The Lawrence Ledger
Important Information from Your FES Cub Principal
Fayetteville Elementary School Reopening Plans
I hope you and your families are doing well and staying healthy. Over the past few months, we have been faced with numerous challenges and feelings of discomfort as we have navigated our new normal. As we prepare to transition our teachers, staff and students to teaching and learning, we now have to prepare for our current reality. Part of this transition requires us to plan and implement new ways of “being” in our school setting. I would like to update you on a few necessary procedures that will be in place to assist in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in our building. My staff and I have missed our students and are looking forward to seeing them soon. Although I cannot guarantee that returning to Fayetteville Elementary will be without risk, we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our school community. I appreciate your patience as we work through these unprecedented challenges. Please read below for the protocols and procedures that will be implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at Fayetteville Elementary School:
What will a typical day look like?
Arrival at School
Parents/guardians who drop-off their children in the morning will need to stay in their vehicles. Students will open their own car doors and exit the vehicles when directed. Parents/guardians will not be allowed to enter the building-even on the first day of school. If students are late to school, they will enter the building by themselves, and someone from the front office will check the child in.
Dismissal
As in the past, parents/guardians will stay in their vehicles, their child will be called, and the child will be brought to the car. Students will open their own car doors and enter the vehicles when directed. Parents/guardians are not allowed to exit their vehicles or enter the building. A limited number of students will come out at a time and once loaded, another group of students will be called. This may delay the car rider line, but we will work as fast as we can to get students to their vehicles in a safe and orderly fashion.
In the event a child needs to be picked up early, the parent/guardian will enter the school and remain in the lobby until the child comes to the front lobby to leave. Persons will be asked to observe social distancing and wear a mask while in the lobby.
Hallways and Transitions
Hallways will allow for two-way traffic in either direction. Students will be directed to walk on the right side of the hall and social distance from one another.
Breakfast and Lunch
Students will eat breakfast and lunch inside of their homeroom and outside on occasion. Students will visit the cafeteria for meal distribution while social distancing. Unfortunately, students will not be allowed to have visitors during lunch.
Classrooms
Teachers will be setting up their classrooms to maximize distancing for students. Students will keep their items with them during the day and will not share materials. Due to departmentalization in fifth grade, the teachers will change classrooms, not the students.
Students will still have the opportunity to engage in specials (Art, Music, PE, Tech/World Language), but those teachers will transition to the homeroom classroom. Any instruments, equipment or materials used will be sanitized between classes. Students may have the opportunity to visit the gym for PE if it is determined that students can socially distance.
Meet the Teacher (Open House)
This year's Meet the Teacher will look very different from previous years. However, we will do our best to welcome our students and families to Fayetteville Elementary. We will contact parents/guardians via email before school begins in order to introduce their child's teacher and invite them to a new school year.
Pre-K and Kindergarten parents/guardians will be contacted by their child's teacher to schedule a specific time to visit the student's classroom in person. Appointments will be made and only a limited number of parents/guardians and students will be permitted in the building at a time. 1st-5th grade parents/guardians will be contacted by their child's teacher to schedule a virtual visit to the classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will students be able to use water fountains?
No. All water fountains will be temporarily unavailable for use to mitigate the spread of germs around the school. All students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school.
Will my child have to wear a mask?
In accordance with current state guidance, students are strongly encouraged, but not required, to wear face masks at this time. However, students will be asked to wear masks when social distancing is not possible such as when transitioning, during emergency drills, etc.
Will the school employ social distancing measures?
Yes, as much as possible. Fayetteville Elementary employees, students, parents/guardians, and office visitors will be encouraged to stay approximately 6 feet away from others, if possible, and avoid contact with others. Fayetteville ES will implement several practices where feasible to follow best hygiene practices and assist in social distancing, including encouraging hand washing and face coverings and not sharing personal items, electronics, toys, books and other games or learning aids, minimizing student traffic flow and developing traffic flow patterns to maximize social distancing, increasing desk spacing where possible, turning desks to face in the same direction, minimizing group settings and limiting mixing between groups. In classrooms with tables, temporary partitions will be used to help provide separation. Hand sanitation stations will be available throughout the building for use during transitions.
Will my child's teacher have to wear a face mask?
Staff will be strongly encouraged, but not be required, to wear masks while in classrooms or during instruction when a social distance can be maintained. They will be required to wear face coverings in areas where it is difficult to maintain physical distancing (for example, in hallways with other classes, in the cafeteria, or during car/bus duty).
Can I visit the front office?
All visitors to the front office must be symptom-free and must wear a face covering to enter the building. Visitors will also be subjected to a health screening and temperature check. No more than 4 persons will be permitted inside the office. Parent/guardian conferences and meetings will be held via phone, email, or through virtual meetings. In-person meetings will be held when feasible and/or required.
Can I have something delivered to the school? (ex. food, gifts, etc.)
Until further notice, no outside food or packages will be received at school (examples: food from outside school, gifts, flowers, balloons, etc.).
What protective measures will be taken on my child's bus?
Bus drivers will sanitize bus seats, handles, and railings after morning and evening routes, and students will be separated on the bus to the best extent possible. Additionally, face coverings are required.
Will my child still have recess?
Yes, all students will still have the opportunity for recess each day. Grade level classes will either have staggered times or play in different areas to limit contact with other students, and students will be encouraged to socially distance while playing. Until further notice, students will not be allowed to utilize playground structures.
What if a child begins to display symptoms of COVID-19 exposure at school?
Students with the following symptoms should stay home: fever of 100 degrees or higher, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, cough, chills, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, or diarrhea.
If a student displays COVID-19 symptoms at school, he/she will be provided with a face covering and will be moved into an isolation room until picked up by a parent/guardian.
Parents/guardians should contact Nurse Bentley regarding any subsequent diagnosis of a child sent home from school or who otherwise has exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 or other communicable illnesses. Similarly, parents/guardians should notify the school if anyone in the household has tested positive for COVID-19.
All emergency and clinic cards need to be updated with current contact numbers and returned to school as soon as possible upon the beginning of the school year. Please include the name and numbers of any persons who are able to pick up your child.
I appreciate your continued support of our school. I have also included additional COVID-19 resources for your review. Please enjoy your remaining days of summer vacation.
COVID-19 Resources and Information
How to Protect Yourself from COVID-19
Fayette County Public Schools Questions and Answers Regarding Reopening of Schools
Tabatha Lawrence, Principal
Email: lawrence.tabatha@mail.fcboe.org
Website: fescubs.org
Location: 490 Hood Avenue, Fayetteville, GA, USA
Phone: 770-460-3560