Hello Aquila Families!
Our first week of K-2 Distance Learning Academy and in-person learning went pretty smoothly. It was great to see our students connecting with classmates in their classrooms both virtually and here at Aquila. As a school, we know how important social connection is to children’s overall social and emotional well-being.
We have heard a few questions about how we decide who needs to stay home because they are not feeling well, and for how long. Click here to find an information sheet that the school uses to help in the decision making process. There are many different scenarios that impact the timeline for quarantining, it is a case by case situation.
When a student is quarantined, the classroom teacher and school will work with you to get student learning materials to you. This will be a mixture of using computer-based learning applications, and paper pencil assignments. Families that chose in-person learning for their student(s) will not be moved to the DLA while they are quarantined.
Let me share a few memorable moments I had in classrooms this past week:
I was visiting Ms. Overend’s First Graders in distance learning. When I logged into the classroom, I observed three students just chatting about a game and a toy. They immediately greeted me when they saw me. I asked them if they were in a breakout room working on something as I didn’t know exactly what they were doing. They laughed and said they were having lunch together because they are friends and wanted to stay online. They proceeded to share with me what they were having for lunch and what activities they liked to do outside of school. Ms. Overend heard us talking and joined our conversation as the kids finished lunch.
In Ms. Wipperfurth's class, they were talking about expectations in the classroom and when they go outside for recess.The students were eagerly sharing ideas and expectations to make their classroom experience safe, fun, and inclusive. Students were so excited to talk and share ideas that soon they were talking about expectations at homes and sharing stories about their families.
As I popped into Mr. Ikola’s class, the class was busy finishing a math assignment. Mr. Ikola said when they were done with their assignment, they should come up and have him check it. The students were so eager to show him their work and take on the next challenge that they were jumping out of their chairs and formed a line within a minute.
Mr. Roberts had students dancing to the YMCA song in Physical Education. I tried my best to keep up and follow along, but clearly the students needed to show me some of the moves.
Superintendent Osei visited Mrs. Deming’s class on the first day. He really enjoyed the read aloud and then participated with the students in their movement break.
As always, feel free to reach out if you have questions, comments or concerns. Your partnership is valued and always appreciated.
Shelley Nielsen
