Messages from Memorial
AUGUST 2020 - Back to School News
HEART*EFFORT*ATTITUDE*RESPECT*TEAMWORK
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, I would like to help answer as many questions as I can. Many parents have contacted me with questions related to remote learning vs. in the building learning. I am very happy that we are offering both options. However, as as a parent, I understand that it can be a difficult choice. If you would like to discuss your options in more detail or just have some questions, please call or email me.
We are busy figuring out ways in which we can make the school building as safe as possible. As more formal procedures and protocols are developed, I will be sending them to you. This newsletter will highlight some things we know so far.
Thank you for your continued patience.
With Great Respect,
Mrs. Debra Misecko, Principal
Some Notes about School Supply Lists
All students in the building will be given a plastic shoe box to use for their school supplies. This will travel with them to the specials, as needed. Although you may want to buy all the supplies now, during the good back to school sales, we recommend only sending in one of each of the multiple items at first. The teacher will let you know when your child needs an item replaced. That way your extra iems will be stored at home and not touched by others. Please plan on sending in supplies the first day of school. If your family needs assistance getting any or all of the items, let the school office know. We often have donations from local organizations and will be able to help you out. If you ordered a School Kidz Kit, we will let you know when they arrive and arrange for pick up or put them in your child's classroom.
If your child is a remote learner, you will want to have the supplies connected to learning available at home. Some of the supplies on the list will not be necessary. Please keep in mind, that if you child comes back to school at some point during the year, some of these items will be needed. Your child's teacher will be able to advise you which items would be necessary.
NEW START TIMES at VCS
The addition of the Remote Learning model creates an added responsibility for teachers. A collaborative effort by teachers and administrators produced a new daily schedule for the 2020-21 school year for all students regardless of Remote or In-Person status. To that end, the new Instructional Times for all students are as follows (see the attached document for a more detailed look at the daily schedules):
2020-21 School Day
VHS: 7:56-2:25
Middle Schools: 8:19-2:50
Elementary Schools: 9:15-3:20
Addtional Important Times to know at Memorial:
Morning supervision outside begins at 8:50 a.m.
Breakfast eaters will be allowed in the building at 8:55 a.m.
Doors will open at 9:00 a.m.
Kidstop at Memorial will open at 6:30 a.m.
MEMORIAL PTO
We are so excited to announce the PTO Executive Board for the 2020-2021 school year and greatly appreciate their willingness to work in these valued positions.
President - Kristen Elinkowski
Vice President - Rose Gutshall
Treasurer - Sara Welsh
Secretary - Rae Smedley
Stay tuned for more information coming about 20-21 PTO events. They will be shared in the Memorial Newsletter, on the Memorial Elementary PTO Facebook page, and the Memorial PTO Website.
FOOD SERVICE INFORMATION
Food Service would like to limit contact touch points for students and staff and prefer that parents pay for meals online. This is now a FREE service (The fees have been waived during the pandemic). If you have not paid online before, you may refer to this link for a quick tutorial.
They have also added a cool app (see picture below) for students and parents to check out the menu and nutrition information. Paper menus will not be printed this year. Menus will only be available online and through the app. You can find additional menu information at this link.
Elementary meal prices are:
$1.55 for Breakfast (.30 reduced)
$2.65 for lunch (.40 reduced)
Frequently Asked Questions by Memorial Parents
Where can I find out more information about the Return to Learn Plan?
- Information about the Return to Learn Plan, Remote Learning and other COVID resources can be found at this link on the VCS Website.
My family has decided to do Remote Learning, when can we pick up the supplies left from last year?
- We will be setting up a time to pick up this year's books and needed devices before school begins. We will make sure that you are able to pick up any left supplies from last year at that same time. Please return any of last year's library or teacher's books you may have at home at that assigned time as well.
When will we find out who my child has for a teacher this year?
- Your child's teacher will show up in Skyward on or before August 5th. Please note that special requests for student placements were due by May 1, as per the student handbook.
When will 19-20 yearbooks be available?
- Yearbooks will be placed in your child's bag of leftover supplies from last year. Those bags will be retrieved when school begins.
When may I return Chromebooks, library books and/or teacher books?
- If you have a borrowed a Chromebook, we need it back on July 28 or 29. Please use this sign up link for a return time. Outgoing fifth grades will also need to come at that time to pick up leftover supplies and return any books you may have from the Memorial library or your teacher. Returning students will bring back borrowed books when school begins.
Eleanor is Back!
Memorial Elementary
Email: dmisecko@valpo.k12.in.us
Website: valpo.k12.in.us/Domain/337
Location: 1052 Park Avenue, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Phone: 219-531-3090
Twitter: @Valpo_Memorial