Greystone News
May 1, 2020
School Supply Information for 2020-2021
new student pre-registration is now open. please register your kindergarten children and share with others.
If your child is currently enrolled in HCS, there is no action needed on your part; however, please share as needed.
Looking ahead to the 2020-2021 School Year, we invite families to complete our HCS New Student Pre-Registration Form. This process helps our schools plan for the upcoming year. The form is provided in both English and Spanish:
https://bit.ly/2020_2021NewStudentEnglish
https://bit.ly/2020_2021NewStudentSpanish
Paper registration forms and copies of documents may be turned in during any of our curbside drop off/pick up days. Registration packets are available on our website or you may pick up paper copies of the registration packet during those times.
Free Nutritious Meals - Children 18 and Younger
[ONE LOCATION: GREEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY]
Hoover City Schools: Free Meals for Children
(NOT required to be on Free & Reduced Lunch Program)
Curbside pickup of grab-and-go bagged meals will be available for children 18 and younger at Green Valley Elementary School (3200 Old Columbiana Road). These meals include breakfast and lunch items.
- Days: Monday - Friday
- Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Children must be present to receive meals
- Meals cannot be consumed on-site
- Social distancing: families must stay inside vehicles during curbside pickup
a note from dr. stocks
Parents,
Only 15 more days of virtual learning! Do you see the light at the end of the tunnel yet?
I applaud you for all you have done to make this learning experience great for your child. Even as an educator myself, I would NOT have made a good teacher for my children at home. Keep up the good work and please make sure your children are turning in assignments, as needed, and are making their weekly one-on-one contact with their teachers.
Teachers are required to touch base with your children individually each week so that they can say hello, answer any questions, and make sure they are doing well. We want to do all we can to support your children and understand this is hard time for them, too.
I know there are many questions about returning to school, summer activities, etc. As the governor slowly releases restrictions and opens the state, we will continue to learn and make decisions based on leadership from the experts. Our #1 priority is the safety and welfare of our students, our faculty, and our staff.
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy this beautiful weather!
Dr. Stocks
A message from your PE Teachers
To all the Greystone families, we give you a HIGH TEN regarding your
family physical activity time!
Physical activity is always important! Daily exercise of at least 60 minutes a day is part of healthy development for children. During Corona virus times, adults are called upon to exercise/play with their children. Parents, as well as Physical Education teachers and coaches, present a variety of activities for the children to try out.
We have thoroughly enjoyed hearing about all the ways you have exercised!! Keep it up!!
Library news
Imagine Your Story!
The Hoover Public Library Summer Reading Program starts TODAY, May 1! Learn how to sign up and log your books online by clicking here!a note from mrs. williams about chromebooks
Here are some considerations BEFORE bringing the device to the school to be left for a repair.
We are working with the district to follow all of the required precautions during this time. This will cause the chromebook repair process to take longer than usual. Technicians will pick up after there has been a period of quarantining. It may take 5-7 days for devices to be returned to the building.
Chromebooks will only be repaired if they are not working. The technology department will only process critical repairs during this time.
If there is a need for a repair, please email Mrs. Williams (shwilliams@hoover.k12.al.us). Please let her know the student’s name and the reason a repair is needed. For now, if the chromebook is working, do not turn it in for a repair.
When a repair is completed and the device is returned to the building, Mrs. Williams will communicate with you.
COVID-19 Update
Grace Klein Community is a resource for food. We know that some parents are concerned about providing food for their children. We have created a form for these parents to sign up to receive food while the schools are out. Click here for the form.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions regarding the School Closure and COVID-19.
Handling Disappointment During COVID 19
Another devastating effect of the pandemic is handling disappointment. Disappointments are significant during COVID 19 - not being able to participate in sports, graduation, significant birthdays, and class parties; it seems like everything has been canceled. Even the inability to meet friends for dinner or a movie is having a huge impact on adults and kids. This isolation may be causing intense emotions at times and everyone will cope a little differently. Here are some tips you can use for not only your child but yourself as well.
Listen and Validate: We can’t fix the problem but we can listen actively and validate their frustration. Remember not to judge; something that seems like no big deal to us may be devastating to them (missing end of year parties, a field trip, Prom, Graduation, etc.). Feeling disappointed right now is normal; give yourself and your child permission to grieve. Provide support and encouragement as they cope with this challenging situation.
It’s Not Forever: Although we don’t know exactly when this will end, it will end. Let your child know you understand their feelings, for example, “I hear your frustration that you don’t believe this will end and I agree that it is hard. I am proud of you for how you are handling this very difficult challenge.” Talk about what there is still to look forward to.
Find Solutions: Get creative. We may not be able to attend graduation or have the birthday party we planned but there are many ways we can celebrate differently, virtually, or otherwise. I passed a house in my neighborhood last week who had all their holiday blowups in their yard (Halloween, Christmas, Football) and signs celebrating their son’s birthday. A new family tradition?
Provide a Sense of Control: Since we have so little control over events happening around us, control the events happening to us. Let your kids decide some daily activities and plans. (pick out what to do for dinner, choose a movie to watch or game to play, decide on an outdoor activity like going to the park, riding bikes or hiking). Even small decisions like these can provide a positive feeling of control over their environment.
Find Ways to Give Back: It may be hard to participate in typical community service projects, but be creative and find ways you can help. Giving back to the community is a powerful way to have a sense of purpose. Send cards of encouragement to healthcare workers or people living in retirement communities and nursing homes. Leave your postal carrier a note of appreciation. (If you’re able, donate food to a food bank or to local families in need through Hoover Helps - accepting donations at the Hoover Rec Center Mon-Fri from 8:00 AM -10:30 AM.)
Added to and adapted from Child Mind Institute
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. The Second Step program is the SEL curriculum used by our elementary schools and they are currently offering free lessons during COVID 19. For anyone interested, the lessons can be found here https://www.secondstep.org/covid19support
THe Counselor's corner
If you are in need of counseling for your student, please email our School Counselor, Kristin Amos-White at kamos@hoover.k12.al.us.
Office Hours: Monday- Friday, 9am-11:30am and 12:30-3pm.
Please be advised this email is not monitored 24-7 so If you have a medical emergency and need immediate assistance, please call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency room. Here are other resources if needed: The Crisis Center 205-323-7777 (24 hrs) TEXT 205-328-5465 Teen Link 205-328-LINK (5465) Kids Line 205-328-KIDS (5437) available 3-10pm The Trevor Project 866-488-7346 Jeffco DHR 205-423-4900 Shelby Co DHR 205-669-3000 Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800 273-TALK (8255) OR text TALK to 741741 PIRC (Psychiatric Intake Response Center) - 205-638-PIRC (7472) For food, contact Hoover Helps at hooverhelps@gmail.com or contact your school counselor via email. For other needs through Neighborhood Bridges, please contact your school counselor via email.
2020-2021 Hoover City Schools Trace Crossings Preschool Program Peer Information
The Hoover City Schools Preschool Program located at Trace Crossings Elementary School is designed for children with special needs ages three to five years. Peer models, who are typically developing children from the Hoover community, serve as role models in the preschool classroom. The peer models participate in all classroom activities alongside the children with special needs providing excellent language models, social models, and behavior models. The preschool classrooms are led by highly-qualified special education teachers who focus on preparing all children in the classroom for kindergarten through the use of state Preschool standards and age-appropriate instruction. Preschool classes meet from 7:45AM - 1:45PM Monday through Friday. Peers may enroll either 4 days per week or 5 days per week. The peer model fee for the 2020-2021 school year will be $250 monthly paid online by the 5th of each month.
Since the peer models are serving as role models for children with special needs, the peer models must exhibit age-appropriate skills in all areas of development including cognition, communication, motor skills, social skills, and self-help skills. Children must be completely toilet-trained (no diapers or pull-ups) and must communicate in English at a level similar to their peers in order to be considered as peers. Please note that transportation is not available for peer models. Parents are responsible for arranging transportation to and from school daily.
A peer model’s enrollment for the first 30 days will be considered a trial period. During this time, observations will be reviewed along with information from a developmental checklist. Attendance and punctuality is extremely important and will be considered as part of the child’s continued participation in the program. ALL peer models must attend regularly and provide an excuse when absent. Peer models must also arrive at school on time and be picked up on time. If concerns arise during any time of the trial period, the parents will be given notice regarding the concern. If the issue continues, the child may be dismissed from the program at any time during the 30 day trial period. If attendance, tardies, or behavior is a consistent issue after the trial period, the district reserves the right to remove the child from the program at any time.
The application window for the 2020-2021 school year is open from May 1-May 29th, 2020. If you are interested in applying for a position for your child, please complete this link. By completing this information, you will be making your child eligible for the random selection process which will take place in early June 2020. If your child is selected in the random selection, you will be contacted and given further information on enrollment.
If you have any questions about the Preschool program, please contact Rebecca Crow, Preschool Facilitator, at 439-2757 or rcrow@hoover.k12.al.us.
Our Greystone Motto
Learn - Lead - Leave a Legacy
Our Greystone Mission
As a school community, we empower learners, inspire leaders, and encourage all children to reach their potential.
Our Greystone Vision
Empowering a generation of learners and leaders to leave a legacy.
Greystone Elementary
Email: sstocks@hoover.k12.al.us
Website: https://www.hoovercityschools.net/greystone
Location: 300 Village Street, Birmingham, AL, USA
Phone: 205-439-3200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreystoneElementarySchool/
Twitter: @greystoneelem