August 6, 2018

Good Monday evening everyone.  This is Mr. Freeman emailing from Grant Elementary School with an update for you all.  Today I was actually able to go into school for the whole day for the first time in a while and it felt great to be back on campus.  Aztec Construction has made significant progress with the cleanup and I want to thank them for the job they are doing.  After talking to many of our families that have been severely impacted by the Carr Fire and considering that there are still many of you that have not been able to return to your homes, I have decided to delay the start of the school year.  Our first day of school, which was scheduled for Wednesday, August 15th will be changed to Wednesday, August 22nd.  This additional week will give all of us the much needed time to get ready.  We would also like to open our doors and invite families on campus for a Community Meeting this Thursday at 7:00 in the Watson Gymnasium.  Kids are welcome to attend and we will have an activity for them in the Cafeteria while we meet.  In this meeting we would like to share with you our plans for student and family support throughout the year.  We would also like to connect as a district family and discuss ways that we support one another and make the 2018-19 school year a successful one.  Again, that will be this Thursday, August 9th, at 7:00 in the gym and everyone is invited.  The last thing on my list is a sincere invitation to anyone that has been affected by this incident to come to school for support.  Our School Counselor Colleen Thompson and our School Psychologist Crystal Elliott are amazing people with huge hearts to help.  They have assembled a team of folks and starting this Thursday they will be opening up Room P2 from 9:00-12:00 for families.  Maybe you just need someone to talk to.  Maybe you just need some school supplies for school.  Maybe you need to connect with community resources.  The bottom line is that we are in this together and we want to be a part of the solution that provides the support that our families need.  Whatever you need, stop by from 9:00-12:00 in Room P2 beginning this Thursday and we will be there to help.  Ok, I am out of time…School will start on 8/22, not 8/15, Community Meeting 8/9 at 7:00 in the gym, and Family Support Center opening up starting Thursday in Room P2 from 9:00-12:00 everyday.  For more information and resources check out our web site or more importantly these days our Facebook page.  Hang in there.  Be safe and GO COUGARS!