Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Sherbon sisters, freshman Regina (LEFT) and junior Saramae, along with their mother, are attentive as Student Activities/Athletic Secretary Tasha Harguess explains the registration procedure. Morenci is opening the 2020-21 school year in a distance learning mode July 29.
Some to begin with distance learning while others await the Aug. 17 start date
By Jon Johnson and Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI
Fairbanks Middle School student registration begins July 21
The Fairbanks Middle School student registration begins Tuesday, July 21. Facial coverings and social distancing will be in effect. Signs will be posted for the entrance to be used.
Class schedules and individual computers can be picked up, but neither will be handed out to students who did not turn in computers checked out last school year.
Scheduled times are 9-11:30 a.m. for fifth graders and 1-3:30 p.m. for eighth-graders on Tuesday. Registration on Wednesday, July 22, is at 9-11:30 a.m. for sixth-graders and 1-3:30 p.m. for seventh-graders.
The first day of classes for the 2020-21 school year is July 29. Distance learning will be followed for at least two weeks until the Aug. 17 state-mandated allowable start of in-class learning date, or otherwise changed by the current global health crisis.
Morenci High School
Morenci High School registered students last week and is scheduled to begin school through distance learning July 29. It is the originally scheduled start date. However, it will be in a distance learning model, the same as the fourth quarter last spring. The difference is it will be more rigorous, have more accountability, and more engagement by teachers, according to Morenci Superintendent Dr. David Woodall.
FORT THOMAS
According to a letter sent out by Fort Thomas High School Principal McKay DeSpain, the junior high and high school will start Aug. 5 with distance learning with teachers teaching from their classrooms as students follow along on Chromebooks at home.
The school will be passing out Chromebooks to all registered students at the Mount Turnbull Academy in Bylas from Monday, July 27, through Wednesday, July 29, from 1 – 3 p.m. Students with a last name beginning with the letters A through H will be given the Chromebooks on Monday, those that start with I through N will be given them on Tuesday, and those that start with O through Z will receive their Chromebooks on Wednesday.
Principal DeSpain also advised that the distance learning will be different from the way last year ended in a number of ways, including the teachers instructing the classes online, attendance being taken, work being graded the same way as if students were in the classroom, and the administration of tests on the material.
DeSpain advised those who are not registered to do so now because only registered students will be given a Chromebook.
Safford
According to its social media post, the first day of school for Safford High School will be Aug. 4, and due to the state mandate will begin in a distance-learning format until the state allows students to return to in-person schooling.
The school advises students to check their emails, as teachers will be reaching out to students using that format. If a student does not know their email, they can contact the high school office at 928-348-7050 extension 5701 for assistance.
Thatcher
The Thatcher School District is hoping to begin with in-school learning Aug. 17 if allowed by the state. However, the high school recently canceled its previously scheduled football camp last week and on Monday announced the cancelation of all sports camps until further notice.
Pima
The Pima School District is hoping to begin with in-school learning Aug. 17 if allowed by the state.
