Whittier Weekly Newsletter
January 22, 2021
Looking Forward to Hybrid
Dear Families,
Some upcoming dates to know related to FCPS switching to hybrid . This is specific to elementary schools. Middle and high schools are switching their schedules on the 28th, while elementary schools will switch schedules when hybrid actually begins, on February 16th.
The Hybrid Model at Whittier - Some Things to Know
- Families have selected to remain virtual or to attend school in person beginning February 16th
- Whether you chose virtual or hybrid has no impact on whether you will continue with your current teacher. We specifically worked through our hybrid models to make sure that your choice as a family would not have any impact on the teacher assignment.
- For students who will be coming in person to school, they are assigned to either Cohort A (Monday and Tuesday) or Cohort B (Thursday and Friday). All students are virtual on Wednesdays.
- Students who come to school in person will arrive between 8:30 and 8:55 and the school day will begin at 9:00 sharp. Dismissal will start at 2:00 pm for in-person students.
- Information about arrival and dismissal routines, safety guidelines and expectations, and all other logistics will be shared in subsequent Whittier Weekly Newsletters
- The models we chose for each grade level varied because of overall number of students in a grade, how many families had selected hybrid/virtual, and capacity of classrooms to allow for social distancing and safety.
- Essentially, we have done one of two things depending on the grade level or specific classroom situation.
Week One: Mr. Byrd teaches all of the students from his and Mr. Krzysiak's class who come to school in person Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. He teaches his homeroom class virtually on Wednesday. Mr. Krsysiak teaches all of the students from his and Mr. Byrd's class who are all virtual or are in the at home cohort. He teaches his homeroom students virtually on Wednesday.
Week Two: The teachers switch roles, with Mr. Krzysiak in person and Mr. Byrd teaching virtual that week.
Why? This model allows for completely equitable time for students with their current teacher regardless of whether they are virtual, in Cohort A, or Cohort B.
It allows teachers to work closely together to ensure a high-quality instructional experience for students
2. The other model that we are using in our school is where a teacher retains all of their current students and teaches their in-person students and their virtual students concurrently. This made sense in certain situations: Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Mrs. Little's 2nd grade classroom.
In this scenario, students will continue with their current teacher and will have a day where they are all learning together at times, learning independently at times, and working in small groups at times.
What's Next?
Wednesday, January 27th - all families will receive a call confirming:
- your cohort if you chose hybrid, or virtual if that was your choice
- your teacher assignment
- transportation information
February 2nd - families will receive a copy of their specific instructional schedule
Now, for next week, we have lots of excitement for the Great Kindness Challenge. Please see below for our Spirit Week and look in the Counselor's Corner for important informations from our School Counselor's.
Monday 1/25-Think Win- Win! Wear your favorite sports jersey or gear
Tuesday 1/26-Ride the Wave of Kindness- Beach Theme (school appropriate!)
Weds 1/27- No SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Thursday 1/28- -Wacky Hair Day! Crazy Hair or Clothes
Friday 1/29- Kindness is a Rainbow- Dress the color of your grade!
Red- 5th, Orange-4th, Yellow-3rd, Green-2nd, Blue-1st, Purple- K/Pre-K
My best regards,
Lorcan OhEithir, Principal
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Reese and Mrs. Leatherman
The Great Kindness Challenge is Back!
We will be Celebrating the Virtual Great Kindness Challenge Next week- January 25th-29th. Whittier has been a KINDNESS CERTIFIED SCHOOL since 2015. Let’s keep up the momentum! Virtually!
GKC is a National Initiative to foster Kindness and Connectivity throughout the school and community when it is needed most. Students will be challenged to complete all of the acts of Kindness on the GKC virtual checklist and to dress up to show their School Spirit every day!
The GKC Checklist and Spirit week themes are linked here:
Great Kindness Challenge Virtual Checklist and Spirit Week
We have also posted the checklist on the Counselor Corner Schoology page as well as on ALL Schoology Homeroom pages. Students can print out the checklist or complete it in Kami on the Counseling Corner Page.
The 5th Grade Peer Mentors and School Counselors have been visiting classrooms to promote this wonderful celebration this week. Thank you to our wonderful 5th grade Peer Mentors for your help- You are AWESOME!
Changes in the School Year: We are so excited to be able to go back into the school with staff next week and in hybrid classrooms in the coming weeks. Your School Counselors are here to support you and your family during this time of transition. We will both be in the school beginning Wednesday January 27th- Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need us.
Mrs. Reese: 240-236-3170, Mrs. Leatherman 240-236-3135
Student Small Groups : As we move to Hybrid Learning, it is our goal to continue to meet with small groups. Please see the Counselor Corner Schoology Page for the Small Group Schedules with Mrs. Leatherman and Mrs. Reese. We will remain consistent with the group times throughout the coming weeks. When we transition to the hybrid schedule, we will be sure to let you know of the updated Small Groups Schedule!
Support for Military Families: Looking for a way to connect with other Military parents? The CYB Military Family Life Counselor, Lauren Wynn, will be hosting a virtual group for Military Parents on the 1st and 4th Friday of every month from 11am-12pm Please reference the linked flyer if you are interested For questions, Contact Lauren Wynn at 240-818-5730. Military Parents Connecting
Resources: We will be happy to provide you with additional resources as needed- Here are a few:
Childmind.org is a fantastic online resource for help with many of the Social and Emotional challenges that families, students and educators are facing. All students -those who are returning to school in person and those who will remain virtual -will be impacted by the change and feelings that accompany this transition. This article may be helpful for students who are returning in person:
https://childmind.org/article/back-to-school-anxiety-during-covid/
Updated information from the CDC: Community, Work, and School | COVID-19
Parent Resources from the American Psychological Association Parent Resources
Whittier Elementary School - Believe, Achieve, Succeed
We will also communicate through our school website
Follow me on Twitter @fcpsOhEithir where I will communicate school news and happenings
Email: lorcan.oheithir@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/whes/home
Location: 2400 Whittier Drive, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
Phone: (240) 236 3100
Twitter: @fcpsOhEithir