Welcome Back!
It has been so much fun to see our families as they are coming into the building for Welcome Conferences. It has been a little difficult to recognize some of our students. Yes, the masks make it challenging…but holy cow…some of them have grown like crazy! We know that you have many questions about the start of the new school year. We would like to help with that by offering some brief insights for you.
MASKS– Children and staff will wear masks at all times. The masks can be taken off during lunch, snack/milk break, and at recess. During recess, masks must be worn when playing on the equipment. Please know that teachers will set up mask “break times” throughout the day as well. If you do not have a mask for your child, we do have some available at school to help with that.
MORNING DROP-OFF - 8:30am -8:45am - As always, our 4K- 1st grade car riders can be dropped off on Cook Street. Second and third graders can be dropped off on Madison Street. Whether dropped off, or arriving on the bus, all 4K students should plan to meet their teachers outside on the grassy area near Cook Street. For bus riders, we would like our students to enter the building through designated doors. Kindergarten and 1st grade students should enter through the library ramp doors. Second graders should enter through the doors by the office and third graders should go in through the doors on the far end of the building by the 3rd grade wing. Our intent is to allow for a less crowded start to the day.
BREAKFAST/LUNCH – Breakfast will be served in a “grab & go” fashion this year. Students will pick up their breakfast and return to their classrooms to eat and start their day. Our students will be eating lunch in the cafeteria. In an effort to help with social distancing during lunch, students will be spaced so that there are only five or six children sitting at a table.
DISMISSAL- We have changed our dismissal times a little in an effort to keep our end of the day less crowded and moving smoothly. Our walkers and car riders will be dismissed at 3:40 each day. At 3:45 our 5K and 2nd grade students will head for the buses. Finally at 3:50, the 4K, 1st, and 3rd graders will be dismissed.
VISITORS – Sadly, we need to limit our volunteers and visitors to the building. The less unfamiliar people we have in the building, the better we can provide for a healthy environment and the easier it will be for us to track the contacts of our students in the event of illness. If you need to bring something to school for your child, please bring it directly to the office and we will happily deliver it for you. Also know, that during these first couple weeks of school, you are welcome to walk your child to their classroom, but PLEASE WEAR A MASK.
SNACK/TREATS/WATER BOTTLES – Because of COVID, we are asking that children bring their own snacks to school each day rather than sharing with the whole class. Unfortunately, this also means no birthday or special event treats. Please don’t worry! Our amazing staff will still find fun ways to celebrate those special occasions! We are also asking each child to bring their own water bottle to school. The drinking fountains are capped for sanitary reasons, but we do have fill stations throughout the building. No worries if your child doesn’t have a water bottle. Teachers will have some paper cups available if needed.
We are sure that the start of the school year, albeit welcome, still feels a bit overwhelming with a lot of uncertainty. Some things have not changed. The building is friendly, warm, and welcoming. Our staff is kind, collaborative, and very dedicated to students and families. Please know that our plan is to keep things as “normal” as we can for our students, while taking precautions to provide a healthy and safe environment for learning. Please do not hesitate to call or stop in the office to see us if you have a concern, question, or just want to celebrate the start of the new year. This year, more than ever…TOGETHER WE CAN!
