Dates to remember
THIS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12: Picture Day! Order at mylifetouch.com with Picture Day ID: EVT2SF78X
OCTOBER 20 – Unity Day - Wear Orange!
OCTOBER 21-22: No School, MEA
NOVEMBER 2: Virtual Learning Day (no in-person learning at school on Election Day)
NOVEMBER 16: Picture Retakes
Daily Health Screening Expectations for Families
Families should conduct a health screening for COVID-19 symptoms every morning before sending their student to school or the bus stop. School staff will also monitor for symptoms throughout the school day.
Do not send your child to school if they are exhibiting any of these symptoms: chills, sore throat, headache, fatigue, nausea, muscle pain, vomiting or diarrhea, new runny nose or congestion, new or worsening cough, difficulty breathing, or loss of taste or smell. Please report the absence and submit a report to the COVID-19 Reporting System as soon as possible (link below).
Covid-19 Safe Learning Plan | Family and Student Guidelines
SPPS Mask Requirement
SPPS requires face masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors (ages 2 and older) in all SPPS buildings, regardless of a person’s vaccine status, unless they have a qualifying exemption.
This will include indoor physical education classes and during meal times when not eating or drinking. Masks are also required on school buses. In general, people do not need to wear masks outdoors for activities like recess.
Students are strongly encouraged to bring their own clean, well-fitting masks to school each day, including extras. Disposable masks are available at school and on buses for students who forget theirs.
If you have not already done so, please get vaccinated and encourage all who are eligible to do the same. You can find vaccine resources at spps.org/covidvaccine
Area COVID testing resources: https://mn.gov/covid19/get-tested/testing-locations/index.jsp
DROP-OFF PROCEDURE:
- Parents/guardians drop off students on Concordia Avenue, no earlier than 9:30am.
- Please follow the procedure of cars lining up, and do not cut in front of other cars already in line.
- When you get close to the front of the line, pull up as far as you can to Mackubin Avenue.
- NO PARKING on Concordia: this a pull up and drop off quickly area. If you must park your car, please find a spot on another street to take care of your drop-off needs.
- DO NOT BLOCK PARKING LOT DRIVEWAYS. Avoid stopping at the stairs as well.
- Students get out on the right side (curbside) on Concordia.
- Parents/guardians stay in the car; there will be staff to assist if needed.
- Once your student is out of the car, please safely pull out of the line.
- Students will proceed to enter into the blue doors.
- Students who walk to school will also enter through the blue Capitol Hill doors.
PICKUP PROCEDURE:
Students will be grouped inside by last name and we will have three lines outside:
- Parents/Guardians of students with last names starting with A – G will be located between the far MLK driveway and the corner of Mackubin & Marshall
- Parents/Guardians of students with last names starting with H – O will be between the MLK driveways
- Parents/Guardians of students with last names starting with P – Z will be between the MLK driveway and the Green Doors
We will have three staff members outside calling student names on the radios; one staff member per line. Each line will have a sign at the beginning and end of the line telling you which section of the alphabet is being called.
- If your child doesn’t come out the first time after being called, we appreciate your patience in waiting for a staff member to circle back and call for your child again
- Middle school students will continue to exit the Green Doors on Mackubin
- Middle school students cannot pick up their younger siblings without a parent/guardian present
- Parents/Guardians should not come up to the building to pick up their student(s)
Please see the picture below for a visual of the plan:
Building Visitor Policy
Parents should not enter Capitol Hill during morning drop-off. Your child will be greeted as they enter the Blue doors and make their way through the lobby to breakfast and class. There's staff inside should they need help.
With an appointment, parents may enter the building to meet with specific staff.
Use this link to register for an appointment: t.ly/QEwM.
** If you are sick or having symptoms, please cancel your appointment and reschedule. Do not come to the school. **
** At this time we are not having any volunteers at Capitol Hill. **
EDL begins October 25: Freedom School Express (FSX) Learning Academy Extended Day Learning
PTO UPDATES
PTO Hub:
Stay connected to the Capitol Hill parent community through the PTO Hub. Register here to access the optional directory and receive information on grade level events.
Already registered? Please sign in and update your child’s teacher information for this year.
5th Grade Meet-up:
Connect with other 5th grade families during an informal get together at the Rondo Playground on Saturday, October 9, from 3-5 p.m.
6th Grade Meet-up:
Friday, October 15th, 5:30-7:30 pm, Rondo/Benjamin E Mays playground
Join us to see old friends and meet new ones!
There’s lots of space to play soccer, basketball, gaga ball, run around or just hang out. Bring a ball if you have one, and bring a picnic dinner if you’d like! We’ll provide treats from Sweet Fruci ice cream truck, and we'll show cartoons on a big screen from about 7-7:30.
If you have questions, want to help out, or have ideas for future meet-ups, contact Meghan Keller (Cora R.’s mom) - mattmeghan@msn.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ART ADVENTURE!
What is one of the most important skills our young scholars need to develop? Critical thinking is a primary goal of the Minneapolis Institute of Art's long running program called Art Adventure. We are seeking Picture People to create and record a short video about a selected work of art from this year's theme "Dressed for the Occasion". Curious? You can preview the six pieces of art on MIA's website https://new.artsmia.org/programs/teachers-and-students/art-adventure/dressed-for-the-occasion/.
Please contact Mary Frankson or Christina Pierce at capitolhillartadventure@gmail.com for more information and to sign up for this awesome "art thinking" program.
Donate to the PTO:
Ukuleles are part of elementary music thanks to PTO funding. Donate to the PTO to support classroom enrichment and exciting field trips for all students!
Donations can be made via cash/check to the office, at GiveMN or PayPal (treasurer.capitolhill@gmail.com). Any amount helps. $100/family is suggested.
Middle School Planners are in!
Middle School Planners- Payment
Middle School Families- Please click on the following link pay for your child's planner. Each planner is $5.00. You may choose to donate more if you'd like.
Volunteer Background Check Donations
Planning to chaperone a Field Trip? Background checks are required! Please contact your child's teacher or the main office for the Background Check form!
Please click on the following link to cover/donate the cost of processing volunteer background checks. The suggested amount to cover is $15. You many choose to donate more if you'd like.
Middle School FALL SPORTS are underway!
Grade 6-8 Fall Offerings:
Boys Soccer - Girls Soccer - Co-Ed Flag Football - Girls Volleyball
Note: New Practice TIME this year: M- F, 4:15 – 6:15pm
Students are required to complete 2 forms prior to be eligible to participate:
- Sports physical (good for 3 years) https://drive.google.com/file/d/14hFWR0kDRU6j467TgMkQOPJGj7_0FwSh/view
- Middle School athletics registration form https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q5CWejaOqGDKHxGzPJlimYKv1mHASPCJ8hYu_qCOyws/edit
October Support Staff Newsletter!
Elementary Band Update
Elementary band lessons begin on Monday, October 11th. Schedules have been posted in each classroom and will be sent home with students after their first lesson. We are still waiting to receive bell covers for instruments, so playing in class will be limited until they arrive from the district. The covers should be here within the next 2-3 weeks. Don't forget to bring $11 for student books ($13 for percussionists) at their first lesson. Checks can be made out to Capitol Hill PTO. Used books will be made available for anyone who needs one.
Mr. Fulton jeff.fulton@spps.org.
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Middle School Math Team Practice has Begun!
Middle School Students: Do you enjoy solving challenging problems in a fun and inclusive environment? Come join the Math Team!
Middle School Math Team practice started Monday, September 20th. The team will meet from 8:30-9:30 AM on Mondays in Mr. Warner's room (2309) except for the days we participate in meets with other schools. Ring the doorbell at the Blue doors when you arrive for practice. Please arrive as close to 8:30 as possible.
Meets will take place at Capitol Hill from 8:30 - 9:30am on 10/4, 10/25, 11/15, 12/6 and 1/24. Please feel free to email Mr. Warner with any questions. kyle.warner@spps.org
School MEALS PROCEDURE
Breakfast and lunch will be free for all students for the 2021-22 school year.
Breakfast to Go will continue, with pre-packaged meals to be eaten in the classroom.
Elementary and Middle School lunch will be served in the cafeteria, blue atrium and classrooms. Classes in the cafeteria will be 6ft from other classes.
Assigned seating is required.
Students and staff are required to wear masks when they are not eating or drinking.
Lunch will be served in traditional lunch trays and reusable containers with lids when traveling.
Table decals will mark designated seating locations in cafeterias.
Staff will monitor safety protocols throughout the lunch period, including lining up and dismissal.
Curbside Meals for Students in COVID Quarantine or Isolation
Families can register for weekly curbside meal box pickup if a student must miss in-person instruction due to COVID quarantine or isolation.
Families register through the NS website
Meal boxes will include five breakfasts and five lunches
Meal boxes will be issued via contact-free pickup
Pickup will take place each Friday at the District EOS building at 1930 Como Avenue
Hours of operation will be 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Students do not have to be present for guardian pickup
Have you completed the iUpdate yet?
Go to https://www.spps.org/onestop complete the iUpdate for your SPPS student(s) if you've not done so already.
Capitol Hill OFFICE NOTES
Office Hours: 8:30 - 4:30
Morning Drop-off Time
We want to ensure each child is safe when arriving for school. Staff supervision begins at 9:30am. Please do not drop off your child earlier than 9:30.
Attendance/late arrivals:
Please make sure to always report your child's absences. You can do this in two ways:
- Dial the attendance line directly at 651-325-2599 -OR-
- Email us at capitolhill.attendance@spps.org.
Please include your child's name, grade, the reason for their absence, your relationship to the child, and a return phone number that you can be reached at if we should have questions.
Calling Your Child
When calling the school to speak to your child, the office staff will deliver your message to have your child call you back. Teachers are teaching during the day and we are trying our best to lessen the interruptions during instructional time. Thanks for understanding.
Dismissal
Dismissal is at 4:15. We appreciate you making every attempt to honor this time. Students are still actively involved in classroom instruction up to dismissal time.
Please call the Capitol Hill office at 651-325-2500 if you are picking up your child early or letting your child go home any other way than their normal route.
***Please make sure to call the office no later than 3:00 pm if you have to make changes.***
***If you call later than 3:00, we cannot guarantee that your child will get the message.***
