Happy Friday, Lil Steamer Families!
February 5, 2021
From the desk of: Principal Hoese
Lil Steamer Families --
I hope this newsletter finds you safe and warm as our midwest weather does its thing! The past couple of remote learning days have given me time to reflect on the where we were, where we are now, and where we are heading.
Where we were - Our school district only implemented remote learning days as an option a couple years ago. I'm glad we took that progressive leap when we did, because it has set us up for success through the spring of last school year and through the current school year.
Where we are - We are now through our first week of February with students on-site for learning. Hybrid learning started in August and daily attendance started in November. Three full months of daily attendance while still addressing the needs of our remote learners and quarantined students. I am so incredibly proud of our staff in rising to meet these challenges! And to think, there are many schools in Illinois and Iowa that have been fully remote so far.
Where we are headed - We are currently on pace to complete the school year providing on-site learning for our students. That would have been a CRAZY notion if I would have read it back in July or August. Yet, here we are... defying the odds... MAN I LOVE #STEAMERNATION!!!
So, I reflect on a couple of back-to-back remote learning days and think of how difficult those were less than a year ago. I reflect on how much our staff has grown in a matter of months and how much our students have learned in that short time as well. I reflect on the countless smiling eyes, happy conversations, and joyful antics of our students... I know we are better able to address their social-emotional needs face-to-face rather than through a screen.
Man, look at how far we've come. But we still have plenty further to go. And that's perfectly fine by me :)
Stay safe and warm this Super Bowl weekend,
JAGH
From the desk of: School Counselor Mrs. Meumann
Children need high quality time with parents and caregivers as it will have a positive effect on them as they grow. Here are some tips for spending high quality time with your children:
Have a daily “connect” time with your child. Do this face-to-face, if possible; but if this isn’t an option, create a routine for doing so in other ways, such as leaving a note in your child’s lunch bag, posting a note by his toothbrush, or writing an encouraging saying on a shared whiteboard in the house.
Create a special ritual for you and your child—something that can be done every day. For example, let your child choose and read one book with you at bedtime.
Tell your child you love him/her every day. Tell him/her how important they are to you and how they make you feel.
2A loves hands on math!
Unscrambling Sight Words in Second Grade!
Remote Learning Day!
So proud of these little second graders in 2A! They show up to their google meets on time and are prepared! A big shout out to their parents as well! They have become quite independent over the months during our class on google meet! We ended the week with Friday Fun! A “Sip-N-Chat” together while building relationships!
Fun in the Snow!!
Valentine's Day Celebrations to be Held on Friday, February 12, 2021
Lil Steamer Families --
As we approach Valentine’s Day, the FES faculty has been working hard to determine a safe and enjoyable way to celebrate the holiday here at school. In order to make things simpler for families with multiple children, we are staying with the same basic format for all grade levels.
We will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 12, 2021.
Format:
Homeroom teachers will determine if students will make their Valentine’s Day boxes/bags at school or home.
Student Valentines (and boxes/bags if needed) will be brought to school from home.
Treats and treat bags are not permitted.
Students are permitted to bring non-food items (pencils, stickers, etc.) with Valentines.
The due date for student Valentines is Friday, February 5, 2021.
After the Valentines have had ample time to quarantine, they will be delivered by teachers/students on Thursday, February 11, 2021 to student Valentine’s Day boxes/bags.
The school cafeteria will provide a Valentine’s Day treat and drink to each student on Friday, February 12, 2021.
We know this is not the most ideal situation during this most unusual school year, but we thank you for your understanding as we continue to do our best to keep our students safe.
Warm Regards,
Mr. Jeffrey Hoese
Principal
Preschool to Start Daily Attendance on Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Lil Steamer Families --
As the pandemic school year unfolds and changes, we are continually looking for ways to best meet the needs of our students, staff, and families. Back in September, we explored moving to 2 sections of PK students (morning and afternoon) instead of 4 sections (anchors and boats). Per our survey sent out then, 50% of families were in favor of staying with 4 sections and 50% of families were in favor of moving to 2 sections. We took a conservative approach since we had only been in school for a month and half and remained with 4 sections.
We again explored the same option in November, but made the decision to stay with 4 sections with the holiday seasons approaching to avoid potential exposure concerns among students and staff.
In January, we sent another parent survey out. The responses from this survey showed that 30% of families were in favor of staying with 4 sections and 70% of families were in favor of moving to 2 sections. Based on the responses from the families and the limited number of quarantines of students so far this year, we will be moving to 2 sections (morning and afternoon) with students attending every day starting on Tuesday, February 16. This will allow parents time to make necessary childcare accommodations moving forward and for students to have a smaller Valentine’s Day celebration with their current peers before introducing new students.
As such, each section will have approximately 25 students. Our staff has worked diligently to determine a system that would help prevent the need for a full shutdown of the preschool should a COVID-positive case arise. Due to the play-based nature of the learning environment, it is difficult to keep young children socially distanced from one another.
Our staff will be utilizing a pod system for groups where students will interact primarily with certain students and staff throughout the day. This helps us keep students socially distanced and will hopefully negate the need to close the preschool for a period of time due to student and/or staff quarantines. This format essentially would work like the bulkhead on a ship. In those instances, if one compartment floods, the ship can still operate and stay afloat.
This is similar to the pod system. If one pod has to quarantine, that will allow the other pods of students and other staff members to hopefully avoid quarantine and keep other students on-site. Obviously, every case is unique and is handled individually, but this is our goal with our format. There have been other schools in our area that have had to close for a few weeks due to quarantines, but we feel confident that this format will keep our students safe, increase their opportunities for learning, and prevent unnecessary quarantines.
Thank you for your support and patience throughout the entire year. Our #SteamerNation community has been wonderful to work with during this pandemic school year. As always, if you have any questions please let your child’s teacher or myself know.
Warm Regards,
Mr. Jeffrey Hoese
Principal
Preschool Screenings!
2021 5 Essentials Parent Survey Now Open!
Lil Steamer Parents --
Please take a few minutes to complete the following survey, which provides us comprehensive feedback regarding our school. We use this information to then look at ways to improve in all areas. We need at least 20% of families to complete the survey in order to receive a report. Please, please, please take a few minutes to help the Greatest Little Elementary School in the Universe become even greater!
COVID-19 Decision Tree for Symptomatic Individuals
February Lunch and Breakfast Menu
Upcoming Important Dates
Valentine's Day Celebrations
Friday, Feb 12, 2021, 08:00 AM
Fulton Elementary School, 7th Avenue, Fulton, IL, USA
No School - President's Day
Monday, Feb 15, 2021, 08:00 AM
Fulton Elementary School, 7th Avenue, Fulton, IL, USA
Fulton Elementary School
Email: jhoese@riverbendschools.net
Website: riverbendschools.org/fes
Location: 1301 7th Avenue, Fulton, IL, USA
Phone: (815)589-2911
Twitter: @FultonSteamers