Loachapoka Elementary School
One Team, One Goal
September 2020
From the Principal's Desk
WELCOME BACK LOACHAPOKA!
It is with great enthusiasm that our teachers, staff, and administrators look forward to the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year! I would like to extend a special welcome to all of the new families joining us this year and welcome back all of our returning families as well. Our administrative, custodial, and secretarial staff have been working throughout the summer months preparing the building for another amazing school year. We have undergone some noteworthy changes and building upgrades. Loachapoka Elementary truly has gotten a makeover! I encourage all of you to log in to Zoom and attend our virtual Title I Back to School Night at 6 pm Thursday, September 17th to take a tour and meet the teachers. We have just finished our pre-planning week coming off a very busy summer preparing to start the year with "A Game Plan for a Winning Season" theme for all Poka students. Our goal at Loachapoka is to work together to provide our students with a rich learning environment. Along with making sure that the technology is in place to deliver quality instruction from our faculty. We have also been thoroughly deep cleaning the entire campus as our Face-to-Face instruction students will be back as soon as it is safe. Parents, during this school year I encourage you to take an active role in your child’s learning. Parental involvement plays a critical role in our school’s success.
While today certainly brings a different start to the school year unlike no other year before it, we are confident our students and families will adjust to the virtual learning process quickly. Naturally, we hope that all of our students will be back on campus not too far in the future, but one thing remains unchanged from prior years: high quality instruction. While the delivery method of this instruction may be changed for the moment, we still have top faculty members that will do everything they possibly can to make sure our students grasp the material and do well. Our community can depend on that.
A few things you may be wondering about:
When will we find out who our new teacher is?
*You should have already heard from your new teacher if you have completed registration for your child. Please call me if you still haven't heard from them.
What will distance learning look like?
*Please visit our school website for the latest information regarding our Distance Learning Program. Please keep in mind that each individual teacher/grade level will provide a more detailed weekly schedule.
We have many communication channels in place to reach students and the larger community. I do ask, however, that you visit the LCS website and the LES website along with our social media pages as all are continuously updated with the latest news.
In closing, I want to remind parents and guardians that we are indeed honored to be entrusted with this critical component of your children's lives. Thank you for sharing them with us. We will see to it that they have a wonderful educational experience this school year! We hope you will find that Loachapoka Elementary School is truly a place where learning is joyful and children delight in coming to school. Let’s make it a great year! Please stay safe.
With Sincere Poka Pride,
Natasha Foster
PROUD Principal
Carmen Anderson
Assistant Principal
Curriculum and Instruction
Greetings Parents!
We have some great things planned for the month of September. Kindergarten parents, your child’s teacher will provide you with information real soon about AlaKids. It’s a valuable tool for teachers to help guide instruction and set reading/ math goals for each child. I hope your child has explored Freckle and MyOn. These are computerized programs designed to make math and reading more exciting! Reading a book on MyOn everyday for 20 minutes with your child will help him/ her become a better reader! Please save the date for our Title One Virtual Back to School meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2020 from 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you all!!!
Charma Allen
Instructional Coach
Counseling
Greetings Loachapoka Elementary School Families,
We are a couple of weeks into the 2020-21 school year and I hope that everyone is off to a wonderful start. I want you all to know that I am eager to begin my classroom guidance lessons with my students. I really do miss their smiling faces. September’s Character word is Relationships. A few ways to develop positive relationships are:
Accept and celebrate differences
Listen effectively
Give people your time
Develop your communication skills
Manage mobile technology
Learn to give and take feedback
Learn to trust more
Develop empathy
This year we are introducing our students to various colleges in the state of Alabama. In September we are highlighting Tuskegee University. A few quick facts about Tuskegee are:
Number one producer of African-American aerospace science engineers in the nation.
A leading producer in the country of African-American engineering graduates in chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering.
The top producer of African-American Ph.D. holders in Materials Science and Engineering in the U.S.
Produced more African-American general officers in the military than any other institution, including the service academies.
The largest producer of African-Americans with baccalaureate degrees in Math, Science and Engineering in Alabama.
The only historically black college or university with a fully accredited College of Veterinary Medicine that offers the Doctoral Degree, and produces over 75% of the African-American veterinarians in the world.
The only historically black college or university in the nation designated as the location for National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care.
The first nursing baccalaureate program in Alabama and one of the oldest in the United States.
Originator and producer of the famous "Tuskegee Airmen," in partnership with the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Producer of the first African-American four-star general: Daniel "Chappie" James.
The career cluster spotlight for September is Architecture & Construction. Some of the careers in this cluster are:
Architectural and civil drafter or engineer
Environmental designer
Residential or commercial carpenter
Construction worker
Systems configuration manager
Electrical design engineer
Electrician
HVAC/HVACR technician
Building services technician
Painter
Sheet metal technician
Some of the observances for the month are:
Hispanic Heritage Month
Attendance Awareness Month
Suicide Prevention Week 6-10
Grandparents Day 13
Start with Hello Week 21-25
As always, I’m only a phone call or text away, 334-246-1694. My email is sanford.teneshia@lee.k12.al.us. Please use my services, I am here to help!
Love,
Ms. Sanford
Loachapoka Elementary School Counselor
Nurse Information
Dear Parent/Guardian,
In partnership with HNH Immunizations (Health Heroes), it is our pleasure to offer on-site flu vaccinations to students this year on September 23rd. Flu clinics will be offered at each school location during school hours. Health Heroes flu vaccination clinics are completely voluntary and are offered to ALL consented students age 4 and up.
Why get a flu vaccine?
The best way to minimize or avoid the spread of flu is to get an annual flu vaccination. Each year the vaccine protects against new strains, therefore, the vaccine should be administered annually.
Who is HNH Immunizations, Inc.?
At HNH Immunizations Inc., we specialize in on-site vaccination clinics. Vaccines are provided at NO COST to students, parents, schools or local/state government. We bill both Medicaid and private insurance with the exception of PEEHIP insurance; however, we never bill students or parents for any out-of-pocket expenses or deductibles. Qualifying uninsured students can be given the vaccine, free of charge. Although student participation is voluntary, these vaccinations are recommended to help keep schools healthy and cut down on high absenteeism.
What type vaccines will be given?
IIV-4 injections will be available to all consented children who do not have any contra-indicators. All vaccines given are preservative-free, mercury-free, Thimerosal-free and administered by state-licensed nurses.
What do you need to do to participate?
If you wish for your child to participate, please COMPLETELY fill out and sign a consent form. These forms need to be returned to school as soon as possible to secure a dose for your child. Please return forms by September 11th. PEEHIP forms will be denied on the day of service. Please check with your school nurse for PEEHIP Wellness Screening date when flu vaccines will be offered.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Nurse Sherie at the school or text 334-750-3084. You can also find more information at www.healthherousa.com. We hope to see your child in clinic!
Thank you!
Nurse Sherie
Title I
Welcome Back Parents!
I hope you have had a good summer. I also hope you are relaxed, recharged and ready to start a new school year. I am delighted that you are part of our amazing learning community with such great POKA pride. As the Title I teacher and Parent Liaison, I welcome and value your positive energy and dedication to excellence in education, and I look forward to working with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Tanulyn P. McKinley
Library News
Hello everyone!
This month I want to share with you some important information about Being Internet Awesome! Every year around this time I talk to the students about Internet Safety but this year I want us to concentrate on Being Internet Awesome!
Being Internet Awesome means getting the family involved...especially since we are “Zooming In” and we are on the computer a lot more at home. Since we are under the supervision of a family member or close friend. Let us take the Family Pledge!!!
Until next time...Be Safe!
Mrs. Deborah Murry, Librarian
Print this out, sign it, and place this near the computer(s).
Be Internet Awesome FAMILY PLEDGE
WE WILL SHARE WITH CARE.
We will think twice before we post, and we will keep sensitive personal information to ourselves.
WE WILL NOT FALL FOR FAKE.
We will not fall for phishing and scams online and will report questionable activity to each other.
WE WILL SECURE OUR SECRETS.
We will take responsibility to protect our personal information by creating strong passwords.
WE WILL SPREAD KINDNESS ONLINE.
We will choose kind and positive words and actions online and block or report negative or harmful behavior.
WE WILL TALK IT OUT.
As a family, we will discuss situations online that upset us and make us feel uncomfortable.
Signed _____________________________
Mrs. Deborah Murry, Librarian
English Learner News
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year! As we all know, school looks very different this year. Students are learning virtually and schools need your help now more than ever before. Parents can become an ally in their child’s quest for academic success. Learning doesn’t always take place in school or in front of a device. Learning can be a natural occurrence when implemented into the daily home lives of children. Here are suggestions for implementing home learning opportunities for your child.
→ Include the child in household chores like cooking and cleaning.
→ Ask the child to tell a story or recount an event using all of their languages.
→ Sing songs from the home culture and share cultural traditions.
→ Ask the child what they are interested in or what they are curious about; discuss these topics.
→ Sort clothing for the laundry by type of clothing, color, or the family member who wears it.
→ Notice and name changes in the natural world as seasons and times of day change.
→ Choose a word of the day and keep a tally of how many times that word is spoken in the home
Angel Fowler
EL Teacher
August Character of the Month Recipients
Duda- Elijah Bonner
Henderson- Liliana Hidalgo-Reyna
Kincey- Madison Beavers
Janigan- Tarryn Manuel
Cleveland- Ari’yanna Neal
Bailey- Zykira Dowdell
Martin- Jose Sanchez
Ray- Violetta Osornio
Holme-s- Nevaeh Green
Davis- Delilah Hill
Terry- Eddy Perez
Owens- Demario Pitts
Kee- Walter Barnett
Green- Vennecia Cobb
Williams- Ormani Lockhart
Upcoming Events
Hispanic Heritage Month is the time that we recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Be sure to take to the time find out how the United States have been positively impacted by the Hispanic heritage.
Every September we emphasize the importance attendance has on education. Students cannot learn if they are not in school traditionally or virtually. Please make sure you speak positively about school attendance with your children and ensure that they are logging into their google classrooms during the scheduled class times. Make a goal to have your child attend school every day of the school year!
Suicide Prevention Week is September 6-10, 2020. Life is valuable and we value the life of all people. Form positive relationships and be open about your feelings. Never be ashamed of how you feel. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline provides free, confidential emotional support and referrals to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (SAMHSA-funded).
Grandparents Day 13 -What would the world be like without grandparents? I don’t want to imagine. We’d like to say HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY to all of our grandparents. We appreciate the love and support that you give. Do know that you are appreciated. Continue to spread the love that’s felt on a regular.
Start with Hello Week 21-25- Loneliness is the overwhelming feeling of being left out and social isolation is not having frequent interactions with friends. Young people who feel this way may pull away from society, struggle with learning and social development, or choose to hurt themselves or others. Due to COVID-19, all students can empathize with the feelings of isolation due to physical and social distancing. Start With Hello is an important social and emotional learning program to reintroduce students to the power of connecting and helping one another. Let’s make sure we do our job to speak to everyone whose path we cross. You never know the difference a HELLO can make!
Please join us for our first Breakfast with Buddies for the school year on Friday, September 25, 2020 at 6:45 am. You get to sit at your very own table while zooming in on some informative information. This month we’ll have Nurse Sherie Roberts to discuss the latest health issues as it relates to the coronavirus. The link to join is :
https://zoom.us/j/96798769924?pwd=UFFNejI5TDMrV1ZPOTQ2TDRvRTVUQT09
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