This and That:
***Important K-3 Hybrid Questions – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY ASAP***
- Is K-3 Hybrid Starting on 10/5?:: County metrics do not become official until Monday, so we should not expect to see an official answer to this question until sometime on Monday. With that said, I am quite confident that Deschutes County did NOT meet the metric to begin K-3 hybrid on 10/5 as planned. I anticipate that Deschutes County schools will have to start over with trying to meet the metrics.
- What does that mean for Monday, 9/28?: Since county metrics are not official until sometime on Monday and we will not have an official announcement until sometime on Monday, nothing has changed for Monday. Move forward with the transition plan you had in place (as if hybrid is happening).
- What does that mean for the remainder of the week?: We will need to wait until the official metrics and announcement is made on Monday. Additionally, we will need to wait and see what further guidance we are provided by the district regarding moving forward. With that said, I ANTICIPATE that we will continue with this week as a planning week (with a different focus for our planning): changing direction back to CDL, continuing to get ready for hybrid (prepare classrooms, master schedules, etc…) as it seems likely we won’t have a transition week every time we move to hybrid, I would also guess that you will want to try to keep the momentum you started with CDL going as much as you are able (despite a last-minute pivot).
- What should I share with the parents in my class? DO NOT SHARE ANY OF THIS with your families until we have the official word on Monday. Please also resist speculating with our families until further guidance on Monday. I will let you know more about the communication plan for families as soon as I know. I’m guessing that the district will be providing that official communication sometime on Monday.
- A few more thoughts: I want to acknowledge that all of these changes over the past few weeks have been exhausting and challenging for all of us and our community. I feel some comfort knowing that we are much further down the line in our understanding and preparation for hybrid and feel like we will be MUCH more ready when the right time presents itself.
Eagle News Link: Here is the link to the Eagles News folder for the year. Just like last year, there will be a new video in the folder each week to share with your students on Mondays. The Eagle News is one way we build community and share common expectations at Elk Meadow.
TLC Updates: TLC has a very helpful weekly update that I strongly recommend finding time to go through carefully each week. Although you will be emailed a link to it each week directly from the TLC department, I will also add a link in the Eagle Essentials as well.
Hybrid Master Schedule Draft: Here is a link to a draft of the hybrid master schedule. Frank will talk about some of the features of the schedule at our staff meeting on Wednesday. Your eyes and feedback are needed and appreciated.
Hybrid PBIS Procedures: Frank and Jess will be working on our hybrid PBIS matrix/ rules & procedures this week (and in the coming weeks, if we are postponing our hybrid start). Please know that these supports will be ready for you by the time students return to our building (whenever that might be).
Family Support Team: Every week, the Family Support Team meets (Liz, Melinda, Heidi, Frank, and Jess). We have spent the last two weeks combing through the Family Questionnaire Doc. Thank you so much for taking the time to connect with our students and their families. Moving forward, we will not be checking that document for updates. Instead, we have created a google form to communicate ongoing familial concerns and needs with the team. Please bookmark this and use it to convey issues you would like the team to have in mind as we meet.
Staff Meetings: The district and BEA have agreed to keep staff meetings to before and after school times. This means we are unable to continue using the 1:00 Wednesday time more than one time per month. For this week, please plan on attending a 2:30 staff meeting in my Webex room on Tuesday. I will work this week on developing a more long term meeting plan (including grade level EBISS meetings, staff meetings, safety committee, IPS/QPS, etc…). We will continue to have weekly staff meetings as long as necessary (as long as the amount of information flow is more like a fire hose). More information soon.
**COVID/ Safety related information- READ COMPLETELY and CAREFULLY. A couple new topics are being added each week:**
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): The following are the guidelines we will follow relating to PPE as per the ODE “Ready Schools, Safe Learners” document:
•We have enough face coverings and face shields for staff and students
•Sue Schaber will monitor supply and order more as needed.
Isolation Protocols: The following are the guidelines we will follow relating to isolation protocols as per the ODE “Ready Schools, Safe Learners” document:
•All staff understand the isolation and quarantine protocols outlined in our district’s Exclusion & Quarantine of COVID-19 Cases in the School Setting Flowchart
•Staff understands the protocols for exclusion and isolation of sick students and colleagues whether identified at the time of bus pick up, arrival at school or at any time during the day.
For EME students: Staff will have a chair outside their door and ask the student to sit in that chair while they call the office. An office member will retrieve the student and bring the student to the isolation room in the front office and continue to follow appropriate procedures.
For EME staff: Staff will immediately isolate themselves and contact the front office at x1500.
•School nurses have trained staff on your school’s isolation and quarantine protocols and the use of medical-grade PPE
•Our isolation rooms have been identified and equipped to handle staff/students displaying COVID-19 symptoms. Our isolation rooms are located in the front office (spot #1 will be our old health room and spot #2 will be our old timeout room)
To Do:
Important Dates:
Monday: District community forum
Tuesday: Staff Meeting at 2:30