being fully vaccinated.
In-person instruction continued at the primary, intermediate and middle school campuses last week. In-person classes resumed at the high school on Monday.
High school students received instruction in their homes last week via the AMI (alternative learning methods) materials made available to students.
As a result of the decision, all sports events at the high school were canceled for the second half of last week, including Friday's scheduled home basketball games against Huntsville.
No suspension of in-person instruction was reported at Gravette, but Decatur schools suspended on-campus instruction on Thursday and Friday and suspended sports programs, as well, last week due to covid-19 cases.
Following is the letter sent out by Terrie Metz, Gentry's superintendent of schools, to parents just before noon on Tuesday.
Good morning Parents,
As we continue to see the effects of the COVID-19 virus in our community, we will be pivoting Gentry High School to learning from home beginning tomorrow, January 19, 2022, through Friday, January 21, 2022. This includes a pause of all athletic activities for GHS until classes resume on Monday, January 24th.
The AMI plan will be followed for Gentry High School students. Specific expectations for GHS students are attached.
This decision was not an easy one to make, and it comes after careful consideration of the numbers of staff and students who are currently impacted by COVID.
Please review the information about each specific campus below.
* Primary School (Grades K-2): Continue with on-site instruction at this time.
* Intermediate School (Grades 3-5): Continue with on-site instruction at this time.
* Middle School (Grades 6-8): Continue with on-site instruction at this time.
* High School (Grades 9-12): High School will pivot to learning from home beginning Wednesday, January 19th, through Friday, January 21st. Onsite instruction will resume on Monday, January 24th.
Meals will be available upon request for pivoted students. So we can have time for meal preparation, please have the meal request form completed by 8:00 AM each morning. Pick-up location details are included on the form.
https://forms.gle/PGMFBwiCtA2uE2LL7
The GHS Library will be open each day for any GHS student who needs a place to go to access technology to complete their school work.
If you have any questions, please contact your child's campus office. Thank you for your understanding. The health and safety of our students will always be our #1 priority.
Terrie Metz
Superintendent & Gentry Schools Administration Team