A lot of our readers have been asking questions about Greenville County School’s upcoming LEAP days August 17 – 21, 2020. Who can attend LEAP days? Are LEAP days mandatory? When during the LEAP days is my child supposed to attend? What about the teachers, are they paid for these extra days? We have answers to these questions and more from Greenville County Schools.
Is LEAP Day Attendance Required?
Students are not required to attend, however they are encouraged to attend as the LEAP days provide several opportunities to review skills, complete testing and learn about the safety measures in place.
“First, while students in grades 4K-8 are not required to attend, we encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity to brush up on their skills and complete some state-mandated testing. The South Carolina Legislature requires school districts to offer these days to students in response to the COVID-19 school closures prior to the start of the new school year. The first official day of school in Greenville County is Monday, August 24.
Second, it creates an opportunity to demonstrate the safety measures that will be in place this coming school year. Because the LEAP schedule adheres to Attendance Plan 1 in our back-to-school Roadmap, there will be fewer students in the classroom at a time day (in most cases 5-8 students), allowing for easier social-distancing.”
When Does My Child Attend School During LEAP days?
Students will attend based on their color-grouping described below.
“Remember, 4K-8 students who plan to attend traditional in-person school in the fall will attend LEAP for half a day (7:45-10:15 for elementary, 8:30-10:45 for middle school) based on their color-grouping of red, blue, green or purple. “Blue” students whose last names begin with the letters A-D attend on Monday, “red” students (letters E-K) attend Tuesday, “green” students (L-Q) attend Wednesday and “purple” students (R-Z) attend Thursday. ”
Can I Walk My Child Into School?
Unfortunately not. An adult will escort your child into their classroom. [Editor’s Note: As parents ourselves, our hearts are breaking right there with yours on this one]
Can Virtual Students Attend LEAP days?
Yes, LEAP days are available to students who signed up for the Virtual Program.
“5K-8 students who signed up for the Virtual Program may also attend LEAP the week of August 17-21, but will adhere to a later schedule (12:00-2:30 for elementary, 12:30-3:00 for middle). They will also follow the color-coded groupings determined by the first letter of their last names.”
Will my child’s teacher be present during LEAP days?
Maybe.
“Teachers are encouraged to participate in the LEAP days, and will receive additional compensation for their time, but districts can’t require their presence. As a result, some students may not meet all their teachers. Even if a teacher is not participating in LEAP the week of August 17-21, students will still get to see their school and learn where the bathrooms, cafeteria, and other parts of the school are located. It is our hope that students who attend will be issued their Chromebooks that week. They will also take state-required tests to help determine academic strengths and weaknesses.”
What about masks and safety measures during LEAP days?
“Both students and teachers will be required to wear a mask/facial covering and follow other precautions such as self-checking against symptoms, employee temperature screenings, handwashing/sanitizing, etc.”
More to Know About LEAP Days
- Breakfast and lunch will be served each day to students in the 4K-8 LEAP program.
- Students must be enrolled in GCS to attend LEAP.
- Transportation will be provided to those who completed their transportation forms by July 15 and requested bus service.
- Parents should visit the GCS website or call 864.355.3111 to learn how to enroll their children if they were not in GCS last year or for information on requesting bus transportation.
- High school students will ONLY pick up their Chromebooks on August 17-20 at their high school following Attendance Plan 1.
- Friday is a make-up day for any student who was unable to attend on their color-coded day.
For more information on Greenville County Schools Fall Plan see our complete article.
For more information on school options including private, homeschool, virtual charter schools and public school plans, see our full School Decisions Guide.
Do you have more questions? Let us know in the comments and we’ll try to help you get answers.
so parents are not allowed to accompany their child to class on their first day of school? and won’t we even know the new teacher? will children have to do everything alone?
My school shows last years supply list. Any ideas if there are supply list anywhere? Just not sure what to buy.
I just want to thank you for your awesome site and for the work you are doing to relay important information to us parents. It is very, very appreciated!!