Weekly Family Newsletter | September 18, 2020
Cultivating minds and hearts through the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty
Table of Contents
  1. Message from Headmaster Audelo
  2. Uniform Reminder
  3. Distance Learning Meal Pick-up
  4. Nurse's Corner: Medication Drop-Off
  5. Car-line updates
  6. Athenaeum and Homework Club Registration Now Open!
7. Dennis Uniforms Open In-Person
8.Coffee with the Headmaster
9.October PSO Meeting
10. Volunteer Help Needed!- Updated
11. First Week of Campus-Based Learning Pictures
12. Important Dates
13. Quick Links
Dear Founding Families,

And just like that, Great Hearts Live Oak is open for business! 

Words fail to describe the joy of scholars and teachers alike as our halls and classrooms filled with the sights and sounds of learning! I had the pleasure of greeting all of our classes this week, and when I asked our students what was good about the day, the overwhelming response was being at school—followed closely by math, history, and lunch. 

On behalf of the faculty and staff of Great Hearts Live Oak, thank you for all you have done to support your children, our teachers, and each other through this delayed start to campus-based instruction. It is so evident that your children understand why school was delayed, and the need to stay safe in order to continuing learning together. It is also evident that you have done heroic work in supporting distance learning. Our scholars arrived ready and eager to learn! 

Next week we are pleased to welcome our 6th and 7th grade students, and we can hardly wait for September 25 when our halls are filled with all grades proudly wearing their Owl shirts for our first on-campus spirit day! Hoot Hoot Hooray, and go Owls!

May you soar on wings of wisdom and strength,
Headmaster Audelo

Headmaster Audelo
Uniform Reminder
We have enjoyed our first full week of concurrent instruction! Seeing your scholars on Zoom and in person has been a joy. It is so gratifying to watch them learn even in these early days of the school year.

As we enter into our second week of campus-based instruction, please remember the uniform is essential to who we are and what we do. It is an indicator of the pride we have in our purpose, which is pursuing the true, the good, and the beautiful. It allows our scholars to pursue their intellectual and moral development as individuals without the distraction of fad and fashion.

Our “no pop-culture” standard is in place to provide a distraction-free environment that allows us to focus on that which is enduring and universal. A few examples of pop culture are: backpacks with popular toys, cartoon or movie characters, references to pop songs, etc.

For example, a backpack with a unicorn or airplanes on it is not pop culture, however a backpack with a Disney Princess or Minecraft is pop culture.  

Coats and hoodies are acceptable for outside during cold weather but will not be worn while in the classroom.

Please reference our Family Handbook or GHLO 101 module if you have any questions.
Distance Learning Meal Pick-Up:
Pre-packaged weekly meals will be offered for pick-up every Wednesday from 9:00-10:00 AM on the left side of our building underneath the metal awning. Simply pull up to the curb closest to the double doors, open your trunk and a staff member will load the box into your vehicle.

These meals are only offered to our Distance Learning Families. Any dietary restrictions must be accompanied by doctor documentation. Please make sure to reserve your meals below and issue payment through MealTime. Each weekly box costs $30 per child. Please e-mail Mrs. Bernal with any questions.
Nurse's Corner:
Medication Drop-Off
If you missed last week's medication drop off, please sign-up for an appointment on September 21st or 22nd. Bring in any prescribed and/or over-the-counter medications that your student will need for the upcoming school year.

This will also be the appropriate time to fill out and/or turn in all necessary medical forms and updated action plans. Our medication policy and forms are in the Nurses's Corner on our school website. Please review the medication policy as it does outline all forms needed in the clinic. Please have them completed prior to your appointment if you are able. There will be extra forms at the front entrance if necessary, so please arrive early if you will be filling out paperwork on site.


The following is a change of policy for the 2020-2021 school year:

Due to the coronavirus, the CDC recommends not using nebulizers during this time to limit the spread of the virus into the air. Great Hearts Live Oak will be a NEBULIZER—FREE campus until further notice. Doctors’ offices get busy as school approaches, so please reach out to them as soon as you can. You will need to request:
 - An updated written Asthma Action Plan
- A quick-relief inhaler dedicated for school use only
- A spacer or valved holding chamber dedicated for school use only

If your student will be self-carrying their inhaler this year, it is REQUIRED that they have the necessary paperwork filed with the clinic. An Asthma Contract must be signed by the student, parent/guardian, and a medical doctor. 
Car-line Updates
As we begin week two of Campus-Based Learning on Monday, we would like to thank the GHLO community for assisting us with smooth drop-off/pick-up procedures! We are working everyday to make these transitions as short and seamless as possible and appreciate the grace and support shown thus far.

A few requests and reminders:

  1. Use both lanes for drop-off and pick-up. You may start cuing for drop-off at 7:00 AM and pick-up at 3:00 PM.
  2. Do not allow your child(ren) to get out of the car until a staff member opens the door for you.
  3. Starting on Monday, drop-off will end at 7:45 AM. The front entrance will be coned off and late vehicles will be asked to use the visitor entrance to park and walk their student(s) in.
  4. Please get within 2 feet of the vehicle in front of you during drop-off and pick-up! We realize this feels uncomfortable, however it helps us keep our car-line off of Gateway Blvd and load more students per wave.
  5. Do not move your vehicle unless you are signaled to do so.
  6. Feel free to arrive after dismissal starts to avoid waiting in line.
  7. Use thumbs up or thumbs down to indicate if you have your child(ren) in your vehicle during drop-off/pick-up.


Lastly, all students must be picked up by 4:10 PM unless they are enrolled in an after school activity. After 4:10 PM (2:10 PM on early release days), parents of students who have not been picked up will be called by the school administration. Late pick-up will be administered by Athenaeum/Homework Club and a charge of $1 per minute will be incurred. Parents arriving after 4:10 PM (2:10 PM early release) will need to park and sign their child out.
Athenaeum & Homework Club Registration Now Open!
Athenaeum is our after-school program for grades K-4. Athenaeum is focused on the liberal arts and promotes learning by providing students dedicated homework time in addition to enriching and academically oriented activities. Scholars also have time for snack, games and recreation, and time to socialize with friends.

Homework Club (5-7 grade) is designed to provide a place for upper school scholars to complete homework, receive peer tutoring, and quietly socialize with friends in a structured, supervised environment.
 
The Athenaeum After-School Program and Homework Club is now open!

For more information and to register, visit our academy website and click on Academy Life- After School Programs.
 
For questions, please contact your Campus Coordinator, Hannah Vazquez, at Programs@GreatHeartsLiveOak.org.
Dennis Uniforms Open for In-Person Shopping!
DENNIS is thrilled to announce the renewal of in-store uniform shopping! For the health and safety of our customers and staff, all shopping will be by appointment only to follow recommended social distancing guidelines and to avoid unnecessary lines or wait-times.  
 
A few of the by-appointment shopping finer details:  
 
·   Available for same-day purchases, returns and exchanges  
·   Shopping appointments are set to 30 minutes 
·   Dressing rooms are available & disinfected between appointments
·   Our staff of uniform experts will be on hand for assistance 
·   Masks are required at all times for all shoppers and staff 
·   Social distancing guidelines are required at all times for all shoppers and staff 
 
Families can easily make in-store shopping appointments: 
 
  •  Click here to make an appointment.
  • School code is VGO if prompted.
Join us for Virtual Coffee with the Headmaster!
A long-standing Great Hearts tradition, Coffee with the Headmaster is a monthly event for all parents to get to know Headmaster Audelo and for her to get to know you! We value your partnership with us during this time of distance learning and would love to meet all of you on Zoom. Grade levels are paired for different days, so please clicks below to reserve your spot.


If you have multiple children, feel free to choose one or sign up for each grade your students are in!
Volunteer Help Needed!
As we start phasing-in students back on campus, the need for volunteers is great! We are seeking volunteers in the following areas:


For those interested, please sign-up if applicable or reach out to Mrs. Villalvazo-Dick.
Requirements to Volunteer

October Parent Service Organization Meeting
Thank you to all who joined us for the Parent Service Organization Interest Meeting last week on Zoom. We are looking forward to what's ahead for the PSO and enjoyed meeting and collaborating with everyone!

Our next PSO meeting will be on Saturday, October 10th at 10 AM. There will be monthly PSO meetings on a rotating schedule to provide members with differentiating schedules opportunities to participate.
First Week Pictures of Campus-Based Learning!
September 21 | 4-5 Grade Coffee with the Headmaster (6-7 PM)
September 23 | 6-7 Grade Coffee with the Headmaster (6-7 PM)
September 25 | All Campus-Based Learners on Campus
Half-Day Friday
Spirit Day
October 2 | Half-Day
October 5 | Professional Development- NO SCHOOL
October 9 | Full Day
October 10 | October PSO Meeting
October 16 | End of Quarter
Half-Day
October 19-23 | Fall Break
QUICK LINKS
7653 North Loop 1604 East San Antonio, TX 78233 | 210-888-9474 | www.liveoak.greatheartsamerica.org