Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

The Gillnetter staff is working to bring students the latest news and information. They have published 9 stories this week. More coming later today. Check them out here. Like our facebook page for updates. www.thegillnetter.com

It’s a bleak Thursday morning. Can we fast forward to Fiesta?

Information, from Dr. Safier, Regarding Internet Access

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff,

Comcast has announced that it will be offering its Internet Essentials program for free to new low-income customers for two months, amid the coronavirus outbreak. This offer is for low-income families who do not have internet service during this uncertain time and is intended to help them stay connected to families, school, workplaces, etc.

New customers will get complimentary internet essentials service for 60 days, which is normally available to qualified low-income households for $9.95 per month.

All new customers will receive a free self-install kit that includes a cable modem and WiFi router. There is no term contract.

 To sign up, applicants can simply visit www.internetessentials.com. The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. There are also two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.

 If you need any assistance, please contact me at rsafier@gloucesterschools.com and I will connect you with our Information Technology Dept. I am hoping that students who do not have Internet access at home have mobile phones and can receive this message. But, if you know someone who could use this offer, please let them know it is available.

Richard Safier, Superintendent

Note: Comcast has also announced: Xfinity WiFi Free For Everyone: Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser.

Dear Parents and Guardians of GHS Students,

I hope you are all doing well. GHS teachers and staff members have been thinking a lot about the health and well-being of GHS students and families as we’ve worked together over the past several days to create and gather school closure resources to share with you.

Please know that throughout the period of school closure, I will be available by email if you have any questions. If you prefer to call 978-281-9870 ext 14003, I will respond to your call as soon as possible. Although we are living through a period of social distancing, I hope that through the resources provided below GHS students will be able continue learning and stay both physically and mentally well. Sláinte! (Health!)

GHS Learning & Support Activities & Resources During the School Closure

Here is a link to a “front page” of student learning activities for the Spring 2020 school closure. When you click on the link, you will see that the resources are grouped by academic department. When you click on a particular department, you will find descriptions and links to learning activities organized by courses and teachers within the department. Please work with your child to find the learning activities and resources for your child’s classes. The “front page” link can also be found at ghs.gloucesterschools.com. 

Created and selected by GHS staff, the activities and resources are designed to provide opportunities to practice, extend, and supplement learning during the school closure. We’re mindful that not all of our students will have access to remote learning technology and support at home. Because it is extremely important to us to provide all students with equal access to required learning, the learning opportunities provided during school closure will not replace required curriculum and instruction, and completion of the activities is not required. However, the activities and resources complement required curriculum and instruction and will provide a way for students to continue learning during the school closure. 

The “front page” document also contains support and health-based links (which I’ve copied here), and the Gloucester Public School nurses have provided this link to families with information about Covid-19.

We will continue to work on providing more resources for students and families as the closure progresses.

Thank you for partnering with us to help your child maintain a daily routine that includes learning and well-being. Please consider using these resources to help structure unstructured time, doing so will have educational and mental health benefits.