Wednesday Word
October 21st, 2020
From The Principal
It is almost parent-teacher conference time. Teachers will be using Sign-Up Genius to schedule your virtual conferences. Be on the lookout through a Seesaw message from your child's teacher with the link to sign up for your time.
As we begin to transition from remote learning to hybrid I wanted to share the district's Covid Response Plan. This plan is linked below. This plan details what will happen in the event we have a positive student or staff member. We will follow the steps outlined in the plan and the Douglas County Health Department will advise us on who needs to quarantine, whether it is individuals, classroom or entire building.
I have also included pictures below of safety and logistical items that will be new to our school this year.
Lastly, you can expect to get communication regarding your A/B day designation and/or your new teacher assignment if you are moving to distance learning by September 30th. Just a reminder A day students attend in person on Mondays and Thursdays and B day students attend in person on Tuesdays and Fridays.
I can tell you that our Sunflower staff is so excited to welcome our scholars back to the building!
As always it is an honor to serve as the Principal of Sunflower Elementary.
Melissa Blevins
Entry Dots
Thermal Scanners
Thermal Scanners
Social Distance Floor Markers
One Way Hallways
Water Fountains
Sanitizing Stations
Hand Washing Stations
Loading Zones
A Message About Specials Classes During Hybrid
Specials Communication from Denise Johnson:
Elementary specials (art, music, and PE) will begin a weekly rotation with elementary students when buildings transition to hybrid. Students will have one special for the week. For example, Mrs. Johnson's 5th graders will have art for the whole week instead of rotating daily. During in-person lessons art and music will come to your student's classroom and deliver the lesson. PE will be held in the gym. During remote lessons students will assess their lessons from SeeSaw. The art, music, and PE teacher will not check in on Webex during remote days although students will still be responsible for completing the activity that is provided. There will not be an additional lesson during remote Wednesdays.
These decisions were made in regards to safety.
Rational:
- The weekly rotations will limit the number of students seen during a week. Art and music will teach off of a cart to reduce the transitions in the hallway.
- There will be a five minute transition between classes to sanitize before moving to the next class.
- Specialists teach between 250 and 400 students during the week.
- Many specialists are preparing to teach in person, remote and year long distance learners. Wednesdays will be used to prepare the asynchronous lessons for students, building PD and district PLC.
From The Office
Dismissal
Make sure you have your car tag for dismissal purposes. If you cannot find, misplaced or need extra car tags, please contact Ms.Zee in the front office at zellesha.whitley@usd497.org or 785-832-5870! Anyone that will be picking a student will be required to have a car tag.
Click the link below to see the updated 2020-2021 Calendar for School Families.
From The Nurse-Covid Safety During Hybrid
From The Counselor
RENTAL ASSISTANCE:
The Kansas Eviction Prevention Program (KEPP) provides rental assistance to households that have missed one or more rent payment(s) as a result of the COVID pandemic. Landlords and tenants apply via a joint online process. If the application is approved, the landlord receives rental assistance funds directly from KEPP, applies KEPP funds to the tenant’s account, and waives late fees for the month(s) assistance was awarded. Approved tenants are eligible for a maximum of nine months of assistance, not to exceed $5,000 per household.
https://kshousingcorp.org/eviction-prevention-program/?fbclid=IwAR0fy3Sqy4U_LFr5c4VETzaEmgG1Yre-5UMv1VwNEvM58A1hRj1fO9VhS9o
HARVESTERS BACKSNACK IS BACK!
If you would like your scholar/s to receive a FREE bag of food for the weekends, please let me know! The bags of food include non-perishable foods such as various snacks, cereals, canned soups, canned vegetables, and canned fruits. If you are interested in this free program, all you need to do is let me (Julie Heatwole, school counselor) know! I just need to know the first and last name of your scholar/s. There are no eligibility requirements or paperwork to complete. Each scholar will receive a bag of food each week of school, on the last day of each week! You may reach me on my direct school line #785-330-4860 or email me at jheatwol@usd497.org
From PTO
Scholastic Virtual Book Fair
Hi Sunflower families!
We have some GREAT NEWS!
Our FALL SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR starts Wednesday, November 4th!
It will be a VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR from November 4th -17th
This means you have TWO WEEKS to get online and order your favorite books! It is also a wonderful opportunity to let family/ friends buy for upcoming holiday gifts!
The website for SUNFLOWER SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR will be launched in the next couple of weeks, so be sure to check back the Wednesday Word for the latest updates!
HAPPY READING!
Box Tops For PTO
Upcoming Events
- 28- Unity Day (Wear Orange)
- 30- No School
November Calendar
- 4-17- Scholastic Virtual Book Fair
- 4-5-Parent-Teacher Conferences
- 6- No School (Conference Week)
- 9-Hybrid Model Begins
- 10-Site Council @ 6pm
- 10- PTO Meeting @ 7pm
- 25-27-No School (Fall Break)
- 30- School Resumes
Sunflower Elementary
Email: melissa.blevins@usd497.org
Website: https://www.usd497.org/sunflower
Location: 2521 Inverness Drive, Lawrence, KS, USA
Phone: 785-832-5870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunflowerElementaryLawrenceKS/?rf=143171452380768