Beech Business
Beech Staff Newsletter - Week of October 4, 2021
Message from Melissa
We would also like to remind everyone that the office is a very busy place. One where parents call, visit, and wait for their children. We are seeing a large increase in groups of students coming to the office because 1 child needs something. We are asking that you remember that Erika is solo most of the time and that extra students cause extra noise and work for her. If you can handle things on your own, please do so. If you need assistance and it is not an emergency please call for support.
Thank you.
Melissa
If you’re having a tough day, just remember that there are little sources of inspiration all around.
It is the end of September. For some, it’s passed in the blink of an eye. For others, we somehow crammed the stress of a whole academic year into the last few weeks.
Either way, perhaps we could all use a pep talk? And who better to deliver than our kiddos?
Trunk or Treat
We have partnered with David Ellis Academy so that we are able to use their parking lot for all families who are coming to the event, but not decorating their trunks. This will help with our safety aspect of the event. Security will also be present throughout and we have reached out to Redford Police to see if they would like to participate with us as well!
- We are asking that you note who all brings in a donation of candy so that we can enter them into a drawing for a prize. I brought down a roster with the word candy written on the bottom of it. Please use that.
- Please complete the google form below to indicate your preference in involvement in the event. We would like to have this completed no later than Wednesday, October 6th so that we can plan appropriately for the event.
Count Day Attendance Expectations
Staff Shout Outs!
- ASD Team - Thank you for your thoughtful gift. It is not often that we walk into our offices and tear up, but your kindness made us do just that.
- Debra - Time and again the past few weeks you have stepped in and supported to ensure that all of the students had a teacher! I am so thankful that you are part of the Beech family!
- Smith - Thank you for your diligence in ensuring that students 504 and IEP plans are organized. Your focus on ensuring the medical training is completed prior to students starting truly helps
- Caryn - I love that your father updates the signs outside of our offices. It is such a wonderful tribute to Beech being like a family.
- Sarah, Liz, Misty, Erika, and Jen Smith - Thank you for your commitment to the Trunk or Treat committee! I am excited for our first family engagement event for the year and know it will be even better because you are part of the planning!
- Nancy - Thank you for reaching out and offering support during dismissal this week! I know that Misty truly appreciated it, so did I!
- Sheila - I loved your approach to handling the parent situation I brought to you this week! I appreciate your willingness to address things head on and to do what is best for students!
- Liz, Jennifer U, and Jennifer P.- Thank you for stepping in and supporting the CI classroom during Brisch's absence this week. I know that she appreciated the extra support you gave and so did I!
- Sarah- Thank you so much for your timely responses in completing tasks
- Steve, Jen Smith and Vicki- Thank you for covering a classroom this week!
- Rahman, Marable, and Lee - Thank you for your support on Monday morning when we had a parent make poor choices at arrival! It is very nice to know that I am supported and not alone!
- Calhoun - You do such a great job of helping students and families feel safe during arrival and dismissal. I appreciate your lighthearted approach to handling students and helping us all get through our days!
Lesson Planning
Please look over your unit 2 and prepare a pre-test.
Science- Please begin looking through your stem scope boxes. If you feel you have what you need, please get started. If not, continue with social studies.
Week at a Glance
- 8:00 - Trunk or Treat Planning Committee - Evenson's Old Office (Near Spanish)
Tuesday - PLC's
- 8:00 - October PBIS Meeting - Media Center
- 9:30 - 3rd Grade PLC
- 10:15 - Nickel/Evenson/Farmer - Data Meeting
- 11:00 - 5th Grade PLC
- 2:00 - 2nd Grade PLC
- 2:50 - 4th Grade PLC
Wednesday
- 9:00-9:15- Nickel/Evenson Parent Meeting
- 9:30-11:00 - Nickel/Evenson @ Keeler for Curriculum Team Meeting
Thursday
- 1:30 - Crisis Response Team Meeting - Nickel/Evenson/Maples/Smith/Lee
Friday
How do we make the decision to quarantine?
- Speak to the person who has the positive case
- We answer the questions on the school quarantine guidance form provided by the department of health
- If there are any identified close contacts they are contacted and required to quarantine for 10 days.
- We complete the staff or student positive COVID-19 Case form and submit to the district and health department. We then seek guidance from the health department based on the positive cases and any possible quarantines.
- We communicate via email with parents and staff that there is a positive case.
- If a staff member has COVID and they don't have any close contacts, we do not share who they are. If they have close contacts then we do with only those who are close contacts. If the staff member allows us to share that they have COVID then we will.
- Once communication is done we then ask custodial to do an additional spray down of the room that had the positive COVID case. Air Scrubbers are used in each classroom and those have take the place of additional cleanings for the most part.
Upcoming PLC's
- 2nd and 3rd Grade PLC with Ms. Farmer in PLC room (4th grade hallway)
- ASD staff with Ms. Evenson in Conference room (next to Spanish)
- 4th and 5th Grade PLC with Ms. Evenson/Ms. Nickel
- PLC with Specials- Conference room
October 12- Dojo
- All grade levels, specials, and ASD will have their PLC
The Information Below is Repeated and For Your Reference
NWEA Assessments
- Grade 2 should have given Growth Math and Growth Reading.
- Grades 3-5 should have given Growth Math, Growth Reading and Growth Science
Exposure to COVID - Updates happening frequently - Most up to Date guidance below
Each day - Use the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Families (click on the PDF below)
All decisions are made in collaboration with the Wayne County Health Department
- Keep your child home and call the office to report exposure to a positive COVID-19 case. We will need the following information: date of exposure to positive case, date your child became symptomatic, if exposure is from someone in the house then further questions will be asked when you speak to the Principal.
- You will be given information regarding possible date of return based on initial information. If there are additional people in the household and symptoms begin for them then we need to be informed and return date could be
- Your child's teacher will be asked to put a few items of work together for your child.
Exposure at School
- Once the school is made aware of a positive COVID-19 case we will begin the process of contact tracing.
- We will use the School Quarantine Guidance Tool from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for those who DO NOT HAVE SYMPTOMS
- We will use the CDC guidelines for quarantine for those who have symptoms
In both instances, we will communicate via phone and if available follow up in writing via email. As a district, we will be using the Wayne County Return to School Roadmap. Moving forward, any positive case in the building will be communicated school-wide via letter. Please make sure that your phone and email are up to date in the main office with Ms. Dunn.
Beech Elementary 2nd-5th Grades
Email: nickelm@redfordu.k12.mi.us
Location: 19990 Beech Daly, Redford Charter Township, MI, USA
Phone: 313-242-6100