Geneva Family Gnome News
First Grade Special Edition
A note from the principal...
Hello Geneva First Grade Families!
Hooray, it's almost time!
We have lots to look forward to at Geneva next week. Our youngest learners in Kindergarten returned to Geneva last week. The excitement among our staff is palpable, we are thrilled to be able to welcome children back to school slowly and cautiously.
First grade teachers are counting the minutes to November 12th! All of our planning, re-imagining, rearranging, dreaming and hoping are finally coming to life. First and foremost, on behalf of the first grade teachers and the team at Geneva, I want to express our intense gratitude and acknowledgement that you are sending us a piece of your heart next week. We take this honor and responsibility seriously. We believe we can create a joyful learning environment while also following the safety protocols recommended from our Federal, State and Local Health Departments.
I work to avoid sending multiple emails or phone calls by sending a monthly newsletter. I will ask for grace as I communicate a bit more as we launch in person learning.
There are a lot of logistics in this edition. I recommend pouring a second cup of coffee when you decide to dig into the details. My hope is that this will serve as a helpful reference if you have questions, or want to review any information.
There are three videos included that describe significant procedural shifts. Less than two minutes with a video can sometimes be far more informative than an even longer newsletter! I encourage you to watch the first one, right below, with your child as you talk about the first day of school. You might just recognize some people you know!
If I have missed information about one of your questions, please send me an email, or call the office. We want to hear from you!
As always, please don’t hesitate to connect with me if you have questions or ideas, or if your family has a need that our school district may be able to help with.
Courage, Brain, Heart Gnomes!
Warmly,
Sharece Steinkamp
Upcoming Events
Nov. 6 - NO SCHOOL Teacher Workday
Nov. 10- Meal Box Pick Up- Note this is a Tuesday, not Wednesday
Nov. 11 - NO SCHOOL Veteran's Day
Nov. 12 - 1st Day of in person learning for First Grade
Nov. 17 - 6:30-7:30 PTA Meeting via Zoom
Nov. 17 - Meal Box Pick Up- Note this is a Tuesday, not Wednesday
Nov. 18- No live Morning Meeting Zoom- this is a scheduling irregularity in the planned routine (see information about iPads for more information)
Nov. 24 - Meal Box Pick Up- Note this is a Tuesday, not Wednesday
Nov. 25- No live Morning Meeting Zoom- this is a scheduling irregularity in the planned routine (see information about iPads for more information)
Nov. 26 & 27 - NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Break
Morning Drop Off
There will be many, many grown ups to support and guide children from their car or bus to their classroom. You can help prepare your child by teaching them that they will be looking for grown ups holding signs with their teacher's name in their classroom color.
Ms. Scheer-Tussing- Blue
Mr. Ahmadi- Red
Ms. Miller- Yellow
Ms. O'Connell- Brown
We request you stay in your car and use "rolling pick up/drop off" procedure detailed in the video below.
Bus transportation is available. There is a ridership form included below to ensure your child is included on the route.
Important! Drop Off and Pick Up- Two Different Locations
ALL children coming by private vehicle must be DROPPED OFF behind the school. Watch the first video to see the procedure. It is important that all families use the drop off so we can keep all children safe and supervised. Please do not use any other parking lots. For families who bike or walk to school, we ask that you also drop your child off at the back of the school. Please do NOT walk your child to their classroom.
After school, first grade families will have a separate rolling pick up than our Kindergarten families. This is to allow for more efficient pick up, and to provide safety and supervision. Please watch the second video to learn this procedure.
Geneva was not built to accommodate these traffic patterns so we are being creative with the support of our local law enforcement and district safety team. Please follow the procedures, adhere to traffic safety laws, and practice courtesy with our neighbors.
Bus Stop and Route Information:
Bus Ridership Form- if your child will ride the bus, please fill out the form at the link below:
Geneva’s Library is open for checkout and Curbside Pick Up!
Check out the directions on the Geneva page under the Library tab, or by clicking this link – “Curbside Book Pick-up Directions.” Books will be available for pick-up during the meal distribution at Geneva on Wednesdays from 4:00 – 5:30. Happy Reading! Ms. Hudson
Cohorts- It will take all of us to stay open
It is important to know that we are passionate about this age and stage of learning and development. We are returning to in person learning because we believe learning happens best through play. Peer relationships and social emotional learning are critical skills in a child's development. Over and over again, we hear that six feet is the safer distance when we social distance. Prolonged periods of time (more than ten minutes) will be structured to provide six feet of distance. Students will have velcro dots to help identify where the safer six foot radius work spots are. We will support opportunities for children to engage with one another occasionally for brief periods. Students may engage in side by side play such as playing a math game, reading a book together, building, or engaging in pretend play. These opportunities for play will follow the guidance for best practices coming from the Health Department. Play is the work of childhood.
Per the guidance from the health authorities, we are limiting other Geneva staff entering the classroom space, and have tight protocols around space planning and using outside spaces to avoid cohort groups mixing with one another. We are not able to welcome family, volunteers or guest speakers at this point. School will look different than we might remember from Kindergarten, but it is going to be fun, full of friends, adventure and an important year of learning and growth.
We are all counting on one another to collectively look after our children and our families. As you make choices for your family, please consider the larger extended Geneva family with whom your child now spends their days.
Emergency Contacts- The More the Better
Cloth Face Masks
Children will wear a mask all day unless they are eating or drinking. A parent helped me think about this from her child's perspective. She is using this analogy with her son- I thought is was brilliant! A mask is now the equivalent of underwear.
- If they are uncomfortable, you choose a new pair tomorrow OR you can change into another pair from your backpack in the bathroom.
- If they are wet, dirty or smelly- you change them.
- Yours belong to you, you don't trade with a friend. If you find any on the ground, don't touch them.
- They might not be your favorite part of your outfit, but you keep them on until you get home.
We have two Geneva Spirit Wear masks for your child, and if your child ever needs a mask, we are happy to provide one.
Supplies- what comes back?
iPads
This plan is going to require one shift in our plan for the first two weeks of school. The first two weeks of school, we will not have a live morning meeting over Zoom because the iPads will be at school.
Ms. Hudson
Mrs. Smith
Mr. Prather
Specialists, Recesses and the Importance of Weather Wear
Before lunch every day, your child will also have a 20 minute recess. We are starting to build these routines in November. Please help your child plan for periods of time outside every day by bringing coats, hats, and shoes that match the weather. Kids will go outside for recess rain or shine.
Miss Marci
Mr. RJ
Miss Lori
Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast will be delivered to the classroom and children who want to eat, will be able to eat right outside the classroom door with a socially distanced classroom friend or two. If you prefer your child not eat school breakfast or lunch, please communicate that request to your classroom teacher.
Lunch will be served after recess. Children are welcome to bring a lunch from home, or are welcome to have the provided lunch. If you pick up the weekly meal box, we encourage you to send a piece of fruit or other sealed snack since our salad bar will be closed for now.
Meal Boxes Continue- Please Note Three Dates On Tuesdays In November
Tuesday, November 10th
Tuesday, November 17th
Tuesday, November 24th
If you think your family might qualify, please apply.
PTA Updates and Community Activities- All Are Welcome!
Counselor Corner
As we enter the 8th month of a global pandemic and begin to experience the cold and rainy days of Fall, parents and caregivers may feel exhausted, stressed, and worried. Please know that this is a completely normal reaction to an abnormal situation. Now more than ever, it is important that we take care of our own mental health, ask for help when we need it, and reach out to loved ones who may be struggling. You can practice self-care strategies such as exercising regularly, staying engaged in hobbies and activities, using mindfulness strategies, and talking to loved ones and/or a mental health professional when you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. Remember that when adults prioritize their mental health and model self-care strategies, kids learn how to take care of themselves in the same ways.
If you need help finding mental health support, please feel free to call me at 360-746-4285 or email me at andrea.corso@bellinghamschools.org any time. Here is a link to my virtual office: https://linktr.ee/Ms.Corso
Or you can also check out some of the amazing resources available on our district website by following the link below:
https://bellinghamschools.org/about/departments/communications-community/resources-families-staff/
Welcome to Geneva!
Ms. Corso
The Geneva Tech Team is here to help!
Running into trouble with technology can be frustrating but we don’t want you to navigate these issues alone. Please call the school office and someone from the Geneva Tech Team will be dispatched to assist you. You can get the help you need quickly and be back to learning in no time!