Harper Happenings
September 11, 2020
Coming up
In-Person Learning Continues *NEXT WEEK*
Each in-person student will attend one full day at Harper next week. HERE is the Harper Welcome Back Weeks Schedule. The rest of the week is remote instruction.
1st-4th grade students will be at Harper from 8:35am-2:15pm on their scheduled day.
AM Kindergarten students will be at Harper from 8:35am-11:10am on their scheduled day.
KEEP39 students will have a full day on their in-person day. The rest of the week will be remote in the afternoon.
Self-certification form HERE. This form is required to enter school EACH DAY.
Principal's Update
Hello Harper Families,
I hope you have had a great week! As I have watched classrooms community build, both some in-person this week and remotely, I continue to be so impressed with the students. The beginning of the year is always about new routines and new expectations, but this year this has been more prevalent than ever before and our kids have risen to the occasion! Not only are they working on their new routines and new expectations, for both in-person and remote instruction, they are now growing so many important other skills: how to be on-time, time-management, flexibility, and independence to name a few. We know there are some challenges to remote learning and we know there are some challenges to our in-person model too, but there are so many positive elements and takeaways as well to the start of THIS school year. Watching the students grow in all of these important areas is tremendous! Thank you for your help and support over these first two weeks.
Today, staff and students honored the victims and first responders of the September 11th tragedy. In addition to our flag being flown at half-mast, each class participated in a moment of silence during which students were asked to think of ways they treat others kindly. Throughout the day, classes took some time to honor this important day in age-appropriate ways. While some had discussions about what happened on 9/11, many used this as a time to discuss how to help others in their community, have hope in the face of obstacles, and spread kindness!
I hope we can all continue to support one another and spread kindness throughout our classrooms and community.
Have a great weekend,
Aaron
In-Person Lunch Information
This week students will have a full day at Harper which means eating lunch. Please watch the lunch video to learn more about lunch. Here is a recap of the most important information to review with your child(ren):
Students eat in their classrooms at their own individual desk/learning spot
Students wash their hands before and after eating
While eating, blue desk shields are up and then masks will be taken off
Students should not talk while eating; instead, a book on tape or music will be playing in the classroom
After eating lunch, students will have a structured recess outside
Structured recess will provide an opportunity to be outside, to move, and get fresh air. During this time, masks can be taken off if students are maintaining proper social distance (6 feet of distance). The recess area will be split into zones in order to maintain spacing and classroom bubbles. (Inside recess will be in the classrooms).
A supervisor will be with the classroom the whole time
Students can buy lunch which will be delivered to their classroom (menu and more info below).
PACKING LUNCH (IMPORTANT): Students are expected to eat lunch on their own without the help of the supervisor, including opening up packages on their own. Please send items students are comfortable with and have used before. HERE is some information on packing items.
Drop-off and Pick-Up Information
It is important that everyone is following the proper drop-off and pick-up guidelines for the safety of all students. HERE is a comprehensive set of guidelines. A few points to emphasize:
When entering the drop-off/pick-up line, you may not turn into the drop-off/pick-up line from Thornwood Avenue (this includes Kindergarten families). Please enter the line on Dartmouth Avenue from Kenilworth Avenue, one block north of Thornwood Avenue
Do not drop students off on Elmwood Avenue. Please drop students off in front of Harper by following the proper drop-off procedures.
Please drive slowly around the school.
Please do NOT be on your cell phones while driving around the school.
Please try to stay in your car at all times when you are in the carpool line. Try not to leave your car to walk your child into school or to find your child.
Follow the proper one ways in the AM and PM. Specifically, Greenwood is a one way going East.
Drop-off and pick-up should occur as close to the main entrance of the school as possible (near the Greenwood intersection) in order to help the flow of the car line. Students should then walk on the sidewalk to get to their appropriate entrance doors.
Kindergarten families: you received a “K” sticker to display in your car. You may drop-off and pick-up your child near the kindergarten classrooms (next to the garden).
Entrance doors not in front: For those classrooms where your entrance door is not in the front of school, we still need students to be dropped off in front of the school and then walk to the back where their entrance door is located. Parents should not be picking up in the back of the school.
** If you are walking home with your child, please make sure to practice social distancing as you wait and have a mask on at all times.
Arrival and Dismissal Review
Zoom Expectations
Handwriting Paper
Lunch Menu
Stock the teachers lounge
The Stock the Teachers Lounge initiative is up and running for the 2020-21 school year. If you would like to show your appreciation for our teachers, who are working from their classrooms at Harper both remotely and in person, please visit the Sign Up Genius link HERE and drop off a donation. The most requested item right now is bottled water, but there are other slots available, too. Details about drop-off are on the signup. You may also ship items directly to Harper Elementary School, 1101 Dartmouth St., ATTN: TEACHER’S LOUNGE. Please contact Kari Darmstadter kari.darmstadter@gmail.com or Laura Geiger ljbgeiger@gmail.com with questions.
D39 Elementary School Pledge
I pledge to do my part to keep our community in good health while I attend
Wilmette District 39 Schools.
- I promise to be safe, caring, respectful, and responsible when learning from home or from school.
- I promise to check for symptoms everyday. No symptoms for me! I am on my way.
- I promise to wear a mask and protect our community everyday.
- I promise to keep my distance and watch my space, so that days can be fun in my favorite place.
- I promise to wash my hands and sanitize. I won’t share food or my school supplies.
- I love my Wilmette classroom-whether from home or at school. I promise to be safe and follow every rule.
As a student of Wilmette I pledge to show
my belief in our motto that “Together We Learn and Grow.”
The PTO Scoop
Room Parents
We are looking for Room Parents for a few remaining classes this year! If you would like to volunteer, please reach out to Johanna Toppenberg at roomparents@harperpto.com.
Volunteer Opportunities
The PTO has just a couple of open spots left - email Emily at ptopresident@harperpto.com if interested:
- Garden Co-Chair - Seeking a partner to help our Garden Chair facilitate volunteer opportunities and help keep our "outdoor classroom" beautiful, functional and safe.
Environmental Awareness – Consider volunteering to initiate projects that promote environmental awareness at Harper (recycling, Earth Day/Week, composting, etc). The chair also acts as a liaison between Harper and the Wilmette Village-Wide Parent Teacher Organization Environmental committee.
AtoZ Directory
The new and improved AtoZ Directory is now available. You should have received an email with new login instructions. You will need to verify your data through that email in order to join the PTO, purchase the 2020-21 Harper PTO Directory and gain digital access to student data, parent data, and class lists. (If you have received an AtoZ email from a school other than Harper, you DO NOT need to subscribe to it. Your full class list is in the Harper AtoZ directory.) AtoZ serves as a platform to make iGNITE donations, purchase Birthday Books (if applicable) and contribute to the yearly Teacher Gift Fund. In the past, room parents have asked for a donation for a class gift to teachers (split between holidays and end-of-year gifts). This year, the PTO is collecting this money and distributing gifts evenly among ALL Harper remote and in-person staff (classroom teachers, parapros, specials teachers and staff). Room parents will not be collecting money this year. Questions? Contact Catherine Tatlock at directoryandmembership@harperpto.com.
The Harper Garden relies on volunteers to help with weeding, harvesting, and prepping the garden beds for winter. We are having volunteers come one family at a time, on any given day, to adhere to social distancing guidelines. If you are interested, please email Dona at dona.m.christensen@gmail.com and include approximate dates you are available to volunteer. We will arrange a day for your family to help and send instructions ahead of time.
Yearbook
We plan to still offer a yearbook this year, but please note that ordering will be delayed. Stay tuned! In the meantime, SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! Email your first day of school pics and memorable moments to yearbook@harperpto.com.
Follow @harperdolphins on Instagram and Twitter, and join "Harper Parents Page" on Facebook.
introducing PASS39
PASS39 (the Parent Association for Student Services in District 39) helps provide education and support for families who have children with learning, behavioral, emotional and developmental challenges. Carey Personette is the Harper representative this year. She has put together a thoughtful document with more information and links below. If you would like to learn more about PASS39 or have any questions, please email pass39@harperpto.com or call Carey at 847.322.5331.
iGNITE!
Each year, the Harper PTO asks families to make a suggested donation to the iGNITE! fund, which pays for a wide variety of “extras” for our children. From field trips to crossing guards to teacher appreciation week, iGNITE! helps fund it all.
This year, we anticipate many of our “extras” looking a little different. Enrichment programs may be virtual or take-home kits, and more funds may be put towards our website and communication platforms. Therefore, we have reduced our suggested donation amount to $75 per child (previously $125). We will still be funding crossing guards, a reimagined enrichment program, the Harper garden, community service, teacher support and more.
The PTO thanks you for your contribution and looks forward to helping provide the best possible experience for every Harper student, whether virtual or in-person, during this critical time.
Ways to donate to iGNITE!: Click HERE OR use the link on your AtoZ directory landing page OR email Marni Sheehan at treasurer@harperpto.com.
One more way to support the Harper PTO is through Amazon Smile. Link below!
Health Reminders
Health Forms
- Make sure you fill out your self-certification form EVERY day you come to school.
- Make sure all of your health forms are ready to turn into our nurse, Val Morse. Please contact her at morsev@wilmette39.org with any questions or call her at 847-512-6202.
- Kindergarten: Vision, dental, & medical forms
- All: Medication & health updates
- HERE is an updated health letter from Mrs. Morse
Attendance Line
Please call the attendance line before 8:30am in the event your child is absent from school. The number is 847-512-6250. This applies for in-person and remote instructional days.
Tech Tips
Need help from the tech desk? Email a support ticket here.
Please make sure your iPad or Chromebook is plugged in and charging each night. iPads must be locked in their cases to charge. Find a spot around your house where your device will charge (we do not recommend it being in your child's bedroom). Students are responsible for charging their devices so they are ready for school the next day.
District 39 notes
Check out our updated Reopening Guide and updated FAQ. Links to these documents and other useful information can be found on the D39 Fall 2020 Reopening pages.
Community News
http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
Wilmette Historical Museum hosts a Vintage Car Parade on Sunday, September 13th at 1:30 pm.
- Family Action Network (FAN) Presents a webinar with Nancy Koehn, Ph.D Riding the Crisis Roller Coaster: Positioning Yourself Emotionally Amidst Volatility Thursday, September 17, 2020 7:00 - 8:00 pm
- Family Action Network (FAN) Presents a webinar with Brittany K. Barnett A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom Thursday, September 24, 2020 7:00 - 8:00 pm
- Cub Scouts Pack 1 Welcomes all McKenzie students!Contact wilmettepackone@gmail.com to sign up
- Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:30-11:30 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
- Covid Catch Up Tutors offers free virtual tutoring by qualified high school students for Pre-K through High School grade levels.
All announcements to be included in the Harper Happenings should be sent to Daniela Burnham via the Communication Request Form by Mondays at 9am.
For more school information, visit the Harper PTO website.
For additional D39 community events, visit wilmette39.org