Monday, January 11 2021

Good Morning All!
I hope the weekend was fabulous and relaxing. Recently I discovered some amazing XC skiing out near Sisters that launches from the Upper Three Creek Sno Park, and I headed out there again this weekend–truly spectacular views!

And so we begin the move towards returning to school! I know there is a mix of excitement and hesitation/trepidation/concern right now. Hopefully by week’s end we will have a lot more clarity, a solid sense of confidence in our plan, and a feeling of excitement to welcome our students back to school. I look forward to having you all back at school and having time to connect, plan, and dream a little. Please do not hesitate to ask questions, raise concerns, and share ideas!

EAs will be around most of the week and ready to help. We also have access to Karima and Beth if we need them. Please let me know what kind of support you need this week and we’ll make it happen.

Here are a few notes to get us headed in the right direction:

1) Phase in plan–Just to be sure everyone is on the same page
January 11-15: Transition Week for K-3. Asynchronous, AM WebEx meetings.
January 19 & 21: K-3 Orientation Days. Another asynchronous week, AM WebEx.
January 18-22: Transition Week for 4/5. Asynchronous, AM WebEx meetings.
January 25: All-in for K-3
January 26 & 28: 4/5 Orientation Days. Another asynchronous week, AM WebEx.
February 1: Hybrid begins for 4/5

2) Staff Meeting on Wednesday, 1-3pm in person. One agenda item–Returning to School! A reminder to share questions you have in the google doc: Return to School Questions

3) Staff Lunch on Wednesday provided by FOA! See Patti’s email to order. Lunch will be at 12.

4) K-3 Orientation Week cohorts will be shared with you by the end of the day tomorrow (Tues). We will be splitting the classes into two groups and only doing Tuesday and Thursday, and you can use Friday to finalize things for “all-in” next week. On both Orientation Days the district is requiring you to meet virtually with the students who are at home–this will mean including them in a morning meeting via WebEx. Please figure out what time you will invite students to join you via WebEx and be sure to communicate it with families.

5) Grade 4/5 hybrid cohorts-Patti will share these with you this week so that you can send to families as they prepare to plan for having their children at school 2 days each week.

6) Cohort decision: I will let you know tomorrow what I have decided. At the moment I am leaning towards K-2 and 3-5. This will allow us to keep EAs in cohorts (Jill and Nathan in K-3, Mindy and Brad in 3-5) and not having to mix with both cohorts. This will minimize contacts on the whole. Again, I will share the final decision tomorrow.

7) Art and Music: Art will continue to be done virtually with Korey for the foreseeable future. It will stay at the normal time until the week of January 25 (when K-3) goes all-in. New schedule:
*Starting January 27: 4/5 @9am on Wednesdays
*Starting January 29: 2/3 @ 8:15am,. K/1 @ 12:00

We will develop a new music schedule this week that will begin the week K-3 returns for all-in.

8) From the district: Starting on January 19th all teachers, K-5, are to be working in the building.  This includes Wednesdays. If for some reason you are not able to be at school starting on the 19th please let me know so we can make a plan.

9) YouthTruth Survey: You will be receiving an email from me today (Mon) requesting that you participate in a district wide survey. Please make an effort to take the survey soon. Thanks! The survey will also go out to parents this week.

Upcoming
January 18: MLK Day, NO SCHOOL
January 19 & 21: K-3 Orientation Days
January 25: All-in for K-3
January 26 & 28: 4/5 Orientation Days
February 1: Hybrid begins for 4/5
February 5: No School, Elementary Grading Day
February 24: Amity Parent Info Night for lottery, virtual
March 22-26: Spring Break–we’re going to really need this one!

Here’s to a great week ahead, and to having kiddos back in the building soon!
Andy