Mustang Memo
Fireside Newsletter 4/5/2021
Congratulations!
Heart Challenge
Fireside has currently raised just over $20,000! Wow!
As promised, Miss Brewer and Mrs. Koestner will both be "pied in the face" on Wednesday, April 7th at 11 A.M. Fireside students who have raised more than $150 will participate with the whole school watching via a Google meet. Thank you to Miss Brewer and Mrs. Koestner! We have also bumped up our goal to $25,000. If we reach it, Dr. Else will also be "pied in the face."
The event ends Friday, April 9th. Please encourage your children to sign up and support the American Heart Association. Thank you for your help and support! It is greatly appreciated.
Playground Enhancements - Tax Credit Dollars at Work
Thank you for your support!
Dual Year Year Tax Credit Donations
To donate online please click here: Tax Credit Donations
Reminder: Wednesdays are early release days every week
School begins at 8:45am and ends at 12:30pm.
21-22 Kindergarten Registration is Open!
Kindergarten registration for the 21-22 school year is open! Please share this information with friends or family interested in joining us at Fireside.
The Registration packet is available as a fillable form. Click here: Registration Packet
Once you have completed the forms, print them and sign where indicated. Then drop them off at the front office along with the following documents:
Student’s original birth certificate (we will make a copy).
Student’s proof of immunizations
Your proof of residence.
If you have any questions, you may email doswanson@pvschools.net
School Tours
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044EAAA928ABFD0-fireside1
Spring IN-PERSON Enrichment is back!
Community Education is excited to have in-person enrichment classes back at various locations. Classes are starting SOON so please be sure to check them out HERE and sign up your student today. Please call 602-449-2199 with any questions or to register for classes.
April Calendar
4/6 Early Release
4/13 State Testing Grades 3-6 (Writing)
4/17 PTO Good Will Drive (see below for details)
4/20 State Testing Grade 3 (reading/math part 1)
4/21 State Testing Grade 3 (reading/math part 2)
4/26-4/30 Book Fair Begins (details to come)
4/26 PTO General Meeting
4/27 State Testing Grade 5 (Science)
Arizona State Testing
Please save the dates. Arizona State Testing has been scheduled. Please mark your calendars for the dates below.
Third Grade
4/13: Writing
4/20: Reading 1
4/20: Math 1
4/22: Reading 2
4/22: Math 2
Fourth Grade
4/13: Writing
5/4: Reading 1
5/4: Math 1
5/6: Reading 2
5/6: Math 2
Fifth Grade
4/13: Writing
4/27: Science
5/4: Reading 1
5/4: Math 1
5/6: Reading 2
5/6: Math 2
Sixth Grade
4/13: Writing
5/4: Reading 1
5/4: Math 1
5/6: Reading 2
5/6: Math 2
PVConnect students not testing in person will engage in asynchronous learning days.
PvConnect Parents have two testing options to choose from for their children:
Testing with the class in the classroom on the days of in-person testing or
Testing after school in groups of up to 20 with other PVConnect students
From Our Student Council
Arizona Helping Hands
Links:
Canned Food Drive
Below is a list of items most needed by the food bank at this time.
- Canned green beans
- Instant oatmeal
- Canned pasta like SpaghettiOs
- Canned chili or Dinty Moore beef stew
- Jello, pudding
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Mac ‘n Cheese in boxes
- Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salt, pepper
Information from the Fireside PTO
Reopening Information
Returning to School Following an Absence: Updated Procedures
Office Hours
Beginning 2/16 office hours will be 7:45am-3:45pm.
Wednesday Early Release
School will begin at 8:45am and end at 12:30pm.
- Kindergarten will release at 12:15pm.
- First grade will release at 12:20pm.
Lunch will not be served.
Students will attend specials on a rotating basis.
Wednesday afternoons are reserved for teacher planning.
Tips for Our Students Learning From Home
Arrival and Departure from School
Arrival
Students in grades 1-6 can enter campus via the pedestrian gates near the bike racks and west lot
Students in kindergarten will enter campus via the gate near kindergarten playground
Students will enter the building through a designated entrance near their grade level classroom
Students line up by class in designated areas that are physically distanced
The bus will complete two runs to attempt distancing
Gates will be opened at 8:25am. Students may not arrive on campus prior to 8:25am.
Families that do not want to have their child on the playground in the AM can drop their child off at the office at 8:45. Students arriving between 8:45-8:55am will not be marked tardy.
Dismissal
Teachers will escort classes to the building exits to support physical distancing.
Students waiting for parent pick-up will practice physical distancing.
Homeroom teachers will practice procedures with their students to eliminate confusion
Staggered dismissal times:
3:00 - Kindergarten dismissal. Students who are walkers or have parents who have parked dismissed at the flagpole. Students picked up in cars dismissed at Kiss and Go. Parents not at the flagpole by 3:00 should pick up their child at Kiss and Go.
3:10 - First grade dismissal
3:15 - Grades 2-6 dismissal
Pre-K Schedule
- Arrival: 9:00am located at Kiss and Go for student sign in.
- Pick-up: 2:30pm located at Kiss and Go for student sign out.
- Early release Wednesdays: pick up 12:00pm located at Kiss and Go for student sign out.
SunKids:
- Arrival and dismissal procedures will be shared by the classroom teacher for both sessions.
Specials Schedule
Kinder 1:40-2:20
1st Grade 1:00-1:40
2nd Grade 2:20-3:00
3rd Grade 9:40-10:20
4th Grade 10:20-10:55
5th Grade 11:00-11:40
6th Grade 9:00-9:40
Students will attend specials every other Wednesday during our early release days.
Lunch and Recess
Kindergarten 10:50-11:10/11:10-11:30
1st Grade 11:10-11:30/11:30-11:50
2nd Grade 11:55-12:15/12:15-12:35
3rd Grade 12:20-12:40/12:40-1:00
4th Grade 1:05-1:25/1:25-1:45
5th Grade 12:40-1:00/1:00-1:20
6th Grade 11:35-11:55/11:55-12:15
What to do when your child is absent
- If your child is sent home due to illness, please allow the teacher two days to prepare materials for your child. Materials for your child will be available in the front office.
- If your child is absent from school for any reason, he/she will check back into school through the school nurse.
COVID Screening and Reporting
Please review the Maricopa County Symptom Screening for Schools for Detailed Information about Screening Protocols and Procedures: here
Healthy Home Check
- Students should stay home if they feel ill or are exhibiting symptoms of respiratory infection.
- Parents and guardians should assess their child’s health daily prior to heading to school or the bus stop.
- At the beginning of each day as students enter the classroom, teachers will informally screen students for respiratory symptoms. If the teacher has concerns, they will contact the school nurse prior to sending the student to the Nurse’s Office.
- Students will be reminded of proper respiratory hygiene.
Band and Strings
- Strings classes will be held on Tuesdays and Fridays.
- Band classes will be held on Mondays and Thursdays.
- Students will bring their instruments to school on band/strings days and leave their instruments in the band/strings classroom for the day.
Materials distribution
- Materials distribution will continue for all students learning from home.
- Your child’s classroom teacher will notify you via email if materials should be picked up each Thursday.
- Materials pick up will be located in the front office.
- Carts will be in the front lobby with bins for each grade level clearly labeled. Teacher folders will be housed inside each grade level bin. Pickup bins will continue to be located on the top shelf with turn in bins on the bottom shelf. Grade level and teacher names will be clearly labeled.
- The pick up will be self service from the hours of 7:00am-8:00am and 9:30am-2:00pm.
Masks
- Masks will be required at all times once on campus property (including sidewalks, common areas, buildings, etc).
- Exceptions include only designated lunch time in the cafeteria, designated snack time during second recess outside, under teacher direction during PE class outside, and under teacher direction when playing instruments during band class.
- Neck gaiters, bandanas and valve masks are not allowed as MCDPH has identified these as less effective. (See MCDPH Not All Masks Are Created Equal).
Students should bring more than one mask to campus and keep the extra(s) in their backpack
All masks should be labeled with the students first and last name
If a student is not wearing a mask or is not wearing a mask properly:
The first time, the classroom teacher will issue a disposable mask if needed to the student and email the parent. The teacher will re-teach mask expectations.
The second time, the classroom teacher will issue a disposable mask if needed to the student and email the parent. School administration and/or the school nurse will re-teach mask expectations. The school principal will email the parent addressing the concern.
The third time, the classroom teacher will issue a disposable mask if needed to the student and the student will be referred to the front office. The student may be directed to PVConnect learning from home. PVOnline will be considered upon parent request and space availability.
Parents will be asked to pick their child up from school within one hour.
Disciplinary action may be issued or the student may be directed to PVConnect learning from home. PVOnline will be considered upon parent request and space availability.
Please use the following link to access PVUSD Policy: Student Dress Code Addendum - Face Cloth Mask
This is consistent with Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) Face Covering Guidance as they are requiring face masks to be worn both inside and outside on schools campuses.
Social Emotional Learning at Fireside
Each morning teachers check in with students during morning circle time. During our morning check in, students are able to complete a “how are you feeling” form. The response to this form is forwarded to our social emotional school counselor, Megan Gilligan who will contact the parents of all students who indicate that they are having a bad day or need help. In addition, parents and students are able to refer students using this link: Social Emotional Support Request Form
"Old" News (but still valuable)
Tips for Parenting During Virtual Learning
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any concerns or for additional support.
- Check in with your child daily about progress and feelings. One of the best ways to stay involved with your child’s progress in the classroom is by checking in. Establishing an open relationship about your child’s experience creates a healthy environment around thriving in the classroom.
- Monitor Infinite Campus: Please make sure to check your child’s Infinite Campus at least once a week for progress. You are able to view missing assignments and class scores when they are updated.
- Monitor Google Classroom with your child’s help: Parent Guide to Google Classroom
- Create a distraction free learning environment for your child.
- Ensure your child has the materials required to be successful during the school day.
- Set a routine. Consider using a visual school schedule.
- Prepare a learning environment for success: two helpful resources are Parent Tips and Tricks and Home Technical Tips for the Digital Environment
- Understand the expectations: Student Distance Learning Expectations
Fireside Reopening Plan
PV Assist
Library Books are Available for Checkout
Students are able to check out books! Here are the guidelines and a short video on how to place books on hold in Destiny.
PLEASE NOTE:
K-2nd can hold/check out one book, 3rd-6th can hold/check out 2 at a time.
We will add the books to the Teacher pick up bins.
If the book is not there on Thursday, there may be several reasons: the number of books the student has out, someone else still has the book, or it's still being quarantined (We must hold all books for 72 hours before we can check them out again).
Thank you!
Please click here to access Destiny for checkout.
Please click here to view an instructional video about the check out process.COVID Student Chromebook Replacement Costs for K-8 Students
All Fireside students are able to check out a chromebook from school.
Beginning in March of 2020, students were issued district Chromebooks and agreed to return the equipment to PVUSD in the condition that it was given. Parents/Guardians accepted responsibility for this equipment during the checkout period and agreed that they will be held personally liable if it is lost, stolen or damaged. Students will be charged the actual cost of replacement if the Chromebook and charger aren’t returned with only normal wear and tear. See below for replacement cost:
Replacement Cost for Chromebook $150
Replacement Cost for Charger (Adapter) $20
From the Nurse
PV Schools Reopening Plan
For the most up to date information from the district, please visit the PVUSD website at:
https://www.pvschools.net/reopening
This website includes the prepared plan, reopening criteria, a link to the Maricopa County Dashboard, and a summary of supports for families.
Critical Updates
Annual Update: Please Complete the Annual Update Online. Use the following link to access a smartcard with instructions: Annual Update Instructions