Best of Crestline News
Special Edition August 8, 2021
It's Time!
Well, we're finally here and incredibly grateful to start the 2021-2022 school year on this Tuesday, August 10! In order to be ready, we wanted to share a few points that will support you and your family in the successful navigation of a new school year.
Parents, do you remember what it felt like on the first day of school in any grade? Well, our students will feel all the same butterflies and wonderings that we experienced such as:
Do I have on the right outfit?
Will I make new friends?
Will I see my old friends?
Will my teacher like me?
What if I don't fit in?
It's our job to have conversations and put structures in place to help ease those fears. We can only do this together. Let's make this first day of school, one of their best days to start the year.
A couple of things you need to know before you read this lengthy newsletter includes the following:
Yes, we will have on masks in the building.
Yes, we will be without masks outside.
Yes, all students will go to recess everyday with their grade level. (Even sixth grade!)
Yes, students in third through sixth grade will change classes.
Yes, we will eat in the lunchroom with a plan.
Yes, you can volunteer in the school after Labor Day.
Yes, we will make a few mistakes. But let's extend grace.
Although lingering construction, a brand new data information system across the state (PowerSchools), and safety protocols may not allow us to start in the most ideal environment, we have learned a thing or two about pivoting! Constraint breeds ingenuity and our goal is to do whatever it takes to support our students, families, faculty and staff. Our goal is to not only stay in school, but to also cultivate the best experiences while we're here.
In other words, with your help "We Got This". Thank you in advance for your continual support as we transition to our "NEXT" normal.
Ms. Christian, Mr. Watkins, Dr. Waters
#CougarSTRONG
Let's Meet Our Teachers Tomorrow!
Please make sure you're masked when you enter the building and stop by your homeroom teacher and other academic subject area teachers if you're in a grade that changes classes.
- 8:00-9:00 Newcomers Welcome (Lunchroom)
All students in first-sixth grade and their families will have an all-access pass to meet their teacher and see their classrooms first. Meet us in the auditorium to begin. - Meet the Teacher Classroom Visits for First-Sixth Grade Students
This is a time to see your classroom, take a picture with your teacher, and maybe even see a few of your friends. Times are as follows:
9:00-10:00 (students last name A-K)
10:15-11:15 (students last name L-Z) - 1:00-3:00 Kindergarten Meet the Teacher & Classroom Visits
This is truly an exciting time for our newest little Cougars to join our Crestline family. Please follow the designated times that were provided to you and your family earlier last week. Make sure to also bring your rest mats on this day, take your picture with your teacher, and see your classroom.
Arrival Procedures
During the First Week of School, students will be allowed to go to their classrooms at 7:35 a.m.
After the first week of school, we are encouraging all families not to arrive prior to 7:40 a.m. in order to maintain social distancing and reduce the amount of times students are in large groups. At 7:40 a.m., all students will proceed to their classroom through specific doors dedicated to certain grade levels.
If students arrive at school before 7:40 a.m., students will report to the gym.
- Students will sit by family groups social distanced from other family groups.
Kindergarten students will enter the doors by the playground near the kindergarten classrooms.
1st & 5th grade students will enter through the doors immediately to the right of the office.
2nd grade students (except Ms.Truck's class) will enter the main lobby to the left of the office.
Due to construction, 3rd and 4th grade students will enter the main lobby to the left of the office.
6th grade students will enter off the Elm Street alley.
Dismissal Procedures
All dismissal groups will be announced on the intercom. All students must leave campus immediately following their dismissal. It is imperative that students know their pickup plan every day.
·Carpool will dismissed at 2:45 p.m. Parents need to decide a carpool name (a last name of one of the students in the carpool) print/write the chosen name and place it in the front passenger side windshield of their vehicle. Teachers will call the staging locations (lunchroom and gym) to release students to carpool once their carpool name is called.
- Students using the front (West Jackson Blvd) carpool will be dismissed to the lunchroom.
- Students using the back (Elm Street) carpool will be dismissed to the gym.
- Carpools will assemble in social distanced groups.
·Bike riders will be dismissed at 2:47 p.m. Please make sure that students have helmets and walk their bikes once they arrive and dismiss from campus.
· Walkers will be dismissed at 2:49 p.m. (A walker is defined as anyone who leaves campus by any other means than carpool or bike.)
· If any students are in walking groups with Kindergarten or 1st grade students, they will report to those students’ classrooms, pick them up, then proceed to the nearest exit. Otherwise, students will exit from the same doors they entered into upon arrival. If adults are meeting walking groups at an on campus location (i.e. flagpole, playground, etc.) you must leave campus as soon as your walking group arrives.
The First Day of School
Due to the limitation of visitors in the building, parents will not be allowed to walk students to their classroom on the first day of school. Staff members will be available to help students get to class. Let's make the most of Meet the Teacher day.
Students or guests who forget their masks at home, one will be provided prior to entering the building.
Masks or face coverings will be worn throughout the building with the exception of eating. Kindergarten students will take masks off during rest time. Please have your child practice wearing a mask/gaiter so that this will be a smooth transition back into school. Let’s get in the habit of wearing our mask while indoors.
Parents will choose which cloth face covering is most comfortable and works best to send with their child to school, such as gaiters or cloth masks. These must cover the nose and mouth.
All students are encouraged to send a baggie with extra masks to keep in their backpack, should they need a replacement mask. Please label the baggie with the child’s name and grade.
Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school daily. Please label the water bottle with the child’s name and grade. Although students will not be drinking directly from water fountains, students will have the opportunity to fill their bottle at a few refilling stations (shout out to PTO) and/or use the small cups next to each water fountain.
If a child can’t tie his/her own shoes, please consider wearing Velcro shoes to start the year.
Classroom routines will include times for students to wash their hands throughout the day and sanitizer will be administered for use multiple times as well.
When students are absent, you will need to email a signed excuse to cesabsences@mtnbrook.k12.al.us. Emailing a teacher does not excuse an absence.
FAQs...
- Will 3rd-6th grade students change classes? Yes
- Will students travel to specials classes? Yes
- What will PE look like? Students will keep a mask on while in the gym. However, most activities will occur outside, and students will be unmasked.
- What will recess look like? Students will not be wearing mask during recess and grade levels will attend recess together.
- What will lunch look like? The lunchroom will be occupied at half-capacity. Contactless charges will be made to each student’s account. For the time being, parents will not be allowed to visit the lunchroom. As soon as that changes, we will make parents aware. We love when you visit!
- What happens if my child’s mask gets soiled during the day? A disposable mask will be provided.
- How can I celebrate my child’s birthday at school? Treats will continue to be available for purchase through the lunchroom. Contact Andrea Rodgers (ceslunch@mtnbrook.k12.al.us), lunchroom manager, and your child’s homeroom teacher to make arrangements. Parents also have the option to bring individually wrapped, prepacked treats.
- What do I do if I need to check my child in? Come on into the school. Kathy Dye and/or Jane Dickens will take it from there. No signing will be necessary.
- What do I do if I need to check my child out of school? For check out, come to the front door, ring the bell, and let Jane Dickens or Kathy Dye know who you need to check out and why. You will need to show your license. This can be done by holding your license up to the camera with the bell or you may enter and show your license. If you are masked and have you license, you may enter the building to check out your child. Your child will be called down to walk through the office and meet you on the front porch of the school. No signing will be necessary.
- Do I need to worry about anything? Even if we say no, you still may worry. However, we are here to help you.
Important Numbers
- Ms. Christian, Principal ext. 7302
- Mr. Watkins, Asst. Principal ext. 7303
- Dr. Waters, Asst. Principal ext. 7305
- Sandra Overstreet, Nurse
- Lee Anne Logan, Nurse