Capitol Hill Headliner
Friday, March 5, 2021
Message from Principal Hodges
Hello!
I hope you all are doing well! We have a few updates this week!
- Elementary: If you want to switch between VLS or in-person please contact the Student Placement Center 651-632-3760 or spc@spps.org. This is now taking place on a rolling basis and you no longer need to wait until a quarter break to switch. Note: It may not be possible to accommodate your request, and some requests may take one to two weeks to accommodate.
- Elementary: Please find the elementary school conference sign up here
- Elementary and Middle: Parent drop off has been going well, however we do need to stress two main pieces to ensure it is going safely and smoothly, especially as we will see an increase in students being dropped off starting April 14. Students should exit the vehicles on the sidewalk side of the car. We also needs parents to remain in the car and for students to exit on their own. If you need to exit the car with your child you will need to park along Mackubin and drop off/walk your child to the blue doors.
- Middle: Update below -- please note that the deadline to enroll your child in VLS is March 11. If you previously enrolled your middle school child in VLS you MUST do it again. All previous VLS enrollments were cleared so we are starting over with VLS enrollment.
- Middle: We will have a Middle School Family Forum to discuss the return and take questions on Tuesday, March 9 from 7:30-8:30pm. Please use this link to attend the meeting on Tuesday.
This week we have exciting content in our newsletter!
- Middle School Return Update
- 3rd-5th Grade Math Survey
- PTO Update
- Virtual Doing Good Together!
- 1,000,000 Page Challenge!
- COVID Testing Update
- Middle School Student to State for Math!
Feel free to contact me with any questions at andrew.hodges@spps.org or 612-398-9579.
Middle School Return
SPPS is planning to begin in-person learning for all 6-12th grade students who want it starting Wednesday, April 14. Monday and Tuesday, April 12-13, will be planning days for staff.
School Schedule
Starting April 14, students learning in-person will be at school for 4.5 hours Monday-Thursday, with 2 hours of schoolwork to be completed at home. Fridays will be distance learning days for all students, which may include office hours and check-ins with teachers in addition to independent work time.
Monday-Thursday In Person Schedule (Capitol Hill)
9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
2 hours of independent distance learning - All 6-12th grade students at all schools
Friday: Distance learning for all 6-12th grade students
In Person vs. Virtual Learning
6-12th grade students who want to stay in full-time virtual learning for the remainder of the school year are asked to sign up by Thursday, March 11. Families that previously enrolled their secondary students in the Virtual Learning School or opted out of in-person support must fill out this form if your student wants to remain in virtual learning.
Every effort will be made to ensure secondary students will continue learning with their current teachers whether they are attending in person or virtually.
Secondary students who sign up for virtual learning are NOT enrolling in a separate program. They will remain in their current schools with their current classes and teachers to the extent possible. All students who do not sign up for virtual learning will be scheduled for in-person learning when we begin April 14.
Capitol Hill Specific Information
- Students will move through the school and go class to class.
- Students will not attend every class every day. We will be on a schedule similar to our current distance learning schedule.
- The week of March 15 Capitol Hill will receive information by class period and room to ensure we move classrooms to large spaces if necessary to allow for the required 3 feet of distancing between students.
- Students will eat lunch at school.
Family Forum
We will have a Middle School Family Forum to discuss the return and take questions on Tuesday, March 9 from 7:30-8:30pm. Please use this link to attend the meeting on Tuesday.
3rd-5th Grade Math Survey
Survey link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesZm4WMKIxOEg3cW4v9-oJbPaF1UFNidPExpvcUuiiq1NNPA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you!
PTO Updates
Catch up with the PTO!
Watch the March 1st meeting here. William P. Moore from Ramsey County Public Health candidly answered a wide range of Covid-19 questions.
Middle School Parents Discuss "Changing Bodies, Changing Relationships" on Tuesday, March 16th from 7 - 8:30p
E-mail Jennifer Marshall (Health Start parent educator) at jmarshall@mncare.org to sign up for the next Capitol Hill Parent Support Group session.
Silent Auction - Seeking Donations in March!
Join Capitol Hill families in a spring fundraiser to benefit classroom libraries.
Let's welcome all students back in Fall 2021 with amazing new books that reflect the diversity of our school community!
How can you help?
Mar 8 - 31 --> Donate an item or virtual event. Look for the google form soon!
Apr 21 - 30 --> Bid on items
Other --> Volunteer to solicit donations or plan a virtual community gathering to close the auction
Doing Good Together
1,000,000 Page Challenge!
Students can log their pages by filling out this form!
COVID Testing for Students
MDH announced a recommendation for all school-age youth returning to school, youth sports, or extracurricular activities, and their families, to get tested every two weeks through the end of the school year. While it is not a requirement, regular testing complements other safety measures already in place, such as masking and social distancing.
Schools and youth organizations can send messages and resources available on COVID-19 Testing for Kids and Families to families to encourage testing. Getting tested every two weeks from now until the end of the school year can help keep schools open and sports operating, and ensure we are limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Capitol Hill Student Advancing to the Math Counts State Competition
Congratulations to 7th grader Michi Liang, who will be representing Capitol Hill at the State Math Counts competition on March 25th! Michi was a top performer at both the Chapter and Chapter Invitational portion of Math Counts, giving him the opportunity to compete in the State competition. Please join us in congratulating him and wishing him well at the State competition!