The following is a letter to Ada students and parents from Dan Lee, Ada High School middle and high school principal.
We are excited to begin the 2020-2021 school year this Monday, Aug. 24.
We would like to thank our families for their patience and flexibility and our teachers and staff for all their preparation and hard work. Although we face additional challenges this school year, we are committed to providing high quality education and opportunities for all our students.
Below is a list of important information and reminders for the start of the school year.
Student Schedules
Student schedules are posted on ProgressBook. All students will also receive a hard copy of their schedule on Monday morning during 1st period. The hard copy schedule will include their locker number and homeroom assignment.
If a student does not have a class listed during a class period, the student is in a study hall at that time. 1st period study hall students will be in the cafeteria with Mr. Klingler. Students with study halls during other periods will be able to read those locations on the hard copy of their schedule distributed on Monday morning during 1st period.
To access the school supply list, visit our website (adabulldogs.org) under “For Parents/Students” select “Forms and Links.”
School Fees, Final Forms & Immunizations
School fees can be paid online this year through payschoolcentral.com. The link for this website can be accessed by going to adabulldogs.org and clicking the arrow next to “Food Service.” If you would prefer to pay by check, checks should be made payable to Ada Schools and mailed or delivered to the high school office.
Immunization verification for 7th (TDAP & Meningitis) and 12th (Meningitis) grade students must be turned in or submitted through Final Forms before the start of school. All Final Forms must be completed and signed as well by both parents and students.
Virtual Open House
Open house will be conducted virtually this year. We believe this will be a great opportunity for parents and students to get to see all of their teachers prior to the start of school.
Our teachers have posted Flip Grid videos online during which they introduce themselves and discuss their courses. We will send out the Flip Grid link through a text alert tomorrow afternoon.
Parents and students are encouraged to watch each of the course videos together prior to the start of the school year. Parents who would like to conference virtually with their individual student’s teacher(s) may contact the high school office to schedule a time between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. August 20.
First Day of School
On Monday, students will report to their first period class as normal. However, the first period will be extended to enable us to complete some important beginning of the year tasks.
As previously mentioned, all students will get a hard copy of their schedule, which will include their locker number and homeroom assignment. Students will rarely utilize their homeroom number during first semester because we are postponing our advisory activities until second semester.
Students will all have the opportunity to set up their lockers during the extended first period time. In addition, all students will watch an introductory video that includes our additional safety guidelines for the upcoming school year.
• Picture Day Picture day for students grades 7-12
will be the second day of school (Aug. 25).
• Picture day for students grades K-6
will be the third day of school (Aug. 26).
Home Instruction (Online)
Students We are currently working to register all students who opted for online instruction for the first semester of the school year. Students are being registered for the courses that most closely align with the appropriate curriculum and their spring course requests.
Below is some additional information for home instruction students and families. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to the high school office: (419) 634-2746.
Device Pickup
Devices should be picked up in the south parking lot on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 1-6 pm or Friday, Aug. 21, from 9 am - 12 pm.
Supplies
There are no additional supplies that you will need. Most things will be done digitally. You may want to purchase a USB mouse for your child if they struggle with a mousepad.
Also, headphones or earbuds may be needed as well since the students will be watching videos and interacting with online sites.
Pictures
Online students are not able to attend our picture day due to safety precautions. We are working to provide them the opportunity to get their pictures taken during our retake day, which is October 15. More information will be provided at a later date.
Fees
The fee for online students is a $10 Chromebook insurance fee. You can pay that through either PaySchools Central or by mailing a check to the high school office. Information about paying through PaySchools will be sent out soon for all students.
FinalForms
Parents still need to complete their forms for the current school year. If you have not done so already, sign in and do so as soon as possible.
Returning to School
Parents will have an option to have their student to return to on campus learning for the second semester, which begins in January. Students who return to campus will be placed in an on campus course schedule.
Start of Online School
Information We are currently working with Edmentum to provide a set of orientation resources for our parents and students. We will communicate this information and schedule before the end of the week. Students and parents will be provided with a required orientation video to view at the start of next week as well as additional virtual resources.
This additional information will be communicated through the parent emails registered in Final Forms. Please make sure that those email addresses are updated and correct.
We strive for this to be a positive experience for our families and students. We wholeheartedly want these students to continue to feel like they are true Ada Bulldogs.
This is a new experience for you, as it is for us. We will do our best to serve your students effectively. Although we are experiencing challenging times, we believe in the strength of our community and school to not only overcome but thrive together.
