Burr Bulldog Bulletin
August 24, 2021
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Dear Burr Bulldog Families,
Welcome to Burr! We are so excited for school to start next Tuesday. It will be a half day with a start time of 9:20 A.M. and an end time of 12:24 P.M. Full days of school will end at 4:10 P.M.
Drop-off and Pick-up
Students in grades 4-6 will line-up outside of their classroom doors. Third grade students will line-up outside of their hallway entry door in the front of our school. Parents of students in grades 3-6 are asked to park in the main Burr parking lot for drop-off and pick-up. For drop-off, there is a "drop and go" lane where parents stay to the right of the entrance lane to stop and let their child exit the vehicle and the parent drives off to continue with their day. Parents may also park in the lot and walk their child to their 3rd-6th grade entry doors. For pick-up, we ask that all parents park in the front lot and walk up to get your child. This is for safety reasons as we do not dismiss our students into parking lots with moving vehicles, without an adult accompanying them.
Students in grades K-2 will line-up in the back of our school at their grade level hallway doors. Parents are asked to park in the church parking lot, next door to Burr, and walk their child to a paw print in line. Our K-2 parents will park in the church at pick-up as well and walk to their child's paw print to pick them up at the end of the day. There is no "drop and go" lane in the church parking lot.
Students may be dropped off at 9:10 A.M. This is the time when all teachers will be outside greeting their students and providing supervision. The entrance bell will ring at 9:15 A.M. and the start of school bell will ring at 9:20 A.M.
If you need to change the usual arrangements for your child's dismissal (pick up/bus) please be sure to notify the office and your child's teacher. If need be, you can call the office and we will get a message to your child. Please be sure to contact the office by 3:30 PM.
Office Hours:
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
If you need anything, please email or phone the office staff at officeburr@uticak12.org/586-797-4100 ; someone will respond promptly.
Office Staff:
- Mrs. Jeanne Poleski, Principal
- Mrs. Donna Harrell, Administrative Assistant
- Mrs. Fida Koja, Office Clerk
SHEDULE FOR THE FIRST WEEKS OF SCHOOL
Kindergarten through 6th Graders attend a half day of school (9:20 AM- 12:24 PM)
Breakfast program will be in operation.
SACC will be available beginning today, 6:45 AM-6:00 PM on full days of school and 7:00 AM-9:20 AM on half days of school. SACC is not offered in the afternoon on half days at this time.
Wednesday and Thursday, September 1 and 2:
Kindergarten through 6th Graders attend full day (9:20 AM -4:10 PM)
Breakfast and Lunch program will be in operation. Lunch orders will be taken the day before.
Friday and Monday, September 3 and 6:
NO SCHOOL - LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
Tuesday, September 7:
School Resumes
Specials
All students will participate in specials weekly. Your child will have one 50 minute session of Media Center, Art, ISM, Physical Education, and Music Class each week. You child's classroom teacher will be sharing their classroom special schedule the first week of school
Bulldog Day- A Sneek Peek Before School Starts
For our kindergarten families, this will be an in-person event using a Sign-up Genius link to schedule times for small group visits with the teacher inside of the kindergarten classroom. This event will take place on on Monday, August 30th, between 4:00 and 6:00 P.M. The Sign-up Genius link will be emailed to you Thursday evening following your emailed teacher assignment.
For our students in grades 1-6, this will be a virtual event over Teams. On Thursday evening, the teachers will email their families the link to join the meeting. Some teachers may also send out a Sign-up Genius link with choices of times/days to attend.
Once you receive your teacher email assignment on Thursday after 3:00 P.M., you will know when your Bulldog Day event will take place based on the schedule below.
Health and Safety Protocols
BURR VISITORS/VOLUNTEERS
At this time we are not able to welcome volunteers into the building per the Macomb County Health Department. Visits to the building during the school day will be limited to essential visitors.
MASK WEARING
Face coverings will not be required for students and staff in our schools and work environments. The wearing of face coverings will be based on the choice of each family and/or individual. The Macomb County Health Department recommends that individuals, regardless of vaccination status, consider wearing a face covering when indoors, especially in crowded settings.
CONTACT TRACING IN COMBINATION WITH ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE
In the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19, information will be shared with the school community. The communication will begin with direct contact to those who may have interacted with the individual and making staff aware. After those communications are complete, a school wide notice will be emailed to families. The district works closely with the MCHD which follows protocols for contacting individuals through contact tracing. It is important that we maintain the privacy rights for individuals in our community who may have tested positive for COVID-19. Our district, nor our school, can provide information that would identify the person to the general public. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.
SELF-SCREENING
Self-screening students before school is essential to the health and safety of the school community.
Before your child leaves in the morning, ask these two questions:
- In the last 24 hours has your child developed any of the following symptoms that are new/different/worse from baseline chronic illness: subjective fever (felt feverish) or measured a temperature 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, chills or rigors (severe chills with shivering), headache, sore throat , muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose or congestion and fatigue?
- In the last 24 hours, has your child developed any of the following symptoms that are new/different/worse from baseline of any chronic illness: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of smell and new loss of taste?
The answer should be NO to BOTH questions. If not, your child should remain home for their protection and the health and safety of classmates and the adults in your school. Please call the school office to communicate the absence.
SUGGESTED SUPPLY LIST
As you get ready for the upcoming school year, check out the suggested Supply List for your child(ren). Please keep in mind that these are suggested school supplies and you are NOT required to purchase anything. Your child's teacher will supply materials that will be shared with others; if you would prefer that your child have their own individual supplies, you may purchase them. If you do so, please remember to label them as well.
CLASSROOM/TEACHER ASSIGNEMENTS
Once again, to ensure communication in a safe and secure manner, classroom assignments will be emailed directly to parents via the email address(es) on file in PowerSchool. Those assignments will be emailed to you on Thursday, August 26th after 3:00 PM.
MEALS AT SCHOOL/FREE & REDUCED APPLICATIONS
Once again, UCS is pleased to inform our families that ALL students enrolled at Burr can receive a healthy breakfast and lunch daily! We do, however, need ALL families to click on the link below and complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application whether or not you need assistance.
This information is critical in determining the amount of money that our school receives from a variety of State and Federal supplemental programs. These supplemental programs help us offer supports and services to our students including, but not limited to:
- Pandemic-EBT
- Instructional Supports (staff, supplies, materials)
- Professional Learning for Staff
- Parent and Community Engagement Supplies and Activities
- Technology
All information on the application is confidential. Forms can be filled out online at www.lunchapp.com or by using paper applications available at your school. The form must be completed annually. This year's deadline is October 13, 2021.
Without your assistance in completing the application, Burr cannot maximize the use of State and Federal Funds.
If you need further assistance, please contact food services at 586-797-1180 or email them at foodservices@uticak12.org.
TRANSPORTATION
You may have already seen UCS bus drivers on the road reviewing routes for the reopening of school. Students are eligible for transportation service if their residence is 1.5 miles or farther from the school. Elementary students should not walk further than 0.5 mile to reach a bus stop and secondary students should not walk further than one mile. The district website will be updated with bussing information when available.
Medical/Health Plans and Dietary Needs
UCS is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for all students. A health plan is required at the beginning of every school year. For your child's safety, we ask that all health forms are turned in prior to the first day of school, August 31, 2021.
Health plans should be completed for any condition that may involve special dietary considerations, activity levels, medications, or treatment of an urgent problem. Completion of health plans allows staff to take the best possible care of your child. A physician's signature is required on all health plans. Any medications that are to be distributed by school staff or used by a student at school must have an Authorization for Medication form completed, signed and dated by a physician, including any over the counter medications.
Health Care Plans and Authorization for Medication are available on the link below. Please note that two transportation forms are required for each student that rides the bus with a COLOR picture attached to each form. Depending on your child's diagnosis, the following forms are required by the school:
Food Allergies/Insect Allergies/Latex Allergies: FARE Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan, MI Department of Education Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations, 2 Authorization for Medications (one for an anti-histamine and one for Epinephrine), 2 Transportation Forms (if your child is a bus rider)
MDE Dietary Accommodations: Required for Food Services for students with Food Allergies.
Asthma: Asthma Health Care Plan, Authorization for Medication for rescue inhaler, 2 Transportation Forms (if your child is a bus rider).
Seizure: Seizure Health Care Plan, Authorization for Medication for rescue medications and/or other medications, 2 Transportation Forms (if your child is a bus rider).
Diabetes: Diabetes Health Care Plan, 2 Transportation Forms (if your child is a bus rider) and you must submit your Diabetes Medical Management Plan from your Endocrinologist.
Heart Condition: Heart Condition Health Care Plan and 2 Transportation Forms (if your child is a bus rider).
Any other diagnosis: General Health Care Plan, Authorization for Medication (if needed), 2 Transportation Forms (if your child is a bus rider)
Please return all the necessary, completed and signed forms (dated AFTER June 11, 2021) prior to August 31, 2021. These may be submitted by email (wiley.office@uticak12.org) or may be brought into the office.
Your cooperation will help ensure a safe and healthy year. Any questions can be directed to Ms. Emily Duzey @586-980-0743 or emily.duzey@uticak12.org., our School Nurse
SACC
SACC is Back at Burr!
Utica Community Schools is pleased to be able to provide an opportunity for School Age Child Care beginning August 31, 2021, Monday through Friday, 6:45 AM - 9:20 AM and from 4:10 PM - 6:00 PM at Burr Elementary. Please be sure to read the following pricing and scheduling updates before pre-registering for the 2021-2022 school year.
Families must pre-register online.
Registrations will not be done on site or over the phone.
- Please note that completing the online form IS NOT a guarantee or confirmation of registration.
- Once families complete the online form, a SACC representative will contact you to confirm your registration and process payment. Please have your credit card information available.
- Once payment is complete, you will receive a separate email with required paperwork. Completed paperwork must be emailed back to Burrsacc@uticak12.org.
- Registrations will be processed on a first come first served basis; availability is limited.
TECHNOLOGY UPDATES
As we begin the new school year, the district is pleased to be able to offer families a low cost insurance plan for your child's iPad and/or laptop. Please click on the link below to read the 2021-2022 Device, Responsibility, Damage Fees and Optional Insurance document for assigned 1:1 devices.
Once again, families must complete the Technology Device Responsibility form included in the link below as well.
PREPARING FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
As you and your family prepare for back to school, read below for ideas on how to help foster a smooth transition.
Summer is such a celebrated time that many kids anticipate the return to school with disappointment at the loss of their vacation time.
Parents can support their children by creating positive excitement around the beginning of a new school year by trying the following family fun activities:
- Write a “New School Year” book with your child with wishes for the coming year.
- Brainstorm with your child about the new concepts they’d like to learn.
- Create a back-to-school countdown calendar for that "exciting" first day.
- Build anticipation for the first day of school by planning a fun first day photo.
- Plan a special first day of school breakfast by trying new recipes with your child.
- Help your child set goals for the school year ahead.
By infusing positive anticipation for the new school year, kids will look forward to their new learning adventures.
Below are two stories to share with your child as they prepare to begin the new year!
Safety Procedures
We need your assistance to ensure the safety and security of all students and staff throughout the school day. As many of you know, our school has a security camera, intercom and buzzer at the front entrance for use during the school day. To help us assist you when entering the building:
- Please press the buzzer to speak with someone in the office
- You will be asked to state your name and reason for visiting
- You will need to show your Photo ID into the security camera
- Office staff will buzz you into the vestibule
- All visitors must immediately sign in
Additionally, if you are entering the building please self-screen before entering, ensuring that you do not have COVID--19 or COVID symptoms. Also, please do not let any other visitors in the door as you enter (if they come up behind you).
The Burr Staff are committed to student safety and security. We appreciate your help in keeping our students safe!
DAILY ATTENDANCE
Daily attendance is important for your child to grow academically, as well as socially and emotionally.
If your child is going to be absent for the day, you must call the Attendance Line at (586) 797- 4199. This line is a 24-hour automated line so you may call at any time. If your child will be late, please report that on the attendance line as well. For early dismissals, parents should call the school office prior to 3:30 pm and send a note for your child's teacher. Parents must come into the vestibule to sign students in and out. Be prepared to show photo ID when picking up a student.
If your child does not attend regularly, the staff and I will be reaching out to find out how we can assist. If absences persist, it may constitute truancy and the matter will be addressed with the truancy officer.
Thank you for your help in this important matter! If we can be assistance, please let us know.
2021-2022 Yearlong Calendar Dates
The UCS teacher/student calendar continues to be mutually developed through the collective bargaining process. In the interest of planning the following dates are confirmed for ELEMENTARY STUDENTS:
- First Day of School for Students: August 31/early dismissal
- Labor Day Break: September 3-6 (no school)
- Half Day: October 29
- Election Day: November 2, (no schoool for students)
- Conference Day: November 11, early dismissal for elementary
- Thanksgiving Break: November 24-26 (no school)
- Half Day(s): December 20 and 21
- Winter Break: December 22-December 31 (no school)
- MLK Jr. Holiday: January 17 (no school)
- MId-Winter Break: February 21-25 (no school)
- Half Day: April 1
- Spring Break: April 4-8 (no school)
- Good Friday: April 15 (no school)
- Memorial Weekend: May 27-30 (no school)
- June 9: Early dismissal
- June 10: Early dismissal; last day of school
Meals at Burr
Breakfast
- Breakfast will be available for our students who PRE-ORDER the day prior with their teacher.
- Breakfast will be delivered to all classrooms prior to the start of school
- Teachers will establish the guidelines for the eating of breakfast that is similar to their snack procedures in the classroom
- Students will eat their breakfast upon arrival
- Reminder - Breakfast is available to ALL STUDENTS for FREE this year. Please make sure to complete the Free and Reduced form as this helps Burr receive state and federal funds that help our school. Thank you!
Lunch
- All students will eat lunch in the gym with their classmates at their designated times
- Students will either use hand sanitizer or wash their hands prior to coming to the gym for lunch
- Students will have assigned seats that are spaced out to the greatest extent possible
- Students will use hand sanitizer upon leaving their designated eating location and returning to their classroom
- Students may choose to bring a lunch from home or they may receive a FREE lunch prepared by the cook
- All lunches are free of cost, you do NOT need to send money to school if your child would like to order a hot lunch for the day
- Students must preorder lunch the day prior if they wish to have a "hot lunch." Menus can be found at https://uticak12.nutriclice.com or by clicking on the button below.
Recess
Students will have the opportunity to go outside with their classmates during designated times throughout the day. Recess helps to promote social and emotional learning and development for all children. Allowing time for our students to engage in peer interactions allows them to role play essential social skills. Recess also benefits our students by increasing their level of physical activity improving their memory, attention, and concentration. Each class will be assigned a different playground zone throughout the week. This is necessary for us to be able to do contact tracing if needed.