Stargazer

March 31, 2020

Dear Excel Center Family,

In a continued effort to help reduce the spread of Coronavirus in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the continued closure of all public and private school buildings until Monday, May 4. Following the executive order, Excel Center Campuses will continue a pause on live classes until at least that date, but we are working hard to make sure classes continue online for our last term this spring. Please know we are being proactive in our plans regarding the possibility that campuses may need to be closed for the remainder of the school year.

We are committed to engaging our students in learning, regardless of the physical educational setting – academic instruction and holistic services are being provided by teachers and life coaches now, and through the start of the new term. Please stay engaged and continue to work toward your graduation plans, don’t let this virus stall your progress or academic achievement, your future is too important. It is also critical that you share your needs with your coaches, we will continue to make every effort possible to assist our families during this unusual time.

You have all heard that one of our teachers was very sick. I am very thankful to report that she has tested “negative” for coronavirus. I am most happy that regardless of coronavirus or any other sickness that our team member is feeling better, the physical and mental health of any member of Excel Family is most important. We will continue to monitor and support her, and any other staff member or student who is ill. We will report any positive tests if/when we are notified.

Please continue to take care of yourselves and your families, following the precautions outlined by the CDC and health agencies. I know this is challenging on many levels, I appreciate you all and ask for your continued patience, flexibility, and support during this time. Please know I will keep you updated with any developments.

You are all missed! Thank you for being a member of the Excel Center family.

Wishing you good health,

Traci Berry, Superintendent

March 25, 2020

Dear Excel Center Family,

Based on the “Stay Home-Work Safe” order by Travis County officials on Tuesday, March 24, and in a continued effort to help reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, I will be extending the closure of all schools through midnight, Monday April 13.

Please note, according to the order, educational entities such as The Excel Center may continue providing essential services as needed. We will continue to make every effort possible to assist our families during this unusual time.

As a reminder, while our physical campuses are closed, we are still providing instructional and holistic support to all of our students. It is important for all of our students to stay engaged and keep moving their learning forward – you have graduation plans, please keep them right in front of you. This is not a vacation, rather a new era of learning for both staff and students. Your education and future career training is going to be critical when this time has passed, please work with your teachers and/or life coaches to get the education and support you need.

I ask for your continued patience, flexibility, and support during the next several weeks. Please know I will keep you updated with any developments or closure extensions. In the interim, I wish you and your family much health during this time.

Thank you and stay well,

March 23, 2020

Dear Excel Center Students:

Greetings to each of you. Over the past week, we are sure that you have been tuning in and hearing news about the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reality. We know with what is going on in the United States and in the world, you are no doubt feeling a range of different emotions. First and foremost, we want to assure you that the health, well-being, and safety of each of you and your family members are our top concern.

As Spring Break week draws to a close, we wanted to provide some clear information around what the next week looks like for us as a school and how we will be operating:

As of March 23rd, the Excel Center’s campuses are closed and face-to-face classes will not resume at our Austin campuses until at least Monday, April 6th. However, we will continue ALL Term 4 classes through take-home packet work. This means that you will be able to drive through campus to pick up a packet of assignments, work on assignments from home, communicate with your teachers/life coaches for any questions you may have, and then turn in the required work in order to continue progress on your Term 4 class(es).

We also know that some of you have been looking toward graduation in June 2020 and may have questions or concerns related to credits and state testing that have come up for you. We want to assure you that we are working on a creative plan to continue classes for Term 5 so that you can have opportunity to earn credits and meet graduation testing requirements. We will do everything possible for you to graduate on time and also know this will require hard work on your end, continual communication with your teachers and life coach, and a commitment to finish strong through the end of May.

Your life coach will be reaching out to you via phone on Monday, March 23^rd or Tuesday, March 24^th to check in with you, see what needs you may have, and also to provide more specific information about finishing your Term 4 courses, your individual plan for continuing classes, and your graduation timeline.

We appreciate your patience and your commitment during this time as we know there is an element of unknown and information that continues to change. Know that we will do our best to keep you informed as new information comes out and we also encourage you to contact your life coach with any questions, concerns, or support needs you may have.

Finally, we hope you are reminded in the midst of the uncertainty around us that we remain an Excel Center community and it is through communication, working together, and caring for one that we will move forward.

Thanks,

Excel Center Staff

Stay Connected with The Excel Center

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