Rocket Nation Update

October 19, 2026

Dear Families and Staff,

As a reminder, Friday, October 23, 2026, will be a planned Virtual Learning Half Day for students. This is the first school year in which the district calendar includes planned virtual learning days.

Two Virtual Learning Half Days are scheduled for the 2026-2027 school year:

• Friday, October 23, 2026 (Cycle Day 2)
• Friday, January 15, 2027 (Cycle Day 1)

Students will participate in virtual learning only during the morning. The afternoon is reserved for teacher in-service activities.

The following morning schedules apply to both planned Virtual Learning Half Days:

Students in grades 5-12 should follow their school's specific bell schedule:

• Spring Grove Area High School
• Spring Grove Area Middle School
• Spring Grove Area Intermediate School

Students have been preparing to work as independently as possible using Schoology or Seesaw. However, younger students may still need some adult assistance.

Teachers will provide assignments and schedule live, interactive sessions for instruction and support. Students should complete assignments as directed by their teachers.

Grades K-6:

Students are highly encouraged to attend live, interactive sessions with their teachers. Teachers may record sessions and post them for students who need to revisit lesson content or review directions.

Grades 7-12:

Students are expected to attend live, interactive sessions to participate in instruction, ask questions, and receive academic support.

SGFlex K-12:

SGFlex students should continue their online coursework as usual.

We encourage families to review these expectations with their students before October 23.

Thank you for your continued support as we introduce these planned virtual learning days. We appreciate your partnership in helping students have a successful learning experience from home.

District-issued iPads are learning tools provided to students for school-related purposes. Students should not use them for personal activities such as gaming, entertainment, or other non-school use, whether at school or at home.

When students take their iPads home, district filtering and monitoring tools remain in place, but they cannot replace family supervision. We ask parents/guardians to help reinforce appropriate use of school devices and set expectations for when and how the iPad may be used outside of the school day.

Students are responsible for using their District-issued device appropriately at all times. Families of students in grades 5-12 can also use the free Qustodio Parent App to help monitor activity, manage screen time, and set healthy digital boundaries.

Rocket families of students in grades 5-12 have access to a free Qustodio Parent App account to support your child’s online safety. As part of our commitment to your child’s online safety, SGASD partners with Qustodio, a leading provider of online safety solutions that prioritizes online privacy, safety, and rights of students and parents.

With Qustodio, you can:

• Monitor your child’s online activity on their school-issued device
• Pause the internet when it’s time for a break
• Extend protection to one personal device per connected student

Visit our Qustodio Parent App webpage to learn how to activate your account.

In addition to the Qustodio app, you also have access to the SGASD Online Safety Hub. The Hub offers expert advice and easy-to-use resources on topics like screen time balance, safe gaming, online bullying prevention, starting digital wellness conversations at home, and more.

Brought to you by the SGAHS Renaissance Leadership Club

Everyone is welcome to join us for some kid-friendly Halloween fun, and you're encouraged to dress in costume!

5:30 PM: Stadium gates open to the public; Food trucks open

5:30-6:30 PM: Treat Trail around the Stadium track

• Be sure to bring a bag or basket
• Meet school and community organizations
  
  

6:30 PM: Movie on the turf: Hocus Pocus, Rated PG - 1993 (Running time 1h 36m)

• The event concludes when the movie ends.

Please Note:

• To help keep our turf field in top shape, please remember that only water is allowed on the turf. Please consume candy, food, and other beverages outside the track area. Food debris can damage the turf and shorten its lifespan. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and clean field for everyone!
  
• Beach/outdoor lawn chairs and blankets are allowed on the turf. Please be sure the chairs have no sharp edges that could damage the turf.

We’d love for your organization to be a part of this celebration by participating in our treat trail. It’s a great opportunity to hand out treats to the community and promote your organization. Organizations are welcome to dress up and decorate their table.

To participate, please complete the Participation Form.

We commit to creating an environment of respect, dignity, belonging, and positive engagement with our community and beyond.