Presidio welcomed students in need of on-site support services onto campus on August 17, 2020.  With on-site support services comes mitigation strategies.  Presidio faculty and staff worked diligently during the school closure to develop and implement mitigation strategies that provide the safety and security our #PresidioFamily needs, while providing productive learning environments.  

Our Electrostatic sprayers are used in high traffic areas, such as our Cafeteria and bathrooms.  The EcoLab machine is lightweight and portable, allowing for Presidio staff to quickly and effectively disinfect and sanitize areas within minutes.  The chemicals are safe to use around food products and electronics and cover even the hard to reach areas.  Although our students are not using the Cafeteria in the same manner as they did in previous years, we do serve our meals from the Cafeteria.  Ms. Michelle, our National School Lunch Program assistant, uses the Electrostatic sprayer between meals. 

Presidio is proud to announce that Mr. Joe Roos, Family and Community Programs Manager, and SFG Catering have partnered once again to bring healthy and nutritious meals to Presidio's students through the Grab and Go meal program. Grab and go meals are designed for our students participating in the distance learning program off campus. Meals are available from 3:45-5:15 Monday-Friday on the 1695 campus. Grab and Go meals align with the Arizona Department of Education and the USDA National School Lunch Program's meal requirements, as well as with Presidio's school meal calendar, and come with reheating instructions.

Our students are doing an excellent job of keeping their masks on during the day; however, we understand that they (especially our younger students) need mask breaks. This is why Presidio created outdoor learning areas, such as our Cuisine Court and Sunshine Structure (featured below). These areas provide students with the opportunity to socially distance themselves, in an outdoor setting, while being able to take mask breaks. Our Cuisine Court included misters for a more temperature-controlled environment while our younger students eat. A huge thank you to Rivas Construction Company for donating some of their time to put up both the Cuisine Court and Participation Patio structures!

Students in kindergarten through second grade have plexiglass partitions at their desks to provide additional safety because we understand that our younger students have a more difficult time keeping the masks on their faces.  Our teachers have found innovative ways of making the plexiglass partitions useful and fun for our students.  We can't change what is happening outside, but we can create a safe and fun learning environment that engages the students and gives them some sense of normalcy.

Presidio's faculty and staff are doing it all! Not only are they providing quality remote instruction, educating students and parents on all things Canvas, and modifying their lessons to a digital format, but they are also navigating two classrooms at once - the virtual classroom and the on-site support services classroom. "How are they doing all of this?" you might ask. The simple answer is pure grit, dedication to the #PresidioFamily, and the desire to see our students succeed. Our faculty and staff are working tirelessly to ensure that all members of the Presidio Family receive the support needed to navigate this challenging time. Our teachers in particular have not only had to modify the delivery of their instruction, but have had to basically learn how to be web designers in order to ensure that their lessons and activities are posted on Canvas. While the technology is easier for some than it is for others, it is still a change that requires instruction, patience, and perseverance, particularly because we are continuing to hold our students to Presidio's high academic standards. In addition, we have those who are doing all of this while on campus, supervising our students receiving on-site support services.