MacArthur Elementary School
2020-2021
Return to Learn
Welcome Back to this new school year. It is our goal to try and maintain the amazing MacArthur tradition of doing whatever it takes to help our students succeed. However, we do need your continued help and support too, so thank you in advance. The adorable picture below is hanging in my office and I can’t believe that the Kindergarten kids in the picture are now in 5th grade. Where did the time go?
In order to help our families understand what the school day will look like, please read the “Return to Learn” plan for MacArthur School. Our Kindergarten teachers will be scheduling appointments to visit our school next week since the incoming Kindergarteners have never seen our building. Also, Miss Bellamy, school counselor, will be scheduling tours for our new students, prior to the start of the student’s first day of school on August 24th. Please note that only one parent and one student will be permitted to visit.
Also, we will be hosting an Open House via Zoom for all our K-5 students. Below is the schedule and by the middle of next week you should know who your child’s teacher is.
Wednesday, August 19th
Each teacher will Zoom with their parents/students.
· Kindergarten at 5:30
· 1st at 5:50
· 2nd at 6:10
· 3rd at 6:30
· 4th at 6:50
· 5th at 7:10
Miss Curtis at 5:50
Mrs. Dills at 5:30
Please read through the information here as you plan for your child's start of school. The topics are listed in alphabetical order and give details on how the Crown Point Back to School Plan will be deployed at MacArthur Elementary. Different Crown Point school buildings have different capacities. It is possible that your non-MacArthur friends and family in the community have slight variations on the daily operations of Return to Learn. In addition, as new information and directives are implemented by governmental, health, and school district officials, this plan may be adjusted accordingly. Please read the School Board Letter to Parents also.
Parents and families are asked to do their best to keep the exposure rate low, in order to help us keep our school buildings open. Please limit your child's contact with others outside of school as much as possible, and assure that when they are in contact with others, physical distancing is maintained and masks are worn.
After School Activities
To the extent possible, after school activities will continue. No outside groups will be allowed (i.e. Young Rembrandts, Pups, Girl Scouts, etc.). More information as the year progresses will be available.
At-Home Screenings
Students should be temperature checked at home each morning. Any student displaying one or more COVID-19 symptoms should stay home. Health and Safety Measures
Birthday Treats
Students sometimes enjoy bringing a small token for their class to celebrate birthdays. This year, we are unable to allow students to distribute items from home to other students, including birthday tokens and invites. We are looking into other ways to make students feel special this year.
We are not able to allow treats such as cupcakes to be brought to school, but parents may purchase ala cart items (rice krispie treats, ice cream, chips) a week in advance for celebrating.
Breakfast/Lunch Prices
Breakfast will be served prior to the start of the school day in the cafeteria. The cost of a student breakfast is $1.50 and reduced cost is 30¢. The cost of a student lunch is $2.45 and reduced cost is 40¢. The cost of milk is 40¢.
All classrooms will offer time for a healthy snack.
Building Cleaning
In our multi-faceted approach to keeping the spread of the virus at bay and minimizing the risk of disruptive quarantines, our custodial staff is taking a systematic and proactive approach to cleaning and sanitizing our facilities. This approach has been developed and supported by the Crown Point Maintenance and Health Services Departments and includes routines during the day and after students leave with a focus on critical touch points. All cleansers that students and staff would use or be directly exposed to are certified safe for that purpose.
Bus Riders
At the start of the day and end of the day all drivers and students, regardless of age, will wear a mask when riding a school bus and until they arrive in the classroom or home. Hand sanitizer will be provided to students as they enter the building. Students will be seated in an assigned seat individually, with a family member, or with a classmate whenever possible.
There will not be a practice bus run this year.
Parents are able to view drop-off and pick-up locations after 12:00 pm on Wednesday, August 19th. There will be a link on the school website called Find my Bus Stop.
Car Line
We anticipate a significant increase in our car line this school year. We ask for your patience as the first weeks of school unfold and we better understand how to accommodate the added traffic.
All morning traffic will enter through the main entrance. Our parents have always been great about making sure kids are ready to exit the car upon pulling up to the curb, which allows for a very quick and smooth car line. Please have your child put on their mask before exiting the car. For safety please always have your children exit on the passenger side of the car, and do not leave your vehicle.
In addition, our student pick-up at the end of the day will be along 129th Street(7N). It is important that all parents have the students last name displayed on passenger window. At dismissal students will be wearing masks until they get into the car.
Classrooms
Contactless Drop Off for Office
When items are necessary to bring in from home to school, they will be dropped off on a table in the area between the front doors and lobby entrance. Please be sure to label all items with student first and last name, and teacher name.
When students need to be dropped off or picked up during school hours, parents will wait for them and sign them in/out in the same area between the front doors and lobby entrance.
Exceptional Learners
Families of students who receive special education services and supports may have unique questions and concerns regarding their child. Please contact your child’s Teacher of Record or the Exceptional Learners Department at 219-663-4330 with specific questions.
Hallways
The hallways at MacArthur are wide enough to provide for distancing in almost all areas. Students and adults will wear masks at all times when in the hallways. Students will walk on the right side of the hallways at all times. Classes will be scheduled for minimal intersection in the hallway between groups.
Students will be limited in their hallway access. Students will not typically be sent to the office for deliveries, to other classrooms, or to run errands.
Hand Washing/Hand Sanitizer
Hand washing is one of the most effective ways to minimize the spread of germs and viruses and will be a major point of emphasis for all of us at MacArthur, particularly this year. There will be hand washing or sanitizing times scheduled into the day. In addition, students will wash or sanitize their hands at times such as around specials classes, lunch and recess, and when they leave/return to the room.
Items from Home
This year, we have to limit the items that go between home and school. In the past, students have enjoyed bringing certain items to school - like soccer balls, small toys, stuffed animals - to play with at home or on the bus. Please keep all non-necessary items at home this year.
Lunch
Students will have assigned seats, all facing one direction, and will have their milk and utensils handed to them by our staff. There will be no self-serve items. Floors will be marked where students should stand in line in order to maintain distance. Masks must be worn in the cafeteria, except for when students are eating.
We are working to limit contact touch points for students and staff and prefer that parents pay for meals online. Also, please only put items in your child’s lunch box that he/she can open independently.
All cold lunch item packaging must be disposable and the student must be able to open items themselves.
We will not be printing paper menus. They will be available online.
The price of a student lunch will be $2.45 and reduced lunches will be 40¢.
Masks
Parents are asked to send at least one clean mask labeled with their child’s name to school each day with their child. Having an additional mask in case the first is soiled is a great practice (please put it in a baggie in the backpack.) We will have extra disposable masks at school in case of emergencies. We recommend being intentional about giving your child opportunities to wear a mask leading up to the time school begins to build stamina if not already doing so.
Masks are required at all times for students grades K-5 when riding the school bus, walking in the hallways, using the restrooms, working in small groups, and in the cafeteria until seated to eat.
Students at MacArthur will be issued a lanyard to wear and clip the mask on to the lanyard. This will eliminate the need to set a mask down and misplace it or contaminate it.
Nurse/Health Services
MacArthur’s school nurse, Mrs. Jodi Kvachkoff, will be actively monitoring the health of students and staff. Students with regular visits to the clinic (inhaler, minor injuries, etc.) will be kept in a separate room from students displaying symptoms of illness. Please keep all contact numbers in RDS up-to-date for quick contact, if needed. It is helpful to have multiple emergency contact numbers for your child.
The Indiana State Department of Health Return to School Guidance.
Open House
Wednesday, August 19th
Each teacher will Zoom with their parents/students.
· Kindergarten at 5:30
· 1st at 5:50
· 2nd at 6:10
· 3rd at 6:30
· 4th at 6:50
· 5th at 7:10
Miss Curtis at 5:50
Mrs. Dills at 5:30
Parent Conferences
Conferences will take place via Zoom or video conferencing. In-person meetings will not take place the first semester.
Recess
Students will be outdoors at recess by grade level. Students who are physically distanced or physically active will be able to remove their masks at recess time.
A rotation of groups allowed on playground equipment will be scheduled each day. Guided activities will be provided when students are on field play days if they choose to participate. Small equipment such as jump ropes/balls will be sanitized between uses. Indoor recess will continue to be in the classrooms.
Playground equipment will be cleaned periodically.
Restroom Breaks
Students will wear masks in the hallways and in the restroom.
All classrooms will schedule specific restroom breaks throughout the day, in addition to the lunch/recess restroom break. During these breaks, students will be able to use the restroom, and will be required to wash their hands and given the opportunity to fill their water bottles.
Students will be allowed to leave the room to use the restroom outside of these breaks on an emergency basis and individual trips will be logged with the time and location in order to accurately contact trace as required.
Safety Drills
Safety drills (Fire, Tornado, & Lockdown) are required by Indiana Law (IC 20-34-3-20). MacArthur will continue to prepare and drill for potential emergencies. All drills will be planned and announced to our students and staff before the alarm goes off.
Seating Charts
Contact tracing is an essential component of returning to the school building. Seating charts will be documented in all situations, including Specials, cafeteria, & bus.
Small Group Instruction
Small group instruction will still take place in each classroom with teachers and instructional paras. Students will wear masks when in small groups. If leaving the room, students will wear a mask & sanitize their hands when leaving and returning. The small group space used will be sanitized after each use.
Specials
Students will participate in Art, Music, PE, and library each week. The Specials Schedule has been shortened to allow for the Yellow plan. Specials will occur in their typical area; however, PE will occur outside when possible. Shared materials will be minimized as much as possible. When they are used, they will be cleaned between groups.
Supplies
Students will not share supplies whenever feasible. Crayons, glue, markers, scissors, etc... will remain assigned to an individual student and travel with the student to specials' classrooms as well. When supplies must be shared (like a book), students will sanitize their hands before and after use.
Visitors
No visitors or volunteers are allowed in the school until further notice. This includes lunch buddies, mentors, and parent volunteers. We will miss seeing you all around the building!
Water Bottles
We are no longer able to use our drinking fountains. Parents are to send a refillable water bottle to school each day with their child. Please label the water bottle with your child's name. The water bottle should be filled at home each morning before coming to school. The students will be provided times during the school day to refill their water bottles utilizing the classroom sinks.
The first student day is August 24!
These first two days are half days, and in-person students will come on their A/B day from 10:05 am - 1:14 pm.
A Group - Parent 1 Last Name begins with letter A - Leoh
B Group - Parent 1 Last Name begins with letter Leoi - Z
In-person student day from August 27 - October 15:
10:05 am - 3:44 pm