Mustang Memo
Fireside Newsletter 11/22/2020
The Fireside Community is often referred to as the Fireside Family. It is this strong sense of community in our school and our neighborhood that is more important now than ever. It is important to maintain this strong connection whether we are in person, virtual, or a combination of both.
One way to help maintain our sense of classroom community is for students to keep their camera on during class. Seeing the reactions, smiles, and interactions of each other helps the group remain connected in a way that we cannot maintain on a Google Meet filled with blank boxes. Google Meet has an option to blur the background now so if your child has been uncomfortable using their camera because of their background, there is a work-around.
Afternoon learning sessions will begin on November 30, 2020. These sessions are not optional. Teachers will communicate with students about the format and times for each class. It is important that students attend these sessions to receive instruction as a part of the required school day. These sessions provide rich and targeted learning opportunities for our students. In addition, students are able work in groups connecting with their teachers and their peers in a smaller environment.
Specials will continue to meet on a weekly rotation and will also offer enrichment menus. We know some of our students are passionate about participating in specific specials and want to provide a way for them to continue to participate. Thank you to our specials teachers for providing this additional opportunity.
We are looking forward to hosting a school-wide Google Meet lunch bunch beginning December 2. Lunch bunch will be hosted weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Please look for links and details shared in the Mustang Memo on November 30!
Providing Parent Support
I recognize how difficult this experience is for all parents and appreciate everything you are doing to support your children while they learn from home. As we all navigate this unique learning experience together we are learning how to best support our children in a much different way than we have in the past. Below we have included some tips to help keep your children engaged, connected, and organized. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any concerns or for additional support.
- Check in with your child daily about progress and feelings. One of the best ways to stay involved with your child’s progress in the classroom is by checking in. Establishing an open relationship about your child’s experience creates a healthy environment around thriving in the classroom.
- Monitor Infinite Campus: Please make sure to check your child’s Infinite Campus at least once a week for progress. You are able to view missing assignments and class scores when they are updated.
- Monitor Google Classroom with your child’s help: Parent Guide to Google Classroom
- Create a distraction free learning environment for your child.
- Ensure your child has the materials required to be successful during the school day.
- Set a routine. Consider using a visual school schedule.
- Prepare a learning environment for success: two helpful resources are Parent Tips and Tricks and Home Technical Tips for the Digital Environment
- Understand the expectations: Student Distance Learning Expectations
Return to Online Learning November 23, 2020
Students will be returning to the PVConnect model similar to what was in place at the start of the school year. To support the transition to online learning, individualized learning time and office hours will begin on November 30, 2020.
Students will be following a compressed schedule. We have made some modifications to the schedule offered in the fall based on parent and teacher feedback.
8:45 School Day Begins
12:45 - 1:30 Lunch and recess for all students
1:30 - 2:45 Individualized learning time - schedule provided by each classroom teacher
2:45 - 3:15 Office hours
Pre-K
9:00am Whole group instruction begins
11:00am Whole group instruction ends
*Please note: additional learning opportunities will be scheduled by the classroom teacher.
SunKids
Information will be shared by the classroom teacher regarding the virtual classroom
Office/Phone Hours
Office hours for Monday, November 23 - Tuesday, November 24 are 8:00am - 12:00pm
Phone hours for Monday, November 23 - Tuesday, November 24 are 8:00am - 3:30pm
Please call the office if you need to visit us after 12:00pm
Thank you!
Social Emotional Learning at Fireside
Each morning teachers check in with students during morning circle time. During our morning check in, students are able to complete a “how are you feeling” form. The response to this form is forwarded to our social emotional school counselor, Megan Gilligan who will contact the parents of all students who indicate that they are having a bad day or need help. In addition, parents and students are able to refer students using this link: Social Emotional Support Request Form
PV Assist
Materials distribution
Library Books are Available for Checkout
Students are able to check out books! Here are the guidelines and a short video on how to place books on hold in Destiny.
PLEASE NOTE:
K-2nd can hold/check out one book, 3rd-6th can hold/check out 2 at a time.
We will add the books to the Teacher pick up bins.
If the book is not there on Thursday, there may be several reasons: the number of books the student has out, someone else still has the book, or it's still being quarantined (We must hold all books for 72 hours before we can check them out again).
Thank you!
Please click here to access Destiny for checkout.
Please click here to view an instructional video about the check out process.Community Ed Enrichment (Virtual)
COVID Student Chromebook Replacement Costs for K-8 Students
All Fireside students are able to check out a chromebook from school.
Beginning in March of 2020, students were issued district Chromebooks and agreed to return the equipment to PVUSD in the condition that it was given. Parents/Guardians accepted responsibility for this equipment during the checkout period and agreed that they will be held personally liable if it is lost, stolen or damaged. Students will be charged the actual cost of replacement if the Chromebook and charger aren’t returned with only normal wear and tear. See below for replacement cost:
Replacement Cost for Chromebook $150
Replacement Cost for Charger (Adapter) $20
Calendar of Events
11/12-11/25 Online Book Fair
11/23, 7pm PTO General Meeting
11/25 - 11/27 No School
12/1 - Early release at 12:30. Teacher professional development. No afternoon small groups.
Portrait Make-Ups
We will offer a portrait online upload option to all families who do not attend picture day. The process will entail taking a picture of your student with a cell phone and uploading it to the Lifetouch portal (via Shutterfly). This upload option will be active during the second week of January. More info to come!
Spring pictures have been scheduled.
Order on mylifetouch.com using the Picture ID: EVTM498SM
Yearbook Orders
Please visit
The Fireside Code is: 13549021
Pricing starts at $20 and will increase in February.
Thanksgiving Boxes for Echo Mountain Primary
The student council executive board delivered 42 Thanksgiving meal gift cards to Echo Mountain Primary School on Thursday. Thank you to the wonderful families of Fireside for the outpouring of support. Thank you also to our PTO for making this happen!
Please click below for information about the Fireside PTO
It's here, our first Online Book Fair hosted by our friends at Scholastic. Please join us November 12th through November 25th and shop all your students favorite stories. It's also a great opportunity to help build our teachers in class libraries.
Click here Scholastic Book Fair to take you directly to the Fireside page.
Attendance
From the Nurse
PV Schools Reopening Plan
For the most up to date information from the district, please visit the PVUSD website at:
https://www.pvschools.net/reopening
This website includes the prepared plan, reopening criteria, a link to the Maricopa County Dashboard, and a summary of supports for families.
Critical Updates
Annual Update: Please Complete the Annual Update Online. Use the following link to access a smartcard with instructions: Annual Update Instructions