Munhall Bulletin
November 6, 2020
Munhall Elementary School
Email: heather.miller@d303.org
Website: http://munhall.d303.org/
Location: 1400 South 13th Avenue
Phone: 331-228-2600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Munhall-Elementary-1459358344296891/
Twitter: @MunhallD303
Principal Note
Selecting Mode of Instruction for 2nd Semester
This afternoon you will receive a district-level email that describes the process used to identify preferred learning models for the 2nd semester. To assist us in our efforts to properly plan for the 2nd semester, you will be asked to select between in-person or remote learning models for your child. We ask all parents to complete the survey prior to our break for Thanksgiving holiday.
Fall Pictures
Our fall picture day will be Wednesday, November 18th. All in-person learners will be assigned a picture time with their classroom, while all remote students will have the option of selecting a time to come to Munhall and get their picture taken. A separate communication, specific to fall pictures, will be sent earlier next week, as we will be finalizing details with Color Portraits this afternoon.
CogAT Testing
Between November 9 and November 20, 2020, 3rd and 5th graders will be taking the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). The test consists of three short sections, 90 minutes of total test time, broken into nine 10-minute tests. Our in-person learners will test Wednesday, November 11th-Friday, November 13th, with make-ups occurring the week of November 16th.
The CogAT is not an achievement test. Instead, it measures a student’s verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning abilities, which can facilitate learning and problem-solving. The scores may be used to adapt instruction and programs to the needs and abilities of students. Information is also used as a piece of information for student programming such as Academically Talented. For more information on Academically Talented students click here: https://district.d303.org/programs/academically-talented. Student results will be sent home in January. We appreciate your support of our academic programs and your partnership in facilitating your child’s learning.
In-person Students
If your child is attending school in-person at the time of the test, they will take it in school.
Remote Students
If your child is a remote student, you have the opportunity to have them come to the Haines Center to take the CogAT. You will have the option to choose a morning or afternoon session between November 16-19. The CogAT must be taken in-person. There are no remote options. If you do not wish for your child to be in a school at this time to take the CogAT, there will be optional CogAT dates offered during the summer of 2021. However, students can only take the CogAT once every nine months.
· To see the remote schedule, and select a time, click here. Information about test day procedures can be found here.
· If your child will need transportation to Haines click here (choose a test day and time first)
· If your child will not be coming to Haines to take the CogAT, or to receive information on summer of 2021 options, please click here.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Veteran’s Day Assembly
All in-person and remote Mustangs will take part in an asynchronous Veteran’s Day assembly on Wednesday, November 11th.
Earlier in the week, I sent a link to families, allowing any of our Munhall veterans to post a brief video about their service. Please consider sharing this information with any grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc., as I would love for our Mustangs to hear from and learn from our veterans.
A link to the platform (VidHug) to post videos can be found here: Munhall Mustang Veteran's Day Videos
No School November 9th (Remote Learning Planning Day)--
There will be no school for students on Monday, November 9th, as it is a planning day for staff.
Outdoor PE and Mask Breaks
I want to emphasize the importance of getting our students outside and providing them opportunities to have breaks from their face coverings. Therefore, even as the weather turns colder, we will continue to go outside for PE, and mask breaks. Continue sending your child to school with appropriate attire to keep them warm on cold days.
Munhall Will Soon be Serving Breakfast
Starting November 10th, Organic Life will be offering breakfast at all Elementary Schools. Students will have the opportunity to order breakfast in the morning with their classroom teacher. Organic Life will prep the breakfast bags and deliver them to classrooms at the end of each day for students. This helps to support students eating a breakfast before coming to school the next day.
This new breakfast option will be available to Munhall students starting on Tuesday, November 10th. Breakfast will also be included in the remote meals. Breakfast meals are free for all students just like the lunches.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Have a great weekend!
Jarrod Buxton, Principal
NURSES CORNER
Answers to questions you may have regarding school exclusion guidelines for Covid-19. The most recent Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidelines for Covid-19 school exclusion as of 10/27/20 https://www.isbe.net/Documents/IDPH-COVID19-Exclusion-Decison-Tree.pdf Please remember that these guidelines may change over time.
1. If a child has a known condition causing the symptoms, e.g., allergies, migraine, etc. can this be taken into consideration?
Every symptomatic person should be evaluated by their healthcare provider on a case-by-case basis and decisions to test for COVID-19 should be based on their personal health history. Each episode of new symptom onset should be evaluated. Diagnostic testing is strongly encouraged whenever an individual experiences COVID-like symptoms; it is possible to have COVID-19 and other health conditions at the same time. Early diagnosis can prevent further transmission. Individuals who have undergone testing should remain home away from others while waiting for COVID-19 test results
2. If a student is sent home sick with suspected COVID-19 symptoms (see link to IDPH Guidelines for symptoms), must all their siblings/household members be sent home as well and quarantined for 14 calendar days?
Yes, if one of the household members is being evaluated for COVID-19, the rest of the household must be quarantined until an alternative diagnosis is made by an MD or a negative result received.
3. If the close contact and the COVID case were both wearing their cloth face coverings when the exposure occurred, is the close contact still required to be quarantined?
Yes, while there is strong evidence that face coverings significantly reduce the risk of infection, the likelihood of transmission cannot be ruled out. (IDPH,10/27/20)
4. Why are some people told to stay home for 14 days and others for 10 days?
November Munhall PTO Meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://d303-org.zoom.us/j/89483860956?pwd=TTIxRmVCeHErNHhWQk43Q2hNUUlIUT09
Meeting ID: 894 8386 0956
Passcode: 976327