11/03/2020 Update:
Dear TTA Staff and Parents,
This week, we have responded to two confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Following Maricopa County guidelines, school administrators informed students and staff who may have been in close contact with the infected individuals. The school also informed all TTA parents via phone and mail.
Students attending school received a phone call with information about the quarantine. All TTA students will continue their instructions following the distance learning Model during the quarantine.
For more information on COVID-19, including symptoms and treatment, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.
School Re-opening Update: 10-08-2020
Dear students, parents, and guardians TTA is confirming that the instruction model that will be followed is the Hybrid with onsite support starting October 12th. TTA will respect the choice of each student and family regarding the continuation of the instruction from home or from school.
The following are the 3 metrics taken into consideration in our decision making:
- Cases per 100 People as of August 28th: 28.05 ✔
- Percent positivity COVID-19: 7.22 %. ✔
- COVID-like illness: 2.00%
Respectfully,
Najat Benaoussar
School Re-opening Update: 09-20-2020
Dear students, parents, and guardians as communicated before: the reopening of the school and the instructional delivery model are contingent upon meeting health ADHS and DCD guidelines and benchmarks.
After a review of the data gathered from the ADHS, to determine the Level of Spread occurring within the TTA community, it was apparent that the overall risk level of zip code 85017 where TTA is located is Moderate. The community fully meet benchmarks 1 and 3 and partially meet benchmark 2. Thus, the recommended learning Scenario is still virtual w/ onsite support (figure # 1) until <7 % positivity for two weeks.
TTA will continue using the Benchmark Dashboard data to make a decision regarding reopening school in person safely. The next update from ADHS will be released September 24th, 2020
The following are the 3 metrics taken into consideration in our decision making:
- Cases per 100 People as of August 28th: 30.39 ✔
- Percent positivity COVID-19: 5.98%. X (✔ for one week)
- COVID-like illness: 2.00% ✔
Respectfully,
Najat Benaoussar
School Re-opening Update: 09-07-2020
Dear students, parents, and guardians as communicated before: the reopening of the school and the instructional delivery model are contingent upon meeting health ADHS and DCD guideline and benchmarks.
After a comprehensive review of the data gathered from the last two weeks to determine the Level of Spread occurring within TTA community, it was apparent that the overall risk level of zip code 85017 where TTA is located is still substantial and the recommended learning Scenario is still virtual w/ onsite support (Figure # 1).
The following are the 3 metrics taken into consideration in our decision making:
- Cases per 100 People as of August 28th: 72.46 ✔
- Percent positivity COVID-19: 14.7%. X
- COVID-like illness: 2.00% ✔
TTA will continue providing virtual instruction with onsite support and re-open to in-person learning as soon as it is safe for students and staff to return to school.
Respectfully,
Najat Benaoussar
School Re-opening Update: 08-20-2020
Dear Parents,
TTA Staff would like to get our students back to school as quickly as possible while keeping in mind the safety of our students, our families, and our staff. TTA staff developed a plan to reopen the school in a safe, efficient, and equitable learning and working environment.
In order to evaluate community conditions and necessary protocols to open schools safely and responsibly, TTA leaders reviewed the guidelines provided by the world’s leading public health best practices and research on COVID-19, Centers for Disease Control (CDC guidelines), Maricopa County Public health, and ADHS.
As communicated previously, Think Through Academy is providing Online Distance Learning since August 3rd. This decision was made after collecting and analyzing data, ever-evolving expert advice of the public health community, as well as the severe community spread of COVID-19 and the uncertainties of the pandemic.
TTA will continue to closely monitor the updated information about COVID-19 to make better decisions, giving the priority to the safety and health of our students, families, community, and staff.
Regardless of the learning delivery model you choose, TTA staff reassure you that your student will be provided with the rigorous, relevant, and responsive instruction that meets the state standards and is aligned with TTA’s Vision, Mission, and Core Values in a safe learning environment.
TTA will open our building to in-person learning as soon as it is safe for our students and staff to return to school. You, as a parent, will still have the option to choose to continue utilizing distance learning or on-campus learning.
The re-Opening of Think Through Academy facility is based on local COVID-19 progress. The following metrics are taken into consideration in our decision making:
- Case rate per 100,000 people1: 2730.3 Cases
- Percent positivity COVID-19 (PCR)2 as of August 2nd: 9%.
- Percent positivity COVID-19 (Serology)2 as of August 2nd: 2 %.
- COVID-like illness: 6.7%
- Total Maricopa cases: 196,280 cases
- Total Death: 4684 Cases.
TTA DISTANCE LEARNING– 08-02-2020
Dear Think Through Academy Families,
The following is the Distance learning Plan Think Through Academy developed to re-open the school for the full 2020.
Respectfully,
– Najat Benaoussar,
LETTER TO STUDENTS & GUARDIANS – 7-27-2020
Dear Think Through Academy Families,
This year certainly is starting different than how schools usually start. There are a lot of questions and few answers, there are various opinions and suggestions, but be assured that having our students come
back to school in a safe and healthy environment is always our top priority.
Based on the Governor’s order, the schools should be close for face to face instruction until August 17th. This date may change due to evolving health conditions, public health guidance, and potential executive orders from the State of Arizona.
Think through Academy developed a plan that allows us to follow the executive order and also make sure that our students’ learning continues as planned. The developed plan consists of two phases:
Phase One: Quarter 1 starting August 3rd and ending October 2nd :
Think Through Academy will provide students with online instruction starting from August 3rd to October 2nd. For this phase, the school will open its doors for students who need, guidance, extra help, or space to study starting the date announced as a safe day to return to school.
Phase Two: Quarter 2 starting October 12th and ending December 18th :
Taking into consideration our families and staff feedback, we developed two models that allow flexibility for students and Guardians to choose whether to study from home or to study from the school. Based on each student’s and family’s needs and priorities, students and guardians can make the best decision for themselves or for their child. The following are two choices:
- Model One: Online from Home
- Model Two: Brick and Mortar (from school)
Whether to allow your child back in the building or study from home, we developed a plan that provides our students with the quality educational experience in the 2020-2021 school year.
Our wishes continue for the health and safety of all our families and staff as we begin the 2020-2021 school year.
Respectfully,
– Najat Benaoussar,
COVID-19 Preparedness: School Update – 7/24/2020
Dear Think Through Academy Community,
We would like to provide you with an update regarding school closure. This past weekend, Governor Ducey ordered Arizona schools to close through April 10, 2020.
Considering this closure notice, we will begin to roll out our distance learning at Think Through Academy.
Our teachers are planning and working hard to make the transition as smooth as possible. To ensure that your students have access to an internet connection and a computer. Think Through Academy Staff will contact each one of you asp.
We are committed to keeping you updated considering the daily changes and developments. We thank you for checking our communications regularly and for continuing to make the health and safety of our community a priority!