Helman News
February 26, 2021
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Principal's Message
We have many new staff members joining our team to help make hybrid a success. They have all rolled up their sleeves and jumped right in, collaborating with the rest of our amazing team of educational assistants, custodial staff, technicians, and teachers to think through every last detail and complete an ever-growing list of tasks to get everything just right. I cannot thank Malinda Wood, Office Manager, enough for her masterful orchestration of this entire re-opening effort while balancing phone calls, emails, and the on-boarding of many new staff members. You are amazing Malinda and Helman is so lucky to have you!
Parents and guardians, I know this new schedule works for many and also poses new challenges for others. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have.
The first few weeks are sure to have their bumps. Pick-up and drop-off times will likely be longer at first while we all get in the rhythm. Thank you advance for your patience and grace as we all adapt to these new routines!
Warmly,
Michelle Cuddeback, Principal
Hybrid Details
New Schedule Begins March 1
If you indicated hybrid on the survey, we are planning on your child attending in hybrid. If you indicated CDL, we are planning on your child attending remotely.
Students in K-2 will begin in-person March 1.
Students in 3-5 will begin in-person March 8 and will follow the same times below for their CDL the week of March 1-5.
Student Pick-up and Drop-off
Pick-up and Drop-off Times
Morning drop-off window: 8:10-8:25
Morning pick-up window: 11:00-11:20
Afternoon drop-off window: 12:20-12:40
Afternoon pick-up window: 3:10-3:25
Pick-up and Drop-off Zones
We will have three assigned zones for student pick-up and drop-off (see image below).
Zone 1:
Ashley's class
Anne's class
Summer/Kelly's classes
Zone 2:
Juliana's class
Brian's class
Kassie's class
Mary/Toni's classes
Bailee's class
Zone 3:
Kindergarten
5th Grade
Drop-off Procedures
- Only drop-off in your child's designated zone
- Drivers MUST remain in vehicle at all times
- Do not let your child get out of your vehicle until you are at the front of the drop-off line and directed by staff
- Your child will be directed to their class meeting place
Pick-up Procedures
- Only pick-up in your child's designated zone
- Drivers MUST remain in vehicle at all times and pull all the way forward
- Drivers MUST display child's name card in the window for staff to see
- Child will be released by staff to the vehicle
Can We Still Bike and Walk to School?
Students who walk to school should remain on the sidewalk around campus until they reach their Zone mentioned above. They will meet their class at their line-up spot to be checked in by staff.
Student in Zones 1 and 2 will park bikes in the Randy Street parking area at the bike racks.
Students in Zone 3 will park bikes by the gym. After parking their bikes, they should proceed to their class line-up spot to be checked in by a staff member.
Limited Bus Routes
What type of face masks do students need?
Counseling Corner
Is your child feeling anxious about returning to school?
Hello Helman community,
Many of us are looking ahead toward the change of returning to school for some hours each week for the first time in many months. I imagine this change might bring up lots of different thoughts and feelings for families and students – excitement, relief, worry, resistance . . . It is the latest in a long series of adaptations we, as humans, have been navigating for the past year.
I am attaching a link to an article (https://copingskillsforkids.com/calming-anxiety) full of ideas about helping/teaching children to cope with anxiety and develop skills to calm themselves down. As you read it, you may find some of the things you’re already doing echoed and maybe you’ll find a new strategy or two.
The article outlines great ideas for things that can be done at home and some that can be taught at home for children to use while at school. A few of the strategies that might help students transition back into school and also continue to navigate the stressors of life are:
- Take deep breaths (of course!) and use a phrase like, “breathe in like you’re smelling a flower and out like you’re blowing a candle flame”
- Imagine your favorite place or animal
- Use an object to increase calm when away from home (like a necklace, pin, or sticker, that the child could wear to school to remind them of things like love/courage/connection)
- Become aware of the senses; the article names the 5-4-3-2-1 practice (which is great and could be a tool used with guidance at home or school). I like a simple practice of tuning into one sense for 30 seconds or so – for example, no matter where I am, if I am feeling anxious or stressed, I can simply tune in to my sense of sound for a bit, listening and hearing the big and small sounds in and around me. After doing that I feel more present and calm.
Wishing each of you good health and all the calm you can cultivate,
Meredith McFadden, They, She, Her, Hers~ MA LPC, CSHT
Helman-Child Development Specialist/counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor
541-482-5620 ext. 5140 meredith.mcfadden@ashland.k12.or.us
Snail Feels Anxious about Returning to School
Snail feels really anxious about returning to school given how long we've been away and that everyone has been saying it's not safe. How can it now be safe? Puppy and Henrietta the Dragon help him feel better.
Student Expectations
School lunches available for ALL students
All children 18 and under are eligible for a free lunch thanks to a federal grant. If there are other children in the home who need a lunch, please include that in your child's morning lunch count and we will send them home with your child.
The school kitchen will be open for lunch pick-up for students remaining on CDL between 11-12 each day.
PTA News
The Helman Yearbook Needs Your Photos!
We need photos to compile this year’s Helman Yearbook!
Since we didn’t have school pictures this year, we need to collect all of our yearbook pics from parents, staff and students. We’ll need a recently taken, close-up of each student’s face for their individual shots.
Class pictures will be taken via Zoom; details will follow from your child’s teacher. We also need pics to fill up those extra pages with your memories! Have pics of school events, kids meeting up, or Dragons having fun outside? Send them in!! Send them all in!!
Send all pics to:
Stay Connected to the Helman PTA
The Helman PTA is using the app, Remind, to share information about meetings and upcoming events. It is free to sign up and is an easy way to stay informed about what is happening at our school. You will receive 2-3 messages a month and your information is NOT shared with any advertisers!
You can get text notification by sending the message @helmanpta to the number 81010.
You can also sign up using the link rmd.at/helmanpta.
We look forward to keeping you informed about all of the great things PTA is planning!
Community Resources
Helman busses to and from the YMCA
Counseling Services for students with OHP
Do you think your child could benefit from counseling services? We have partnered with Family Solutions and have a limited number of available counseling services for students who currently have OHP. If you would like to pursue these options for your child, please contact meredith.mcfadden@ashland.k12.or.us.
Financial Support for Families
Families who have experienced income loss may now be eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. Apply online or contact your local school.
DHS will continue to work with federal partners to provide help to Oregonians in need. To apply for Nutrition Assistance, visit needfood.oregon.gov or call 2-1-1.
If you need help paying your electric bill, check out the Oregon Energy Fund. It provides funds for energy assistance to more than 30 partner agencies and nonprofits in Oregon. Find more information here.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, March 1 ~ Hybrid launches for K-2
Monday, March 8 ~ Hybrid launches for 3-5
March 22 - 26 ~ NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
Helman Elementary
Vision: Helman school is a safe, loving community where each child is honored as an individual, challenged to take risks, develop friendships, reflect on their growth, push themselves to reach their potential, and embrace the wonder that leads to lifelong enthusiasm for learning.
Email: michelle.cuddeback@ashland.k12.or.us
Website: http://www.ashland.k12.or.us/SectionIndex.asp?SectionID=45
Location: 705 Helman Street, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: 541-482-5620
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Helman-Elementary-School-1557046364532003/