The Dolphin Digest
September 21, 2020
Upcoming Events
September 22nd- Progress Reports shared with parents (see below)
September 24th- School Leadership Team Meeting @ 3pm
September 28th- No School- Teacher Workday
October 7th- CMS Early Release Day (Instructional Day ends at 11:30am)
October 12th- CMS PreK returns to in-person instruction
October 19th- No School -Teacher Workday
October 22nd- Hungry Howie's Smithfield Spirit Night
November 2nd- CMS In-Person Phases begin (Rotation A)
Parent To Do's:
- Review and SIGN CMS Student Code of Conduct (1 per student)- see below
- Consider joining the Smithfield PTA!
- If you, or someone you know, wants to sign up to receive the Dolphin Digest, email: smithfielddolphinnews@gmail.com
Important Information (sent out 9/18)
I expect that you are on information overload this week, but may also have many questions about what the transition to Plan B Plus Remote will look like at Smithfield. You will find below a brief overview of our readiness and a timeline of when you can expect additional communication and updates.
Smithfield Readiness Site Visit
September 17: Learning community leader visited Smithfield to inspect our campus setup and procedural plans to provide feedback and guidance if needed to meet compliance, (We are ready!)
Mid-Quarter Progress Reports
Grades K-2: September 22, shared through student Canvas app
Grades 3-5: September 22, PowerSchool assignments are exempt for now as we are still collecting data to assess mastery. Teachers will email Progress Reports directly to parents.
Teacher Workday
September 28: All-day teacher professional development and planning, (no remote assignments or live instruction for students)
Plan B Plus Remote
Students enrolled in Full Remote Academy will continue virtual learning.
Students who are not enrolled in Full Remote Academy will attend school one week and participate in virtual learning two weeks during each three-week cycle.
Cycle begins: Group A: November 2, Group B: November 9, Group C: November 16
We are not able to make changes to student attendance group assignments or change enrollment from the Full Remote Academy to Plan B at this time. This will ensure that we have the most consistent and well-prepared plans for balancing remote learning and in-person attendance, and allow our auxiliary services (transportation, child nutrition, ASEP) to continue preparations. Families who are facing extreme hardship may contact Allison Plunkett (allison.plunkett@cms.k12.nc.us) AND Jill Trotter (jillianm.trotter@cms.k12.nc.us ) for information and support.
Family Communication Plan (Tentative)
Week of October 5: Understanding the Smithfield Plan B Instructional Plan
Week of October 12: Procedures, Logistics, Health and Safety at Smithfield
Week of October 19: Preparing our Dolphins
Week of October 28: Responding to Lingering Questions or Concerns
We will use a variety of formats (video messages, email communication, surveys, FAQ updates, and live virtual sessions) to communicate with you during the month of October. We are committed to providing families with multiple opportunities to learn what to expect and have your questions answered prior to the transition in November!
Connect to Canvas
If you have not yet connected to Canvas as a parent, please do so by following these directions: https://cms.instructure.com/courses/355653/pages/parent-resources
Small Group Update
PPE Readiness in CMS
The Metrics Dashboard developed by the Metrics Advisory Committee was sent to CMS staff, along with video links of our personal protective equipment and preparation. These were sent to reassure employees following some social media posts and news reports that wrongly insinuated infection control product or PPE shortages within our facilities. CMS has significant quantities of these products – face coverings, face shields, protective gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, etc. – and have procured an adequate supply to begin the first phase of a return to in-person learning. Regarding soap and hand sanitizer supplies, CMS has:
· 10,468 gallons of hand soap that was ordered in March
· Distributed nearly 23,000 16-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer, more than enough to begin the year with one per school-based staff member
· Ordered 16,000 1-gallon bottles of hand sanitizer with pump dispensers; each teacher will receive one.
· Placed an estimated 1,100 hand sanitizer stations in schools
Meet Ms. Culp!
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
My name is Wendy Culp and it is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I write this letter of introduction to you as a new school counselor at Smithfield Elementary. I am truly honored to become a part of the Smithfield community; just within my first few days at here it was clear this school and community is a unique and special place. I look forward to working with you and your child. Ms. Knight and I, (as a team) will make every effort to ensure that your child is supported and empowered to be successful here at Smithfield and in their futures!
I have been in the field of education for 4 years; I have my Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and while in graduate school I taught preschool. This is my first job as a school counselor, I am eager to apply what I know, while I grow and learn professionally. My passion is to empower students to be successful and kind citizens—this is what drives me daily. I feel blessed to be in a school that understands social and emotional health/needs of students is a driving factor in academic success.
The School Counseling program at Smithfield Elementary is based on the American School Counseling Association Model and our district standards. It includes a variety of services for ALL students and is designed to assist with interests and issues related to the stages of student growth in the areas of academic, career, personal, emotional, and social development.
- Small group counseling sessions, with parent permission, for students focusing on: divorce, grief, study skills, friendship/social skills, anger management and more.
- Individual meetings to help students adjust to school or help with personal issues on an as needed basis.
- Referral assistance to other programs and services in the community.
We are going to have a great year!
CMS Student Code of Conduct- Action Required
Once the document has been reviewed, students and families will need to COMPLETE the Student and Parent Acknowledgement and Pledge by completing this FORM. (Due 9/24).
Join the Smithfield PTA!
The Way to a Teacher's Heart... Snacks!
If you are able, families can drop off canned drinks and individual packaged snacks and fruit. Please pull to the front of the school and call the front office (980-343-6550). We will come right out to get the donations from your car.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Parent Support Corner
Have you heard of the “Power of YET?” We tell our kids that “please” and “thank you” are magic words, but the word “YET” may be even more magical. Have you heard your kids say the following things?
-I can’t read a book with that many pages.
-I don’t know how to tie my shoes.
-I can’t ride a bike.
-I don’t understand this math.
Popping YET onto the end changes the whole dynamic of the sentence. It reframes the negative feelings within those statements and transforms it into a more positive self-image. Our kids may not be able to currently do these things, but placing the word YET onto the end of the sentence adds hope and expectation of success to come.
YET is such a magical tool. Let it help you and your child start seeing failure, not as the end of the road, but as a magical bridge to opportunity!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLeUvZvuvAs
I Love My Librarian Award Nominations
This is a great way to recognize Ms. Solar for being a wonderful school librarian!
CMS Meal Bundles
CMS Eats at Home
This week, CMS Eats at Home had a total of 20,426 meal bundles ordered for pick-up and delivery. For next week, 22,402 bundles have been ordered. As students return to school, they will receive breakfast and lunch daily in school. The meal bundles will still be available to them during weeks they have remote learning.
How to sign up
You can pre-order meal bundles through a new or existing PayPAMS account.
Click here to log in to PayPAMS
Learn more about PayPAMS
Delivery by Transportation to your designated bus stop during the assigned timeframe.
Pick up at one of 40 CMS school locations between 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
View locations.
Students do not need to be present for pick up or delivery. Name must be provided to receive the meal bundle. Meal bundles must be pre-ordered. You will receive a confirmation email when you have completed the order process.
CMS Meal Benefits
https://mealapps.cms.k12.nc.us/lfserver/CMS_FRA_APP_ENG-20-21
Meal prices will remain the same next year. All students will receive breakfast at no charge. Lunch prices are $2.50, pre-kindergarten; $2.75, kindergarten to eighth grade; and $3, ninth to 12th grade.
Stay Connected!
Each child will have an Agenda that will go between home and school every day.
Weekly ConnectEd email newsletters
Facebook (Smithfield):
www.facebook.com/smithfieldelem
Facebook (Smithfield PTA):
www.facebook.com/SmithfieldElementaryPTA
Twitter:@SmithfieldES
Instagram: smithfieldelementary
School Website: http://schools.cms.k12.nc.us/smithfieldES