Jurassic Journal
September 11th 2020
Students in our school!
Letter from the Principal: Deadline approaching: Family learning model selection forms due by end of day Monday, Sept. 14
Dear Steggies:
We are so excited to welcome students back to our school building in just a few short weeks.
With the Board of Education’s approval of Superintendent Gdowski’s learning model for the remainder of the semester, families now have the option to select an in-person or remote learning model for each child for the remainder of the semester.
We are currently preparing to transition to [a full time, five days a week in-person learning with a teacher/a hybrid option, which includes 2 days in person with a teacher and 3 days remote (2 days asynchronous and Wednesdays synchronous)]. At the same time, we will continue to offer a full-time remote learning option, taught by certified Five Star teachers, for families who prefer that option based on need or preference.
To ensure a smooth transition for all students, staff and families to the new learning models, it is critical that all families complete and submit the learning model selection form to indicate a learning model for each child.If you haven’t already done so, please:
Submit the Family Learning Model Selection Form
This selection form must be submitted by the end of day, Monday, Sept. 14 for each child in a district school.
Important things to note
The form must be completed for each child, in the form you have the ability to enter up to four children at once.
The new learning model begins on Monday, Sept. 28
The selected learning model will be in place for your child for the remainder of the semester (Sept. 28 through Dec. 17).
Students cannot switch learning models after they start.
There will be adjustments to teacher and student assignments in order to ensure appropriate staffing levels for both the remote and in-person learning models.
You will need your student’s ID number to complete the form. If you don’t know your student’s ID number, see instructions for how to find your student ID number.
Once the form closes on Monday, Sept. 14, schools will begin to build new class lists based on family selection and staffing. It is important to note that your child’s teacher may change in order to ensure appropriate staffing levels for both the in-person and remote learning models.
For more information on the different learning models, please visit the Onward section of the district website at https://www.adams12.org/Onward.
If you have any questions about the selection form, please reach out to school directly.
Sincerely,
Sara Olson
Principal McElwain Elementary
McElwain- Full time, five days/week with a certified Five Star teacher starting October 1st!
New Onward Plan- Return to In Person Instruction K-5
Family Learning Model Selection Form Links
(To use if filling in information for a family on the phone or to send to families)
This Weeks Updates:
- 9/14/20-Parent Intent to return form is due
- 9/15/20- PALS testing begins, teachers will schedule appointments with students and parents
- 9/23/20 Tea with the Principal with Dari translation at 8:30 a.m
- 10/1/30-First day of all in person learning
- 10/24/20 Cocoa and Coats
- Steggie Spirit Days: Wednesdays-McElwain colors or attire and Fridays-Sports Teams or College colors or attire
Important Information for Kindergarten Parents
September 10th, 2020
Dear McElwain Kindergarten Parents and Guardians,
In our ongoing effort to keep you informed of important issues affecting our school, I wanted to share some information with you concerning our lower than anticipated kindergarten enrollment and what that means for our current class structure. Enrollment numbers at each grade level can fluctuate from year to year, especially at the kindergarten level since this is when students enter elementary school for the first time. The district monitors enrollment numbers at each grade level across all 30 elementary schools to make sure they are within our thresholds for specific grade-level class sizes. When enrollment numbers climb above these thresholds, additional teaching staff is allocated. In the rare cases where enrollment drops significantly at a grade level, a teacher may move to another grade level and/or school. Compared to last year, we’re seeing a significant drop in enrollment at the kindergarten level. Last year we had three classes and an average of up to 90 students which has varied due to the mobility of our population. This year we have 40 students. Because of this, we will be moving from three kindergarten classrooms to two beginning tomorrow, Friday, September 11th .
With this change we will have class sizes of around 20 and we will remain well below the district threshold for kindergarten class size which is 26/27. Enrollment numbers can change during the first few weeks of school, and that is why we didn’t want to make this change prematurely. Having said that, we also feel the need to make the change now as to make the transition easier for students. All of our kindergarten teachers have spent the past few weeks setting common expectations and routines, and they are committed to making this a smooth transition for students. Our kindergarten teachers plan together and follow the same timeline for delivering content in different subject areas. Ms. Grant’s class is the class identified as the one to be collapsed.
Tomorrow morning, your student will log on as usual and will have a different link to a different teacher’s classroom. We have carefully placed students to best meet their needs. In the morning meeting, the teacher will introduce themselves and the new students to the class. We realize that this process is unusual due to the circumstances surrounding the pandemic. Thank you for your continued support and patience. Please know that maintaining continuity in learning for your child is a priority of mine and our staff as we make this transition. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I appreciate our continued partnership in support of our students here at McElwain
Sincerely,
Sara Olson
10 de septiembre del 2020
Estimados padres y tutores de kinder de McElwain,
En nuestro esfuerzo continuo por mantenerlos informados de las cosas importantes que afectan a nuestra escuela, quería compartirles información con respecto a nuestra inscripción en kinder más baja de lo esperado y lo que eso significa para nuestra estructura de clases actual.
Los números de inscripción en cada nivel de grado pueden cambiar de un año a otro, especialmente en el nivel de kinder, ya que es cuando los estudiantes ingresan a la escuela primaria por primera vez. El distrito monitorea el número de inscripciones en cada nivel de grado en las 30 escuelas primarias para asegurarse de que estén dentro de nuestros límites para tamaños de clases específicos de nivel de grado. Cuando el número de inscripciones supera estos umbrales, se asigna personal docente adicional. En los raros casos en los que la inscripción desciende significativamente a un nivel de grado, un maestro puede pasar a otro nivel de grado y / o escuela.
En comparación con el año pasado, estamos viendo una caída significativa en la inscripción a nivel de kinder. El año pasado tuvimos tres clases y un promedio de hasta 90 alumnos que ha variado debido a la movilidad de nuestra población. Este año tenemos 40 alumnos. Debido a esto, nos moveremos de tres salones de kinder a dos a partir de mañana, viernes 11 de septiembre. Con este cambio tendremos un tamaño de clase de alrededor de 20 y nos mantendremos muy por debajo del umbral del distrito para el tamaño de las clases de kindergarten, que es 26/27.
El número de inscripciones puede cambiar durante las primeras semanas de clases, y es por eso que no quisimos hacer este cambio prematuramente. Dicho esto, también sentimos la necesidad de hacer el cambio ahora para facilitar la transición a los estudiantes. Todos nuestros maestros de kinder han pasado las últimas semanas estableciendo expectativas y rutinas comunes, y están comprometidos a hacer de esta una transición sin problemas para los estudiantes. Nuestros maestros de kinder planean juntos y siguen el mismo cronograma para entregar contenido en diferentes áreas temáticas.
La clase de la Sra. Grant es la clase identificada como la que colapsará. Mañana por la mañana, su estudiante iniciará sesión como de costumbre y tendrá un enlace diferente a la clase de un maestro diferente. Hemos colocado a los estudiantes cuidadosamente para satisfacer mejor sus necesidades. En la reunión de la mañana, la maestra se presentará a sí misma y a los nuevos alumnos a la clase. Somos conscientes de que este proceso es inusual debido a las circunstancias que rodearon la pandemia. Gracias por su continuo apoyo y paciencia.
Por favor tenga en cuenta que mantener la continuidad en el aprendizaje de su hijo es una prioridad para mí y nuestro personal mientras hacemos esta transición. Si tiene alguna pregunta, no dude en comunicarse conmigo.
Agradezco nuestra cooperación continúa en apoyo de nuestros estudiantes aquí en McElwain.
Sinceramente,
Sara Olson
Directora
Pals Testing Begins on September 15th
Next Coffee with the Principal will be on October 7th at 8:30 a.m.
Steggies Speak
Welcome to the new McElwain Steggie Spirit Wear Store!
Steggie Spirit Wear Store Link HERE
Please Download App on your phone! You will need it to access MCE information !
Tech Corner
PLEASE USE the new TECH ISSUES form to communicate ANY tech complications
Social and Emotional Well Being Assessment
Dear McElwain Families:
Your child’s social and emotional wellbeing is vitally important to us. I am writing today to inform you that this fall we are conducting a new Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health Needs Assessment of your child to better understand the needs of our students and community during this pandemic and remote learning experience.
Social and Emotional Wellbeing Assessment: What Parents/Guardians Need to Know
Overview
The questions in the assessment ask for families with their student(s) to share their experiences over the past five months, indicate if they need to be connected to resources, and allows for families and students to directly ask for support from our school counselors, mental health providers and social emotional learning specialists.
How to Take the Survey
Within the week, you will receive an additional email with a link to a Google form.
We ask that you complete the assessment with your child. The assessment is completely voluntary. Every family will receive the email but if you would prefer your child not participate in this opportunity simply do not take the assessment.
If you have more than one student at this school, please complete a separate assessment for each student. This assessment is school-specific, so please look for an email from each school if you have students at multiple Adams 12 schools.
What This Means for Your Child and Other Students
Your child should know their voice and school experiences matter. The assessment is a way for families and students to communicate their experiences and needs. The assessment results will be confidential, but not anonymous. Individual student data will only be seen by your school’s administration, mental health providers and social-emotional learning specialists. School summary (aggregate) data will be shared to teachers and to district-level administrators.
What This Means to You as a Parent
We encourage families to complete the assessment together. You might be contacted by a school counselor, mental health provider and/or social emotional learning specialists depending on how you and your child respond to the assessment. Schools have many ways to connect with students and identify students that need care. This assessment provides one more way for us to guarantee that we are making connections with students and providing necessary support.
What This Means for School Counselors, Mental Health Providers and Social Emotional Learning Specialists and Schools
The purpose of the assessment is not only to provide appropriate staff information to quickly identify students and families to connect with, but it also provides schools with an overall assessment of the social and emotional wellbeing of all the students it serves. The assessment is intentionally designed to be short so that it functions as an initial way to prioritize student needs. A child’s entire experience cannot be shared and/or determined through an assessment. When our providers meet with students and/or families they leverage their professional expertise to gather more information, listen closely and partner with the student to support them in achieving their goals.
Thank you, your feedback is important to us
Sara Olson
McElwain Elementary Principal
How Can I Learn More?
Feel free to contact me or our school Mental Health Team.
Liz Sousa--sou023413@adams12.org
Savannah Wahab--wah024669@adams12.org
Chanel Wright--wri019413@adams12.org
Contact US
Administration
Principal: Sara Olson Email: Sara.K.Olson@adams12.orgAssistant Principal:Brooke Tolmachoff Email: Brooke.Tolmachoff@adams12.org
Website: https://mcelwain.adams12.org/welcome-mcelwain-elementary
Location: 1020 Dawson Drive, Denver, CO, USA
Phone: 720-972-5500
Facebook: facebook.com/McElwainElementary
Twitter: @NA