This and That:
This Week: As you probably already read in the letter I sent on Friday evening, there was a COVID positive student in our building last week. For this reason, Mary Dean’s kindergarten class has been quarantined for ten days from the last exposure (Thursday, February 4th). I have permission from all of these staff members to also share that Mary Dean, Rebecca Wright, and Amy Michalski have also been put into quarantine protocols. I know you all join me in wishing them well and hoping that they stay healthy. A few additional details that you might want to know:
- Siblings of the quarantined students (except the COVID positive student) are still allowed to come to school as long as their quarantined sibling does not develop any symptoms. Please see Kelle/Frank if you have any questions about this.
- We are very short on duty coverage this week. Thanks for your patience as we rearrange some staff schedules this week. Please do not be surprised if we ask for help from several of you.
- Thank you in advance to everyone for your patience and flexibility this week, as we will be adjusting as necessary to our holes.
Friday 2/12 Specialist Plan: Melissa will be sharing an asynchronous PE video for all Seesaw and Google Classrooms for Friday. No music.
VIP (from Nicole): We will start with announcing VIPs the week of Feb. 8th. I will put a slip in your box on Monday to fill out and get to me no later than Thursday by 11:00 (you might consider making Wednesday a good day to get it to me:).
- For grades K-3 your names will be announced first thing in the mornings on Mondays. I hope that still works for you, if not please let me know.
- For grades 4/5 you will NEED to write Cohort A or Cohort B after the name on the VIP slip so I know when to announce them. They will be announced first thing Monday or Tuesday mornings except 5th grade will be announced after your specials. Please let me know if you have any concerns about that.
Black History Month (from Skip): As you know, February is Black History Month. You may or may not have seen this blog post regarding some highlighted Black authors and recommended videos that could be used for instruction this (or any) month. I watched one of these videos, as the title caught my eye: “The exceptional life of Benjamin Banneker.” Here is a link that will bring you to this video (on the right side of the page), as well as other educational resources. The video is definitely appropriate for MS-aged kids (likely geared more towards a younger audience), and the 3:30 clip kept my attention and left me wanting to learn more.
TLC Weekly Newsletter: Here is a link to the latest newsletter. This issue includes some self-care supports and information about report cards.
Sharing Photos/ Social Media (from Alandra: Now that schools are reopening for in-person learning, I wanted to reshare this helpful social media guide that also applies to school newsletters, websites, teacher emails, and any other communication to families. Here are a few keys:
- Please be sure that the photos you share reflect the consistent safety practices you have in place in your buildings.
- Mask up! All photos on campus should include students/staff wearing masks over the NOSE and MOUTH. 😊
- Keep your distance. Make sure folks are spread out in any photo shared.
- If you use a photo that is pre-pandemic, be sure to list the year it was taken when you share it.
- Questions? Email Alandra any time!
COVID/ Safety related information:
Questions/Concerns about COVID-19 related matters?: Please follow this flowchart. If in doubt about what to do, you can always check with Frank or Kelle. Frank is our Safety Team Lead, and Ann Hollenberg is our School Nurse. You can find our School Safety Checklist here
RSSL Rapid Testing Requirement: RSSL requires schools to have the capacity to offer rapid COVID-19 tests (BiomaxNOW) available to symptomatic students/staff by March 1. Here is the rollout timing:
Week of Feb 1 and 8: District personnel attend OHA trainings and develop district and school-based protocols
Week of February 16: Information sessions for school personnel; BiomaxNOW registration and testing kit ordered by each school.
Week of February 22: Final site coordinator and testing facilitator Q&A
Week of March 1: Testing available for symptomatic students/staff at each school site
BLS COVID-19 Cases: The district will be creating a dashboard that reflects positive COVID-19 cases within our schools. The data will be updated every Wednesday after OHA’s weekly Kindergarten-12th grade school report is released. We will also include a list of FAQs to explain more information about the data.
To Do:
- If not already completed, I need SLGGs from all certified staff by the end of the week.
- Report cards stuffed in envelopes and ready to send by Tuesday at noon.
Important Dates:
- Tuesday: Gr. 4 EBISS Team
- Thursday: staff meeting
- Friday: CDL day for K-5