Families Reopening Guide
South Row Elementary School - 2021-22
Communications from Dr. Jay Lang, Superintendent
Welcome Letter from the Principal & Assistant Principal
August 23rd, 2021
Dear South Row families,
We want to welcome you and your child(ren) back to South Row for the 2021-22 school year. The start of a new school year is always exciting with fresh supplies, interesting new curriculum and endless possibilities. We hope you are eager to continue your involvement in your child’s education. The elementary school years are truly special, and we invite you to join in the wonder and awe of the learning process alongside your child.
As someone new to South Row I am eager to get to know you and your child(ren). My priority is to focus on relationships so we can work effectively together and provide the best possible learning experience for your students. My aim is to support you in any way I can so we can successfully provide a rigorous and welcoming environment in which our students can learn and grow.
Please mark your calendars for the first day of school for students in grades 1-4, on Tuesday August 31st, 2021. For Kindergarteners, students and parents will come for a brief orientation on Tuesday August 31st at EITHER 10am (last name initial between A-L) or 1:30pm (last name initial M-Z). Kindergarteners will have their first regular day on Wednesday September 1st and will meet their teacher in the gymnasium. Please see attached “First Day Questions” for more information about arrival and dismissal during this first week of school.
We will continue to communicate with you regularly. Weekly communication from the office comes through Connect Ed and/or X2 on Friday afternoons. The front page of the website will change monthly. We strongly encourage you to read the weekly home link, it is chock full of information and will be helpful in order to stay on top of updates, events, school resources and covid related information. Checking the website regularly will also keep you in the loop and provide additional information. Individual teachers will review their forms of communication at our Curriculum Night on Tuesday, September 14th. The schedule for that evening is as follows:
Grades K,1,2: 5pm – 6:15pm
Specialists, special educators & support staff will be available in classrooms for all parents from 6:15 – 7pm
Grades 3 and 4: 7pm – 8:15pm
South Row is very fortunate to have an active Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The PTO provides a great deal of support for our students and teachers through enrichment activities, supplies and materials for the school, community building events and volunteer support throughout the school year. The first PTO meeting for South Row will be held on the GO TO Meeting (Virtual Platform) from 7-8pm on September 13th. If you are not currently active in our PTO please consider becoming a part of this amazing team.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns. We are honored to serve as your Principal and Assistant Principal. We look forward to working with you.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Terri Gilbert, Principal
Mr. Jayson Ramalho, Assistant Principal
Please be sure to read through first day questions and the parent resource guide below. These resources are action packed with important beginning of the year information.
More information will be coming throughout the week (specifically COVID-19 Health Protocols). We encourage you to tune into the next School Committee Meeting on Tuesday, August 24th @6pm when these protocols are discussed.
AS WE GET MORE INFORMATION THIS REOPENING GUIDE WILL BE UPDATED.
OUR FIRST HOME LINK NEWSLETTER WILL BE SENT ON FRIDAY!
Parent Resource Guide
First Day Questions FAQ
Important Dates
Monday, August 23rd- Friday, August 27th:
Upcoming Meet the Principal Events & Tours.... It was wonderful to see many families and students this past Friday for our third and fourth grade meet and greets and tours. As a reminder, we have some more events scheduled to support welcoming back our students next week. Please see the information below pertaining to the remaining events:
Monday, August 23rd - Rising Grade 2 Students, 9AM, Optional Tour at 9:45AM
Tuesday, August 24th - Rising Grade 1 Students, 9AM, Optional Tour at 9:45AM
Thursday, August 26th - Rising Grade K Students
- Mrs. Rigby's classroom - 9-9:30AM with an optional tour to follow at 9:30AM
- Ms. Sbordy's classroom - 10:00-10:30 with an optional tour to follow at 10:30AM
- Mrs. Patriquin's classroom- 11:00-11:30 with an optional tour to follow at 11:30AM
- Ms. Dossin's classroom - 12:00-12:30pm with an optional tour to follow at 12:30PM
Friday, August 27th - Make Up Day for Tours, 9AM,please click on this google form to sign up for this tour
Inclement Weather: Should there be inclement weather, the playdate on the playground would be canceled but we would still host a Meet the Principal event in the front of the building under the overhang. School Tours will follow the meet and greet.
Tours: Tours are open to all families and students but especially encouraged for new families and those coming back from a year of remote learning. All individuals (adults and children) regardless of vaccination status are expected to wear a mask when indoors during the tour.
August 27th & August 30th:
Receiving Car Numbers.... If you plan to use the car pick up method at dismissal time on the first day of school, we are encouraging to families to pick up these numbers on FRIDAY, AUGUST 27th 9:00AM-12:00PM OR MONDAY, AUGUST 30th 1:30-3:30PM in the front of the building. If there is not a staff member outside distributing cards, please ring the doorbell for assistance. Thank you, in advance, for supporting a smooth dismissal. If you do not plan to use this method, you will still receive car numbers in the event you have to use it. However, they will be given to your child(ren) on the first day of school.
Medication Drop Off.... If you have medication that you need to bring into our Nurses Office for your child(ren) it will take place on August 30th from 1:30-4:30pm. We kindly ask that you ring the buzzer in the front of the building and Nurse V will come to you. Please also bring a completed medication plan to accompany the medication. Medication plans can be printed from this link: https://chelmsfordschools.org/departments/health-services/health-forms/
Please reach out to our Nurse, Shannon Vandevoordt (vandevoordts@chelmsford.k12.ma.us) with any questions and/or if you need to make alternative arrangements.
August 30th - Staff Reports to School
August 31st - First Day of School for Students (Grades 1 -4)
August 31st - Kindergarten Visitation - Students will have an opportunity to meet their teacher, see the classroom, receive reminders from teachers and administration for the first day of school.
- Last names A - L report at 10:00AM
- Last names M-Z report at 1:30PM
- Meet in the front of the building
- Park in aldersgate church back parking lot
- Students must come with an adult to visitation (transportation NOT provided by CPS)
- All children and adults must wear masks when in the building
September 1st - First Day for Kindergarten Students
- It is recommended that parents have students travel to school how they will be traveling throughout the year
- All kindergarten students will report to the gym on the first day
- Staff will be on site to get students to this location regardless on how they are arriving
- Parents that wish to say good bye or get pictures at the school may do so in the gymnasium
FIRST PTO Meeting (Virtual) - September 13th @ 7PM
- Come join us for our first PTO meeting
- A link will be provided in an upcoming Home Link newsletter
Save the Date! Curriculum Night: Curriculum Night will take place on September 14th.
- Grades K,1, 2: 5pm – 6:15pm
- Specialists, special educators & support staff will be available in classrooms for all parents from 6:15 – 7pm
- Grades 3 and 4: 7pm – 8:15pm
Beginning of the Year Frequently Asked Questions/Information
Student Supplies: As a reminder, this year, supplies are being purchased by the district.
Transportation Form: Please be sure to fill out the important transportation form (below in this resource guide) ASAP for your child(ren).
Correct Email Addresses: Please be sure you have the correct email address on your X2 accounts. Should you email address has changed, or you would like to confirm it is in correctly please contact Debbie O'Neill (oneilld@chelmsford.k12.ma.us) and Kim Sepe (sepek@chelmsford.k12.ma.us).
Car Drop Off/Pick Up.... This process will be the same as last year. Please view your arrival and pick up times below.
ARRIVAL:
- A-K - 8:45- 8:50 and L-Z- 8:50-8:55.
DISMISSAL:
- A-K - 3:05-3:10 and L-Z- 3:10-3:18.
Please note: These times could change slightly as we navigate the first few days of school.
Food Services.... This year both breakfast and lunch will be free to all children. Please click on the link below to access the food services website to view the menu.
Bus Passes... Please expect to receive bus passes in the mail the week of Monday, August 23rd. Any questions on bus registration, please click on this link: https://chelmsfordschools.org/departments/transportation/
Visiting the Building:
- Late Arrivals and Dismissals: If your child is arriving late or being dismissed, we kindly ask you to buzz into the main office. A staff member will either come out to get your child or bring them to you. If you know you will be late or picking up early, we kindly ask you to inform the main office staff (Debbie and Kim) by email as well as the classroom teacher.
- If you have an appointment in the school, are volunteering, or are dropping off something your your child, our secretarial staff will buzz you into the building. If you are dropping off and would prefer to use the bin outside the main office, you may. Please expect our secretarial staff to ask you your preference.
Volunteering: If you are interested in volunteering in our school (should an opportunity present itself) please be sure to contact Mrs. O'Neill or Mrs. Sepe to make an appointment to fill out a CORI form. All volunteers must have a CORI on file to volunteer.
SY21-22 Specific Operations and Logistics Information (subject to change)
Masks: Students, staff, and visitors will be required to wear masks in the building regardless of vaccination status. Please review Dr. Lang's first communication (above) for more information within this resource guide. Masks are not required outdoors.
Masks on the Bus: Masks are required on the bus.
Physical Distancing: There is no physical distancing requirement this year. We will do our best to maintain physical distancing where possible.
Snack/Mask Breaks: Mask breaks will take place during snack time. There may be an additional mask break in the afternoon.
Outdoor Recess: As mentioned above, students will not be required to wear masks when at recess. Should you want your child to wear a mask, please discuss it with them. To support a smooth transition for our remote students and to build a strong classroom community we will be continuing to have students play with their classroom peers at recess for the START of the school year. Teachers will receive a rotation of recess locations for each day for their respective classrooms. Recess locations will include: play structure, field, tennis court, and basketball court). Each location will have equipment for students to enjoy! Our plan is to transition back to an open recess concept in the coming months.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Snack:
- Students will be eating breakfast in the classrooms and lunch in the cafeteria this year.
- Students will be removing masks to eat and then will be asked to put them back on after they have finished eating for lunch. This will be the same routine for snack.
- When possible, students will eat snack outside and it will be paired with a mask break.
- For students purchasing lunch they will be going through the lunch line and will wear masks during this process.
- At lunch time students will be sitting at tables with classroom peers. There will not be open seating at this time.
- We will distance where possible at lunch and will be exploring possible outdoor options if feasible.
- Any changes/updates will be communicated. Your partnership in reinforcing this information with your child(ren) would be appreciated.
Lunch Boxes: Should your child be bringing a lunch from home to school we encourage lunch boxes that zip closed or close tight if possible. Students will be bringing lunches outside at recess time to be put in a safe area while they play as recess will be before lunch this year.
Water Bottles: We encourage students to bring water bottles to school daily. Students will be able to refill water bottles at our hydration stations in the building, but will not be able to use the water fountain in the traditional way.
Chromebooks: Students will be using chromebooks in the classroom this year. They will not be taken home at this time.
Student Bathrooms: Similar to last year, only two students will be allowed in the bathroom at a given time. Teachers and staff will explain this process to students.
Cubbies: Students will be utilizing the cubbies this year for backpacks and jackets.
Hand Sanitizing: Students will use hand sanitizer and/or wash hands after arrival, before and after lunch, and before dismissal.
Specialists: Students will go to specialists this year for live instruction.
Arrival and Dismissal Quick Facts & Visual
Important Transportation Form - PLEASE FILL OUT!
Should a change have to occur in your child's dismissal on a particular day please email their classroom teacher and both Mrs. O'Neill and Mrs. Sepe. EMAIL IS THE BEST WAY TO GET THIS INFORMATION TO OUR STAFF.
COVID-19 Health Information & Protocols
The link below should go live (after clicking on it) on Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 at 6pm. If you happen to miss the meeting, simply click on the link below after the meeting to watch it. The meeting will also be on TV.
2021-22 Kind Acts and Spirit Days
SY21-22 CPS District Calendar
Food Services Website (to view menus)
Summer School Committee Meeting Recordings
FOLLOW SOUTH ROW ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Sunflowers growing at South Row - Thank you Grade 4!
PTO Corner
Welcome back to another year at South Row, or welcome if you are new to our awesome school! I wanted to remind you of some of the things we do as the PTO and how to stay up to date with what we have going on throughout the year.
Ongoing Fundraisers
We have three ongoing fundraisers that you can easily participate in that earn money for the PTO through purchases you are already making, at no additional cost to you!
* Amazon Smile - a portion of your purchases from Amazon come back to the PTO. See how to turn on Smile your Amazon app here, or access Amazon through smile.amazon.com every time you shop.
* Mabel's Labels - Mention South Row PTO in the comments of your order
* Box Tops for Education - Download the Box Tops app and scan receipts in seconds. View a tutorial here.
Stay Connected
Find our website at www.southrowpto.com.
Follow us on social media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SouthRowPTO
Twitter - https://twitter.com/southrowpto
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/southrowpto/
Text SRPTO to 66599 to receive occasional event reminders by text.
Join us!
We will be continuing to hold our meetings virtually for the time being. Join us for our meetings on the following dates at 7PM:
September 13
October 4
November 1
January 10
February 7
March 7
April 4
May 2 - elections
Meeting links will be published on our website, on social media, and in the South Row Homelink.
We look forward to seeing you soon at some of our events that we are looking forward to bringing back in the most complete way that we can safely! Have a great year!
Johanna Shaw
South Row PTO President
Contact the South Row Administrative Team!
Principal
Mr. Jayson Ramalho, M.Ed.
Assistant Principal
Email: gilbertt@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/Domain/15
Location: 250 Boston Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-251-5177
Facebook: facebook.com/SouthRowElementary
Twitter: @CPSSouthRow