Deerfield November Newsletter #2
November 11, 2020
Calendar of Events
November 15 - Deerfield Book Fair Ends!
November 17 4:30 pm - Site Council Meeting
November 20 8:30-3:15 Distance Learning students can pick up supplies from home school.
November 23, 25 - School Picture Days
November 25, 26, 27 - Fall Break - No School
Great First Day(s)!
The students did an excellent job of coming into the building for temp checks, maintaining social distance and wearing their masks. We know we had a few technical issues and schedule hiccups for our remote kids, but we are working to have everyone on track for Thursday and Friday. Overall, very proud of how prepared the students were for school! Thank you parents!
A few reminders:
- Send an extra mask for your child. All students are required to wear a mask unless they have an exemption on file with the school nurse or have talked to the nurse. Please contact Dianne Thomas, our school nurse for questions.
- Send a filled water bottle for your child.
- During pick-up: use both lanes of the one-way circle drive (this will help to keep the flow of traffic on Lawrence Ave). Older students will go to their younger siblings waiting spot so parents just have to pick up in one spot.
- School dismisses at 3:05 (kinders and 1st grade come out a little earlier than this)
- All students must be picked up by 3:15.
- At 3:15, students who have not been picked up will be brought to the front awning to wait for their ride.
Hybrid Model Attendance
At this time, attending 4 days a week is an option if:
- you are a USD497 employee and there is space in the child's classroom*
- your child's specific instruction cannot be provided remotely**
*Employee's children are allowed to attend all four days so that the employee is able to work to provide all children with a safe environment (custodians, nurses, admin), instruction (teachers, sped, specials, library), mental health support (counselors), instructional support (paras, ISA), nutrition (food service workers) etc.
**Some students have specialized equipment, instruction that requires specific movement or techniques that cannot be provided remotely.
I know and understand there are varying opinions about this criteria. As with many things this year, procedures are subject to change as we continue on with the Hybrid model.
Please know that we would have all of our students back in a heartbeat if we could.
Deerfield Distance Learning Supplies
Supply bags will located at the front entrance of the building
School Picture Day - November 23 and 24
- Monday, November 23rd - A Day students
- Tuesday, November 24th - B Day students
School Pictures Day Schedule for Deerfield Distance Learners:
- Monday, November 23rd, 12:30-2:30 - Students whose last name begin with A-L
- Tuesday, November 24th, 12:30-2:30 - Students whose last name begin with M-Z
- Students will be directed to enter the cafeteria door located in back of the building. Enter the back parking lot. We will have signs posted showing you were to go. We understand this window of time may be during live instructional time. Let your teacher know why you will be absent. We will get you in an out as soon as possible.
- If you do not want to have your child's photo taken, but still want them in the yearbook, please send a headshot of your child (using a neutral background) to atreat@usd497.org.
Yes, we are planning to do a yearbook this year! Yes, we will include our distance learning students.
Hy-Vee High Five Nominations!
Each month, students can nominate a Deerfield Teacher or Staff Member that deserves a "high five". The high five winner will receive a gift from Hy-Vee and students will receive a Hy-Vee pizza coupon. Nominations are due the last Wednesday of the month. Winners will be announced the following Monday. Nominate a staff member HERE!
If you have questions email ksdeerfieldpto@gmail.com.
Clarification on Masks
Masks must be worn at all times by all enrolled students, staff, visitors and vendors.
Masks may be removed under the following circumstances:
· Outside AND 6-foot distancing is maintained
· While eating/drinking AND maintaining 6-foot distancing
· In a room alone with a door
Acceptable masks may include:
· Store bought or homemade cloth masks
· Disposable (surgical type) masks
· Neck gaiters that can be pulled up to fit tightly around the nose and mouth
· Bandanas/any cloth face coverings that can be worn tightly over the nose and mouth
· N95 masks or KN95 masks without valves (these are not needed for normal daily use, but if this is what you have bought, you may use them). N95s are only effective when fit tested and a cleaning protocol is established.
Masks with valves are NOT acceptable and will not be allowed. A replacement mask will be given for those who arrive at school with valved masks. The purpose of a mask is to be a barrier to prevent droplets from being exhaled. The valves allow you to exhale your breath into the air defeating the purpose of a mask.
Procedures for Students Exhibiting Signs of Illiness
Dear Deerfield Families,
It is wonderful to have our students back in the building. Thank you for preparing your child(ren) for our new procedures and the importance of wearing a mask, washing hands, and taking care of each other. It is very evident that our Deerfield Family wants to work together to keep everyone safe.
Nursing Procedures in the Era of COVID:
Please review the procedures we have in place should a student exhibit signs of illness or report feeling unwell at school. Our school nurse consults regularly with the Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health (LDCPH) department and follows specific criteria when evaluating symptoms. Please keep your emergency contact numbers updated through PowerSchool by notifying the school office of any changes so that we can reach you for an emergency or if your child is not feeling well at school.
IF a student reports not feeling well or exhibits signs of illness while at school:
o The student will be sent to the triage area outside of the office for an initial assessment by our medical staff.
o As you know, students may visit the school clinic for a variety of reasons. We will not share information with the school community whenever a student visits the clinic or goes home from school feeling sick. However, please rest assured that if we have a concern that directly involves your child, you will be notified.
o If a student is exhibiting ONE major or 2 minor symptoms of COVID-19 they will be sent to our isolation room and a parent or guardian will be required to pick the student up to take home.
o Our school has a designated isolation room once a student is evaluated as having symptoms of COVID-19. This room prevents other students from potential exposure. Students who are admitted to the isolation room will be required to isolate at home for 10 days UNLESS a physician or health care provider can provide in writing that the student's symptoms are not related to COVID-19.
- ONE MAJOR SYMPTOM can include: new cough, loss of taste or smell, OR shortness of breath
- TWO MINOR SYMPTOMS can include: chills, fever of 100.0 or higher, headache, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, body aches, fatigue, diarrhea, or vomiting.
A student who reports not feeling well at school that does not meet the criteria for major or minor symptoms of COVID-19:
- will be evaluated in the school health clinic and our school medical staff will determine possible treatment options including whether the child needs to go home OR can return to class.
A student is feeling ill at home:
- If a student's family reports that the student will not be at school due to illness, the school may ask if the student is exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19. Staff will share this information with the school nurse for follow up with communicable disease management procedures.
- Please notify the school if your student has COVID-19 symptoms, is diagnosed with COVID 19, is waiting for test results, or has been exposed to someone with symptoms or a confirmed or suspected case. Communication between home and school is key!
In the event of a positive case of COVID-19:
o The Deerfield COVID-19 response team will work with the family and LDCPH to identify anyone considered in close contact or at risk of exposure. Close contacts will be notified directly by the school or public health officials and will be provided instructions to quarantine in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
- When we receive reports of COVID-19 cases, we will inform all staff and school families and local health officials of the case, while maintaining confidentiality.
Please email our school nurse at dthomas@usd497.org if you have questions about how clinic staff will work with students who report an illness.
Covid Definitions/Close Contacts/Expectations
In an effort to clarify some of our new vernacular, please review the information below:
Case Positive Person:
Someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they must notify the school nurse, they will be required to ISOLATE at home for at least 10 days (return to work or school date will be provided by the health department), they will notify the school nurse of all school related close contacts so close contacts can be notified.
Close Contact:
Someone who was exposed to a Case Positive person using the within 6 feet for 10 minutes definition. This person is required to QUARANTINE at home for 14 days from last contact with the Covid positive individual and monitor themselves for symptoms. If this person becomes ill, they must notify the school nurse.
Contact of a Close Contact (aka: secondary contact):
Someone who has been exposed to a person who has been deemed a close contact. This person continues to follow safety protocols such as social distancing, masks, and hand-washing. They may continue to work.
ILL = ISOLATE (10 DAYS)
EXPOSED = QUARANTINE (14 DAYS)
When am I at greatest risk to an exposure?
When you are around a sick/COVID+ person for more than 10 minutes, you are less than 6 feet apart, and you don't wear a mask.
Covid Fact:
If my daughter is in QUARANTINE at my house because she is considered a close contact... I can still come to work.
WHY? Because although she is considered a close contact I am considered a "secondary contact" (aka: contact of a close contact). I will continue to follow safety protocols both at home AND at work (6 feet, masks, handwashing).
The only scenario in which this would change is IF my daughter became ill OR tested positive. At this point, I would then be considered a "household contact" (would then QUARANTINE) and SHE would be considered a "case positive" (would then ISOLATE).
*Determining close contacts and exposures is ultimately up to the health department.
Medication At School Reminder From Our Nurse
As a reminder, if your child will require medication during the school day, please fill out the attached medication permission form(s). You should then send the form(s) AND the medication(s) with your student on their first day of school. Please be sure that any PRESCRIPTION medication includes the CURRENT LABEL with the prescription information adhered to the bottle. For any OVER-THE-COUNTER medication, please be sure that the directions for use are clearly labeled on the bottle AND that the medication is for CHILDREN (not adult). Adult strength over-the-counter medication cannot be given to children without a prescription.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE notify myself or the teacher that your child has the medication with them on the first day and we will gather the supplies from your student and keep them readily available at school. If you have any questions or want to discuss your child's medication plan please contact me. My contact information is listed below. THANK YOU!
*Due to Covid there will be some changes to certain medication administration policies. Please see attached.
Traffic Plan
Substitute Contingency Plan!
If a class needs to be remote, we will notify families as soon as humanly possible via email, text reminder or call.
Sign Up to Get Text Reminders
A-D: @deera-d
E-K: @deere-k
L-Q: @deerl-q
R-Z: @deerr-z
When prompted, enter your name and your child's name in parentheses. Please know that you number is not shared with anyone else. You can unsubscribe anytime by texted @leave.
Attendance Reminder!
We are excited to partner with you as our students transition to learning in the hybrid or distance model. We have been planning and preparing to ensure student(s) receive a high-quality and appropriately-rigorous educational experience during this time. We appreciate your patience and want you to know that your feedback will continue to be important to us throughout the remainder of the year.
We also want to inform you that the truancy provisions outlined in Kansas Statutes are still applicable. The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) will accept students’ in-person learning, or a daily check-in for students learning remotely for attendance purposes.
Lawrence Public Schools encourages students enrolled in the Hybrid model to attend in person on their assigned A or B designated days and to log into "live" lesson opportunities with their teacher(s) according to their daily school/class schedule on remote days to satisfy attendance requirements.
Students enrolled in the Distance Year Long model should log in every day to “live” lesson opportunities with their teacher(s) according to their daily class schedule to satisfy attendance requirements.
If students do not attend in person, or log in to at least one "live" lesson opportunity with their teacher(s), daily, staff will reach out to the student and determine how best to remove any barriers and support them in engaging in their respective learning model. If there are technical barriers, the district may be able to assist. If, after a thorough investigation, it is apparent that the student is truant, then the principal may commence the attendance verification process for truancy.
We are here to support your family. Please let us know if you have any questions, or if we can help in any way.
Non-Instructional Logisitics
Please pay particular attention procedures for arrival/dismissal and attendance.
Can My Child Go To School Today?
Reminder: Remote Learning Attendance
At this time attendance will still be taken twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon:
- If your child is present online for remote learning anytime between 8:00-11:30, they will be counted present for the morning.
- If your child is present online for remote learning anytime between 11:31-3:05, they will be counted present for the afternoon.
If your child will be absent from remote learning:
- Parents must notify the office for the absence to be counted as "excused".
- If parents do not notify the office the absence will be recorded as unexcused.
- Teachers are required to contact parent by phone or webex for any full day unexcused absence. Unexcused absences will be changed if parents are reached by phone or webex and have a valid reason for the absence.
- Truancy will be enforced during all learning models (Hybrid/Remote, Distance). Truancy is filed when a student has 3 consecutive unexcused absences or 5 cumulative unexcused absences in a semester.)
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Deerfield School
Email: japplema@usd497.org
Website: https://www.usd497.org/Domain/10
Location: 101 Lawrence Avenue, Lawrence, KS, United States
Phone: 785-832-5660
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deerfield497/