Back to School Parent Welcome Letter
August 13, 2021
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Dear SIA Parents,
After two years of candidacy, the Strelitz International Academy (SIA) has just received full authorization as an International Baccalaureate® World School Primary Years Program. This is the culmination of years of planning, development and implementation. I am exceptionally proud of SIA. I thank all of you for your support during this journey to authorization and look forward to the many benefits of becoming the first IB Primary Years Program World School in Tidewater!
I hope that you all have had a wonderful summer and that your children have had time to recharge and enjoy friends, family and fun. As Head of School, it is my pleasure to welcome everyone back for another wonderful school year on August 23, 2021!
As we prepare to welcome everyone back for another wonderful school year at SIA on August 23, 2021, we must continue with our commitment to the health and safety of our school community. Our goal is to provide in-person instruction again this year and to provide a school experience that is as close to normal as possible. It is also our goal to once again ensure the safety of our school community through health mitigation measures. As recommended by the CDC and the VDH, we will require all adults and students ages 2 and up to wear masks while indoors on campus. Please plan to send your child/ren to school each day with two clean masks and be prepared to wear a mask yourself whenever you enter the school. Please make sure to review the SIA Pandemic Policies and Procedures included in the family handbook. I ask that you pay close attention to our Illness policy and stress that staying home when sick is one of the most effective ways to keep our community healthy. In addition, please note that SIA reserves the right to require students who are experiencing any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 to have a negative COVID test in order to return to school.
SCHOOL CALENDAR:
Click this link to view the SIA Calendar 2021-2022 SIA Calendar. The full school calendar will be sent home with students on the first day of school. Please take some time to look through it for important event dates. This information can also be accessed through ParentSquare. Please note: as the year progresses, we will update our calendar as it relates to events and COVID-19.
SIA FAMILY HANDBOOK:
Before school begins, please read the SIA Family Handbook carefully, whether you are a new family or a returning family, as some rules and regulations change from year to year. Pay particular attention to COVID mitigation strategies, kashrut dietary rules, student lunch, birthday party celebrations, and dress code regulations.
EMERGENCY CARDS:
Pre-printed emergency cards will be sent home with your child the first week of school, please be sure to verify and update your information. All emergency cards will be due by Friday, August 27, 2021.
It is very important that you keep the office informed of your current contact information, including cell phone number and email address. Many items of interest and importance are conveyed to parents via email. Please be sure that your e-mail account is set to accept email from strelitzacademy.org. It is equally important to keep the office updated with any changes to mailing addresses and changes to home, work, or emergency telephone numbers. All school closings and emergency notifications are sent via ParentSquare Smart Alerts. Incorrect phone numbers will result in our inability to contact you. You can read more about this system in the Family Handbook.
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Welcome New Faculty for the 2021-22 school year! |
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Jamie Baker, Kindergarten Teacher:
Jamie Baker was raised here in Norfolk, Virginia. She has a Bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech and a Master’s degree in Education from Old Dominion University. Jamie just completed her 11th year teaching kindergarten and first grade in both Norfolk and Virginia Beach Public Schools. She has two children, Willow and Leo, who also attend Strelitz. Her hobbies include spending time outside, doing yoga, playing games, doing puzzles, and enjoying music with her family, friends and students. Jamie is most excited to bring her enthusiasm for learning to the Strelitz community she shares and admires.
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Hannah Plate, Kindergarten Teacher:
Ms. Hannah Plate moved to Virginia Beach to attend Old Dominion University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. For the past three years Ms. Plate has held the position of long term substitute teacher in elementary education for Virginia Beach Public Schools. In Hannah’s free time, she loves to read, historical fiction books take up most of her bookcase. Ms. Plate has an 8 year old miniature Australian Shepherd, named Parker, who loves to cuddle. Fall is Hannah’s favorite season because she loves the weather and the feeling of new beginnings it brings. It’s also full of opportunities to spend time with friends and family. Ms. Plate cannot wait for this year to start and she is so excited to join the Strelitz International Academy family this fall!
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Allena Anglen, Third Grade Teacher
Allena Anglen has joined the Strelitz International Academy as our new third grade teacher. She is so excited to be part of the SIA faculty. Allena is the mother of Raleigh and Ronnie, two SIA students. She has both a Masters of Education and a Jewish Studies minor from Old Dominion University. Allena’s teaching career began with teaching in the local United Hebrew School and Temple Israel's Sunday School. She previously taught for Norfolk Public Schools, and is excited to make the transition into the I.B. program. In her free time she loves snowboarding, walking at the Botanical Gardens, and working with Toddlin' Around Tidewater, a local web based parenting resource, which she created. She is also the team captain for Team Hurwitz for Pancreatic Research which has raised over $68,000 since 2018. In addition to SIA she teaches the Wiggles and Giggles class for ages 0-4 at Ohef Sholom along with weeknight Hebrew. Allena used to be a lifeguard at the JCC, and did some of her student teaching at SIA, so she feels like she is coming back home.
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Donikka White, Early Years EY2 Assistant Teacher:
Donikka White joins our Early Years faculty as an Assistant Teacher in EY2. We are so happy to have Donikka back at SIA. She was a Toddler Lead Teacher for several years and earned her CDA during that time. She returns and brings her 2 year old daughter, Bailee with her as a student at SIA! Donikka brings creativity, organization and expertise in the development of Toddlers -2 year olds to her new position at SIA. She enjoys spending time with family, shopping, reading to Bailee, and playing BINGO with her Mom and Grandma. She is so excited to return to SIA!
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Zachary Sissel, Early Years EY4 Assistant Teacher:
The Early Years welcomes Zachary Sissel as an Assistant Teacher in EY4. “Mr. Zach” is well known in our community from his role as a JCC camp counselor for several years and working as an assistant in the Kids Connection aftercare program for the JCC. Zachary finished his first year at Longwood University in May with a major in Education and will continue to pursue this degree closer to home this year. Zachary’s outgoing and nurturing personality is a perfect fit for our EY4 program. In his spare time, he loves cheering on his favorite team, the Tennessee Titans, bike riding, and spending time with family and friends. He is looking forward to his first year at SIA!
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The Early Years Program also welcomes two new Fullcare employees, Alysia Nelson and Angie Garcia. Both Alysia and Angie have several years of child care experience and are looking forward to learning and developing as part of the SIA team.
We are so fortunate to have such amazing professionals join our faculty and are looking forward to getting started!
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2021-2022 Early Years Faculty Assignments: |
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Grade Name
EY1 Irish Wyatt
EY1 Catherine Elmore
EY1 Mirta Rivera
EY1 Katelin Watson
EY1 Rose Moya
EY1 Nakiyah Hoggard
EY1 Maureen Tamares
EY1 Melani Baugh
EY1 Lavette Ricks
EY1 Robyn Wiggins
EY1 Janetta Hamilton
EY1 Danyelle Conner
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Grade Name
EY2 Tiala Blocker and Theresa Briscoe
EY2 Melissa Prate and April Pate
EY2 Jennifer Miller and Donikka White
EY3 Chrystal Willis and Jameisha Harris
EY3 Shayla Allen and Diana Matchett
EY3 Nicole Bernal and Desyre Lawrence
EY4 Veronica Samonte and Sylvia Wilson
EY4 Jacquie Lam and Zachary Sissel
FC Angie Garcia and Alysia Nelson
Specialists:
EY1 - EY4 Physical Education: Adam Leiderman
EY1 - EY4 Music: Michal Newman
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2021-2022 Primary Years Faculty Assignments: |
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Grade Name
K Jamie Baker, Hannah Plate, Leslie Jo Nossen & Lynnette Rodriguez (asst.)
1 Abby Snell, Terri Kraly, and Marnie Waldman
2 Meredith Carnazza and Zohar Ben Moshe
3 Allena Anglen and Rychel Margolin
4 Mairin Genova and Hila Zach
5 Alicia Pahl-Cornelius and Rashi Brashevitzky
Hebrew Language, Gr. 2-5: Zohar Ben Moshe
Technology: Abby Snell and Allena Anglen
Library/Media: Search in progress
Physical Education and Intramurals: Adam Leiderman
Art: Abigail Cochran
Music: Michal Newman
Violin: Alexandra Marlins
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WELCOME LETTERS AND SUPPLY LISTS |
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Please click on the links below to find a copy of the Welcome Letter and Supply List for each grade level in Primary Years. School supplies will be dropped off during our Back to School Meet and Greet on Friday, August 20, 2021 from 9:00am-11:00am.
Welcome Letters and Supply Lists for Primary Years- Please note that some stores are providing links to substitute items if they are running low on inventory. Please check these supplies with the items suggested by the store as they may not be what has been requested by the teacher.
Early Years welcome letters and supply lists will be sent separately from your child's teacher through ParentSquare.
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Order your lunches NOW for the upcoming school year!
This school year the Cardo Café will continue to offer a mini lunch menu which will be available to SIA students (including Toddlers) and Faculty for pre-purchase. This is NOT a school lunch program, but a service offered and operated by the Sandler Family Campus to assist parents and faculty during the school year. Please read carefully and if you have any questions, you can contact Benita Watts at 965-6123. Lunches will be available beginning the first day of school, Monday, August 23.
Parents are able to pre-order lunch using Orgs Online http://www.orgsonline.com. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one and wait for your account to be assigned a class before using. Our school code is 432HAOTVA. We recommend ordering in advance once the new menu comes out. Cash orders are not accepted. Each lunch costs $5.50 for Primary Years (K-5) students and $3.30 for Early Years students (Toddlers-4YR), incl. sales tax. Payment can be made online. Additional information will be posted in ParentSquare.
EY1-EY4 - students will eat lunch in their classrooms at noon. Toddlers eat lunch at 11:30 am. Please note that the Strelitz Early Years Program is peanut/tree nut free. Please do not include in lunches, foods that contain peanuts or tree nuts in the ingredients list or notes “traces” in labeling. Children should bring kosher dairy or kosher meat lunches. More information about how to provide a kosher lunch is available in the Family Handbook which will be posted on ParentSquare before school begins. Please read the handbook carefully, whether you are a new family or a returning family, as some rules and regulations change from year to year.
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Early Years
We have three daily schedules that Fullcare parents have previously chosen: 8:00-5:00, 8:30-5:30, 9:00-6:00. Part time students will still arrive at 8:45 and leave at their chosen dismissal time.
Primary Years
Students can enter the building at 7:50am from the carpool line. Dismissal will begin at 3:30pm (2:30pm on Fridays). Students will be dismissed directly from classrooms. Sundown pick up will be in the Multi Purpose Room.
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STUDENT DROP OFF AND PICK UP |
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Drop Off and Dismissal
All students, Infants - Grade 5, will be dropped off in the carpool each morning:
Drop Off:
- Administrators and Staff will be outside to greet you and your child and escort your child to their room.
- Staff will greet your child and observe your child for any signs of symptoms of illness, and then guide your child to their room.
- Please remain in your vehicle at all times. During drop off, parents will be required to wear a mask.
- Have your child’s belongings ready to go, so we can take them from the car easily.
- If you come to school after 9:00am please park in a designated parking spot. We ask that Parents of EY students walk their children to the classroom and Parents of PY students should sign their child in at the school office. Please do not park in the fire lane in the front of the school doors.
- We ask guardians, parents, siblings and caregivers not to enter the school building through our front entrance or the Cardo entrance without a mask.
Pick Up:
- There will be a 12:30pm carpool for part-time EY students.
- There will be a 3:30pm (2:30 on Fridays) carpool for all EY and PY students not enrolled in Fullcare or Sundown.
- All Fullcare and Sundown Parents arriving after 3:45pm should park in a designated parking spot and walk in to pick up their child from the classroom or Sundown location. Please do not park in the fire lane in the front of the school doors.
- We ask guardians, parents, siblings and caregivers not to enter the school building through our front entrance or the Cardo entrance without a mask.
- If someone from your certified pick up list will be picking your child up, we will ask for ID prior to escorting your child to the car. Be sure to inform the person picking up your child of our procedures.
Carpool Etiquette
- For safety reasons, Early Years parents must buckle their child(ren) in the car seat.
- Please remain in your vehicle until your child is walked to your car. We may need to move the carline up at times and need drivers to be ready to move forward.
- Kindly refrain from congregating outside your cars or on the sidewalks while waiting for your children to keep the carline running smoothly.
- When picking up your child, if you are meeting us outside the car, wear a mask until you and your child are back in the car.
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Medical Information
We need to be sure that all students have the correct medical information on file. All kindergarten students and new students must have the appropriate health physical on file in order to attend school. These requirements are both a mandatory state regulation and a requirement of our accrediting body, the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. The MCH-213 health form is available at your doctor’s office, on line, or from the school.
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Birth Certificates:
It is a state regulation that all new students must bring a certified original birth certificate to the school within seven (7) days of the start of school. The office will be happy to make a copy for the student file and return the original to you.
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Important Dates:
Friday, August 20:
9:00am-11:00am Back to School Meet and Greet
-Preview Classrooms
-Meet the Teachers
-Drop off Supplies
-Enjoy a Kona Ice Treat
Monday, August 23: First full day of school for all students
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I am honored to serve as the Head of School of the Strelitz International Academy. It is truly a privilege to be a part of a community where parents, teachers, and students care for each other and strive to build positive relationships that support academic and social growth. Please feel free to contact me at 757-424-4327 or hmoore@strelitzacademy.org.
Once again, welcome back! Let’s make it a great year at SIA together!
Heather V. Moore
Head of School
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