EGMS Weekly Update
April 16th
Update from Principal Lowe
Important COVID-19 Update
RSD Families,
As you know, Deschutes County’s COVID cases have risen dramatically over the past few weeks. That extends to our schools as well.
Recently, we have had several incidents in which sick students showing symptoms went to school and mingled with classmates and teachers. As a result, the district’s COVID Response Team has had to quarantine groups of students including bus riders and classmates, as well as some staff members.
We worked really hard to get our students back in school because we know how important it is for our students to have an in-person education. We want to keep all of our students in school full time, but in order to do that we need families to be responsible and we need your help.
If your child is sick, please do not send them to school. One sick child can affect others’ ability to come to school and learn, and can also spread disease.
If someone in your family has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact your school’s nurse. Encourage your child to properly wear masks, socially distance and wash hands when they’re out in the community.
As tired as we all may be of dealing with this global pandemic, it isn’t over yet, and we need to continue to be vigilant if we want our students to stay in school full time.
Thank you for your continued support.
NEW EGMS BELL SCHEDULES - Starting April 19th
Things to take note of in our new schedule:
- Student will be having lunch back in the cafeteria by grade level. We have safely spaced students 6 feet apart and they have the option to eat outside as well.
- Wednesday is a shortened day and there will NOT be AVID Schoolwide classes.
- On 4-day weeks, WEDNESDAYS WILL BE FULL SCHOOL DAYS FROM 7:30- 1:15.
- FTO students will be on the same bell schedule. Their 5th/6th period teachers will let them know what time their lunch break is.
Lunch Time at EGMS
8th Graders! High School is Almost Here!
Thank you RHS and RVHS for hosting wonderful visits this week.
Next week 8th graders will be completing the rough draft of their forecasting form and bringing it home to talk over it with families.
Final drafts will be a Google Form completed in class on Thursday.
Any questions, reach out to Elizabeth Platt, elizabeth.platt@redmondschools.org
Spring Conferences are April 29th and 30th
Conferences are April 29th from 4pm to 7:30pm and April 30th from 8am to noon.
Geocaching at EGMS
Deadline is APRIL 16th to order a yearbook
**Financial Contact for the EGMS Yearbook is Stacy Wink. Please call for payment options: 541-526-6440, or send her an email at:
Oregon Healthy Teens Survey
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Our school is participating in the Student Health Survey (SHS), a survey sponsored by the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division and the Oregon Department of Education. The survey will gather information about health risk behaviors of students in grades 6, 8 and 11. The survey will be conducted online either in the classroom or remotely and includes questions about:
Student health and safety
Student mental and behavioral health
School climate and culture
Completing the Student Health Survey poses minimal risk to your child, who may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable answering some of the questions. Survey procedures have been designed to protect your child's privacy and allow for anonymous participation. If your child is not comfortable answering a question, he or she can leave it blank. While we encourage all students to participate, the decision to participate is voluntary. You may opt to send a refusal for your child’s participation. Alternatively, your child will have the opportunity to refuse at the time of the survey. There will be no action against you or your child if your child does not participate.
If you do not wish for your child to take this survey, return the opt-out form to the principal’s office before the survey date of April 27th. Your student received one in their elective class on Thursday and Friday, April 8th and 9th. You can also access it by clicking HERE. You need only return this form if you do not wish your child to participate.
The survey is available on the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health website for you to review before the survey date at: healthoregon.org/shs
If you have other specific questions about the survey, please feel free to email counselor Elizabeth Platt at elizabeth.platt@redmondschools.org
State Testing Opt-Out
State testing in the state of Oregon will proceed despite Oregon's attempts to submit a waiver to opt out. If you would like to OPT OUT of state testing, please fill out the waiver and email it to megan.storey@redmondschools.org OR have your student return it to the main office.
Thank you!
Attendance WINNERS of the Week!
This week's $10 Dairy Queen gift cards for 100% attendance for the week go to Calan VonSeggern, Ransome Smith & Macy Samples. Go Huskies! We are so proud of you!
Weekly Student Super Stars!
The following students were nominated by their teachers for doing a great job with online school, being in class regularly and having a positive attitude. Congratulations to:
6th graders: Braelyn Berg Martinez & Carter Wachs
7th graders: Hailey Solomon & Kadence Drinkard
8th grade: Allyson Senner & Emma Chambers
Prizes are coming your way! McDonalds combo meal, 7-11 Slurpee & a Husky sticker
Great job huskies!
From Nurse Grubb's Desk
Family Resources Available
SNAP:
Households financially impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) may be able to qualify for The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP offers food benefits to eligible, low-income individuals and families. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply for food benefits by clicking here. For more information or support, please contact the Nutrition Services department at 541-923-8238 or nutrition@redmondschools.org.
Pandemic EBT:
ODE has coordinated with DHS to offer a simplified system for distributing information about the Pandemic EBT benefit.
Status of P-EBT for the 2020/2021 School Year
Oregon has submitted a plan to provide P-EBT benefits to eligible students retroactively back to October 2020. Initial P-EBT issuances will start going out by the end of May. Retroactive benefits will be broken out over the first 2 payments. Dates are contingent on final approval from the USDA, Food and Nutrition Service.
A new system is being developed to issue 2020/2021 P-EBT benefits.
Updates regarding P-EBT, including information about how the program will be implemented and when, will be shared at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/P-EBT.aspx as soon as they are available. Contact 211 for general P-EBT questions or to learn more about other food resources available in your area
This webpage is the primary source for information.
**PLEASE NOTE: All students receiving meal benefits (whether Free/Reduced by application or directly certified by the State), including all students enrolled in 2020-21 CEP sites (Lynch, Sage, Vern Patrick, Tuck, & Hartman) are eligible for Pandemic EBT benefits**
EGMS Blueprint
Husky or College Gear FRIDAYS
*If you need some new Huskey gear, scroll to the bottom of this newsletter and click on the "Order Husky Gear" button.