Principal's Updates 11/02/2020
Coyote Ridge Elementary, an IB World School
A QUICK NOTE TO PARENTS
Sometimes it might be more obvious, like a "button," that says "Click Here."
AND THEN, JUST LIKE THAT, IT WAS NOVEMBER...
"The days are long, but the years are short." I don't remember where I first heard that, but it certainly rings true. We're already just a month away from the last month of 2020. The days are long, but it does surprise me that we have already worked through and accomplished so much.
I know that things are different, and harder this year. The "new normal" is not yet comfortable, and we are not sure what tomorrow or next week/month/year will bring. But I do know that there is no other group or team that I would rather do this essential work with. The CRES school community includes our parents, our teachers and support staff, and is as strong and essential as ever. Thank you for being a vital part of it!
Speaking of essential work, how fun was Friday?! Team CRES continued our tradition of selecting a theme for Halloween and this year it was "essential workers." Mrs. Sandelin created a sign and we all took a picture after school which I will be sharing with some of our other local essential workers as a token of our appreciation.
ACTION NEEDED: PLANS FOR SEMESTER 2 MUST BE RECORDED
In August families were asked to choose either in person (which started remote) or fully online (Thompson Connect Online) for each student. Second semester will begin January 4, 2021. We know there are families who may wish to change instructional models at the semester. In order for us to plan for these changes, we need all families to register for the learning environment each will engage in for the second semester (January 4, 2021 - May 27, 2021).
WHETHER YOU PLAN TO STAY IN YOUR CURRENT MODEL OR WISH TO CHANGE THE MODEL, YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE FORM TO INDICATE YOUR PREFERENCE.
Information about the instructional models is available in the TSD Return to Learn document available at this link. Please submit a registration form for each student by November 15, 2020.
TSD CLIMATE & CULTURE SURVEY OPENS 11/02!
A link to more information can be found here.
SPEAKING OF SURVEYS...
UPDATE: WE WILL HAVE A COMMUNITY FORUM THIS WEEK
UPDATE: SNOW HAS MELTED. [KIDS ARE OUTSIDE A LOT--BUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN IT GETS COLD?]
UPDATE:
Thank you! Parents, you have been doing a great job sending students with appropriate gear for the weather! Most of the snow has melted, so no need for snow gear at this point.
]From previous week]
This is a question I recently received from a parent, and it's a good one, so I want to share the information with you all.
The guidance we have received is that outside is better than inside (though the fire and smoke pollution is complicating that quite a bit), so we have the kids outside for lunch and recess as often as possible. Weather will definitely become a factor and so we will need to be inside for some portion of the winter. Students are kept in for weather due to rain or extreme cold (<15*F), so, even in winter, they should come to school prepared for snow and cold.
When the weather is too wet or too cold (or too smoky) to go outside, the students have indoor recess. TSD has adjusted and upgraded our HVAC systems and filters to maximize exchange with fresh (outside air) as well as to improve effective filtration. It is referenced in this video as well as the TSD Return to Learn Plan, which can be found here.
The upshot? As has always been the case, unless it is very wet, kids will be outside if it 15*F or warmer, so send them to school with appropriate gear (and please label the gear--all black snow pants look the same).
HOW CAN YOU HELP KEEP KIDS HEALTHY DURING COVID?
HOW TO DETECT--AND AVOID SUBSTANCE ABUSE
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!
#crestogether
INFORMATION BELOW THIS WAS SHARED LAST WEEK ALSO, BUT IT IS STILL IMPORTANT--ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS OF 4TH & 5TH
SPEAKING OF COLD WEATHER...
We can't do anything about the weather or the need for frequent handwashing, but WE can do something to prevent the pain. Please send a small bottle of hand lotion with your child to school, so they can apply it after handwashing and throughout the day. I'm sure you realize this, but some hand lotions can really sting raw little hands, so be sure to test with your child first. Fragrance-free is the best.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUPPORT CRES IN A WAY THAT IS SIMPLE, FREE, AND MEANINGFUL?
COVID-19 GUIDANCE
Here are the new guidelines for Return to Learn following a positive COVID-19 symptom screen. The flow chart link is attached below and we are in Safer At Home Level 1 or 2 (R2) which is the second flowsheet that will populate.
The changes are:
1. If a student has symptoms that resolve within 24 hours (with the exception of loss of taste or smell) they may return to school after their symptoms have stayed resolved for 24 hours. So these students will return to school in 48 hours.
2. If a student has minor symptoms only that last 48 hours they may return to school after their symptoms have stayed resolved for 24 hours. So these students will return to school in 72 hours.
3. If a student has minor symptoms that last beyond 48 hours they will need to home isolate for 10 days or get a COVID19 test and have a negative result and be symptom free for 24 hours.
4. If a student has a "Critical Symptom" which is loss of taste or smell they need to home isolate for 10 days or get a COVID19 test. If their test is negative they may return to school if all symptoms have stayed resolved for 24 hours.
The new protocols do not ask for an alternate diagnosis from a provider but now require a COVID19 test for loss of smell or taste or any symptoms that do not resolve in 48 hours. The new guidelines also allow for a parent to report a pre-existing condition and not obtain a note from a provider.
The flowchart can be found here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GRADES & COVID GUIDANCE...
I'M AFRAID WE CAN'T...
STAY SAFE ON CAMPUS
UPDATED CODE OF CONDUCT
REMINDER: YOU MUST DO THIS EVERY DAY
This page has a list of symptoms. They overlap with symptoms of other, more common maladies, but we must keep home any student or staff member with these symptoms.
GOT ARCHIVES?
Published by Deon Davis, Proud Principal of Coyote Ridge Elementary, an IB World School
Email: deon.davis@tsd.org
Website: https://www.thompsonschools.org/coyoteridge
Location: 7115 Avondale Road, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Phone: 970-679-9403
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoyoteRidgeIBWorld