Fontenelle Newsletter
January 2021
Phased Return After Winter Break
Phased Return In-Person After Winter Break
From our layers of precautions to the pioneering OPS PROTECTS testing program, Omaha Public Schools makes each decision with health and safety at the forefront.
With that in mind, Omaha Public Schools will begin the second semester of this school year with a phased return in-person. Staff will teach from their classroom and students will start the semester as scheduled on Tuesday, Jan. 5 using their district-provided device from home.
Here are the dates for that phased return in-person:
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Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021: All students begin with remote instruction following the normal bell schedule. JP Lord School returns in-person five days a week.
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Monday, Jan. 11, 2021: K-12 ACP, Transition, Elementary BSP, Early Childhood Special Education, Homebased/Homebound, and Hearing Impaired classrooms return in-person five days a week.
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Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021: All students return in-person following the Family 3/2 Model attendance calendar. Gateway to College, OPS/UNO Middle College Program, Parrish, Student Success Program and the Zoo Academy return in person five days a week.
In-person instruction will continue with the Family 3/2 Model in the weeks that follow Jan. 19. At this time, there are no district-wide changes to our instructional model between now and winter break.
We know students learn best in-person. We are also working closely with public health leaders and medical experts for the health, safety and well-being of everyone in our school communities. This phased return in-person at the start of second semester will limit traffic on-site and allow students and families to return to their routine following an extended winter break.
Of course, health conditions have and continue to evolve rapidly. If adjustments are needed, we will update staff and families directly, with as much advance notice as possible.
The Remote Learning Program will remain an option for students who wish to continue learning full-time from home during the second semester.
Please look for additional information to come.
We know this year has presented challenges unlike any other, so it is especially important to maintain student engagement even if winter weather gets in the way of learning at school. Thanks to our 1 to 1 Technology Initiative, we now have the opportunity to support students with teaching and learning at home.
"Live," or synchronous teaching and learning will take place in the morning, with teacher availability for questions or additional support in the early afternoon. Teachers will take attendance.
For elementary students, inclement weather days will begin from home at 8:50 a.m. with a morning check in, just like a regular at home learning day in our Family 3/2 Instructional Model.
On inclement weather days, secondary students will follow a shortened class schedule, with specific times depending on a block or nine-period schedule. Most secondary schools will begin an inclement weather day from home at 8:40 a.m., with Central High and South High beginning the day at 8:20 a.m.
It is important that students bring their district-provided iPad home each evening and families charge them each night to be prepared for the next day's learning.
Health & Safety
Daily Self Assessment
As a reminder, we ask that every day before they leave home, families complete a self-health assessment, asking themselves these three vital questions:
- Has your child had a fever of 100.4 or greater, a new cough, new onset of shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell in the last 24 hours?
- Is your child waiting for a COVID-19 test result due to symptoms or a close contact exposure?
- Has anyone in your household been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, you will be expected to stay home.
How we help stay committed to safety everyday!
Students and Staff staying safe during the school day!
Middle school Open House information
Middle school open houses will take place virtually, Jan. 5 through Jan. 21. Please find details and login information for each school below.
During the month of January 2021, families will have an opportunity to submit their school choice requests for the 2021-22 school year.
Students learning in-person with the Family 3/2 Plan will receive an application from their current schools the week of Jan. 19. Please return the application to their current school by Jan. 29.
Beginning Jan. 19, parents and guardians of students in the 100% Remote Learning Program will receive an email with a link to make their selection. Please complete your selection by Jan. 29.
Omaha Virtual School open house and 2021-22 enrollment information will be coming in March. Learn more about Omaha Virtual School.
Monroe. Middle Virtual Open House link
Attendance Matters!
Attending school on time and every day is a critical and necessary factor for student success. Showing up for school and being ready to learn has a huge impact on student academic success and their connectedness to school starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school.
Attendance matters, this means students missing no more than 9 days throughout the year. Students are expected to arrive on time and be engaged in learning throughout the academic day.
Attendance matters. Students who maintain the attendance goal are more likely to be on or above grade level academically, be socially and emotionally connected to the school and staff and remain on track to high school graduation.
Ensuring students arrive on time and attend school throughout the day is everyone’s responsibility.
Student Responsibilities
- Establish bed time and morning routines
- Understand the importance of and why attendance matters
- Arrive on time
- Attend school the entire day
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
- Establish bed time and morning routines
- Ensure your child(ren) arrive to school on time
- Encourage and acknowledge the importance of attendance
- Schedule any medical or other appointments after school or on non-school days
- Report any absences to the school attendance secretary
Meals to Go !
Meals to go Second Semester Dates
Week of Jan. 4, 2021: Meals2Go will be distributed on Monday, Jan. 4 and Wednesday, Jan. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. JP Lord and Zoo Academy students attending in person will receive meals in school.
Week of Jan. 11, 2021: In-person classes resume for some students. Meals2Go will be distributed on Mondays and Wednesdays at the standard times of 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. for elementary schools and 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. for secondary schools. Students attending in person will receive meals in school.
Week of Jan. 19, 2021: Remaining students return in person using the Family 3/2 attendance plan. Meals will be provided in the schools and through Meals2Go. Due to the holiday, Meals2Go will be distributed Tuesday, Jan. 19 (Tuesday breakfast and lunch) and Wednesday, Jan. 20 (breakfast and lunch for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday).
Fontenelle Elementary School
Website: https://fontenelle.ops.org/
Location: 3905 North 52nd Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-299-1420