Catena Colts Connected
November 28, 2020
Dear Catena Families,
We hope that all of our families enjoyed quality time together either in-person or virtually this Thanksgiving. The holiday certainly looked different for many of us in 2020; though we were reminded of the importance of family, friends and connections-no matter how those connections were nurtured this year. There is much around us to be grateful for. We have linked Edition 2 of Wellness Wednesday in case your family would like to take another opportunity to make gratitude practice a habit. Take time to thankful this season, we will!
We thank families for completing and remind families of the importance of completing the Daily Health Screening form each morning. While Catena remains virtual, we ask that families continue to complete the form on the days students are scheduled to attend school in-person (Cohort day). The screening form is a tool utilized to monitor symptoms, illness and COVID-19 cases in the community. Families can also call the school or email Ms. Shaw, Mrs. Cecilione or Mrs. Toth to discuss a child's symptoms, illness or possible COVID-19 positivity. Collaboration amongst all in our school community allows us to take appropriate and necessary actions to ensure a safe environment here at school.
Together, we are Catena Strong!
We miss having everyone in the building, though we know it is necessary to help our community at this time. As Mr. Dickstein shared in his communication, we are fortunate to be able to maintain a continuity of learning virtually with our SuperKids. We encourage families to do their part and help us increase our chances of reopening the school building in December. Keep in touch with your teachers and with us so we can be of support in any way possible.
This holiday season, continue to be a light! Share your smiles, positivity and kindness, practice gratitude and celebrate your connections. Cherish all the little moments of joy and celebrate with your loved ones. Most of all, be safe and stay healthy.
With warmth & gratitude,
Ms. Shaw & Mrs. Cecilione
Grateful to Boy Scout Pack 158
Upcoming dates to remember...
Monday, December 14th: Return to Cohort Schedule; Cohort A attends in-person
Wednesday, December 16th: PTO Meeting; Join via Zoom link on PTO webpage
PB & J Collection to benefit Open Door
RECEIVING AN ATTENDANCE ALERT FOR YOUR CHILD IN GENESIS - HOW TO NAVIGATE
If you received an alert and you checked your message center and it is regarding attendance, please go to the attendance tab to view the calendar. If there is still a discrepancy, please notify the homeroom teacher.
SuperKids Learning All Day~virtually until December 14th!
Until December 14th, all SuperKids will learn from home 9am-1pm daily. During this time it is important that students are engaged in the classroom schedule. This will be a balance of teacher-led and independent learning. Please be sure that SuperKids are prepared with supplies and in their "learning space" during this time so they can engage appropriately.
Our SuperKids' days continue in the afternoon. These PM Learning Blocks are from 2:25-3:35 each day following time for all students to have lunch and recess at home. Live lessons/learning time may not be scheduled every day; however, when small groups or individual lessons are scheduled it is in the effort to personalize learning for students. This PM Learning Block affords teachers time to provide intervention and enrichment for students in content areas. Please prioritize these scheduled lessons for your students. Teacher/student learning conferences, asynchronous lessons and assignments and related arts classes are also scheduled daily. Teachers will share schedules in their Google Classrooms and students will have personalized learning opportunities across the week!
From Our School Nurse~Mrs. Toth
Daily Health Screening
Thank you! Our families have been doing a great job completing the district required Daily Health Screening. We ask that families prioritize time each morning before sending students off to school (on a bus, in a car, or by foot!) to complete the Daily Health Screening by 8:30am.
Log on to Genesis Parent Portal each morning and fill out the survey by 8:30 AM for each of your children(https://parents.freeholdtwp.k12.nj.us/genesis/parents?gohome=true
Honesty is a must! If your child is showing symptoms, keep him/her home and allow him/her to participate virtually. Completing the Daily Health Screening must become part of each Catena family's morning routine. It is already part of ours~all staff monitor themselves for illness and completes a Daily Health Screening.
What happens if a student arrives to school without a Daily Health Screening completed?
If the Daily Health Screening is not completed, students will not be able to start the school day with their classmates. Screening by the school nurse will be conducted and families will be contacted. A parent must then complete the Daily Health Screening along with the nurse or a health assistant and confirm that the child is in good health and has not been in close contact with someone with Covid-19.
Completing the Daily Health Screening is crucial as we strive to maintain a safe and healthy environment for SuperKids, families and Catena staff!
Try this morning checklist:
- Completed Covid/Daily Health Screening on Genesis Parent Portal;
- My SuperKid has their mask on. We have labeled the mask;
- My SuperKid has a back-up mask in their bookbag;
- Snack and a water bottle are packed in my SuperKid's bookbag!
Daily Health (COVID) Screening Form
Main Office Reminders
Reporting A SuperKid's Absence
Please follow these steps when communicating your SuperKid will not be attending school for illness related reasons:
- Call your school's main phone line 732-431-4430 to access the attendance line (press 1) prior to the start of the school day (9:00 AM), OR
- Send email to teacher and main office staff reporting a child's absence. Including the office is essential as they begin working immediately to verify attendance & teachers don't always forward along emails right away as they begin teaching for the day.
- Leave a message or provide staff with the following detailed information: NAME, GRADE, TEACHER, REASON FOR ABSENCE, GIVE SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS
- School staff will inform you of when student can return to school
- A PHONE CONFERENCE with your School Nurse is REQUIRED if student is excluded for COVID-related symptoms (see above)
If your child is not attending school for reasons other than illness, be sure to communicate that in your call or email. Thank you!
Traveling?
Pick Up Items-Week of 11-30
Be on the look out for dates to pick up Bridges Math Manipulative At-Home Kits for all students & Catena Mask Lanyards for those who ordered them. There are still some available to purchase, 4$ each. Please email the Main Office if you are interested in purchasing~first come basis. This is a Character Development Team fundraiser.
Be Responsible~Mask Up!
Masks may be removed for water breaks and during scheduled snack, when students are socially distanced with 6ft of space. By making sure we "mask up" we can keep ourselves and others safe at school.
Families should make time to review the district's mandate and school expectations for wearing a face mask. We will continue to review the expectations and appreciate your support in doing so at home.
Technology Support
Virtual Learning Expectations
Counselor's Corner
JJCS PTO News
Saturday, 11-28 Today is the last day to order from the PTO Holiday Shop!
Joseph J Catena Elementary School
Email: tshaw@freeholdtwp.k12.nj.us
Website: https://jjc.freeholdtwp.k12.nj.us/
Location: 275 Burlington Road, Freehold, NJ, USA
Phone: (732)431-4430
Twitter: @catenacolts