The Serene Scoop
Thursday, September 7, 2020
Back to the Building Basics
Dear Families,
I hope you all are enjoying your long, Labor Day weekend!
We are thrilled to welcome back all of our precious in person learners tomorrow Tuesday, September 8th!
I am adding quite a bit of information to today's newsletter in an effort for everyone to feel well-informed prior to our first day of in-person learning. Thank you all for your patience and flexibility as we continue to work through this process that has never been done before. The key to our students' success will be in the grace, patience, and understanding that we afford one another during this time. Thankfully, we in the Serene Hills Elementary community are in the best place, filled the best people and I know we can partner with you to make this year a success!
Each day from now through September 7th, you can expect daily communication from me via this Smore. This communication will be sent to ALL families and staff in our SHE community, and will be updated each day with new information at the top of the newsletter. This information will include a daily informational on the LTISD Return to School Protocols (linked at the bottom of this Smore), and I will be highlighting the following 10 topics:
- Face Coverings - Thursday, August 27th Newsletter
- Disinfecting & Hand Sanitizing - Friday, August 28th Newsletter
- Meetings, Hallways & Common Areas - Monday, August 31st Newsletter
- Classrooms - Tuesday, September 1st Newsletter
- Cafeteria - Wednesday, September 2nd Newsletter
- Arrival & Dismissal - Thursday, September 3rd Newsletter
- Specials & Recess - Friday, September 4th Newsletter
- 1st Day of In Person Learning at SHE - Friday, September 4th Newsletter
- Visits to the Nurse - Monday, September 7th Newsletter
The LTISD Return to School Protocols for COVID 19 have been updated on the district site. I want to encourage you to read the entire document. However, over the next several days you will receive a message (like this one) from me highlighting a specific section explaining how it will pertain to our campus. See below for the newest highlighted topics at the top of this newsletter.
Visits to the Nurse
In order to limit exposure to illnesses in the Health Office, these extra precautions will be utilized during the 2020-2021 school year.
Children with non emergent issues, will be triaged into the health office via a google doc filled out by the students teacher
Every effort will be made to only allow one student at a time in the assessment area.
Masks must be worn and social distancing guidelines will be followed when possible, in the health office.
Teachers will be provided supplies for minor first aid on the playground to limit students coming enmasse from the playscapes. Ice will not be distributed this year as a comfort measure (student will be offered a cool paper towel), but may still be used if an injury has caused significant swelling.
Students will not be allowed to take friends with them to the health office. If a student needs assistance or direction the teacher may call the nurse to come and help the student arrive safely to the clinic.
The children with potentially infectious illnesses will wait for parent arrival in a designated area separate from the routine flow of the health office, these children will be in line of sight of a staff member or school nurse.
Students with non infectious needs (injury, daily medications) will be seen in the main health office, these areas will be cleaned using hospital grade disinfectants after use.
Parents may call into the health office when they arrive on campus and the student will be walked directly to the parent vehicle. Proof of identification will be required.
Children will not be allowed to eat lunch or skip recess in the nurse’s office. If necessary an alternative location will be identified.
Reminders for Day 1
2) Walkers- Most students will also come home with a Smart Tag attached to their backpacks after the first day. Please take a picture of each students' Smart Tag on your phone. If you are picking your student up from the Walker Porch, you will need to show a picture of your Smart Tag to the staff member on duty for your student to be released to you. Is a neighbor picking up your child? Update this change as an exception in the Smart Tag system and send your neighbor the picture of your child's Smart Tag to show our staff when they arrive to pick up your child. (Further details on dismissal below.)
3) Your students' teachers will communicate to you when your students will have PE. Please remember to have your students wear tennis shoes on those days.
4) We are excited for our families to join our Serene Hills community. It is such a wonderful place to be, even in the midst of a pandemic! My staff is completely understanding of the nerves the students will be feeling, especially for new to campus students, and will meet them with kindness and compassion. We will have numerous adults available to help navigate the students to their classrooms. The teachers will be waiting outside their classroom doors to greet them. We also encourage older siblings to help their younger brothers/sisters find their way to class before finding their own classrooms. Please know they will be in good hands. We miss our students and are excited to welcome them back.
Did you Borrow a Chromebook from the District?
Bus routes for 2020-2021 school year now available in Transfinder
Dear Lake Travis ISD Parents and Guardians,
Bus routes for the 2020-2021 school year are available in Transfinder, an independent web-based boundary and routing system. Please note, some routes and pick-up and drop-off times have been adjusted from the previous school year.
Also, did you know that you can receive alerts regarding arrival times, delays and other updates regarding our transportation services? To do so, be sure to create an account in our SMART tag Parent Portal.
If your child will be riding the bus this school year and you have yet to enroll in transportation services, you may request services by selecting the ‘Transportation Update Form’ in Skyward Family Access. Additionally, if your contact information is not updated in Skyward Family Access, our Transportation Department will not be able to correctly identify your child’s bus route. Be sure to visit the Transportation Department web page for additional resources.
We look forward to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for students who will be riding our school buses this year.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Davis
Director of Transportation
SMART Tag Information & Sign-Up
Message from Nurse Bobbi:
Hello S.H.E. families,
Please see below on some IMPORTANT information for the beginning of the school year. Hope you are all doing well! We are excited to see our sweet Sailor faces again !
Medications:
Please email me at robertsbo@ltisdschools.org if you will have a daily medication that will need to be dropped off. I will need to coordinate a time for drop off with you. Please download and complete the Medication Administration form here: https://www.ltisdschools.org/Page/1948 .
****Immunizations:
All immunizations must be up-to-date for in person and virtual learning. Updated immunization records can be emailed to robertsbo@ltisdschools.org, faxed to 512-533-7401, or dropped off at the school. Your child will not be able to attend in person learning on 9/8/2020 if the needed documents are not submitted. I have emailed everyone that may need to get something to me.
Please note: The school can only accept a record from an electronic health record system if it includes the clinic's contact information AND the provider's signature/stamp. A screenshot from your child's patient portal does not satisfy this requirement. Also, only original affidavits of vaccine exemptions can be accepted and all affidavits must be up to date and notarized.
AREA CLINICS AND PROVIDERS FOR VACCINES
Health Conditions:
Please see the following links for commonly used forms. New health plans need to be completed and signed by your child’s physician at the beginning of each school year. Your child's physician can fax the up to date care plan to : 512-533-7401 , ATTN: Nurse Bobbi Roberts
Asthma Action Plan ** Please note nebulizer treatments will not be administered at school at this time. It is best to provide a inhaler AND a spacer.
COVID-19:
Please see the following links for helpful COVID-19 information. PLEASE NOTE THE MASK REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER PROTOCOLS HERE:
https://www.ltisdschools.org/Page/4022
LTISD COVID-19 Information and Updates
Texas DSHS COVID-19 Information and Updates
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Information and Updates
Stay well and stay safe, and remember to keep your child’s emergency contact information up-to-date in Skyward Family Access!
Feel free to browse more info on our website at https://www.ltisdschools.org/SHE and the nurse info at https://www.ltisdschools.org/domain/531 .
Thank you!
Nurse Bobbi Roberts
512-533-7402
512-533-7401 fax
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
Prior to Arrival:
Protocols for Screening (Protocols pg. 10-11)
Students who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms must stay home through the infection period and cannot return to campus until the school determines the conditions for re-entry have been met. See the Protocols for Re-entry below.
Arrival:
Serene Hills Arrival Procedures:
Doors open at 7:20 A.M.
No parents or visitors will be permitted to enter the building with their students.
Please do not release your children out of your vehicle until the doors to the school open at 7:20. This will help keep students from congregating, and will ensure supervision of staff.
Car Riders: Pre-K & ECSE families may enter the teacher parking lot on Trophy Drive. PreK & ECSE students only may enter through the porch door that faces Trophy Drive, on the side of the school.
Car Riders: Families with any students in KG-2nd grade will use the main car loop on Serene Hills Drive that winds in front of the school and students will enter through one of two entrances in the front of the building.
Car Riders: Families with only 3rd-5th grade students will use the playground car loop entrance on Serene Hills Drive. Students from that line will enter through the playground gate and in the doors/hallway that goes between the cafeteria and gym.
Unescorted and Escorted Walkers: Students may walk to the front of the building and enter through one of the two entrances.
Bus riders: Students will enter through the back doors located on the bus loop off Trophy Drive. No cars are permitted to drive down or block the bus loop at the back of the building.
Morning Drop off:
Because we are not allowing visitors in the building, please begin to prepare your children for their goodbyes whether in the car, at home, riding the bus, or while walking to school. Our staff will be waiting to receive our students with understanding, care, and assist them as needed.
Serene Hills Dismissal Procedures:
Important: Students will only be dismissed according to the dismissal selection of the SmartTag application. Please make all changes prior to 2:00 P.M., in order to reduce confusion at the end of the day.
ECSE/Pre-K Car Riders: ECSE & Pre-K families may enter the teacher parking lot on Trophy Drive. ECSE students will leave and meet their parents through the porch door that faces Trophy Drive, on the side of the school. We realize that many of these students will need to be strapped into a 5-Point harness, and this will allow the parent to park and strap them in. Our staff will not strap them in for their own safety.
Pre-K-2nd Car Riders: Families with any students in Pre-K-2nd grade will use the main car loop on Serene Hills Drive that winds in front of the school. Any 3rd-5th grade students will be dismissed from their homeroom to wait outside their youngest sibling’s classroom. A staff member will note your car tag number and your student(s) will be called out to your car.
3-5 Car Riders: Families with only 3rd-5th grade students will use the playground car loop entrance on Serene Hills Drive. Students will walk out to the cars lined up along the loop and be dismissed.
Walkers: Students will be dismissed on the porch on the side of the school facing Trophy Drive. Any 3rd-5th grade students will be dismissed from their homeroom to wait outside their youngest sibling’s classroom. Parents/Guardians picking up their students are asked to have a picture of their students’ tag located on their backpacks. They will present the picture of the tag to a staff member, and their child will be called from their classroom to be released to them.
Bus riders: Students will load buses by exiting the back doors onto the bus loop.
Checking Out a Student Early:
In the event a child needs to be picked up early from school, you will be required to come into the building and present your driver's license to our receptionist as well as sign your student out for the day. It would be helpful to let us know that you are on your way, but to ensure our students are maximizing their learning time at school, we will call your child(ren) to the office once you arrive.
To ensure the safety of our staff, students, and families, one family at a time will be allowed in the reception area. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
Items Needing to Be Delivered to Students:
Parents needing to drop off a lunch or other school items to their child(ren) will be able to do so by dropping the labeled item(s) in the drop box located outside the office area.
Labels should include:
NAME:
GRADE:
TEACHER:
Items will be delivered to the students as soon as possible.
Water Bottles
Loading Money onto Lunch Accounts: My School Bucks
- Online meal pre-payments can take up to 24 hours to process.
- The My School Bucks service charges a convenience fee of $2.49 for online credit card deposits up to $240.00 (as of 12/11/2017).
- The overall convenience fee for the max credit card deposit is 1%. LTISD Food and Nutrition Services does not receive any revenue from this fee. Heartland School Solutions funds their service via this transaction fee.
- Free pre-payments are accepted in cash or check at your campus cafe.
- For proper account credit, cash or check pre-payments must be in a labeled envelope with student ID# and full name. Checks should be made payable to "LTISD."
- If you deposit money at your school cafe, the money is immediately available for students at the campus only. It is available district-wide the following business day.
- Due to the volume of transactions, any discrepancies in charges or deposits must be reported within five operating business days.
- Please allow up to 10 operating business days for resolution of a discrepancy.
- In all instances, students will not be allowed to purchase snacks or a la carte items without a positive balance in their lunch account!
- For lunch account refunds and adjustments, please fill out a Refund/Transfer Request Form located in the Forms section of our website.
- You may sign up for My School Bucks to utilize transaction history and other features for free. There is only a charge when using the online credit card deposit service.
- Please visit MySchoolBucks Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- For more information, call 512-533-7990 or email foodservice@ltisdschools.org
Protocols for the Cafeteria
At this time, mealtime visitors will not be permitted in school cafeterias.
Hand sanitizing stations will be available at all entrances and exits of the cafeteria.
Based on building capacity and student enrollment, campus administration will attempt to space tables adequately to allow social distancing.
Cafeterias will be monitored to promote social distancing practices and to reinforce the use of face coverings.
Traffic patterns will be marked with the use of posted signage and floor markings.
Masks will be required while in the cafeteria with the exception of eating.
The use of the shared microwaves will be eliminated due to the increased opportunities for food contamination
Where applicable, the salad bar will be closed due to the increased opportunities for food contamination. Boxed salads will be available on the serving line.
Breakfast and lunch options will be served by cafeteria staff to minimize student contact with food.
Students will be allowed to select individual pre-packaged food and items with the use of single use wax paper that will be provided to avoid cross-contamination.
Disinfecting Protocol
Cafeteria tables will be thoroughly wiped down between each group with consideration for food allergies in alignment with table cleaning protocols outlined in the District’s Food Allergy Management Plan.
In addition to cleaning between classes, electrostatic spraying of all cafeteria tables and seats will occur daily.
Serene Hills Cafe Procedures
*All students will wash their hands prior to entering the cafeteria. Hand sanitizer will be available in the cafeteria for students to use as well.
*Students will keep their masks on until they are seated to eat.
* For students needing to buy a hot lunch, they will enter the line along the right hand (stage side) of the cafe and enter the kitchen line. If students want to buy snacks only, they enter the left hand side (windows side) of the cafe to enter the kitchen line. All other students will take their lunches and sit at their class’s assigned table.
*All tables are facing the kitchen with only three students to a table.
*Monitors will carry cutlery, napkins, ketchup packets, etc. to minimize students leaving their seats. Students may purchase seconds or additional snacks if their account permits it.
*Upon pick-up, students will replace their masks.
Campus Visitors
To minimize the risk of exposure, on-campus visitors will be limited to those
essential to school operations. Visitors must be pre-authorized. All visitors
who enter the building will be required to wear a face covering and those
who proceed beyond the reception area will follow all district requirements
and guidelines.
Parents are discouraged from entering the campus except for essential business and will not be allowed beyond the front office area, unless necessary.
Parents will be restricted from walking students inside the school building.
Volunteers are not allowed to visit campuses at this time (including mentors, college representatives, guest speakers, etc.).
Virtual tools will be used to conduct meetings such as PTA/PTO meetings, ARDs, LPAC, etc., when possible.
Protocols for Classrooms
Classroom protocols and procedures will include expectations regarding not
sharing school supplies or snacks; social distancing, when possible; limited
in-person group work; frequent hand washing or sanitizing; frequent
cleaning of high-touch areas, etc. Each classroom will be outfitted with the
following:
Hand sanitizer and/or hand-washing stations with soap and water.
Disinfecting wipes and gloves for students and staff to clean their own spaces and shared objects, including technology such as Chromebooks, keyboards and mice, before use.
Tissue available for students and staff to cover coughs and sneezes. Hand sanitizer should be used immediately following any tissue use and used tissues should be promptly disposed of in the trash can.
Visual reminders to reinforce distancing requirements such as marking off areas for common spaces and posting distancing best practices.
Additional Classroom Considerations
Excess furniture will be removed to allow more space for distancing. In addition, soft furnishings or stuffed animals that are typically shared by students, and floor coverings other than those provided by LTISD will be removed.
Technology should be utilized when students are involved in
collaborative work.
Group or pair work can be implemented while maintaining physical distancing.
Teachers should limit student movement within the classroom such as turning in assignments, materials being passed out, etc.
Whenever possible, students and staff will maintain consistent groupings of people.
Elementary students will remain in their classroom and teachers will rotate to the extent possible.
Elementary teachers will transition with students when possible to monitor social distancing and circulation paths for minimal contact.
Recess activities shall maintain their class cohort and maintain social distancing from other classes when possible.
In classroom spaces that allow it, teachers will place student desks a minimum of six feet apart. All student desks should face the same direction when possible. Students will sit one per table when it is possible.
In classrooms where students are regularly within six feet of one another, teachers will implement more frequent hand washing and/or hand sanitizing.
Teachers should prop doors open, with the handle in the locked position if possible, to allow for additional ventilation during class and in between classes so students don't touch doors or handles.
Elementary Specialized Classrooms and Specials
Music
Appropriate social distancing measures will be followed, when possible.
Music equipment will be sanitized and wiped down after each use.
Students will be required to wear a mask in music class to allow for singing in class and rehearsals.
PE
Whenever possible, physical education classes will be held outside to allow for maximum physical distance between students.
Students will be required to wear a mask in PE when not outside and socially distanced.
Any activities bringing students into close physical contact, or requiring multiple students to touch or handle the same equipment will be avoided.
PE equipment will be disinfected and wiped down after each use.
Visual markers will be placed on the gym floor and bleachers as reminders of social distancing rules.
Students should avoid touching their face at all times, but especially while playing games.
Access to handwashing or hand sanitizer will be provided.
Art
Students will have minimal sharing of art supplies, equipment, utensils and supplies as much as possible.
Students should complete cleaning protocols and disinfect their areas in between use.
Shared art equipment will be disinfected after each use.
Students will be required to wear a mask in art class.
Library
Visual reminders will be added and furniture rearranged to help students maintain social distancing while in the library.
Students and staff will wash/sanitize hands upon entering and after visiting the library.
High-touch surfaces (e.g., table tops, chairs, door handles, etc.) will be disinfected regularly.
Occupancy will be limited.
Recess
All students and staff will be required to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before entering the playground and upon exiting recess.
Students will be required to wear a mask at recess. Students will not be required to wear a mask while outside if they can maintain six feet of social distancing at all times.
Teachers will monitor students to ensure safety guidelines are followed.
Campuses will consider staggered schedules to limit the number of student groups when possible.
Consistent cohorts will be utilized when possible.
Administrators will provide training for staff on guidelines and procedures associated with outdoor play and student activities.
Extended Care
On-campus after school programs will adhere to the requirements for elementary schools as outlined in this document.
Protocols for Meetings, Common Areas, and Hallways
Meetings:
★ LTISD will reduce all in-person meetings and other opportunities for
adults to congregate in close settings.
★ All necessary meetings should be kept to under 10 people and when
possible should be held virtually.
★ Meetings between parents and staff should be conducted virtually,
when possible.
★ The use of virtual meetings/videoconferencing is preferred when
possible, including PTA/PTO meetings, ARDs, LPAC, booster club
meetings and events.
★ Meetings should only be held in spaces where a 6-foot distance is
sustainable for all non-family members to sit.
★ Small meeting spaces should not be a shared space and should instead
be used by individuals.
★ Any meetings that are necessary and cannot be done via electronic
means must meet the following requirements:
○ everyone must follow the mask protocols in this guidance,
○ everyone must remain at least 6 feet apart where feasible,
○ sharing of materials and supplies should be limited,
○ meeting spaces should be considered where the use of dividers
and/or increased airflow from the outdoors is possible, and
○ non-LTISD individuals should be permitted to wait in their car
rather than in reception areas until the start of the meeting.
Common Areas
★ Campuses will develop schedules and follow protocols for the use of
common areas, including how to sanitize the space between use.
When working in a common area, students should bring personal
supplies from the classroom.
★ The allowable number of students in a common area will be based
upon social distancing practices when possible.
★ Visual reminders will be displayed for social distancing throughout
common areas. Informational graphics and markers will be posted to
help with 6 ft. social distancing.
Protocols for Hallways and Passing Periods
★Students and staff must wear face coverings in the halls and avoid
gathering in large groups during passing periods. Any person who has a
medical or disability-related need for an accommodation must make a
request to the campus administrator.
★Where possible, in two-way halls students are expected to stay to the far
right of the hall when walking.
★When possible, staggered releases from classes will be organized to
limit the number of students in hallways during transitions
★Students should immediately report to their next class and will not be
allowed to congregate in the hallway.
Protocols for Disinfecting and Hand Sanitizing
Frequent disinfection and hand sanitation will ensure the health and wellness of students and staff. LTISD has an inventory of disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer which are readily available for all employee work-spaces as needed.
Hand Washing/Sanitizing Expectations
Hand sanitizer will be available at all main entrances to the campus, as well as the receptionist desks, all classrooms, conference rooms, workrooms, cafeterias and common areas throughout the campus.
Staff and students will be expected to regularly wash or sanitize their hands.
Visual reminders of best practices and signage for hand washing and frequent hand sanitation will be displayed throughout the campus and in all restrooms.
At the Campus Level
Our staff will train and encourage students to wash their hands frequently. Students will have scheduled breaks to wash their hands throughout the day. Each classroom and common area will have hand sanitizers for students to use during the day. Visual displays have been posted in our hallways, in restroom areas, entrance ways, and throughout the building to encourage frequent hand washing and hand sanitation.
Protocols for Face Coverings
LTISD Return to School Protocols for COVID-19
Protocols for Face Coverings pgs. 17-18
LTISD is required to comply with the governor’s executive order and Travis County’s orders regarding the wearing of face coverings. ***Face shields may not be worn in these settings.
All face coverings, including masks, must cover the nose and mouth.
Individuals will appropriately wear face coverings when required.
Disposable masks will be available upon request if a student, staff member, or visitor forgets to bring their mask.
Any person with a medical condition or disability that prevents him/her from wearing a face covering may be exempted with appropriate documentation. Individual needs regarding face coverings will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Requests for accommodations should be submitted to campus administration.
Parents may elect to have their Pre-K through 2nd grade students continue to wear a face mask or a face shield in the classroom by communicating such requests to the classroom teacher.
LTISD will provide face shields for all students to use in the classroom. Parents may also send students with a face shield. However, face shields may not be worn in lieu of masks except as permitted in the classroom or by explicit directions from their teacher, coach, director, sponsor.
In grades 3-5, with certain exceptions. Students may use a face shield instead of a mask while in the classroom and will receive explicit directions from the teacher.
Students will need to provide their own masks and families will be responsible for cleaning the face coverings daily.
Students will be permitted to safely take mask breaks throughout the day when social distancing is possible.
Box Tops Help Our School!
No more clipping. No more sending Box Tops to school. All you need is your phone!
Download the all-new Box Tops app, shop as you normally would, then simply scan your store receipts to find participating products. The app will automatically credit SHE’s Box Tops earnings online.
Serene Hills Elementary School
Location: 3301 Serene Hills Drive, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-533-7400
Twitter: @SHEsailors