COVID-19 Updates

Dear Conway Christian School Families,

It is with great excitement and expectation that we announce the re-opening plans for the upcoming school year. The Board of Directors, administrative team and staff have prayerfully and thoughtfully made preparations for a safe, productive re-opening of Conway Christain School. 

We have worked tirelessly with our state and national partners in composing the proposed plans for re-opening with the following principles as our guide:

• Protect the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff.
• Utilize guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the SC DHEC in defining exposure and in decision-making.
• Establish effective use of spaces and places to support physical distancing.
• Develop new practices and procedures that best support a safe and healthy school.
• Provide frequent communication to the school community

The Board of Directors have approved an open date of Monday, August 17, 2020. In order to safely and effectively re-open campus, we will need your commitment as parents to follow the guidelines presented in our re-opening plan. It is vital that parents commit to doing their part in performing daily health checks on their students and being vigilant in watching for symptoms of the virus. Healthy kids are sent to school; sick kids stay home. We have modified our attendance policy to excuse any absence due to daily Health Screening restrictions and COVID-19 policy compliance. Our goal is to begin school on-campus and remain on-campus as we partner to ensure the safety and well being of all students. Our teachers are ready to assist students who require distance learning as a result of quarantine or as a carrier of the virus. 

Important Dates:

July 20 – Re-Opening Plan Update

August 10 – 14 – Faculty Training & Professional Development

August 13 – Virtual Student Orientation

August 17 – First Day of School

Please take time to review the attached plan carefully. As we proceed, we want to do so in a way that obeys God’s greatest commands, to love God and to love others. (Matt. 22:37–40). If you have questions in regards to the upcoming school year or our plans to re-open, contact the school office. As we move forward we must all do so with great understanding and patience. We are grateful to the Lord for His faithfulness to the ministry of Conway Christian School and how he continues to guide our steps. Your prayers are asked for as we take the enormous step of re-opening.  May we cling to our school verse that promises, “…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

In His Service,
CCS Board of Directors & Administration Team

Dear Conway Christian School Families,

As I write this letter, I give thanks for all that the Lord has done and for His faithfulness. Despite the challenges forced upon our families, students, and faculty, we have made it to the finish line through grace, strength, and perseverance. Our faculty stepped up in monumental ways, and our students proved what we already knew, they are strong, resilient, and capable. Our parents stood in the gap, providing instruction, encouragement and sometimes that needed push. In addition, our Senior Class of 2020 faced loss and missed memories with incredible courage and faith. Thank you all for your support, love, and commitment. I am confident that in the days to come, He will continue to provide abundantly in ways we never imagined.

As we turn our attention to a much needed break this summer, I realize many are making preparations for this fall. At this time, I would like to outline our plans for this upcoming school year. Although I am probably stating the obvious, there are adaptations and plenty of details still to be worked out. This is simply a high-level view.

Academics:

We are committed to resuming classes in-person and on-campus this August. The school board, my team, and I continue to work diligently on preparations for next year. We meet together regularly, as well as with other school leaders across our state, to assess every idea and possibility to create the best action plan for our school and our students. The health and wellness of our students and staff will serve as our utmost importance as we make plans to resume instruction on-campus. Whether it involves masks, thermometers, limiting visitors on campus, testing, screening, daily sanitizing, social distancing, classroom configuration, or any other “guideline” that is required—we believe we are prepared to implement and successfully accommodate these fluid and sometimes changing guidelines.  

Extra-curricular activities:

Our high school extra-curricular activities are governed by the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA). We are in weekly discussions with SCISA as to how we will proceed with extra-curricular activities including Athletics. As of now, we have received the first of three phases in which we will operate from as we return to athletics and other activities. Phase one will allow our athletic department to introduce group training to fall varsity sports over the coming weeks using detailed protocol and procedures. All initial activities will be overseen by our Mcleod Health Athletic Trainer ensuring accuracy in following all guidelines. Phase two and three will follow in the coming days. Please be on the lookout for details regarding fall sport training opportunities which will begin the week of June 8th. 

Please join the board, the CCS staff, and me in praying for the Lord’s continued direction and guidance as we prepare for this fall. We are encouraged by the words of Paul in Ephesians 3:20-21, “ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

My door is always open if you have further questions. May God continue to Bless our community, our families, and our students. To God be all Glory.  

In His Service,
Connie Smith
Principal 

Dear CCS Parents and Students:

We are sure by now that you have heard the decision of the Governor and the State Superintendent of Education to keep schools closed for the remainder of the school year.  Per policy and full agreement, for the safety of our students,staff, and families, we have decided to continue our school year with distance learning. We miss our students dearly and appreciate so much how our students, parents, and teachers have so graciously handled this unexpected change.

With that, we would like to share with you our plans from now until the close of the school year.

Elementary:  

• May 1, 8:00-2:00 
  Pickup/Dropoff of class materials and return of choir and sports uniforms
• May 14, 9:00 am
  Elementary Academic/Music Awards virtual ceremony, Facebook LIVE
• May 22, 8:00-3:00
  Final Dropoff of all classwork, books, and materials; yearbook and awards pickup

Middle/High:

• May 14, 10:30 am
  Middle/High Academic Awards virtual ceremony, Facebook LIVE
• May 15, 9:00-3:00
  Dropoff of sports and music uniforms, return of books not needed for exams, locker cleanout (no more than 10 students upstairs at a time)
  Yearbook pickup
• May 21, 5:00 pm
  Athletic Awards virtual ceremony, grades 5-12th, Facebook LIVE
• May 20-22
  Final Exams via Distance Learning
  • Wed., May 20th, 2nd period (before noon) and 3rd period (after noon)
    • 9th grade Music Appreciation exam during 3rd period block
  • Thu., May 21st, 4th period (before noon) and 6th period (after noon)
  • Fri., May 22nd, 5th period (before noon) and 1st period (after noon)
• May 22nd, 8:00-3:00
  Final Dropoff of all books
• May 22nd, 6:00-7:30
  Senior Parade on the school drive to celebrate our senior class; please drive through during this time to cheer for our graduates.

Senior Graduation:
We know that our seniors and parents are anxious to hear our senior graduation plans. We are still planning to have an in-person graduation for our seniors.  We are working on a location for a ceremony in June.

High School Prom:
We would still like to host a prom for our high school students, pending a workable, safe time and location.

As we seek to comply with Gov. Henry McMasters’  continued call for closure of schools, we have made preparation for the next phase of Home Learning. We appreciate your continued support and trust. There is no doubt that this is a difficult time as our families seek to balance working from home, directing their children’s studies and managing the many other challenges that come with our current environment. Trust us, we understand the stress, the difficulty and anxiety our families are under,  and we desire to help you find balance and peace during this uncertainty.

 Our children’s schedules and routines have been disrupted, their social interaction limited and freedom to do the things they normally do taken away. It’s no fun! Our children need to be reassured that all is well and that we serve a God who is loving and in control. One of the greatest reflections of Christ in the lives of children is us, the parents. Let us not focus on getting the schedules right each day. Let us not argue that the math assignment wasn’t done perfectly. All will be well. Take time to enjoy one another, watch a movie and show much grace.  Do not worry about your child regressing in their studies. Remember, every single student in the nation is in the same place. We will correct course as our environment gets back to normal. 

The psalmist writes in chapter 46, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Rest assured that at this point in the school year, your child has received most of what they need to advance. What they have not received, we will work together to close the gap over the next few weeks. Please understand that your family’s mental health is far more important than any academic pursuit. Together we will get through this.

We would like to praise the work of our faculty and staff for their quick and successful transition to this temporary model of home learning. They are currently working hard to prepare our next home learning packets for the next two weeks. 

Elementary students from K3-6th will be required to pick up new packets and drop off completed packets on Wednesday, April 1 from 8am – 1pm. Please make sure to have all coursework in an envelope or folder with your student’s name and teacher’s name clearly marked. Since textbooks and/or personal items will not be required for pick up, we will prepare a drive-thru system allowing parents to drive up, drop off completed packets and pick up new packets. Our objective is to minimize interaction and follow all recommended safety procedures. 

Middle and High School students will continue to receive new assignments via our eLearning platform. 

Remember, we will be observing Easter Break from Friday, April 10th through Friday, April 17th. Together, may we remember and rejoice in the new life that is ours because of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins and triumph over the grave.

In closing, we are committed to seeing our families, our students and our community through this pandemic. The entire team at Conway Christian School has committed to praying for you and is here to help in any way. Please let us know if we can be of assistance. We are mindful and thankful for Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” May the Lord continue to bless you and your family. Below, we have prepared a FAQs section answering many of the questions we have received over the past week. Please take time to review.

During this time of unprecedented separation, our teachers have been working diligently in preparing coursework to keep your children on track for progression to the next grade level.  I am sure that you have already received a number of email messages from your children’s teachers about revised instructional plans.  While it seems like a lot of information, our faculty and staff will be constantly available by email to walk you and your children through this process.

Tomorrow between 8:00 and 2:00, all families are required to pick up instructional materials:  

• K3-6th grade parents (no children, please) will pick up packets of two weeks worth of classwork and needed textbooks.  
• 7th-12th grade students should pick up all textbooks and clean out lockers and should see their school email (@eaglestrong.org) and RenWeb for assignments and communications with teachers.

During these times on Wednesday, you will only pick up materials.  Our teachers are practicing Social Distancing and will not be having in-person meetings.  All Elementary assignments will be due on April 1st.  In the event that we are not yet back in school, April 1st will be a drop-off day for the packets of assignments, and a new packet will be available that day for all K3-6th grade students.  Middle and high school students will be turning in assignments electronically to teachers as designated through RenWeb/FACTS, email, and in some cases Google Classroom and the Zoom App (instructions for these options are provided for students through their school email).

Other FAQ’s:

• Regardless of our return date, Easter Break will not be canceled.
• Rescheduling of Prom and Field Trips will be announced as new dates are made available.
• We will be crediting this month’s unused lunch payments to a later month. Should you require a refund, please call the school office.
• School office voice mails will be checked daily and calls returned within 24 hours.

It is essential that all students participate in the instructional coursework to successfully complete the school year.  Parents, please be sure that you continue to use RenWeb/FACTS to keep up with your child’s assignments and grades to ensure that work is completed.  A designated time and space for academic work at home is a great idea for keeping your students on track.  Daily outdoor play is also important for balance and stress relief.  Please continue to keep our teachers in prayer and continue to extend grace to our teachers as they navigate this process.  We are all praying for you and your families during this transitional time.

In response to the spread of COVID-19 and in cooperation with the Governor’s order closing all K-12 schools, Conway Christian School will be closed for the next two weeks, beginning immediately. This includes Extended School Day (ESD) and all extra-curricular activities.

Tomorrow morning administration and faculty will begin preparations for plans moving forward. Our overarching goal is to continue the educational process and avoid prolonged summer school using distance learning and online options. Teachers will begin immediately adjusting and planning for our students to take advantage of distance learning and/or online course work. The Board of Directors and the Administration Team are in consistent communication about our next steps as a school. We will communicate heavily with you as new information is presented and decided upon.

As of now, plans are for ALL students to pick up books, coursework and personal items anytime on Wednesday, March 18th from 8am-2pm. Pick up day is a requirement of all students. Teachers will be on-hand for further instructions and to answer any questions. 

We are committed to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety, well-being, and academic instruction of our students. We encourage the CCS community to be in serious prayer for our community, state and nation, asking God to end this spreading illness soon and to His glory.”