As I shared with Gillispie's Board of Trustees in my end-of-year report, it has been an extraordinary year for each and all of us. Reading the written comments from the 2021 Parent Survey, I recognize that parents missed being on campus to connect with each other and with their children's teachers. Yet, in thoughtful and different ways, we built and maintained a community. "It takes a village," and Gillispie is a Village. Adults on campus had to...
You may have seen that the State updated travel guidance on April 2 as it pertains to COVID-19 and quarantining after travel. While they continue to urge anyone not vaccinated to refrain from any unnecessary/recreational travel, they have removed the 120-mile distance as a threshold for the need to quarantine. Gillispie will continue to follow State guidance and will therefore require a 7-day quarantine for those not fully vaccinated if they are returning to San Diego...
With families making potential plans for travel over the Presidents’ Day extended weekend, we are reviewing our guidance because it's considered a high-risk activity by the State and County. If your family is traveling greater than 120 miles from home, the student needs to quarantine upon return to their place of residence in San Diego for 10 days before returning to Gillispie. If they get tested on Day 7 of that quarantine and the PCR test result...
As an additional measure to keep our students and teachers safe and our campus open, Gillispie will begin regular surveillance COVID testing next Monday, January 25. By testing a sampling of students for COVID-19 in each elementary class each week, the School will have a stronger ability to head off any possible outbreaks on campus. Approximately half of the students in each homeroom will be tested between Monday and Wednesday of one week and the other half...
Here are links to the most updated information from the San Diego County of Health and Human Services Agency: The newest version of the COVID-19 Symptom Decision Tree (1/11/21) Quarantine Timelines Based on the Decision Tree Isolation Timelines Based on the Decision Tree Parent/Family Guidance on Symptom Checking The Centers for Disease Control's Latest Travel Advisory Guidelines Thank you for your continued support in trying to keep us safe....
Hello Gillispie Families, With Holiday Break around the corner, I wanted to remind you about the protocols that we will be following to increase the likelihood of a safe return to school. Gillispie will welcome back early childhood students on January 4 and will be virtual for all elementary students the week of January 4. To come back to campus on Monday, January 11, all students in grades K through Grade 6 will be required to show the results of...
Greetings, Gillispie Families! Many of us draw strength from metaphors that keep us going when we experience extremely challenging times. Some of us would say we are soldiers going to war against the enemy known as COVID-19, while others see ourselves as goalkeepers in an incredibly high-stakes game, who will not let our guards down. Right now, I feel like I am facing off with a raging storm, always thinking about what is the next right move...
Dear Families, We hope that you have had a wonderful holiday and that you found a way to celebrate safely with loved ones. As the number of COVID-19 cases in San Diego continues to rise along with a sharp increase in hospitalizations, it remains essential for us to put all of our communal and concerted efforts into slowing the spread of the virus so that we may remain together on campus. What has worked for us thus far...
Dear Families, As recently reported, there seem to be two vaccines that are showing promising results. Yet today, without a vaccine, the number of COVID-19 cases in San Diego has tripled over the last two weeks, and California has doubled its cases in the last 10 days. And, as you are aware, we entered the Purple Tier as of Saturday because the case rate is well over the 7% threshold. So, how can we at Gillispie put...
Thanks to the nearly 30 parents (and grandparents!) who participated in yesterday's webinar with Professor Seth Lerer. It is not an understatement to say his presentation was riveting, and the ensuing discussion quite lively! A recording of his webinar was sent out for you all to enjoy. Professor Lerer will be joining us for a second session on Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. to share ways that children's literature can serve as a tool for having difficult discussions...
