The Path February 2021
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A Note From the Principal- Mr. Leonard
Dear Sun Path Families,
On Monday, February 8th we will have all of our Sun Path IHD students back in-person K- 5 for the first time this year. We are excited to have our 3rd, 4th , & 5th graders joining the rest of our students every day on Monday!
Many of the routines, procedures, and expectations will be similar to when the students were in attendance during the Hybrid Schedule. We will also have some changes for In-Person Learning. Many of these changes or additions are detailed in this newsletter. Since all of our students will be back in class it will be difficult to maintain six feet of social distancing in the classroom, which makes it even more important for our students to wear a mask and wear it correctly. Parents please have your child wearing their mask when they exit the car in the morning. Parents may want to send an additional mask with their child in case they lose their mask or it gets wet. We do have additional masks for students who lose or forget their mask. Staff will be wearing both a mask and face shield.
Due to social distancing requirements, we can only have a limited number of students eating lunch in the cafeteria. Currently, Kindergarten is eating lunch in their rooms. We have two of the three classrooms in each grade level eating in the cafeteria, with one class eating in their classroom. Student who would like to eat breakfast will go through the line in the cafeteria and get a bagged breakfast which they will take to their room/cluster to eat.
As you know, to reduce the number of items coming from students’ homes and going back out to students’ homes, we have eliminated the use of Red Folders. We also have refrained from students bringing birthday treats on their birthday. On Valentine’s Day, we will not be having students exchange Valentines brought from home for the same reason as above. For Valentine's Day we will have different Kindness Activities scheduled for the classes.
Another change for In-Person learning has to do with arrival and dismissal. In the morning please drop off your child(ren) in the lower level and they will come in the playground door or the main lower-level doors if they are eating breakfast. Afternoon car riders will still be picked up on the upper level after school.
For our 3rd, 4th, and 5th families, please have your students brings back their iPad, charger, and anything else they may need for school.
We start Conference next week as well and they will be on Feb. 9th, 11th, and 16th. They will again be online through google meets. If you have not received information on your conference or a google meet code please contact the office for assistance.
Take Care,
Patrick Leonard
We Are Here To Help!
We are here and available Monday-Friday 7:30-4:00 to answer your calls. Please do not hesitate to give us a call at 952-496-5892 if you have any questions or need anything. We will do our best to answer your questions and if we cannot we will help to find the answer!
Every day is a GREAT day here at Sun Path!!
ATTENDANCE
If you need to report an absence, please call 952-496-5893. Follow the instructions in the voicemail. We really appreciate you calling in to this number in case we are busy at the front desk or on another line and cannot answer your call!
THANK YOU!
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES:
- February 1st: 3rd Quarter Starts
- February 8th: Grades 3-5 IHD Students COME BACK EVERY DAY (all grades back) 8:30-3:10
- February 9th, 11th, and 16th---CONFERENCES (3:30-7:30) and Virtual BOOK FAIR
- February 12th: NO SCHOOL (students), Teacher Work Day
- February 15th: NO SCHOOL (students and staff), President's Day
HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR RETURNING TO SCHOOL
Arrival:
Students will be let into the building at 8:20. School Starts at 8:30.
Entering the Building:
Busses and Car Riders will be dropped off on the lower level.
Bus Riders should enter the Cafeteria doors.
Bus Riders not eating breakfast should turn left out of the cafeteria and go up the West staircase that pasess the music room.
Walkers and Car Riders will enter the playground door.
Walkers and Car Riders that are upper level students should go up the East staircase closest to the recess doors.
*Students riding the bus must have their mask on before boarding the bus and the mask should remain on during the bus ride and when they are walking into school.
Car riders and Walkers should have their masks on when crossing the street and before exiting the car.
Breakfast:
If students are eating breakfast they will enter through the cafeteria doors. Grab their breakfast and go straight to their classroom. Breakfast will be eaten in the classroom.
*If a student has an allergy they should not open their food or begin eating until their classroom teacher has looked at the food and determined it is safe to eat.
Lunch:
There will be a rotation of eating in the classroom and cafeteria.
Students will wash their hands with soap and water on the way to pick up their lunches from the lunchroom.
Picking up Lunch from the Line:
Students should practice 6 feet of social distance (use the dots to help) when going through the line.
Students need to say their names loud enough for the cashier to hear their name. Students will not be entering their code at this time, just saying their first and last name loudly and clear for the cashier to hear. Some of our younger students will be using bar code on a badge
Recess:
The recess area will still be divided into three different locations; the playground, blacktop and field. Each class will be assigned a different area matching the cycle day.
Students should wash their hands with soap and water before and after recess.
Students do not need to wear their mask during recess if practicing social distancing.
Specialist:
Students can go to Art, Music, PE and Media spaces for specialists.
Students should wash or sanitize their hands going in and out of specials.
Dismissal:
Students who will be picked up as a car rider will be picked up on the upper level. Students will stand on a color dot, these dots correlate with their grade. Students with siblings may stand together but must always stand on the same color dot from day to day.
Masks:
Staff are to wear their face mask and face shield indoors.
Students need to wear a mask indoors.
Students can remove their masks indoors while eating.
Any masks that incorporate a valve that is designed to facilitate easy exhaling, mesh masks, or masks with openings, holes, visible gaps in the design or material, or vents are not sufficient face coverings because they allow droplets to be released from the mask
Masks should be worn so that they are covering both the nose and mouth.
Students may remove their mask at recess and when outdoors if they are practicing social distancing.
Students should come to school with their mask on.
Students who ride the bus should be wearing their mask when they board the bus and the mask should remain on while on the bus to and from school.
Car riders should have their mask on when they exit their car and the mask should remain on at the end of the day until they are in their car.
Shared Supplies and Items:
Be careful and mindful when sharing items in the classroom
Avoid sharing when you can
Hand washing or sanitizing before and after use of shared items
Items like books should sit in a bin for 3 days before another student uses the book
Cloth items are discouraged because they are harder to disinfect
Cleaning:
Desks, chairs and lockers will be sprayed nightly with the electrostatic sprayer by the custodians.
Handrails will be wiped during the day.
Soap, paper towels and hand sanitizer will be in each classroom.
Social Distancing:
Teachers will do their best to have students' desks spaced as far apart as possible. Students will be lined up and seated near the same people throughout the day. When students are moving throughout the building they should do their best to be spaced 3-6 feet apart.
WINTER GEAR
Please make sure your child(ren) has the proper winter gear to play outside in the snow and wet. Being outside is a fun time of the day for kids and we want them to stay warm and dry. Due to our new COVID recess regulations there will be days that your child may be assigned to the area in the snow and that is where they will be for recess that day. If their clothes get wet while playing outside we do not have extra clothing to borrow. Lastly, if they get wet you may get a phone call to bring them dry clothes or your child(ren) will have to sit in wet clothes for the remainder of the day.
If you have any questions regarding this please call into the office (952-496-5892).
Tech Help Desks
District Tech Support for IHD students
For Students: helpdesk@shakopee.k12.mn.us
VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR February 8th-21st
Dear Parents and Families:
Due to the current COVID-19 situation, and to help keep everyone safe and healthy, our annual Scholastic Book Fair will be held ONLINE this year from
February 8th – February 21st.
The Fair will still connect your kids to notable books and inspiring characters—helping them become lifelong readers. And you’ll love the new option to experience the magic of the shopping experience through a Virtual Book Fair!
Plus, enjoy these special online shopping features:
- Access to over 6,000 products
- All orders ship direct to home
- FREE shipping on book-only orders over $25*
- All purchases support our school and earn us 25% in rewards
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with online shopping: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/sunpath
Thank you for continuing to support our school.
Happy reading,
Mrs. Arvin
SABER STORE---ORDER BY 2/21!
Note from our School Social Worker and Psychologist
Please contact us if you are n need of anything, we are here to help!
Kelsi Henningsen, school social worker
khenningsen@shakopee.k12.mn.us
952-496-5896 (please leave a voicemail)
Stephanie St Peter, school psychologist
952-496-5812 (please leave a voicemail)
FREE DENTAL CLINIC
Free Dental Care will be offered by local dentists on Feb. 5, 2021 for students preschool – 12th. Go to www.mndental.org to find participating clinics and make your appointments now. All dental clinics practice COVID precautions.
If you need language help, call 800-543-7709 where Information and Referral Specialists can assist you in Hmong, Somali and Spanish Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The specialists there can place a three-way call to the dental clinic and assist you in making an appointment.
Currently, dentists in Scott County in Belle Plaine and Prior lake, dentist in Carver County in Chaska and Hennepin County at Normandale College all have openings.
Keep checking the www.mndental.org website as new dentist offices will be added.
PBIS
PBIS
Dear Parents/Guardians,
This year we are implementing PBIS in our school.
The approach of PBIS is to manage behavior by acknowledging positive behavior. Students will begin to build intrinsic motivation to behave in a positive way which will help create a positive learning environment in all areas of the school. Sun Path Elementary has developed a common language for behavior expectations in each area. You will soon see these expectations posted around the building and all students will be explicitly taught in each area of the school (cafeteria, playground, classroom, etc.)
We will work hard every day to “Be a Saber.” We will work together to learn each behavior expectation throughout the school. Expectations will be taught and practiced during the school year.
What does it mean to “Be a Saber?”
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Safe
Be Positive
We have been using “Saber Slips” and “Saber Stickers” to acknowledge the great things students are doing to “Be a Saber.” Students have been and will be given a slip at school from staff members. The students will be given a sticker to take home.
Just like in academics, we expect students to make behavior mistakes as they learn!
Students will be given opportunities to fix their mistakes with practice. If it is not fixed after two reminders with practice and teacher support, the student will be given a “minor.” There will be communication with the family to make the parent aware we are working on the behavior. Our focus will be for students to learn and improve their behavior
Any “major” behavior will be handled by the office.
Teaching proper behaviors is a team effort between the school and parents. We appreciate the support and follow-through when both positive and negative behaviors are observed.
We look forward to all the wonderful things PBIS will bring to Sun Path! Please look for more information to go home throughout the year regarding PBIS.
Be kind. Work hard. Be a SABER!
SUBS NEEDED
Have a Bachelor's degree and want to make a difference in the community?
BECOME A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER!
We will:
- Help you get a short call license (It is easier than you think!)
- Answer your questions
- Arrange for an observation of an outstanding teacher
- Coach you on taking over a classroom
If this sounds good and you are interested:
Call: 952-496-5014 or email: humanresources@shakopee.k12.mn.us
Make $130 per day with a flexible schedule
Amazon SMILE
Amazon ordering has picked up a lot with our social distancing so please sign up for AmazonSmile to give back to Sun Path PTO in a simple way.
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Sun Path! Just go to the link below and search for Sun Path PTO. Amazon will give a portion from your purchase back to your purchase back to our school.