Whitney's Jungle Journal
Mr. Stacho's Newsletter - September 18, 2020
Wild About Whitney!
SO MUCH IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
A Note From Mr. Stacho:
Here are the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions:
Green/White Designation:
You should know whether your child is "Green" or "White" - These designations were posted on the doors when classlists were posted on August 17th, the teachers have communicated them, and you can also see whether your child is "Green" or "White" in PowerSchool if you click the "quicklinks" little rocket icon and select "portal login page". At the top, in a green bar, it will tell you whether your child is "Track A" or "Track B" - Track A = Green Track B=White.
For the week of September 21st we will be following the Green/White Schedule for all K-5 students for that week.
"Green" students will attend on Monday and Wednesday and those in the "White" group will attend Tuesday and Thursday. Everyone is remote on Friday that week. 1/2 Day Kdg will attend all 5 days during the week of the 21st.
Beginning on September 28th, K-5 students will attend school everyday, Monday-Friday, as normal.
Please click here for a copy of the Green/White Schedule for the district for Blended Learning.
*A few important notes about the Green/White Calendar:
For visual sake, the "Green/White Calendar" shows "Green" days in green and the "White" days are in gray. Days on the calendar in the color white are remote days for students. Please reference the "key" at the top of the calendar.
For Elementary - The week of September 21st is different than the Middle School and High School. "Green" students will attend on Monday and Wednesday that week, and "White" students will attend on Tuesday and Thursday, with Friday being remote.
The calendar above is for the entire year for Green/White days. You will notice that when we have a day off for a holiday, the Green/White Calendar is adjusted to be sure all students have the same number of days in school. (For Example: Election Day is a "White" Day, but since we don't have school, the "White" group will have school on Friday that week.) Please review this calendar carefully so that you can make the necessary child care arrangements for those weeks where there are changes.
Arrival/Dismissal
Students will go in and out of designated doors at each building and go straight to class. Students will not be permitted in the building prior to 8:50 and should not be dropped off prior to that time. Click > WES to see the assigned grade level doors. 5th graders will enter/exit Door G at the back of the building; 4th graders will enter/exit Door E off of the playground; 3rd graders will enter/exit Door C off of the playground near the Music Room; 2nd Graders will enter/exit Door I at the side of the building near the 2nd grade classrooms; 1st Graders and 1/2 Day Kdg will enter/exit the main entrance - Door A; and Full Day Kdg will enter/exit Door J directly into the Kdg rooms.
As we have done in the past, we will assume your child is riding their assigned school bus home in the afternoon UNLESS we get a note to the teacher AND a phone call to the office telling us that they will be a car pick-up. If your child is going to be an EVERYDAY PICK-UP, one note to the teacher and phone call to the office will suffice for the year.
*PLEASE review with your children that regardless of how they are arriving or leaving that they are to remain in their mask, they are to WALK, and they are to maintain social distance of 6 feet as they move to or from the school building. We will have staff directing children to the various doors the first few weeks of school, but after that, students will be expected to go to/from the doors independently.
Chromebooks:
K-2 students will need to return their chromebooks to the classroom on Monday, September 28th.
3-5 students will need to bring their chromebooks to school on Monday, September 21st or Tuesday, September 22nd (Green or White day) but will be taking the chromebooks back and forth, to and from school, each day so they can utilize the technology as needed.
Classroom Celebrations
There will be no birthday or holiday parties. Food or other items (pencils, stickers, valentines, etc.) will not be shared or passed out at school. Staff will acknowledge birthdays in their classroom.
Hallways
Hallways will be two directional with students instructed to be on the right side (based on which direction they are going) of the hallway. The hallways will only occupy one classroom at a time during transitions.
Lockers/ Coat Rooms
If a school has lockers and/or coatrooms, they will be used for coats and boots. Book bags and lunches in all elementary buildings will be kept at student desks.
MakerSpace
The communal space is closed, but a teacher can check out supplies and use them in the classroom.
Medications:
In order to drop off medication to the school clinic you will need to contact the Clinic Nurse to arrange this. Please call (440) 268-5909 to arrange for medication drop off.
Playgrounds/Recess
There will be a designated lunch and recess time for each grade level. Each school will design a plan in order to maintain student safety. Students will be wearing masks during this time. Indoor recess will be in the classrooms. PLEASE donate any coloring books, and school/grade level appropriate crossword puzzle books, word finds, Sudoku books, etc. to you child's classroom so that students will have these to use during indoor recess.
Social Distancing
Student desks in classrooms will be socially distanced at a minimum of 5 feet from person to person.
Specials Classes
Encore (Art, Music and PE) classes will have two sets of shared materials in the classroom. This will give teachers the ability to sanitize materials between classes. Encore classes will be rotating on a two week Red, White and Blue schedule.
Student Grouping/Cohorts
Students will not switch classrooms during the school day for departmentalized classes and/or Encore classes. The Encore and Departmentalized teachers will travel to each individual classroom. The only exception to this will be students who are receiving intervention or enrichment services and/or students who may require small-group specialized instruction per their Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Student Schedule
Students will follow their typical schedule, however, teachers will travel to classrooms in order to limit student transitions. The only exception will be students who receive specially designed instruction, intervention and/or enrichment services; they may need to travel to various classrooms. During the phase-in portion of the Blended Learning, students will come to school based on their “green/white designation,” as communicated in their homeroom teacher’s Google Classroom. After the phase-in period, students in grades K-5 will come in person all day, every day (M-F). Click here for the Green/White Schedule.
Student/Class Supplies and Materials
If student items need to be dropped off or picked up during school hours, items will be left in a designated area located in the school vestibules. The only exception is for medication and/or severe medical needs as determined and communicated by the school nurse/office staff prior to the family arriving at school. There will be no community or shared supplies in classrooms. If needed, teachers will create personalized bags or bins of manipulatives to be used during instructional periods that will only be used by that same student.
School Schedule in Blended and Live Instruction:
Below is a draft of the grade level schedules that will be followed when we return to school in either the "Blended" or "Live" model. Students who are at home in the Blended Model based on their Green/White designation will be doing asynchronous work as directed by the classroom teacher. They will NOT be logging on for LIVE instruction from home in the Blended Model. The times indicated in the schedule below are flexible and may vary. You will note that each grade level will be at recess alone to limit the number of students at recess at one time to allow for social distancing and supervision.
NOTE THIS CHANGE
Please read below for important information regarding changes to our lunch program!
Elementary School Meal Pre-Ordering: Student meals will once again be served in Strongsville and we’re excited to see you back in school!
Breakfast & Lunch meals are now required to be pre-ordered the day before no later than 10PM.
Meals that are not pre-ordered will be pre-selected by the cafeteria manager (Meaning a cold fun lunch will be provided if the lunch is not pre-ordered). You will be able to order meals in advance for up to five business days ahead of time if you wish.
EXAMPLE: For the first day back to school which is Monday September 21st, you will have to have your meal selection pre-ordered by Sunday the 20th no later than 10PM. You will have to select from either the main entree or the alternate entree, all sides will be offered with pre-orders.
Please click this link for step by step instructions on using the lunch ordering app.
School Menus available anywhere, anytime. Strongsville City Schools, in partnership with Chartwells K12, uses NutriSlice to publish school menus to an interactive website and free smartphone app.
Easy-to-use-features include:
- Daily menu items, with a photo and description
- Nutritional information
- Filters for common food allergens like nuts, wheat and dairy
- Available in 50+ languages
Get started today!
- Download or open the app.
- Find your district.
- Select your preferred location and favorite it.
- View daily menu items.
Please remember to pre-register for breakfast & lunch HERE.
Please view attached NutriSlice walkthrough attachments to learn how to get started. Please reach out to Michael Nowosielski at Mnowosielski@scsmustangs.org with any questions or concerns.
We are asking that each student have 2 spare face masks in a Zip-Loc bag kept at school in case a mask is lost or becomes soiled during the day. Students will be given "mask breaks" throughout the day when they can safely take their masks off for a few minutes at a time.
Face Covering Requirements - Board Policy
In order to maintain a safe and healthy school environment, and reduce the potential spread of communicable disease, face coverings are required for all students, faculty, staff, and other adults on District property, including employees, vendors and visitors unless an exception has been made per the procedures below. More specifically, all students, faculty, and staff are required to wear facial coverings at all times when:
In any indoor location, including but not limited to classrooms, gymnasiums, offices, locker rooms, hallways, cafeterias, and/or locker bays;
Outdoors on school property when unable to consistently maintain a distance of at least six (6) feet from individuals who are not members of their household;
Waiting for a school bus outdoors when unable to maintain a distance of at least six (6) feet from individuals who are not members of their household; or
Riding a school bus.
All face coverings shall meet any applicable dress code requirements, such as those established in Board policies or any applicable code of conduct provisions. All face coverings shall be free from offensive and disruptive language, symbols, designs, etc. that would distract the learning environment and/or violate other established policies and procedures.
Face Masks:
Must fully cover the mouth, nose, and chin
Must fit snugly against the face so there are no gaps
Must be secured in place through a tie, clip, elastic, etc.
Cloth masks should be cleaned on a regular basis
Disposable face mask should only be used for a single use
Shall not include respirators or masks with valves
Face Shields:
Can only be worn by staff/students with prior authorization and where an exception to the use of face coverings applies, unless otherwise expressly provided herein
Must be worn against the forehead with no gap, wrap around the sides of the face, and extend below the chin
Social distancing of at least six (6) feet should be maintained during face shield use
Disposable face shields should only be used for a single use
Reusable face shields should be cleaned and disinfected after each use
All individuals, excluding school district employees, who are required to wear a face covering while on school property are responsible for providing their own face covering. Each school building will maintain a supply of face coverings that can be provided to individuals who must enter school property due to an emergency situation (e.g., student illness or injury) and who do not have their own face covering.
The requirement that students, faculty, and staff wear a face covering does not apply when:
The individual has a medical condition, including respiratory conditions that restrict breathing, mental health conditions, or a disability that contraindicates the wearing of a facial covering;
The individual is communicating or seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired or has another disability, where an accommodation is appropriate or necessary;
The individual actively is participating in a physical activity where students are able to maintain a social distance of at least six feet, or athletic practice, scrimmage, or competition that is permitted under a separate Department of Health Order;
The individual is seated and actively consuming food or beverage;
Where students and staff can maintain distancing of at least six feet and removal of the facial covering is necessary for instructional purposes, instruction in foreign language, English language for non-native speakers, and other subjects where wearing a facial covering would prohibit participation in normal classroom activities, such as playing an instrument;
The individual is alone in an enclosed space, such as an office; or
When an established sincerely held religious requirement exists that does not permit a facial covering.
PreK-12 Students In the event that a student has a disability or a health condition that could impair his/her ability to wear a mask or other face covering an exemption to the face covering policy can be sought. Requests for exemption from the District’s face covering policy must be addressed to the student’s building principal utilizing the “Face Covering Exemption Request Form.” Verification may be required for health conditions that are raised as the basis for the request for an exception. Within five (5) business days of the request, the building principal will discuss the request with the requesting individual. If the exception is being sought due to the requesting individual having a disability that impacts his/her ability to wear a face covering, reasonable accommodations such as the use of a face shield, different mask material, or other available barriers, will be considered with the individual in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and associated District policies and procedures. Each decision will be made on an individual basis taking into account all known circumstances. A written approval or denial will be issued within five (5) business days of the related exception discussion meeting. Any student/parent who is in disagreement with the building principal’s decision can appeal the decision to the Assistant Superintendent. The determination made by Assistant Superintendent is final unless Section 504 procedural safeguards apply. In the event that a student’s condition changes, parents may submit a new exemption request with updated information. No student will be excluded from school unless required in order to adhere to local public health mandates or because of unique medical needs as determined by the student’s IEP or Section 504 team. Transportation Face coverings are required for all students while on school transportation. Further, students are required to wear facial coverings when waiting for a school bus outdoors and unable to maintain a distance of at least six (6) feet from individuals who are not members of their household. ENFORCEMENT If face coverings are required, and no exception has been applied in accordance with the provisions above, students and/or staff who violate this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the applicable Code of Conduct and in accordance with the policies of the Board of Education. The District will implement strategies to avoid discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation against individuals who are unable to wear masks. For face coverings required for students, each school will determine how they will address face coverings that become soiled or unwearable while at school, students who do not bring a face covering to school, and students refusing to wear a face covering in accordance with school requirements and the Code of Conduct.
Mr. Schibley's Newsletter
As we continue to experience learning through Remote Learning 2.0 your feedback is very important. Please take a few moments to answer these questions regarding your successes and challenges as they relate to Remote Learning 2.0. The feedback provided will be kept confidential, but will be used to best support you and your child during remote learning, hybrid learning, and in person learning. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (440) 268-5971. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Mr. Eric Schibley
A great suggestion to help our youngest students with lunch!
Based on our school schedule and the fact that we will be eating in the classrooms as well, we have to keep to our strict schedule of 30 minutes for students to eat their lunch. The biggest struggle we have with our youngest students is getting them to use the time given to eat lunch, as they often spend a lot of time talking with friends. We'd really appreciate your help in reminding your children to eat when in the lunchroom and talk with friends when at recess.
I saw this the other day and thought it was really good advice....
Practice eating “school lunch” with your kiddo.
- Make sure they can open everything you send with them.
- Talk about not eating off of the table in the lunchroom!
- Set a timer for 15 minutes and talk about how they may not finish eating and that’s ok.
- Practice packing everything back up and talk about what is trash and what should come back home in their lunch box.
Pass it on! Cheers to a successful school year!
Important Updates You MUST Make! (Repeat Item)
The following is information from district offices regarding updating your online account. It is vital that you update ALL information in this site, including up to date phone numbers for emergency contact and the form regarding photos. Please be advised that if you say "no photos," this means your child will not be included in class photos or the yearbook. We'd love for all of our students to be included in school photos, so please compete this form carefully.
Online "Information Update" for the 20-21 school year is now available! This task must be completed by September 18, 2020. The Information Update form must be completed prior to your child receiving report cards, transcripts, parking permits, participation in any extra-curricular activities, school dances and field trips, as well as participation in commencement activities. This process replaces the paper forms sent home at the beginning of each school year. You will use the NEW PowerSchool UNIFIED CLASSROOM (formerly referred to as (PASS) Parent Portal) to access the 2020-2021 information update form. Even though the forms are "pre-filled" please check all information and you have to submit for each form and you must do it for each child that you have in the system even if all the information remains the same.
How do I get started?
Visit the Strongsville City Schools Website and click on the Powerschool Unified Classroom icon in the upper right corner and log into your UNIFIED CLASSROOM Parent Portal account.
- Select the student you wish to register along the top
- Click on the "Quick Links" icon in the left hand menu and select "Main Portal Page."
- Choose the Link "2020-2021 Information Update" on the Navigation bar on the left hand side.
- Enter the birthdate for the selected student
- Complete the form and submit.
I can’t remember my login for the PowerSchool Unified Classroom Parent Portal.
If you aren’t able to retrieve your login credentials using the “Forgot Username or Password” link on the Powerschool Unified Classroom Sign In page, please contact your school directly for assistance logging in to the Unified Classroom Parent Portal.
I don't have a Unified Classroom PowerSchool Parent Portal (PASS) account.
Contact your school directly for instructions on setting up your account, and your credentials.
Do I have to answer all the questions?
Questions marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.
What if I make a mistake?
If you would like to make a change prior to submitting the form, you can either navigate back to the page using the “< Prev” and “Next >” buttons or if you are on the Review page click on the underlined field. If you have already submitted the form you will need to contact your student’s school so they can make the changes for you.
I’ve completed the form, now what?
Once you have finished entering your information click “Submit.” This will send all of the information you’ve entered to the school. If you cannot click on this button you will need to make sure that you have answered all required questions. Make sure you click "save and signout" before exiting to insure information is kept.
What if I have more than one student in the district? Do I need to do this for each child?
Yes you will need to provide information that is specific to each child. We recommend that you complete and submit one form and then start another. This will allow you to “snap” (or share) selected family information, which saves you time.
Help! I’m on the Information Update form and I’m having technical difficulties.
For technical support, visit our PowerSchool Community help center or click “Help” from any form page.
Please join our PTA! (Repeat Item)
Here is the live link that you can click on that is mentioned in the flyer below:
Need Help With Wifi (Repeat Item)
https://www.spectrum.com/browse/content/spectrum-internet-assist.html
Also, the SCS tech department has helpful support at “bit.ly/scstechcorral”. It contains How To Videos, GIFs, and documents for many of our programs. One can submit a Tech Trouble Ticket or join the Tech Chat.