Final days of the school year

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Jordan E. Grossman, Ed.D.

I hope this message finds you and your family well. It was with a very heavy heart that I informed the community that Governor Lamont announced to the State of Connecticut on May 5, 2020, that all public schools will remain closed through the end of the school year. As a result, distance/remote learning will continue in the Granby Public Schools for the remainder of the school year. The last day of distance learning will be June 16, 2020, for all schools with the exception of Kelly Lane Primary School, which will end on June 17, 2020.

Governor Lamont has established a Reopen Advisory Group dedicated to establishing guidelines for a safe, equitable and efficient return to school. At the Granby Board of Education meeting on May 6, I informed the board that a Reopening Task Force for the Granby Public Schools will be composed of Board of Education members, teachers, administrators, business official, special education official, town officials, medical professionals, facilities and technology personnel and parents. The Task Force will review the state guidelines when they are released and use them to assist in the reopening of the Granby schools. I will continue to update the community on any new developments regarding the reopening of school.

The Granby Public Schools will continue to celebrate all 2019-2020 school year accomplishments. Principals are working with their respective staffs to replicate end-of-year activities to the highest level possible. Last week, Granby Memorial High School Principal, Mike Dunn, sent out plans to our senior class and families outlining the details for graduation. We will hold our first ever Granby Memorial High School Class of 2020 Graduation Diploma Processional and Virtual Ceremony on our scheduled graduation date of Tuesday, June 16, 2020. The State of Connecticut has approved our permit application allowing the Class of 2020 to meet for a car processional at 9:15 a.m. at Salmon Brook Park. The procession will leave the park and proceed to the Granby Memorial Middle/High School campus at 10 a.m. for students to receive their diplomas. Please note this is for seniors and their family. Only one car per family is allowed to be in the procession and on campus. That evening, we will broadcast the Granby Memorial High School Virtual Graduation Ceremony at 5:30 p.m., including the just announced faculty speaker, Mr. Scudder. We will provide more details regarding the Virtual Ceremony in the near future.

Each year in the Granby Public Schools, we say goodbye to many talented staff members who are retiring. Below you will find the a list of staff members who will retire at the end of the school year.

Susan Henneberry, principal, GMMS

Philip Livsey, social studies teacher, GMHS

Lisa Nilson, teaching assistant, GMMS

Beth Spellman, kindergarten teacher, Kelly Lane Primary School

Margaret Thibodeau, teaching assistant, Kelly Lane Primary School

Additionally, the district recognizes staff members for 25 years of service. This year, the following staff members have attained that goal with Granby Public Schools:

Jane Grant, teaching assistant, GMMS

Jane Sullivan, teaching assistant, Kelly Lane Primary School

The Granby Board of Education and the staff of the Granby Public Schools are committed to providing the best possible education for our students moving forward. I urge you to view our district website (granby.k12.ct.us) and (GPS Distance Learning) to learn more about our school district.

I want to thank the entire Granby community for supporting our work during this most difficult time. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns at 860-844-5260 and follow me on Twitter @GranbySuper.