Dolphin Tales
In-Person Learning Update, The Week of October 5th
Official Count Day
Wednesday, October 7th Official State Pupil Count Day
Newsletter Overview
Thanks for another great week in the Doherty Family! This newsletter provides important things to know for this week and beyond. Please be sure to check everything out and don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions.
Below is a list of the articles in order within this newsletter...
Headlines
Wednesday Attendance Procedures for Virtual Learning
Video Demo for Accessing Wednesday, October 7th Art Content
Wednesday, October 7th Specials Focus: Art
Live Virtual Yoga Every Wednesday at 11 AM (dress like an animal for Wacky Wednesday Yoga)
Helping the Turner Family
Updated Health Protocols as we Navigate Cold & Flu Season
Masks: Keep Them Clean for Great Hygiene
Magnetic Letter Kits (help us maintain the home-school connection)
Halloween Costumes
In the Know with the PTO
PTO Board
Get Your Doherty Spirit Wear Now
Enrichment Zone
Math Pentathlon Info
Art Therapy, Fun Coping Skills for the Family (October 15th, see attached Flyer)
Doherty Family Photo Album
The 1 Big Thing
Virtual Open House Content
Operations
Technology Help
Meal Distribution Procedures
Hours of Operation
Absences & Reporting Absences
Capturing Kids’ Hearts Tools Link
COVID Safety Protocols Link
Parking Lot Procedures Link
Canvas Details Link
Questions should be emailed to your child's teacher OR the following group of office staff members:
To-Do List
To-Do List
- Wednesday, October 7th: Virtual Learning (Specials Focus is Art, Mrs. Hanifi)
- Wednesday, October 7th: Live Virtual Yoga--children may dress up as an animal for Wacky Wednesday
- Wednesday, October 7th: Online Attendance Procedures (see article later in newsletter)
- Doherty Spirit Wear Deadline October 8th: Now is the time to order :) The deadline to purchase is Thursday, October 8th. See link in newsletter
- Magnetic Letter Kit: Please keep in child's backpack for school use when necessary
- Please keep your child home if he/she is sick.
Wednesday Attendance Method for Virtual Learning
In order to provide some flexibility during these challenging and busy times, we want to be able provide you with two different options for evidence of participation/attendance in our all-online Wednesdays. Please read below for a description of each option.
Option #1: Google Form in Teacher Canvas Page (Preferred Attendance Method)
Our primary method of taking attendance will be a Google Form that is located in the Canvas page of your child’s primary teacher. Please have your child complete the form in the Canvas page before 4 PM (or help your child complete it). We prefer this method on Wednesdays. By completing the Google Form before 4 PM, our teachers can complete attendance in PowerSchool and have a clear end to their work day. We believe it is important that they get time to shut down work mode, and this allows them to do so.
Option #2: After Hours Google Form Emailed by Office Staff (Flexible Option)
We realize that our primary method of attendance won’t work for every family for a variety of reasons. This form is only for kids/families that do not complete the Google Form in Canvas before 4 PM. Our alternative method of attendance is as follows:
Each day, after 4 PM, our office will send a Google Form to family members via email.
Anyone that did not complete the Canvas Google Form can complete this form Wednesday evening, after 4 PM.
Our office staff will then make the adjustment in PowerSchool attendance based on those that submitted this alternative form.
Video Demo Below for Accessing Wednesday, October 7th Art On-Demand Content
Wednesday, October 7th Specials Focus: Art
Each week, our children can engage in one on-demand specials activity that is loaded in Canvas for them. The specials focus will rotate each week.
This week, the focus will be Art. If you need help accessing the Art materials, you can see the video above or you can please contact Mrs. Hanifi at sophia.hanifi@wbsd.org .
October 7th: Art
October 14th: Physical Education
October 21st: iCenter
October 28th: Music
November 4th: Art
November 11th: Physical Education
November 18th: iCenter
Video Demo Below: For Accessing Wednesday Live Virtual Yoga
Video Introduction Below: Meet Taylor Beardsall, Virtual Live Yoga Instructor
Wednesday Live Virtual Yoga Continues This Wednesday at 11 AM: Dress Like An Animal
This Wednesday will be a Wacky Wednesday for virtual yoga. Ms. Taylor is inviting our Dolphins to dress up as an animal, any animal. If your child does not want to dress up, that is fine, too.
Once again, thanks to the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition, Taylor will be leading her live virtual yoga session this Wednesday and every Wednesday at 11 AM.
Your child can access the Zoom link for Taylor's yoga on his/her teacher's Canvas page OR the specials Canvas pages.
Helping the Turner Family
Since our previous communications about the passing of Mrs. Wandas Turner, many of you have reached out to see what you can do to help.
Nothing meant more to Wandas than her family. So, if we are wondering what we can do, I truly think we can serve as Wandas served her Doherty Family. We can send some extra love and support over to the Turner family through the scholarship fund that has been created by members of the West Bloomfield School District in memory of Wandas. This fund will be given to her son, a senior at WBHS, at the request of her family. You can click on the link below to donate:
Health Protocols As We Navigate Cold and Flu Season
The fall season is upon us and winter is quickly approaching. And, as these seasons arrive, we will see many kids get sick with normal viruses and infections. With this in mind, we have sought out recommendations from our West Bloomfield assigned Oakland County nurses for guidance on how to handle this tricky season. Assuming they have had no contact with any COVID positive person and they are just experiencing normal illnesses, the rule of thumb is below:
After consulting with the Oakland County Health Department and their requirements for a safe return to school after a Non-COVID illness, the district will require a 24 hour period of being symptom free without the use of medications before a child can return to school (note: the district has decided to change the required 72 hours of being symptom free without the use of symptom reducing medications to 24 hours). This will fall in line with the health department policy as well as the district's past practice.
If symptoms are lingering, such as a cough or runny nose, and the student or staff member would like to return before the symptom has cleared, a doctor's note saying they are no longer infectious would need to be provided prior to their return. We know that some kids get better but a cough or runny nose can linger for weeks after. It also can be attributed to allergies as well. The recommendation by our Oakland County nurses is for you to take your child to the doctor to confirm that your child is no longer contagious if there are lingering symptoms. We are asking that your doctor provide us with a doctor's note stating that it is safe for your child to return.
Click here for details about additional COVID Protocols.
Masks: Keep Them Clean for Great Hygiene
If you are able to have a rotation of masks for the week, this can help reduce the need to turn to the washing machine every night.
If you need support with clean masks or a rotation of masks, please feel free to reach out to us.
Magnetic Letter Kits & White Boards: Home-School Connection
Many of them would like to have your child utilize these in the classroom during phonics and reading time. With that in mind, please make sure that your child keeps them in their backpack so they travel from home to school each day. That way, the kids can use them here in school, too.
Halloween Costumes
In the Know with the PTO
Our PTO Board
Thank you to everyone that attended our Fall PTO Kick-Off Meeting. We had great attendance, and, once again, our PTO demonstrated why they are truly an amazing support for the Doherty Family.
Our PTO Board is truly amazing. They embody what we are all about in the Doherty Family, and they always do what is best for our kids and staff. The PTO board includes:
Nicole Calvin, Vice-President
Sesilee Langs, Secretary
Renai Mayle, VP Of Fundraising
Joann Manetta, VP Of Committees
In the Know with the PTO: Get Your Spirit Wear
One of the biggest pieces of news from the PTO is the opening of our Doherty PTO Spirit Wear store. You can order your Doherty Spirit Gear online now by clicking on the link below. Please note that there are child and adult sizes. There are some amazing new styles. But, the window to order is only three weeks long, so be sure to order soon.
Math Pentathlon
WBSD Parents! Join our Community Education Department for a Math Pentathlon Parent Info Meeting via Zoom on Monday, October 5, 2020 at 7 p.m.
We will cover:
What is Math Pentathlon? Is this a good fit for my child? How will Zoom meetings work while playing math games? When will we practice? Hear student and volunteer testimonials
Division 1: K-1st
Division 2: 2-3rd
Division 3: 4-5th
Division 4: 6-7th
Cost: $25, includes t-shirt
Division 1&3 begins November 11-December 16th, one hour every other Wednesday
Division 2&4 begins November 4-December 16th, one hour every other Wednesday
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkde-hpjsiEtK3XVmhHC9SCFzHke-gZPmA
Questions? Contact West Bloomfield School District Community Education
andrea.foglietta@wbsd.org
Art Therapy Event: Fun Coping Skills for the Family
Register in advance at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItf-2rqTMiHNbGjkfg2lvBPe8DJ3VuCMYf
DOherty FAMILY Photo Album
Virtual Open House Content
Below are resources from Mr. Long and our specials teachers to round out the big things you need to know to continue your successful start in the Doherty Family.
Principal Video for Virtual Open House
Specials Teachers Virtual Open House Content
Technology Help
FAMILY ASSISTANCE WITH TECHNOLOGY ISSUES
If you need technical assistance, you can request help from the Oakland Schools Technology Service Desks.
- Phone: (248) 209-2060
- Email: oshelpdesk@oakland.k12.mi.us
- Online Ticket Submission- servicedesk.oakland.k12.mi.us
Updated Meal Distribution Procedures: Moving to Pick-Up at WBHS and Roosevelt
Please read below for details on how you can get free lunches for your children all the way up until December.
In Person Learners at Doherty, Gretchko & Roosevelt (classroom ½ day only)
- No cost meals are available for curbside pick-up at the front of West Bloomfield High School and Roosevelt Elementary
- All meals must be preordered online
- Curbside pick-up online order link can be found at WBSD.org under the Food Service tab https://www.wbsd.org/departments/food-service
- Pick-up day is Wednesday
- Pick-up times are: WBHS: 11:30am-12:30pm or 4:00pm-5:00pm Roosevelt 11:00am-1:00pm
- Each child will receive seven complete breakfast and lunch meals
- Students eligible for the Free and Reduced Meal benefits are also able to access six nonperishable meals each weekend from the Blessings in a Backpack program at no cost. Look for the sign up form in your school communications or contact katherinesheiko@hotmail.com. Blessings in a Backpack will distribute with meals from October through June.
In Person Learners Attending Cloud Care
- Free breakfast and hot lunch is available at each Cloud Care site--please just be sure to follow Cloud Care instructions for ordering
- Meals will be individually portioned
- Parents may order seven days of breakfast and lunch meals for Wednesday curbside pick-up at West Bloomfield HS and Roosevelt Elementary if no meals are ordered for Cloud Care
- Students eligible for the Free and Reduced Meal Program are also able to access six non perishable meals each weekend from the Blessings in a Backpack program at no cost. Look for the sign up form in your school communications or contact katherinesheiko@hotmail.com. Blessings in a Backpack will be distributed with meals from October through June.
Hours of Operation
In-Person School Days:
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
- The building is closed on Wednesdays for deep cleaning and disinfecting
Virtual Learning (At-Home or In Cloud Care):
- Monday through Friday--when child is not attending face-to-face instruction
AM Cohort (In-Person)
- 8:10 AM (Updated): Arrival. Students may begin entering the building (exiting cars) at 8:05 AM.
- 8:25 AM: School Begins.
- 11:05 AM: Dismissal
PM Cohort (In-Person)
- 12:22 PM: Arrival. Students may begin entering the building (exiting cars) at 12:22 PM.
- 12:37 PM: School Begins.
- 3:17 PM: Dismissal
Absences and Reporting Absences
- fever, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
- OR, at least 2 of the following:
- chills
- muscle pain
- headache
- sore throat
- loss of taste/smell
- diarrhea
- extreme fatigue
If your child will be out, please call the Doherty Safeline to excuse your child's absence at 248-865-6002 and provide the following information:
- Child's Name
- Grade
- Teacher's Name
- Reason for Absence (be specific about illness symptoms)
If you or your child have tested positive for COVID, please be sure to indicate that when calling the Doherty Safeline. Furthermore, if your child exhibits some (or all) of the above COVID symptoms, please have your child tested before bringing him/her back to school.
Please click the link below to learn more about our COVID safety protocols.
Masks
Masks
All staff and children will be expected to wear masks throughout the day. There may be medical exceptions for this, as long as the appropriate documentation is provided. Please make sure your child brings a mask to school each day.
Masks must be a cloth face covering that fits close to the face, over the nose and mouth, fitting snugly below the chin.
Children will NOT be allowed to wear face shields without a mask. The CDC has issued guidance on shields, stating, "It is not known if face shields provide any benefit as source control to protect others from the spray of respiratory particles. CDC does not recommend use of face shields for normal everyday activities or as a substitute for cloth face coverings."
Follow the Doherty Family on Social Media
- Twitter: @Long_DohertyWB
- Facebook: facebook.com/DolphinsWB
- Instagram: @DohertyWB