Pomperaug Elementary School
PES Newsletter 2/25/22
MESSAGE FROM MRS. FURMAN
I hope you are all enjoying the snow day!
Starting February 28th, we will have some changes in our Covid 19 protocols. Mr. Smith outlined them in his Region 15 Update 2-23-22 email. He stated, "we are shifting our approach from one of a Pandemic to that of an Endemic, and from one of state mandates to personal decisions."
Some of the highlights are:
- The State Department of Public Health is recommending that all students and staff (who have not tested positive in the past 90 days) take a home COVID-19 test prior to Monday, February 28th. Test kits are available Saturday, February 26th at the Pickup window at Pomperaug High School from 10am-12pm.
- The school bus mask mandate is a federal requirement for all public transportation and will remain in effect for all school buses until at least March 18th when it is anticipated that the mandate will conclude. There will be a supply of masks on our buses, we appreciate your support and cooperation until this requirement is no longer in effect.
- It is a best practice to monitor daily for symptoms, test, and remain home if you suspect you may be ill. The district can continue to provide test kits to families as supplies last. Continue to report all cases of COVID-19 to the school.
- On Monday, February 28th masks will be optional in school. The shift to a mask optional environment is not an all or nothing environment. There may be limited high risk situations where masking may be appropriate. This will still include a return on Day 6 after being positive for COVID-19 with the recommendation that a mask be worn through Day 10.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Furman
Principal
Mask Social Story
This social story may help explain the mask changes to your child:
IMPORTANT DATES
March 2 - Virtual Storytime
March 3 - 6pm Kindergarten Orientation for parents/guardians
March 11 -1pm Early Dismissal Professional Development 1/2 Day
March 14 - Pi Day
March 17 - PES PTO meeting (9:30am - 10:30am)
March 23-24 1pm Early Dismissal - Conferences
Kindergarten Orientation, March 3rd at 6pm
We have started our Kindergarten enrollment period for the upcoming school year. To attend kindergarten in the 2022-23 school year, your child must be 5 years of age before January 1, 2023. Please complete the following form to begin the Kindergarten Registration process.
Kindergarten Initial Student Registration Form (2022-23) School Year
Parents/Guardians of incoming Kindergartners are invited to attend our Information Session on Thursday, March 3, 2022, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, in person here at Pomperaug Elementary School.
March Book A Day Challenge
During the month of March, we will challenge students and staff to read at least ONE book a day. The PES PTO has generously purchased 5 sets of 25 books for us to use again this year!
Students will also be challenged to read one picture book a day at home during the month of March. All students who complete this task and return a reading log, will be invited to an ice cream party with Mrs. Furman and Mrs. Mastropietro!
Virtual Storytime
On Wednesday, March 2nd, PES families are invited to join us for a Virtual Bedtime Hour. Teachers and staff will be reading aloud via Zoom. A schedule of readers and the Zoom link will be sent via email on Tuesday of next week. Please pop in for some or all of the books being read!
PES Read-A-Thon!
On Friday (March 4th) we will also have our 5th Annual School-Wide Read-A-Thon to raise money for Literacy Volunteers of Greater Waterbury. This group and its volunteers use the funds to help teach adults to read, and to support preschool storytime programs. We are all very excited to do something we love to help those in need. We will dress Comfy and Cozy on this day! It is our hope that friends and family members will sponsor our students here at PES for all the reading they do on this day. Collecting donations is optional. Please see attached flyer!
The Collection Drive has been extended to Friday, March 4th
From the PES Health Office
Over the next several weeks, we will be conducting hearing and vision screenings in the health office on our 1st, 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders, per required state guidelines. If a referral to a specialist is recommended, you will be notified via letter, which will be sent home with your child. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Cronin directly at 203-264-6230.
SCHOOL HEALTH AND SAFETY
We continue to follow the guidance of local and state health officials with respect to keeping our school community safe. Be on the lookout for detailed updates from Superintendent Smith.
Family Friendly Job Opportunities Available! Join the Region 15 team!
Additional information and application can be found here:
Pomperaug Elementary School
Email: PESoffice@region15.org
Website: www.region15.org/pes
Location: 607 Main Street South, Southbury, CT, USA
Phone: (203) 264-8283