Gertrude E. Chamberlin School
Family Newsletter September 4, 2020 Volume 15 Issue 8
Welcome to our virtual open house! click on the links below to meet our teachers and staff! we are excited to welcome you to the 2020-2021 school year!
Important Health Updates from Nurse Farrell
I am excited and eager to begin the new school year! We all understand that it will not look or feel like a normal start to the school year and I am sure you have had a lot of information to digest. Please know that I am here for you to answer any of your questions or concerns. I will continue to provide updates from the health office regarding the changes related to reopening our school safely. In this newsletter I have included a newsletter from the SBSD School Nurses and information about eating in the classrooms related to food allergies. Have a nice weekend and I look forward to seeing your children next week.
Here's the link to the breakfast and lunch menus.
Please fill out the applications for free and reduced lunch if you think your family might qualify. These applications have to be filled out every year in September for your child to qualify. specific guidelines to qualify are in the directions. this information is confidential and only shared with our nutritional services staff. You can put this in an envelope marked "Nutritional Services" and return with your child, or mail to 262 White Street, South Burlington, VT.
Free and reduced lunch directions and application in english
Free and Reduced Lunch Directions and Application in Spanish
free and reduced lunch directions and application in nepali
Free and Reduced Lunch Applications in Nepali
Seating Tips for Remote Learning From Our Physical Therapist, TJ Maclay
Here is an informational video from our school nurses and local healthcare professionals based on the questions that you asked about reopening.
Integrated Arts Changes During COVID 19
Picture Day
Chromebooks for Remote Learning
All of our 2nd - 5th graders will have chromebooks to bring home again this year. Chromebooks will go back and forth to school for the remote learning days. Students will first review expectations and sign their contracts for appropriate use of technology at school and at home. The first time they will go home is on the 15th and 18th. Chromebooks stay at school overnight during the two days of in person learning. We are working to get more devices for our South Burlington students, however there is a national shortage of devices and our order that was placed earlier in the summer has been delayed for a few months.
GECS Staff used the tent this week as a meeting space to learn how to do morning health screenings.
Mrs. C and Ms. Azur helped create mask kits for every classroom!
Each classroom will have a set of extra masks...just in case!
New signs that your child will see at GECS! Our hallway loop is now one way, and we have visuals to help remind students to social distance.
Updated Arrival and Dismissal Information
To be in compliance with the guidelines from the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) and the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) Chamberlin school will be implementing the following procedure for arrival and dismissal.
PLEASE COMMUNICATE THIS PROCESS WITH YOUR CHILD(REN) BEFORE THEY ARRIVE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL SO THEY ARE PREPARED FOR A DAILY HEALTH SCREENING.
All students/parents/guardians and staff will be required to answer the health screening questions on the application provided from the district. All students and staff will be required to have their temperature taken when they arrive at school.
Arrival Procedures for Students
Students arriving at school via the bus:
● Students will enter the bus and go directly to their assigned seat.
● Facial coverings are required at all times on the bus.
● The buses will arrive at the back of the school on Hanover Street at 7:50am.
● The students will be met by staff members who will take their temperature.
● If the student has a temperature of over 100.4 the school nurse will be notified and the student will be placed in the isolation room for further assessment. The school nurse will contact the parent/guardian.
● The students will walk down the path and enter the building in the back through the double doors.
● Once in the building the students will follow the flow of traffic in the hallways and go to their classrooms.
Students arriving at school via car:
● Families will be asked to arrive in staggered start times by grade level groupings, and arrive at your youngest child’s time slot if you have multiple children.
○ For the Blue Pack Monday/Tuesday students:
■ Students in PK, 1, and 5 will arrive between 7:55-8:10am.
■ Students in K, 2, 3, and 4 will arrive between 8:10-8:25am
○ For the Gray Pack Thursday/Friday students:
■ Students in PK, 1, and 5 will arrive between 7:55-8:10am.
■ Students in K, 2, 3, and 4 will arrive between 8:10-8:25am
● There will be three stops where students' temperature will be taken. Please have your child seated in the back seat that is closest to the building when looping around the school.
● One at the first set of doors (known as the bus doors), one at the front entrance, one at the side entrance on the south side of the building at the doors that lead into the preschool and kindergarten wing.
● When entering the parking lot follow the flow of traffic to the right and around the parking lot to the west side of the building. You will be directed to one of the health screening spots.
● If you are directed to the first two stops once your student’s temperature is taken you can exit straight out onto White Street.
● If you are directed to the side entrance you will make a right and go around the side parking lot stopping at the doors to have your student’s temperature checked. You will then circle around and exit into the flow of cars heading straight out.
● Your student should remain in the car or get out right next to the car to have their temperature taken. If they have a temperature of 100.4 or higher the parent/guardian will be asked to take them home. The school nurse will follow up with the parent/guardian at some point during the day.
● The students will enter the building through the door closest to their screening point and follow the flow of traffic to their classrooms.
Students arriving at school via walking:
● Students who walk to school from the front entrance will have their temperature checked by one of the three stations at the front of the building between 8am-8:20am.
● Students who walk to school from the back entrance will have their temperature checked on Hanover Street before they enter the school grounds by 8:10am.
● If they have a temperature 100.4 or greater and the parent/guardian are present they will be asked to take them home. If the parent/guardian is not present the school nurse will be notified and the student will be placed in the isolation room for further assessment. The school nurse will contact the parent/guardian.
● The students will enter the building either through the back double doors or the main entrance and follow the flow of traffic to their classrooms.
Dismissal Procedures for Students
If you have multiple children they will be dismissed by the youngest child's grade.
2:15 Schools Out dismissal to the cafeteria by grade level:
K, 1 and 3, 2 and 4, 5
2:20pm Bus dismissal by grade level through the bus doors:
K, 1 and 3, 2 and 4, 5
2:30pm-2:40: Car dismissal out the front main entrance by grade level:
PK, 1 and 5
2:40-2:50: Car dismissal out the front main entrance by grade level:
K, 2, 3 and 4
Congratulations to the SBSD UVM Outstanding elementary Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Brown!
SOUTH BURLINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT REOPENING GUIDANCE DOCUMENT FOR FAMILIES
Placement Information
We look forward to welcoming your child back to school into their current grade level team! This year, we will be working in teams to ensure that your child has the benefit of relationships and familiarity with both their homeroom teacher and the other teachers on that grade level team. As you know we are beginning in a hybrid model, so there will be only half of the class present at a time in each homeroom with one lead teacher. Students are not mixing beyond that smaller group /pod of students at this time, while the grade level teachers will be introduced to one another’s small groups to provide flexibility if needed as we progress through the school year.
School teams have drafted homeroom placements that we will start the year off with the week of Sept 8th. Teachers and staff have worked hard to create balanced classes that allow for equitable services that best meets the needs of all children within our public school system.
We will use the first few weeks of school to observe, assess academic strengths and needs, and notice what is working well for our students. The administration reserves the right to make a homeroom placement adjustment based on available services, a child’s academic need, or the resources available in the schedule. On October 2nd we will finalize the class lists for the school year based upon the data we have collected at school in the first few weeks.The rationale behind this homeroom model for the first few weeks includes:
1. Using the current data to make decisions (after observation and assessments)
2. Creating balanced and equitable classroom communities
3. Cross training grade level teams of teachers, should one teacher be out to still have familiar relationships
4. Using the human resources we have safely for all involved.
We recognize that our students have not been in school for several months and will need social emotional support and intentional social learning opportunities to reconnect. There will be an emphasis on relationship building, resiliency, and relearning our PBIS systems at all grade levels as we reconnect in person to start this school year.
This team approach of two, three or four adults serving a grade level of students will be beneficial should one of our staff members not be able to be at school in the coming months. The rest of the grade level adult team will be familiar with your child, and be able to support, even with a substitute teacher in place.
These are times that require us to place safety and health as our top priority for all staff, students, and families. It means that we must be proactive in our planning, while being flexible and fluid in our implementation. We will continue to provide weekly updates on Fridays, as information is clarified and updated.
We look forward to partnering with you this school year, for a safe, healthy, and productive learning year!
Sincerely,
Your Elementary Admin Team:
Kathleen Kilbourne, Holly Rouelle, & Mark Trifilio,
start of school information and start of year homeroom and team placement letters have been mailed. Check the end of the letter for your child's specific information about homeroom base, teaching team and pack color. One letter went out for the primary contact. If you are a parent who is not the primary contact who needs placement information (all of the other information is here in the newsletter), please call us at 652-7403.
First Week of School Schedule
As we welcome students back to our safe and caring learning community, we want to ensure that transitions to new schools go smoothly. Accordingly, we will have orientation for Kindergarteners at GECS on September 8th & 9th, with a 12:00 bus dismissal:
Kindergarteners in the Blue Pack (last name A-K) will attend orientation in person at school on September 8th. Parent drop off is 8:10-8:25 and parent pick up will be at 12:10 PM.
Kindergarteners in the Gray Pack (last name L-Z) will attend orientation in person at school on September 9th. Parent drop off is 8:10-8:25 and parent pick up will be at 12:10 PM.
Parents/Caregivers will not be allowed in the building, as we know the greatest risk of virus transmission is adult to adult. See the information above regarding the arrival and dismissal process.
All students in the Blue Pack (last name A-K) will start the Hybrid Learning schedule by coming to school in person on Thursday the 10th. The Gray group will be home on the 10th. All students in the Gray Pack (last name L-Z) group will come to school in person on Friday, September 11th. The Blue group will be home on the 11th.
The 2 days in person, 3 days at home hybrid schedule will have a full week beginning September 14th. Please refer to the updated SBSD Academic Calendar for the color coded days your child comes to school. We look forward to welcoming your child(ren) back into our vibrant and caring learning community.
Air Ventilation in Our Classrooms
Nutritional Services Updates for School Re-Opening
Nutritional Services in cooperation with transportation and security will continue to serve meals through August 30th under the nationwide area eligibility waiver from the USDA. Special accommodations will be made for any families that request additional support until school begins on September 8th. Please contact Rhonda Ketner, rketner@sbschools.net or 802-652-7160 for questions/assistance.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended its waivers on meal pattern flexibility, congregate meals, meal times, and parent and guardian meal pickup through June 30, 2021. This will allow us to continue to operate smoothly in the event of another school closure as well as serve meals in nontraditional areas, such as the classroom.
Based on guidance from the USDA and VT AOE and in an effort to limit touch points, the following changes in meal service will occur:
- Meals will be unitized and packaged in recyclable, covered, meal trays or containers. This will allow for easy service in or outside of the cafeteria.
- The same meal components will be served to every student, unless there is a documented allergy, those meals will be modified to meet the needs of the individual. Chocolate milk will not be offered under this model. There will only be one meal option.
- Meals will be available via bus delivery to all students on the days they are engaged in remote learning. These meals will need to be ordered in advance, via an online ordering survey that will be sent to parents on a weekly basis.
- There will be two menus for each school, an onsite and a remote menu. At the beginning of the year all meals being delivered by bus to remote learners will be cold lunches. As the year progresses and we get used to the new “normal” we will expand those offerings.
- Breakfast will be served in the classroom, there will be at least 2 options daily.
- Silverware will be prepackaged with napkins.
- Condiments will be served in individualized portions.
- The Point of sales system will be touchless.
- Salad bars and self-service stations will be closed.
- Cashiers will not be handling cash during meal service. No payments will be processed at the registers.
- After careful consideration it was decided that we need to adjust the meal prices to help cover the costs of unitizing meals and packaging. The prices for elementary schools are: Breakfast $2.50 and Lunch $3.50.
WHAT WILL HYBRID LEARNING BE LIKE AT GERTRUDE E. CHAMBERLIN SCHOOL? CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO FIND OUT MORE DETAILS.
Annual Student Updates and Registration...New and Improved!
South Burlington School District is excited to begin Annual Student Updates and Registration for the 2020-2021 school year.
These online forms can be found within your PowerSchool Parent Portal and takes the place of the thick packet of papers that have previously been mailed home to families from the schools each summer.
Please take the time to complete these forms that:
- Register your student for the 2020-2021 School Year
- Verify and update emergency contact information
- Communicate important health information
- Sign student laptop/device agreements
To begin, please click this link to login to the PowerSchool Parent Portal: https://sbsdvt.powerschool.com. Once logged in, click “Forms” from the left navigation bar and choose “Update A. Getting Started: Returning Students.” The forms should take 5-15 minutes to complete, per student.
Trouble Logging in?
Please click “Forgot Username or Password?”
- Reminder: Please check your Junk box if a reset email is not received.
If you do not have a PowerSchool Portal Account or require more support, please email sbdatateam@sbschools.net.
Individual schools can be contacted at:
PreKindergarten/Act 166: PreK_Reg@sbschools.net
Gertrude E. Chamberlin School: Chamb_Reg@sbschools.net
Orchard School: Orch_Reg@sbschools.net
Rick Marcotte Central School: RMCS_Reg@sbschools.net
Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School: FHTMS_Reg@sbschools.net
South Burlington High School: SBHS_Reg@sbschools.net
Thank you for your time. Completion of these forms will help ensure that we have the most current and accurate information for your students, allowing us to improve communications and better serve our families.
Chamberlin School
Email: hrouelle@sbschools.net
Website: https://vt01819219.schoolwires.net/Domain/10
Location: Chamberlin School, White Street, South Burlington, VT, USA
Phone: 802 652 7403
Twitter: @hrouelle