Kingsley ES Principal Newsletter
August 29, 2021
"Individually Unique, Together Complete"
Thank you!
What's Happening This Week - Week of August 22nd?
Here's our Week-at-a-Glance:
8/24 - 9/3 - KES MAP Testing (K - 5th Grade)
8/30 - Kick off our "One School, One Book Program" (OSOB) - The Lemonade War
8/31 - CMP (Comprehensive Master Plan) Region 1 Virtual Town Hall Meeting (6:00 PM)
8/31 - Spirit Night at DaVinci Pizza
9/3 - College Colors Day
Kingsley Families,
August is passing us by quickly, and we have completed four full weeks of school. Students have been doing an AMAZING job adjusting to their classroom schedules. Everyone continues to show excitement for learning all subjects and going to their specials each day. I can't wait to see the progress students make this year with their love for learning and hard work!
We had a few students absent last week, but overall attendance has improved. Please remember students should arrive before 7:30 AM to have enough time to eat breakfast. If they are not eating, students should be in the building before 7:40 AM.
I want to thank you for your continued support, your patience, and contributions as we continue to move through this school year.
Sincerely,
Dr. Harris-Thompson
The Lemonade War
STEAM News - Extra, Extra, Read All About It!
We had so much fun last week in the STEAM Lab!
- Our kindergarteners used their senses to learn about things that float or sink.
- Our 1st graders are going through the Engineering Design Process to build a wind vane. They are becoming meteorologists and they are understanding how to use weather instruments.
- Our students in 2nd-5th grades had a wonderful virtual visitor, Ms. Holly from the Dunwoody Nature Center! She shared her expertise about pollinators (2nd), Georgia regions (3rd), ecosystems (4th), and animal classification (5th).
Click on the link or click on the video below to check out our students from last week: https://youtu.be/sVe9bCRhc_g
Thank you for everyone who continues to donate items to the STEAM Lab! We are fully stocked with the materials for our unit 1 projects!
We are still in need of recyclable items! So keep them coming!
- 2 liter bottles
- Cardboard boxes
- Paper towel/toilet paper tubes
- Newspapers and magazines
Thank you so much for your continued support in helping stock our STEAM Lab!
Let's keep STEAMing ahead!!!
Check out our kids and their teamwork!!!
Extra, Extra, Read All About It...PTO News
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Thank you to all Kingsley Comet Families for joining us for our Open House. Those families that entered their information into Infinite Campus as well as completed the PTO form were entered into a raffle for 2 tickets to an Atlanta United game. The tickets were generously donated by Ashley and Mario Jaekel, and the winners were Whitney and Chris Delaney!
- SPANISH is back with LANGUAGE CONNECTION , LLC. For more information, email info@langconnection.com or call 404.483.7066.
- If you have not yet paid your annual activity fee, please do so here: https://kingsleypto.membershiptoolkit.com/activityfee.
- Spirit Night is August 31 at DaVinci Pizza. Place your order between 4-9pm and be sure to mention Kingsley if ordering by phone or select Kingsley as a promo code if ordering online. A portion of sales that evening will come right back to Kingsley!
For the month of August, CYCLEBAR DUNWOODY is hosting a Kingsley supply drive as well as offering a free ride to all parents and teachers. Register for your free ride here: https://bit.ly/kingsleyfreeride.
Spirit Wear sale dates to be announced soon.
Spotlight - KES Comets and KES Pride
Counselor Corner - Dr. Hamilton
COVID RESOURCES AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
The school year is off to a great start! As we start the new school year with five days a week of instruction, it’s important that we continue with our mitigation efforts to keep COVID-19 out of our building. As a school community, we did an amazing job in the Spring, and we will continue to do so this Fall. To help us keep our students and staff healthy, we are asking all of our families to keep your child home if he/she is not feeling well or if he/she is sick. We are highly encouraging ALL KINGSLEY FAMILIES to conduct a morning temperature check prior to coming to school each and every morning. It only takes a few seconds, and it will help us immensely to get ahead of any outbreaks at school.
Additional COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies
As a reminder, all students and staff are required to wear masks while indoors at school and on the school buses. Students will sanitize when they come in every morning. Hand washing is always required before students leave the restroom. For lunch, we are encouraging teachers to take their classes outside, if the weather permits, for lunch so students can space out more to eat. Be sure to check with your child's teacher to see if he/she will need to bring a yoga mat/blanket for eating lunch outside. While masks are not required outdoors, we will still use safety protocols during recess such as washing/sanitizing hands before and immediately after recess. Our custodial staff will continue to provide a robust and comprehensive cleaning protocol. We will continue to follow DCSD, DPH and CDC guidelines on COVID-19 mitigation strategies whenever possible, and we hope things will improve as we move through the year.
Reporting Protocols and Procedures
I want to review the protocols and procedures in place when a positive case is reported to me and when a student needs to quarantine.
What Happens When a Positive Case is Reported?
- All positive Covid cases should be reported directly to Dr. Harris-Thompson at tyra_harris-thompson@dekalbschoolsga.org .
- Once this information is received, Dr. Harris-Thompson will report it to the school district and await guidance.
- Dr. Harris-Thompson will begin contact tracing to determine if there are any close contacts according to CDC guidelines. Close contacts may not include the entire class. Close contacts could include individuals within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. Per newly released CDC guidance there is an exception (Exception: In the K–12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) if both the infected student and the exposed student(s) correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time.
- Close contacts will be notified via a phone call from Dr. Harris-Thompson or the assistant principal, Ms. Bishop.
- Close contacts will also be notified via email.
- Quarantine and Return to School Guidance from the school district will be sent to the individual who tested positive and all close contacts. I understand that this is a lot of information, so I will always include a contact number for you to reach me if you have any questions.
- Once approved for distribution, a community letter will be sent to the entire school community.
*Please note: before the community letter is sent out, all contact tracing will be completed and individuals would have been notified.
Additionally, this is the CURRENT process. If anything changes, staff and the school community will be notified.
What Happens When a Student Needs to Quarantine?
1. The teacher will provide the student with a learning work packet.
2. The teacher will make contact with the student daily to provide instructional support (this will be done during a teacher's planning period, before, and/or after school).
3. The student will be counted as present in Infinite Campus attendance.
In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), if a student is quarantined, the individual will be provided with asynchronous work until he/she is able to return. This is to protect the privacy of the student who may have tested positive for COVID 19.
I encourage everyone to click the blue rectangle button below to review DCSD Covid-19 resources to stay informed.
Safety is our top priority! Let's work together to ensure all students, staff, and families remain safe and healthy.
Student Placement
ALL of our staff members work hard to make school a positive experience for ALL students. As a school community, we will work together to make teaching and learning our primary focus and embrace new experiences that will allow our students to become global citizens. Also, please keep in mind that all student placements are to be considered tentative during the first few weeks of school due to unforeseen changes in enrollment. Should we encounter unexpected fluctuations in enrollment, teacher or class assignments may change. We are closely monitor classes that are currently at risk of not meeting or exceeding state guidelines for minimum/maximum class size. In the event that this occurs, we will communicate with parents and move quickly to make necessary adjustments to minimize the transitional impact on students. Your commitment to ensuring that Kingsley remains a celebrated and successful school is awe-inspiring.
Chromebook Device Agreement
https://dekalb.incidentiq.com/policy/2ec19bd9-15c9-4933-aaf9-0355a8a1e4e2/lookup
Water Bottles
IMPORTANT DISTRICT UPDATE
Out of an abundance of caution and due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, we will continue the visitor protocol that was in place for the 2020-2021 school year.
Visitors and volunteers will not be permitted in buildings until further notice. We will continue to monitor conditions and data provided by the Department of Public Health (DPH), the DeKalb County Board of Health (DBOH) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). It is our sincere hope that conditions will improve, and we will be able to reopen our doors and benefit from the value that our committed volunteers add to our schools and centers.
We appreciate each of our volunteers and community partners. In the interim, we will look for and we invite you to help us identify opportunities for volunteers to support our school community virtually.
What Does This Mean For Kingsley Elementary?
1. No parent(s) will be able to walk their students into the building. We will have staff members outside in the halls to help walk students to class.
2. Volunteers- No visitors or volunteers are allowed in the school until the district changes the above guidance.
3. My child forgot his/her.... There will be a cart set up outside for supplies or forgotten items. The KES staff will get them to the classroom. In order to make this process work, please make the item is labeled as follows: student name, grade level, and teacher name.
5. Dismissal: No parents are allowed inside. Students will exit the building once dismissed.
6. Kingsley's After School Program (ASEDP) pick up: Parents will ring the bell at the front door of the school, and someone will be ready to assist you with pickup. Please have your ID ready to show.
Please know we are a team. Together we are going to have a great year. It is important that we take these extra steps for the safety of all our students and staff. Thank you for your understanding and support.
COVID SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Safety is our top priority. Masks are required for all students inside the building and on school buses. Masks will be provided to students who do not have one. All students will receive sanitizer as they enter the school building each day. Classrooms and restrooms will be sanitized throughout the day and at the end of each day. Students will socially distance to the greatest extent possible throughout each day. Students should bring a reusable water bottle to school each day and a yoga mat/blanket for eating lunch outside. Reusable water bottles can be used at our bottle refilling stations throughout the building.
*Please review the student/parent handbook for more information about our COVID Safety Precautions.
2021-2022 AFTER SCHOOL EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM (ASEDP)
We have open slots for our ASEDP which is available Monday-Friday from 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM and each day that school is in session. The ASEDP program offers the following:
- Homework help
- Recess
- Enrichment Activities
- Snacks
Our checkout system will be done through QR codes, therefore, bring your ID and your phone to the front door to scan the QR code.
Please contact our ASEDP Director, Pamela Jones, if you have questions:
HAVE YOU DOWNLOADED AND REVIEWED THE 2021-2022 STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK?
A comprehensive student/parent handbook was developed over the summer that outlines our school policies and procedures.
***Please download the handbook using the attachment below or click on the QR code below and save it to refer to throughout the school year.
DO YOU HAVE YOUR FAMILY ID HANGTAG?
Car Riders/Walker:
Family ID hangtags are required to be visible in your car (carpool) or hand (walkers) during dismissal.
If you are in need of a family ID hangtag, you may pick it up any weekday 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM from the school. Please email Mrs. Bari marian_lamson@dekalbschoolsga.org or Mrs. Yazmin Acevedo yazmin_acevedo-mendez@dekalbschoolsga.org .
SILENT DISMISSAL SYSTEM
An Inside Look into Afternoon Dismissal! Does it take longer? Yes. More importantly, is it safer? Yes! We will no longer use holding areas or call students in groups to dismiss. Students are all dismissed directly from their classroom. We started our dismissal system in March of 2021 when students returned back for face-to-face learning. The dismissal system ensures a safe exit for all. We use a live spreadsheets on all classroom Promethean boards. We have staff members stationed all over the school grounds working on the spreadsheets to dismiss students and ensuring students stay distanced and get to the right location. Once students see their name pop up on the spreadsheet, they exit the class. Bus riders are dismissed using the silent dismissal system. We have improved our dismissal system and will continue to make the process better. Thank you so much for your patience as we dismiss students safely from our school into your care.
Carpool Guidelines
Parents are encouraged to use carpool when dropping off their child for school. Parents should not drop off students on Brendon Drive in the morning
- Get in the carpool line by 7:05 AM (morning) and 2:05 PM (afternoon) to ensure that you get through the line quickly.
- Be kind to the carpool staff that are taking their time to keep all children safe.
- Do not park on the opposite side of the street and send your child across the street alone.
- Do not drop off your child in front of the school during morning arrival.
2021-2022 BUS ROUTES
Bus routes can be found on the district website. https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/bus-routes/
Each bus is associated with a color (red, yellow, green, or blue):
Route 733 - Blue
Route 734 - Yellow
Route 735 - Green
Route 736 - Orange
Route 737 - Red
Route 738 - Purple
**The times you see listed on the bus routes are for the morning only. The bus runs in the reverse order (route) taking students back home each afternoon. Buses generally leave the school by 2:30 PM.
If you have any questions related to DCSD school buses, please contact Mrs. Johnson lawanda_johnson@dekalbschoolsga.org or Mr. Morrison james_morrison@dekalbschoolsga.org .
SCHOOL UNIFORMS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED FOR STUDENTS
Fridays are designated as Spirit Days. Students may wear an Kingsley Elementary t-shirt or the color red or blue, with denim bottoms.
MEDICATION FORM
If your child needs to have medication administered at school, please download the form below and have your physician to complete it.
You may drop off the medication and the documents for the medication on the first day back to school. A staff member will meet you at the front entrance of the school to collect the documents and medication or you may place the form and medication in a Ziploc bag clearly labeled with your child's first/last name and grade. You may send it by the student with the necessary document. Inform the teacher and Nurse Thomas (email address below) that these items are in your child's backpacks and we will be sure Nurse Thomas receives them.
Please feel free to reach out to Nurse Thomas by email or you may call the school 678.874.8902 if you have any questions. brenda_thomas@dekalbschoolsga.org .
We Have The BEST PTO! Have You Joined? Register with the PTO Website/Membership Toolkit.
Want to make sure you are up to date on all school news? Register with the PTO today!
1. Register with the PTO website/Membership Toolkit (this will ensure you receive PTO/Kingsley Newsletters).
(If you are a returning Kingsley family, update your information as necessary!)
2. Pay your School Dues of $40 per student to help with supplies, teacher stipends for materials, etc.
3. Donate to the Kingsley Annual Fund. Annual Fund donations help for major projects such as the recent playground renovation and the remodeling of the teacher's lounge.
Remember registering with the PTO website/Membership Toolkit ensures you’ll receive the PTO/Kingsley newsletter--- you need this newsletter--- it has LOTS of information about our school and other fun activities for your students!
Here’s the website: https://kingsleypto.membershiptoolkit.com/
FALL 2021 PRINCIPAL'S ADVISORY COUNCIL (PAC) ELECTIONS
What is the role of the Principal Advisory Council?
- Act as a link between the school and the community
- Encourage the engagement of parents and other stakeholders within the school community
- Work to increase student achievement through transparent operations and shared best practices
- Review the Continuous School Improvement Plan and monitor progress toward goals
- Participate in the selection of the school principal
Complete the form below to run for a position on your school’s Council.
Parent/Guardian Candidate Declaration Form (Spanish Translation Included)
If you declare your name, please email Dr. Harris-Thompson at tyra_harris-thompson@dekalbschoolsga.org with your bio and picture. Thank you!
Updates on DCSD Mask Wearing Protocols
DCSD MASK PROTOCOL (UPDATED JULY 12TH)
DeKalb County School District is committed to providing safe learning environments for students and staff. DCSD has amended the masks protocol to all students, staff, and visitors must wear a mask indoors. Students must wear masks on the bus. You can find the protocol here or below.
SCHOOL MEALS - Lunch Update
Breakfast and lunch are served each day of school. All meals are FREE through the 2021-2022 school year. Please review the School Cafe flyer below.
Students will be eating lunch in the cafeteria this year. ALL students will have access to free meals for the 2021/2022 school year. However, we ask that families who qualify for free and reduced lunch complete a lunch form so Kingsley can receive the funding associated with the program. The cafeteria is hoping to start selling a la carte items so please set up a School Cafe account for your child at schoolcafe.com if you would like your child to have the option to purchase additional a la cart items different from the provided school lunch.
Breakfast and lunch menus can always be found on this website: https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/school-nutrition/menus/
Please contact our Cafeteria Manager, Mrs. Cataline Moreno-Ortega, if you have questions: catalina_moreno-ortega@dekalbschoolsga.org
2021-2022 SCHOOL CALENDAR
The school calendar is set by the Dekalb County School District. Please click the link below to view the 2021-2022 school calendar.
Sign up for School Messenger to stay informed with Kingsley ES and DCSD news and updates.
We are Kingsley Elementary School where our staff and students strive for the best and never accept anything less.
Email: tyra_harris-thompson@dekalbschoolsga.org
Website: http://kingsleyes.dekalb.k12.ga.us/
Location: 2051 Brendon Drive, Dunwoody, GA, USA
Phone: (678) 874-8902
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KingsleyElementarySchool/
Twitter: @KingsleyComets