August 17, 2021

Dear Families,

We are a few weeks into the school year and are pleased our students can be here for in-person learning.  It is so very critical that our students come to school to continue their learning and maintain engagement in the classroom.    

To maintain our ability to continue in-person learning, we must do our best to limit the spread of the COVID virus.  We have begun to see an uptick in cases in our communities and our school.  We are closely monitoring theses cases to ensure we do not reach widespread transmission.  Please follow our protocols (CLICK HERE FOR PROTOCOLS) and do not send your child to school if they are experiencing symptoms of illness.

Currently, as reported by health experts, Arizona is experiencing summer cold, general respiratory illnesses as well as COVID.  It is very difficult to tell between these sicknesses, so to minimize transmission, please keep your child home if they are feeling ill.  You may contact their teacher and administrator regarding obtaining schoolwork while your child is out.  To ensure our students can continue to attend school in-person, we also recommend families stay away from populated public spaces to curb the spread of sickness in general.

Regardless of how we individually feel about face coverings, if we want our schools to remain open, we must diligently follow safety recommendations and mask up!

We will continue to monitor cases within our school, which may involve some action to support mitigation efforts.  Some actions may include short-term in-person closure of classrooms, grade levels or buildings should there be excessive transmission in certain instances.  In these instances, classes may be online no more than 7-10 calendar days at a time.

Please support us in our efforts to continue delivering an effective education. 

All the best,

Skyline Administration

April 12, 2021

Dear Skyline Gila River Students, Parents and Families,

We recently received information from Katie Wright, Chief of Staff with the Arizona Department of Education, that directly affects our student body.  With nearly 100% of our students residing on sovereign land, this has an immediate impact on upcoming state assessment testing and the remainder of the school year for 2020-21.  I have included a portion of the email below to allow you to view the information.

Dear School Leaders:

I write today with a greater awareness of the significant concerns related to the unique impacts of administering in-person state assessments for public schools on tribal lands.

As such, it is the intention of the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to provide you with the following assurances:

• ADE honors tribal sovereignty.
• Students in tribal communities adhering to a “stay-at-home” or “safer-at-home” order are not required to come to school for in-person statewide annual assessments.
• ADE will not implement any consequences for LEAs who are unable to administer assessments due to “stay-at-home” or “safer-at-home” orders.
• There are no federal or state accountability measures connected to SY2020-2021 statewide annual assessments.

With the extension of Governor Lewis’s stay-at-home order on April 9,2021 Skyline Gila River students adhering to the “stay-at-home” order are not required to come to school for in-person statewide annual assessments.  Also, all students will continue in their current online classes at home for the remainder of this school year. 

Although we are closed as a campus, we will be providing on-site targeted services on a voluntary basis which supports specialized services to children with developmental delays or impairments who have specific Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), students whose needs cannot be met through virtual learning and those in care of the Arizona Department of Child Safety, including foster care.  We will provide transportation for this service to and from school.  Please contact Skyline Gila River admin if you need targeted on-site support.

Our staff and administration realize that this has been a very difficult learning year for everyone and that having students on campus and in classrooms is the best way for them to learn and grown.  We also realize that the best-case scenario is to have that happen in an environment and setting where everyone is safe.

We encourage you all to say safe and continue working hard in your classes.   We look forward to the day students can be on campus and look forward to getting back to educating students the way we know works best.  Until then, best wishes and please stay safe.

Sincerely,
Vaughn Flannigan,
Principal

February 18, 2021

Hello Skyline Families,

It is hard to believe it has been a full year since the global pandemic has shuttered our communities and changed education as we know it.  What has not changed is that education is critical to the success of our students and encompasses not just academics but also social-emotional learning, nutrition and a community that helps our children grow to be successful adults.    

Currently, Maricopa and Pinal County cases are still at high levels, but we are seeing those numbers trending downward in the right direction.  We are hopeful that Phase 1B vaccinations continue and support in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in our community.  Based on the current trajectory of cases, we plan to welcome Skyline Gila River families back to school on Monday April 5, 2021 if the downward trend continues.  This planned date depends on whether or not Governor Lewis extends the stay-at-home order.     

Safety is paramount and we will continue to follow our COVID-19 protocols established earlier this year when students do return.  We encourage you to please review those protocols and ensure you are following them.  Click here to access protocols.     

Although we are welcoming students back in-person, we are aware some families will continue online education.  Please notify the school of your learning option choice by clicking here to answer the survey.

All students are required to take state mandated testing even if they are online.  Testing begins March 22 and continues through mid-May.  Testing schedules will be made available prior to March 12, 2021.  Campus administration will work with families who continue to participate in online instruction to schedule testing times on campus.  Please contact your school administration if you have any questions or concerns related to onsite testing.

We want to thank all employees, business partners, parents, and students for working together through this tough time.  We sincerely appreciate your commitment.    

Sincerely,
Skyline Education Administration

December 16, 2020

We continue to appreciate your patience through the Pandemic and hope that you and your family are doing well.  Our goal continues to be the health and safety of our students and their families as we navigate these unprecedented times.  As a team at Skyline, we want to ensure our families are not only protecting themselves from the virus but also focusing on continuing their education which can improve mental health.  

On November 16, 2020, Governor Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community announced the extension of Executive Order No. 9 related to the COVID-19 pandemic through January 31, 2021.  As a result, Skyline Gila River will continue to provide virtual instruction as we have thus far this school year and will remain closed for in-person learning while we await further direction from Governor Lewis in the new year.

Although we are closed as a campus, per Governor Lewis’ Amended Comprehensive Executive Order No. 9 Regarding Coronavirus Pandemic, we will be providing on-site targeted services on a voluntary basis which supports specialized services to children with developmental delays or impairments who have specific Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), students whose needs cannot be met through virtual learning and those in care of the Arizona Department of Child Safety, including foster care.  We will provide transportation for this service to and from school.  Please contact Skyline Gila River admin if you need targeted on-site support.

Skyline Gila River follows strict COVID-19 protocols to protect staff and students during operation and transportation, so please follow those guidelines which can be found on www.skylinegilariver.com.  You may also review Governor Lewis’ announcement here.

We miss our students very much and hope to have them back in person soon.  It is our responsibility to support our families and GRIC to ensure their health and safety. Together we will overcome this obstacle if we work together to support one another.

Happy Holidays and we wish everyone well and hope you are staying safe through these times.

Skyline Gila Administration

November 17, 2020

Hello Families,

We appreciate your continued patience throughout this Pandemic and hope everyone is doing well.  Our number one goal is the health and safety of our students and their families, and we always consider this goal when making decisions regarding how to provide an exceptional academic learning environment for our students while being sensitive to individual student and family needs. 

On November 16, 2020, Governor Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community announced the extension of Executive Order No. 9 related to the COVID-19 pandemic through January 31, 2021.  As a result, Skyline Gila River will continue to provide virtual instruction as we have thus far this school year and will remain closed for in-person learning while we await further direction from Governor Lewis in the new year.  You may review Governor Lewis’ announcement here.

We also know we are entering the season when families and friends traditionally spend time together celebrating various holidays over the next few weeks and months.  We would invite you to review the Gila River Indian Community Thanksgiving Holiday – Pandemic Guidelines found here.

Skyline Gila River is a public charter school regulated by the State of Arizona.  As required by the State of Arizona Executive Order 2020-51, we will be open for on-site targeted supervision Monday – Friday during standard school hours. Targeted supervision supports all students and includes but is not limited to students with disabilities, English learners, and those in care of the Arizona Department of Child Safety, including foster care.  Targeted supervision is not instruction, but only a safe place to complete virtual instruction provided by the school.  Please contact the front office if you need a safe place to complete your online work.  The school follows strict guidelines for anyone visiting campus, so please follow those guidelines which can be found on www.skylinegilariver.com.

Skyline Gila River will not be providing busing for targeted services while school remains online. 

We miss our students very much and hope to have them back in person soon.  It is our responsibility to support our families and GRIC to ensure their health and safety.  Together we will overcome this obstacle if we work together to support one another. 

Our leadership team will continue to convene every two weeks to review the situation and any communication from the Office of Governor Stephen Roe Lewis. 

We wish everyone well and hope you are staying safe through these times. 

Dear Skyline Gila River Families, 

We appreciate your patience throughout this Pandemic.  While we realize in-person education for students is important, the safety of students and staff is a critical path.  On July 23, 2020, our Governor in consultation with the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Arizona Department of Education issued an Executive Order.  The Executive Order recommends that schools consider public health benchmarks, developed by the Arizona Department of Health, prior to in-person instruction. 

On September 26, 2020, from the direction of Governor Stephen Roe Lewis, Skyline Gila River will continue to provide online instruction for at least 30 days. We anticipate Governor Lewis to issue his executive order in the coming days per his announcement. Skyline Gila River will continue to provide virtual instruction as we have during the first quarter and will remain closed for in‐person learning. Skyline Gila River is a public charter school regulated by the State of Arizona. As required by the State of Arizona Executive Order 2020‐51, we will be open for on‐site targeted supervision Monday – Friday during standard school hours. Targeted supervision supports all students and includes but is not limited to students with disabilities, English learners, and those in care of the Arizona Department of Child Safety, including foster care. Targeted supervision is not instruction, but only a safe place to complete virtual instruction provided by the school. Please contact the front office if you need a safe place to complete your online work. The school follows strict guidelines for anyone visiting campus, please follow those guidelines which can be found on www.skylinegilariver.com.
Skyline Gila River will not be providing busing for targeted services while school remains online. We miss our students very much and hope to have them back in person soon. It is our responsibility to support our families and GRIC to ensure their health and safety. Together we will overcome this
obstacle if we work together to support one another.
Our leadership team will convene every two weeks to review the situation and any communication from the Office of Governor Stephen Roe Lewis.

All schools will be open for on-site targeted supervision Monday – Friday during standard school hours. Targeted supervision may include but is not limited to students with disabilities, English learners, and those in care of the Arizona Department of Child Safety, including foster care.  Targeted supervision is not instruction, but only a safe place to complete virtual instruction provided by the school.  The school administrator will identify if students meet the above criteria by asking parents and guardians to identify their evolving needs on an ongoing basis, including the targeted service their student requires and their scheduling needs.  Space is limited at each site and is capped when capacity is reached.

Starting the school year in a virtual instructional model will require students to be academically engaged daily.  We encourage students to participate in virtual learning during normally scheduled class time.  Regular class attendance is essential for success in school. As required by state law, student attendance must be taken every day.  Students will be marked present if they have been academically engaged in class that day. Academic engagement is achieved by logging in and completed work through the CLEVER portal.  Access your CLEVER portal by clicking on “Student Login for Online Learning” at https://www.skylineschools.com/digital-learning/.  The CLEVER portal provides access for students to Google classroom, Google Email, Edgenuity, Odysseware, Pathblazer and other online applications.

Please see more information about our online learning by clicking here. 

Please click here to access your online learning.

Please click here to access school Distance Learning Plans.

Please see our school mitigation plan and protocols by clicking here.

Please see the Arizona Department of Health Services benchmarks by clicking here.

Please see our Food Service distribution plan by clicking here.

We thank you for your understanding and support during this time.

Skyline Education Inc.