Last Weekend of Summer
I know it’s not actually the last weekend of summer, but when you’re an educator like we are, this weekend feels like the last weekend of summer. And that can be simultaneously invigorating and stress-inducing, which might sound like two diametrically opposed foes but are actually more like dueling siblings vying for their parents’ attention. So take some time this weekend to take stock of all the feelings you are having and allow yourself some grace for feeling however you feel. The good news is that students will be here soon, and that’s the best part of the job.
There is a lot of information this week, including some new Covid updates from the district, so please read through the length and pay attention to the To-Do section.
This Week’s Launch
Thanks you to everyone for making this week’s launch such a success. Special shout-out to your ICCL representatives Ami, Mandy, and Jane for all the planning they did to get things going and to Deb and Christina for supplying us with sustenance. And a special thank you to Megan for hosting us all out at the farm.
Here are the slides from the launch, thanks to Anne-Marie for being a Google whiz. If you have any questions about anything or need some clarification about anything, see me or Anne-Marie.
Supply Form
Here is the link to the supply request list; I should have been clearer in sharing it, and I apologize for not taking the time to be as clear as I intended. This is a list for student supplies, not classroom supplies. Things like notebooks and pencils and pens, not durable or consumable objects needed for instruction. Those are two different things and two different budgets. We’ll work on the student supply list first and then we can circle back on the classroom supply list. I appreciate the patience as we navigate yet another hurdle.
Possible (Probable?) Bell Schedule Change
I will likely need to adjust the order of 4th period, lunch and Advisory. I’ll know more by Tuesday and will share the information as soon as I have it. Thanks for your patience and grace as I model the learning we want to see here at PCMS.
Meal Information
For breakfast, students will be outside, weather permitting, spaced out six-feet apart. Only students who want breakfast will be allowed in the building prior to 9:05. This meal time will be no more than 15 minutes.
For lunch, we will be eating outside everyday, spaced 6 feet apart, unless outdoor conditions do not allow students to be outside. If the temperature drops below 20 degrees, precipitation is heavy, or the air quality rises to unhealthy, we will be forced to move lunch inside. For these days, we will utilize The Nest, hallways, classrooms, and the gym to ensure students can eat spaced out 6-feet apart. Additionally, students will be required to put their masks back on as soon as they are done eating.
Specific plans for classrooms are dependent on the expected schedule change and will be communicated to you by day’s end Tuesday. With the looming threat of a smoke-related move inside, we need to be prepared much sooner than we’d hoped for.
Field Trip Update
Currently, we are not allowing field trips with buses as a district policy. Walking field trips are allowed as long as masks are worn at all times and social distancing is maintained. We will revisit this on October 1. I will share knowledge as it is shared with me. I know this might put a HUGE wrinkle in some already-made plans, so let’s get together and problem solve proactively in case this restriction extends into October (and beyond).
School Onsite COVID-19 Testing
All BLS schools will offer COVID-19 tests to students and staff who become symptomatic during the school day. For some students, COVID-19 testing in K-12 school may represent their only access to a COVID-19 test and the importance of this access cannot be overstated. Click the following link for more info. OHA 3560 COVID-19 Testing in Oregon’s K-12 Schools
Contact Tracing Update
From Tami Pike, Assistant Director, Health Services, re: Contact tracing
If there is a positive case in one of your classes, you will be receiving an email from a contact tracer or nurse requesting information about whether masks were worn consistently during the class and they will be requesting a seating chart to identify any close contacts. The expectation is that teachers will respond to emails asap (we understand that they are teaching classes) – ideally before 5pm on the same day. If we do not receive a reply by 10am the next day, we will assume that students consistently wore masks and were at least 3 feet apart. We do not have the capacity to track teachers down to get this information.
If you have questions about any of our Covid protocols, see Anne-Marie or Anita for clarification.
OEBB Open Enrollment Deadline is September 15
OEBB Open Enrollment for the 2021-22 plan year (October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022) has started! Enrollment is mandatory for ALL benefit eligible employees…even if you would like to continue with the same plans, you must log in and complete Open Enrollment by September 15. Bend-La Pine Schools’ Benefits Team has designed an interactive benefits page to help review plans, compare plan costs with online rate calculators, and provide additional resources to help you make your benefit selections.
Drop-in Enrollment Help Sessions (if possible, please bring your own laptop)
- 9/10/2021 @ 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / BLS Transportation Dept. (only transportation staff )
- 9/13/2021 @ 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. / Education Center, room 314 (520 NW Wall Street)
Odds and Ends
- Students will be here Tuesday to participate in WEB day. Please be welcoming when you see them and take a minute to introduce yourself. Big thanks to Chicken, Ami, Kyle, and Marni for all the work they put into getting things ready for Tuesday!
- If you need any PPE (sanitizer, masks, face shields), please see Tami.
- Your Emergency Plan Binders are in your mailbox. You need to pick these up and have them in your classroom by Wednesday.
To-Do
- STAND-UP MEETING IN THE LIBRARY WEDNESDAY AT 8:45
Full-time staff, please plan meeting in the library Wednesday at 8:45 to launch our year together and so I can share any last-minute info or offer reminders.
- Enjoy the long weekend!