Dear Saint Paul School Families and Friends,
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year.
It has been an adventure the past six months and well worth the time and energy to be able to open our doors to 195 students on campus!
Each Friday our school newsletter is published. I highly recommend printing and catching up on school happenings with a cup of coffee and your planner. Some are longer than others but I promise you won’t want to miss everything we have planned this year.
Today’s newsletter is a bit long but full of very IMPORTANT back to school updates and reminders.
Parent Alert – On Tuesday, September 15 at 6:00 pm I will send a “test” of our Parent Alert system via text. If you do not receive please contact the Main Office via email at hbreen@spshingham.org.
Back to School Nights – Back to School Nights will be held via ZOOM this year. In an effort to accommodate families with multiple children you will notice they are spread-out this year. I will kick-off series of dates addressing the 2020-2021 school year and will be joined by Saint Paul School staff (Director of Enrollment, School Nurse, Director of Academic Enrichment and Support Center) and PTO members. Zoom links will be sent out under separate email.
Thursday September 17 – Principal to Kick-off
Monday September 21 - Grade 6-8
Tuesday September 22 - Grade 4-5
Wednesday September 23 - Grade 3
Thursday September 24 - Grade 2
Monday September 28 - Grade 1
Tuesday September 29 - Kindergarten
Wednesday September 30 - PreKindergarten
Thursday October 1 - Preschool
NWEA MAP Testing – MAP® assessments are used to measure your student’s progress or growth in school. MAP® tests are important to teachers because they keep track of progress and growth in basic skills. They let teachers know where a student’s strengths are and if help is needed in any specific areas. Teachers use this information to help them guide instruction in the classroom.
Please make sure your Kindergarten through Grade 8 students are well rested and have a good breakfast on their testing days. Students will take these tests during their Instructional Technology class starting next week.
Schedules – We are working hard to input schedules into the Family Portal. In the meantime, attached is a master schedule for art, Instructional Technology (IT), library, music, physical education, Second Step Curriculum (SSC), and Spanish PK-Grade 5. CLICK HERE FOR SPECIALIST SCHEDULE
Remote Learning Day – October 7 was previously scheduled for an Early Release Day. Instead, it will be a “remote learning day” for all Saint Paul School students. Teachers will instruct from their classrooms and students will login from home. This will allow us to troubleshoot any potential problems, should a class or our school have the need to move remotely. ZOOM links to be sent out closer to this date.
Volunteers – Volunteers are an integral part of our special community but due to this pandemic we are limited to the outdoors. We are hoping to arrange for parent volunteers at outdoor lunch and recess. Policy and protocols for assisting teachers and students during this very important part of the school day will presented by the end of the month.
Out of School Get-Togethers – In an effort to keep our school safe and healthy, we continue to advise parents to limit the interactions of students outside of school.
Paul Effman Music Lessons - Band and violin lessons will still be offered this year to students in grades 2 - 8, but lessons will take place via Zoom, once a week after school. Below is a link to a page to view and listen to all instruments they offer instruction on. Make sure to watch the full band video at the end of the band instrument demonstration - it will hopefully inspire everyone!
If you sign up before 9/14, you will receive a discount on your instrument rental and the registration fee will be waived!"
“Better than a Suggestion Box” – Please use this online form to offer virtual compliments, shout outs, concerns, suggestions and solutions. I will check weekly and either respond individually or include in my Friday newsletter.
We are so fortunate to have a supportive school community of teachers, staff, students and parents. Thank you!
TEAM SPS: Embarking on a new adventure together!
Sincerely,
Principal
