Pearl S. Buck Elementary
September 11, 2020
Welcome to Pearl S. Buck Elementary!
Why Are You Receiving This?
This newsletter is created and published by our school principal, Brian Kern; your information was NOT shared with a third party.
Please Watch this Video!
Upcoming Dates and Events
Upcoming Dates:
- September 14th - Student Orientation Days Begin
Please check the schedule for your child's day. Follow this link for a detailed calendar for orientation days, Blue/Red rotation, synchronous/asynchronous learning dates.
Schools (virtual and IRL) will be closed on:
- September 28th - Yom Kippur
A copy of the District calendar is available online.
Every Friday! Buck Spirit Days. Wear your Pearl Buck spirit shirt, or red and blue (yep, add a little school spirit to our synchronous learning days!)
Our PTO will be arranging to outfit each student with a 20-21 Pearl Buck spirit shirt. More details in the weeks to come.
~ "The Neshaminy community builds futures by empowering each child to become a productive citizen and a lifelong learner." ~
No Glass Containers, Please!
Normal School Hours
Dismissal begins at 3:35.
HOWEVER - see below for dismissal timing changes related to the orientation days.
Once we are into our routine, the car line typically clears by 3:45. Buses are typically loaded and en route by 3:50. The first several days always have a few delays. This year will present additional challenges with new routines designed to limit the spread of illness. Please be patient.
Home Access Center (HAC) Reminders
Home AccessCenter is a convenient, web-based application for accessing your child’s teacher assignment, bus information, progress reports, etc. In addition, you can update contact emails and phone numbers, as needed.
Lost/forgot your HAC information? Just give our office a call. We'll be happy to help.
Supply Lists
To Drive or Not to Drive
Please be sure to communicate with your child's teacher whether or not your child will be car rider or walker, and any changes to your normal end-of-day transportation routine.
Arrival and Dismissal: COVID Style
All student drop-off and pick-up by parents and family members occurs in our upper lot. (A map is below.) School buses and other marked vehicles use the lower lot to load and unload students. Please be sure to stay in the line of traffic. Passing the vehicle in front of you adds to congestion and creates an unsafe situation.
Arrival:
When you arrive, please follow the traffic cue, and watch our staff for directions related to pulling forward and unloading.
Children should disembark from the RIGHT side of the vehicle. Please try to keep infant car seats on the left side of your vehicle to ease the unloading/loading process.
Parents should remain in the car. If your child is having difficulty exiting the vehicle, our staff can assist.
Unfortunately, we will not be opening car doors as we did in the past, but will assist as needed.
What about hugs and kisses?
Please complete all hugs and kisses prior to drop-off. We know...you love them. But, it really slows things down for everyone.
Entering building:
Students will be asked to form a single-file line and maintain 6 feet of social distancing as they approach and enter the building. Masks are to be worn.
Dismissal for CAR RIDERS:
As we adjust to the new protocols, and try a new approach, we will be prepared to start dismissal for CAR RIDERS at 3:20 during orientation days. (You do NOT have to arrive at 3:20....but we will be ready for those who do.) So, if your child is a car-rider, we'll get the process started earlier than normal. Once we see how things are flowing, we will navigate closer to the normal dismissal time. (All changes will be communicated to you).
What you will need as the Parental Chauffeur:
- Your child's six-digit student ID# (this can be found in HAC, and it is also part of your child's @nsdstu.org email.)
- Write this number on an 8x10 sheet of paper in LARGE and BOLD print.
- When you arrive, display this number to the bus-duty staff.
Why the number?
- This year, car riders will be dismissed from homerooms when their ride arrives.
- The student ID will be entered into our Google doc system and alert our teachers and students in homerooms. (Much like a waiting room list)
- You show the number. We type in the number. Magic occurs. That's the plan.
This process will be slower than the past, but will improve as we go. Displaying/entering a number is faster than listening for a name and typing in a full name.
What if I forget to bring the number?
- We'll take names, free of charge. It's just not as efficient.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Walkers:
...will be dismissed at 3:30. Parents are asked to maintain social distancing while waiting for their child. We will be dismissing by hallway, starting with the younger students. Social distancing will be part of this process, so this, too, will be a slower routine than in the past. After you have been reunited with your child, please leave campus as soon as possible.
Reminders:
Please obey all local traffic laws, including the crossing guard's directions. Avoid blocking intersections and crosswalks. Police monitor the area and may ticket drivers for traffic violations.
Technology
Having a hardware issue? Click here.
Be COVID-19 and Allergy Aware!
Due to COVID-19, food and celebratory Items MAY NOT BE SHARED. In the past, we have had the practice of allowing the limited sharing of food under defined circumstances. However, due to the pandemic and concern for spreading illness, we can no longer permit food or other items to be distributed to students in a classroom (e.g. for birthday celebrations, class parties).
Please reinforce with your child that they should not share food at any time during school - even with a close friend. In addition to transferring a virus, a seemingly harmless food item may unexpectedly contain allergens and/or interact with a medical condition.
We know. This stinks.
However, by working together in this struggle, our community can continue to successfully battle the spread of the coronavirus.
Dogs and other pets on Campus
Thank you for your cooperation!