Park Terrace Elementary
August 26, 2020 Newsletter
See translation information below / Consulte la información de traducción a continuación.
Greetings Park Terrace Families!
It is already the last week in August and the air around Park Terrace is filled with excitement for the new school year. We are continuing to work hard to prepare for a safe and healthy start to the year and we are incredibly grateful for the support and flexibility of our families and community as we navigate a unique start to the school year. We remain on the path to starting school in both a Modified Campus Schedule (hybrid) model and full-time Extended Flexible Learning (distance learning) model.
Even though school might look different this year, a few things have definitely remained unchanged: our love and excitement for the students we serve; our commitment to our community; and, our commitment to personalizing learning for our students. This is going to be a fantastic school year.
Our teachers all return from summer break next week for more than a week of professional learning and planning. We will be covering a variety of topics in-depth with teachers including learning and teaching in new models and health and safety. We want to ensure the learning experiences of our students are engaging, meaningful and personalized. Teachers will be working hard to make that happen!
We have a few important updates:
School Supplies: School supply lists are available online. Please note, one item was inadvertently left off of our supply list: pencil box. It would be helpful if each child has his/her own pencil box to store pencils, crayons and other supplies.
First Days of School: We will use the first two days of school – September 10 and 11 – to orient our students and families, creatively connect for meet and greet opportunities and carefully manage transitions for our youngest students.
- For the Modified Campus Schedule (hybrid) Model, our approach to September 10 and 11 is similar to other years and provides a higher level of support for students making critical transitions. It also provides an opportunity for us to practice transportation, arrival and dismissal procedures and other critical aspects of our operations with smaller group sizes.
- Kindergarten students come to school September 10 and 11 for their first days
- Grades 1-4 students will participate in online meet and greet activities with teachers (they will NOT be in the building September 10 and 11)
- For the Extended Flexible Learning (distance learning) Model, September 10 and 11 will be dedicated to students participating in online meet and greet activities with teachers to build relationships. This will also provide an opportunity to ensure technology is set up to support learning.
The first day of instruction for all grade levels in both models will be Monday, September 14. For students in the hybrid model, this will be the first day all students in 1st grade come to school and students in grades 2– 4 in Group A (last names A-L) have their first day in the building.
Who’s my child’s teacher? On Tuesday, September 1, families will be able to log on to Campus and find out who your child’s teacher is.
Meet & Greet: Meet & Greet will look different this year and will also be more personalized. Teachers will create videos for students and families to watch with general information about themselves and the classroom. Additionally, families will be able to schedule individual times to meet with the teacher via WebEx (video conferencing) or telephone to talk about your student and ask any questions you may have. This will allow more time for families to connect with the teacher in order to establish the foundation of the partnership that will be needed for the year. Please note, families of students in both the Modified Campus Schedule (hybrid) model and Extended Flexible Learning (distance learning) models will have the same opportunities for meet and greet.
Pick Up/Drop Off and Start & End Time: For families who have chosen the Modified Campus Schedule (hybrid) model, please note our drop off, pick up, and school times have not changed. Students can be dropped off at 9:10 a.m., and school starts at 9:20 a.m. School ends at 3:55 p.m.. Please keep in mind, we will need to enforce physical distancing protocols at drop off and pick up, so it is critical that we do not have students dropped off early and waiting outside. Students will NOT be allowed to wait in the entryway due to safety and security guidelines. Parents will also have to use the car line only when dropping off and picking up in order to minimize the number of students/families congregating near the doors. We will do our best to keep the line moving as efficiently as possible. We appreciate your cooperation in making pick up and drop off as safe as possible for our students, families and staff.
I recognize this is a busy time of year and families will be receiving a lot of information. Please know, you are not alone; we are here to support you. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to give us a call or send an email. In times like these, we need to lean on each other, support each other and lift up our students together... and the year will be amazing. We got this! #SLPPantherProud
Warmly,
Mona Perkins
Principal
Park Terrace Elementary School
Summer Meal Program: Meals Provided Through September 4
The last day for the school-sponsored summer meals program is August 31. Thanks to the generous support of the Panther Foundation and Spring Lake Park Lions Club, a bag lunch will be available for pick up at the High School at the regular summer distribution time Tuesday, September 1 – Friday, September 4. Next week, we’ll have more information about meal services that begin the week of September 8.
One-page 2020-2021 School Calendar
The first day of school for all grades is Thursday, September 10, 2020. View a downloadable Calendar PDF.
Watch for Bus Route Information August 31
Families who indicated they needed district transportation for this fall will receive bus route information beginning August 31. Routes will be posted in Campus Parent Portal on August 31 and a postcard will be mailed out that same day. For general information and bus routing, contact Spring Lake Park Schools transportation services at 763-600-5590 or visit the Transportation page.
Face masks, self-screening and water bottle information
Face masks
For many students beginning the year in the Modified Campus Schedule (hybrid) model, wearing a mask throughout the entire school day will be one of the biggest adjustments. All students and staff are expected to wear face masks indoors per the state executive order and these expectations will be reinforced.
One way to help make the transition easier at the start of the school year, is for students to pick out a mask and start practicing wearing it now. Families can also help students understand the importance of wearing a mask.
Here are some helpful face mask resources to help students prepare
- How to make face masks more comfortable for kids
- Masks, Face Shields and Gloves, Oh My!
- Wearing a Mask - coloring book
Health Self-Screening
For learning at school days, staff and students (with help from family members as needed) must self-screen for symptoms at home daily before coming to school. This is called passive screening. If a person is sick or exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, they may not come to school.
Symptoms Checklist:
- New onset cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever of 100 degrees without fever reducing medication
- Chills
- Muscle pain or body aches
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste and smell
- Diarrhea
- Congestion or vomiting
- Headache
Close contact checklist: Have you had close contact (within 6 ft for 15 minutes or more) with anyone who is positive for COVID-19, OR do you have a household member waiting for COVID-19 test results?
If you answer “YES” to any of the above (symptoms or close contact)’
1. Please stay home when sick; DO NOT come to school or work
2. Contact your school’s attendance line
3. Consider contacting your health care provider
View and download a Daily Self-Screen for COVID-19 Symptoms document.
Water Bottles Not Drinking Fountains
Water bottles have been added to school supply lists this year as students will not be allowed to use drinking fountains for health and safety reasons. Please send a water bottle to school each day with your student. Water bottle fill stations will be available, and many classrooms have sinks to fill water bottles.
- Thursday, September 10 - First Day of School
In case you missed important information from last week's newsletter, check out the topics below and click to learn more.
- Need Care for Your School Age Child? Note, if you need any child care in the fall, now is the time to sign up!
- View School Supply Lists
- iPads: Get Your Tech Ready for a New School Year
- Apply now for Free or Reduced-Priced Meal Benefits for the 2020-2021 School Year
- Make a Plan for Internet Access
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