Forest Park Flyer
Forest Park, a place to dream, believe and achieve!
September 2020
The character trait for the month of September is Responsibility.
From the Principal...
At this time, no visitors will be allowed into our building. If your child forgets something at home, please come to the main entrance and enter our vestibule. Staff will collect the items from you and will make sure they are delivered to your child. Additionally, if you will be picking your child up early from school, please call the main office or send a note to our attendance clerk, Jodie Gay, through email or Class Dojo. Please do not send a note into school with your child. We are working to keep staff and students safe by minimizing the paper that goes back and forth from our building. When you arrive to pick your child up, you will be asked to wait in the vestibule until your child arrives. Additionally, all sign in and sign out forms will be completed by our staff. Families will not be asked to sign this year to minimize the exchange of pens, etc. This same format will be utilized if you are asked to pick your child up from the Nurse's Office.
In addition to the changes in our visitor and sign out procedures, we are also modifying our drop off and pick up process to keep traffic moving and minimize exposure. If you will be dropping your child off and/or picking them up from school, you will be required to remain in your vehicle. A member of the staff will be available to assist your child. Parents are not allowed to walk their child into the building or escort them out of the car. Additionally, no bus passes will be allowed this year. Students are only allowed to take the bus to which they have been assigned in Aspen. Additional information about our arrival and dismissal processes is included below.
In light of COVID-19, we will also be celebrating birthdays differently at Forest Park this year. Instead of celebrating by bringing in a treat for the class, the individual celebrating their birthday will be the person of honor in their classroom for the entire day!! Our second grade team implemented this format a few years ago, and we will now be employing it as a building. In second grade, the birthday boy or girl receives a special card from the class, they get to share special or meaningful items from home and spend the day being celebrated by their class. Each class will have their own unique twist on this new tradition, so keep your eyes open for more information from your child's teacher. We can't wait to celebrate this special occasion with your child!!
This year, our newsletter will be utilized to communicate any changes in our procedures or building wide activities in light of the limitations we face due to COVID 19 restrictions. Please be sure to review it carefully each month for updates. As always, you are welcome to contact me or your child's teacher at the building at (518) 869-3006 or via email with any questions. Welcome back!! As always, we look forward to an amazing year together as a Forest Park community.
Mrs. Penn
Transportation
BUS: Students riding the bus will be assigned to a seat. Additionally, students will not be allowed to ride any bus other than the bus to which they were assigned; no bus passes will be allowed. To ensure the safety of everyone on the bus, the students will only be transported to and from one location. Bus information (bus number and times) will be assigned in your child's Aspen account.
CAR: Families who are transporting their child(ren) to and from school will be assigned a vehicle number. Car tags, backpack tags and area assignments will be handed out on Supply Drop-off Day. You will be assigned a time frame during which you can drop-off your child(ren) in the morning and a time in which you will pick-up your child(ren) in the afternoon. Please note that our drop off and pick up times will be approximately the same time frames as those in place last year, 9:11am for drop off and 3:20pm for pick up.
MORNING: You are asked to wait with your child in your vehicle until staff indicates it is time to enter the building. Your child should not exit the vehicle until they are in the appropriate zone and are instructed to do so by a staff member. To ensure social distancing, we will be inviting students to enter the building in small groups.
AFTERNOON: You will need to pull into the pick-up area and wait in your vehicle. Staff will come outside and radio your vehicle tag number to the staff in the building so your child(ren) can safely exit the building and meet you at your car.
PLEASE... watch your speed limit - there is no need to speed in the school zone. DO NOT pass other vehicles. Please wait until the vehicle in front of you pulls out so you can proceed. Please do not exit your car in either the drop-off or pick-up zone. For the safety of staff and students, all drop-offs and pick-ups must take place from a vehicle.
Once again, we appreciate your assistance in maintaining the safety of our students. During the first few days of school, the drop off and pick up processes may be a bit delayed as we figure things out; however, if everyone follows the procedures outlined above, things will move more quickly, and we will ensure everyone arrives at school safe and sound! Thank you!!
Class Dojo
This year, we will once again utilize this method of communicating with families at the classroom and building level. Please be sure to check your child(ren)'s backpack for information about how to join the Class Dojo set up by your child(ren)'s teacher. Only families at Forest Park are able to join our Dojo so please be sure to keep your eyes open for the code you can use to sign up. Thank you!!
School Supply Drop Off Schedule
The schedule for supply drop off is as follows:
September 10th -
Kindergarten 10:00am - 11:00am
First Grade 11:15am - 12:15pm
Second Grade 12:30pm - 1:30pm
September 11th -
Third Grade 10:00am - 11:00am
Fourth Grade 11:15am - 12:15pm
DiLello, Tierney, Carpenter, Winters 12:30pm - 1:30pm
If you have children in multiple grades, you can come during each time frame to drop off supplies and meet the teacher or you may drop off the supplies for both of your children during one of the time frames that works best for your family. Please be sure to adhere to the time frames outlined above as the teachers will only be available outside during their assigned drop off time. Thank you!!
Library News from Mrs. Kuno
📚Library Borrowing
This school year, library instruction and services will look different than in year's past. Instead of coming to the library for classes, students will have a scheduled library class taught in their classroom. Students will have a book exchange once in the six day cycle during which they will be able to select and borrow library materials that are brought directly to their classroom. Second, third, and fourth grade students will be able to request books using our library catalog. Kindergarten and first grade students will be able to borrow from browsing carts.
Students will only be able to renew or borrow new library materials during their scheduled book exchange time. Materials students want to return will be collected the day before their scheduled book exchange day. Returned books will be quarantined before being recirculated.
💻 Students will also have access to over 300 e-books in our library catalog and even more resources in our library databases including Tumblebooks, Bookflix, PebbleGo, Epic!, Raz Kids and more. These resources may be found on the library webpage in the Library Resources grid. A link to the Library web page is below. Throughout the month of September, the focus of our library lessons will be accessing and using these online resources.
🌴Summer Curbside Borrowing
If you borrowed library materials as part of our Summer Curbside Borrowing program, you may return those items during supply drop-off or on the first day of school.
Daily Health and Safety Measures
As a school community, we all play an important role in protecting the health of one another. Staff, students and anyone entering the building will be required to complete a health check every day before they get on the bus and/or arrive at school. Everyone will need to take their temperature and answer the four questions listed below:
1. Have you had any signs or symptoms of a fever in the past 24 hours including chills, sweats, felt "feverish" or have had a temperature of 100 F or greater?
2. Do you have any of the following new-onset symptoms? Cough, shortness of breath or chest tightness, sore throat, nasal congestion/runny nose, muscle pain, loss of taste and/or smell, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever/chills/sweats?
3. Have you or has anyone in your home had contact within the last 14 days with any person under screening/testing for COVID-19, or with anyone suspected or known COVID-19?
4. Have you traveled internationally or from a state with a widespread community transmission of COVID-19 per the New York State Travel Advisory in the past 14 days?
Everyone is asked to respond to these questions honestly each and every day. If you answer yes to any of the questions, you are required to remain at home and contact the school nurse, Nurse Criscone, at (518) 869-3006. All communications with the Nurse are confidential. Please be advised that, in addition to the screenings conducted at home, we will randomly screen children at school each day. Any student demonstrating the symptoms outlined above will be sent home immediately. Additionally, any student sent to school with a fever will be sent home right away.
In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever for us to take care of one another. The only way for us to keep your children and our staff safe and healthy is for everyone to stay home if they are ill and/or answer yes to any of the questions included above. Thank you in advance for your support in achieving this goal.
Click below for a link to the COVID-19 Screening Tool... bookmark it or save it to your phone.
Notes from the Health Office
- Communication with the nurse is more important than ever! You can contact me via Class Dojo, email or at the building at (518) 869-3006
- All students in grades K, 1 and 3 are required by NYS to have a current physical signed by your health provider regardless of the learning platform (i.e. in person or virtual) in which they will be participating.
- All students in grades K-4 must have up-to-date immunizations or be in the process of receiving their immunizations (unless you have an approved medical exemption) regardless of the learning platform in which they will be participating
Changes in Procedures
- Families are required to monitor their child's temperature and check for signs of COVID before putting their child on the bus. The symptoms include fever greater than 100 and/or chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, cough, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, new loss of smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
- If your child displays any of these symptoms, keep them home and call your health care provider. You will be required to provide a doctor's note PRIOR to returning to school (the student cannot bring the note in; the note must be faxed or emailed to the school prior to their return). If you do not have a note from your physician, your child will be unable to return to school for 10 days after the symptoms began.
- If the physician determines that your child has a diagnosis other than COVID (i.e. strep throat, ear infection, cold, allergies, etc) your child may return to school AFTER a note has been received by the health office (the child cannot bring the note to school; it must be sent by the doctor's office in advance of their return), is fever free without fever reducing medication for 48 hours and is feeling well.
- If your child develops any of the symptoms outlined above while at school, they will be assessed and will immediately be sent home.
- If you receive a call that you must pick your child up at school,you or your designee must arrive at the building within an hour of receiving the call.
- If your child is sent home from school by the nurse, they may only return to school the next day if a note from a physician is received PRIOR to their arrival at the building (they cannot bring the note to school), and if the doctor's note indicated no illness was diagnosed.
- If your child will not be at school, please be sure to contact the nurse's office. If no communication is received, families will be called.
- The school nurse will be in communication with the Department of Health if an exposure to or a positive case of COVID occurs. Each case will be handled on an individual basis and the confidentiality of the individuals involved will be maintained.
- Children who have symptoms of COVID that are related to chronic conditions, such as allergies, can present documentation from a medial provider listing the diagnosis and symptoms. This documentation should be provided when your child returns.
- All children, unless medically unable to do so as documented by a physician, will need to wear a mask throughout the school day. Mask breaks will be provided. Additionally, students will be able to remove their masks at snack, lunch, recess (when 6 feet apart) and physical education.
- Please be sure to send an extra mask in your child's backpack each day in case the mask gets wet or needs to be replaced.
- Families must provide snacks as directed by your child's teacher. Snacks will no longer be provided or shared from the health office.
- Please send an extra set of clothing for your child in a bag with their name on it as appropriate. There is a limited supply of extra clothing in the health office, and we want to minimize visits to the office to reduce the children's exposure to illness.
As always, please feel free to contact me directly with any individual questions or concerns related to your child. I wish everyone a happy and healthy beginning to this new adventure!
Ellen Criscione, RN BSN crisconee@scolonie.org
Masks and Face Coverings
Students at the elementary level are required to wear a mask during classroom instruction. All teachers will provide mandatory mask breaks every 20-30 minutes for up to five minutes. The teacher will also use their professional judgment to determine if a mask break is needed sooner, for example, one every 15 minutes, based on the age and needs of the students. The classroom teacher may also plan a mask break outside where students can be spaced out further and engage in some movement as well. If students do not want to take a mask break, they will not be required to do so.
Each student will receive two cloth masks from the district. Students may choose to wear these masks or any mask of their choosing. Masks must cover the child's nose and mouth and must be worn correctly at all times other than when a mask break is taking place. Students will also receive instruction at school about how to wear a mask properly and how to remove it safely to minimize exposure to the germs the mask "catches". Included with the newsletter are three social stories designed to help kids learn about wearing masks, why others around them are wearing masks and what it means to socially distance.
Many families have also inquired about the use of face shields. Face shields will be allowed, however, due to the fact they are open on the sides, they must be worn in conjunction with a face mask when social distancing cannot be maintained and when transitioning in the hallways unless a doctor's note has been provided indicating the child cannot tolerate a face mask.
Looking for a mask your child might be interested in wearing? Check out https://www.today.com/shop/face-masks-kids-t181575 for some fun options!! Also, Amazon has a great collection of face shields with animals on them as well!!
My School Bucks
If you are interested in establishing an on line account for your child, please click on the link below. The link is also available on our district web page. You will need your child's student number which is available on our Aspen system. If you send your child to school with money or a check to cover the cost of their lunch, please be sure to include it in an envelope with your child's name and the amount of money included.
Open House
K - 6:00-6:25
1st, DiLello, Tierney, Carpenter, Winters - 6:15-6:40
2nd - 6:50-7:15
3rd - 7:05-7:30
4th - 7:20-7:45
Please do not arrive at the building as no in person presentations will be held.
A Look Ahead
September
9/10 School Supply Drop Off K-2
9/11 School Supply Drop Off 3-4, Winters, DiLello, Tierney, Carpenter
9/14 K-4 First Day of School
9/22 Virtual Open House 6:00-8:00pm for families of students enrolled in person at Forest Park
PTA News and Notes
We hope everyone had a healthy and safe summer! This is such an unprecedented time in our history, and we hope to be a helpful resource and support for the staff, students and families at Forest Park. Whether you will be sending your children to school for in person learning, or if you will be learning remotely - we are all part of the Forest Park family and we will strive to keep everyone connected and informed as we navigate the school year.
We hope that all of our families will support our school and our students by joining the Forest Park PTA again this year. To join the PTA for the 2020-2021 school year, please go our MemberHub site listed below:
https://forestparkelementaryschoolpta.memberhub.com/join/62dm02
Membership is $6 and every person in the family is welcome to join! Your membership helps to provide support and funds to each teacher, and while in the past, we were able to organize and fund school wide events, this year we will be able to help provide PPE for students and staff with the funds we receive.
While the future of in person gatherings is unknown, we would still love to get pictures of the children involved in academics, school spirit days and other exciting adventures throughout the year for inclusion in our yearbook, so please feel free to your photos with us at forestparkptacolonie@gmail.com.
If you’re looking for some easy ways to support the PTA throughout the year, we participate in the following programs:
Box Tops for Education (www.boxtops4education.com): Download the app and scan your receipt! Any products that have BoxTops will be credited to the school- no more clipping and saving.
School Bucks (shopatcoloniecenter.com/school-bucks): Submit your receipt(s) and fill out the form at the Security desk (downstairs between Moe’s and Five Guys) for Forest Park. For every dollar spent, the school gets a point, and the top ten schools get prizes at the end of the year!
CAPCOM School Banking (www.capcomfcu.org): School Banking has been put on hold until at least the winter recess, but you can still help the PTA out by enrolling your child in school banking if they’re not already enrolled. The PTA will receive $10 for each new student banker enrolled between now through November 30.
Our first meeting will be on Tuesday, October 6 at 6:30pm. Meetings will be virtual and an agenda and link to join will be posted on our Facebook and sent out to all registered members from MemberHub before each meeting.
The minutes from August’s meeting can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Lm948NSSO8i66jhCwFYHKi9FLoZudgGPqxKfcunl6NE/edit
PTA Meeting
MEETING AGENDA
• Meet and Greet
• Principal's Report (Jill Penn)
• Approve minutes from August meeting
Tuesday, Oct 6, 2020, 06:30 PM
Virtually
About us...
Email: fpattendance@scolonie.org
Website: http://www.southcolonieschools.org/forest-park-elementary-school/
Location: 100 Forest Drive, Albany, NY, USA
Phone: (518) 869-3006
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestParkElementarySchool