Welcome to Gaylord Community Schools

Please click on the below link(s) if a student (your child, or yourself as the student) needs to talk to a school counselor or social worker for any reason. Each building has a separate link.

Gaylord High School:

Gaylord Middle School

Gaylord Intermediate School

North Ohio Elementary

South Maple Elementary
 

This notification is being provided to share the difficult news that a South Maple Elementary School Teacher has tested positive for COVID-19.  Please join me in sending thoughts of strength, comfort, and healing to our staff member. The health information of our employees is confidential, however we would like everyone to know that this teacher has not been in any school buildings since March 13 and did not become symptomatic until around March 29.  Anyone at risk of exposure has been contacted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).  The students in this teacher’s class have received individual notifications regarding the situation.

The health and safety of our GCS family remains our top priority. We urge everyone to continue to follow recommended guidelines, monitor your own health, and report any symptoms to your family doctor.  Also, as our weather improves we realize it will be harder for our children to remain away from friends as they play outside. I would like to remind everyone that as tempting as it may be, please remember how important it is to stay home and avoid close contact with others.

We wish you all well during this extremely difficult time.

Brian Pearson

Superintendent

Students and Parents,

We are proud to say that Gaylord Community Schools has developed an online learning platform using Google Classroom. We are very proud of the work that our teaching, administration, and technology staff have put into creating this in such a short time period. There will be challenges that we will all face with this new method of learning, but we are confident we can work through them together as a community. We will work together to provide the best education we can to each and every student. Below is a PDF document with instructions on how to log in as a student into Google Classroom as well as how to join your classes. There are also 4 links to YouTube video tutorials showing how to access your classes. Please read all information and watch all of the videos before getting in to your Google class. It is very important that you follow the directions exactly how they are provided to you so that you can get set up as simply as possible.

We understand that not all students have access to the Internet or to a device such as a computer or an iPad. Your homeroom teachers will be reaching out to you personally to develop a plan to get learning materials to you. We will be able to provide devices to students that do not have them. We will also be able to provide paper/pencil learning materials. Plans for the distribution of these materials is still in the works. One thing that we won’t be able to do is secure internet connections because of the challenges we face in our rural community. However, we are working on some solutions that will be communicated to you.

Our plan is to begin our “Open House” period on April 6. During this week, students and teachers will be making connections on Google Classroom if possible. Teachers will be working with families that are not able to connect to Google Classroom. Classes will officially start on Monday, April 13. We do not know when the last day of school will be but we will communicate that to you as soon as possible. We recognize that this is not a normal learning environment and that we cannot treat it as so. Our goal is to make it fun, engaging, and exploratory.

Below are a few reminders to help the transition be as smooth as possible.

-Every student has been assigned a Google account. Login information is provided in the tutorials and attachment. Previously held accounts will not work in our new online class.

-Make sure all other accounts are logged out of all other devices when accessing your Google Classroom.

-Google Classroom can be accessed via the Internet or as an app downloaded to an iPad or iPhone.

-Any technical assistance you need must be communicated first to your homeroom teacher. If they cannot help you, they will forward your information and questions to me and I will help you get set up.

-If you are not able to access Google Classroom, your homeroom teacher will reach out to you to create an alternative plan that best fits your needs.

-Devices will be available for students that need them. A system for distribution will be communicated to you soon.

Tutorial Links

Opening Message: https://youtu.be/bXvgPXPlSHg

Account Login: https://youtu.be/nKAsuyI8llA

Joining Google Class: https://youtu.be/_0vPm7zoRqo

Google Class Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfgqtCi7hdo

Thank you again for your patience and partnership though this difficult time and please help out our community by following the Stay Home, Stay Safe order. We hope you and all of your families are well. We are confident that together we can take on this challenge!

Sincerely,

Dennis Keck

Director of Special Education and Curriculum