Homecroft Elementary School
Monday, September 21, 2020
Two first days
We are really excited, elated, over the moon to have our students back! While it may be a little different right now, one thing remains the same: We love our students and families.
The first day of school brings many mixed emotions, but pure joy is what I felt this AM as we greeted students off the bus. We get to do it again on Thursday as we welcome back our second cohort of students.
Please be in touch with questions and thank you for your ongoing partnership!
Mr. Cawcutt
Where do I go when I get off the bus/get dropped off?
Doors open at 7:30 AM for buses and for parent drop off. Please plan accordingly as the parent drop off was congested today.
Students going to class will be released to lockers per teacher guidance considering social distancing. We cannot have students congregate in the hallway as we typically do.
Students arriving at breakfast will either enter the line to be served, or take a seat at our tables. They may sit at spots labeled 1, 3, 5, or 2, 4, 6. This will allow for social distancing while eating in the cafeteria. The video below describes this process. We realize we are not going to win an Oscar for our acting!
We will have teachers waiting at parent drop off and the main entry to escort students to class if they need guidance. We know this is really challenging for our K students/parents, but we will make sure your son/daughter is taken care of and gets to class.
Parent Pick Up
Please be patient with us in this process. We cannot have parents congregate near the parent pick up door as we have done in the past. Parents are asked to stay in your vehicle.
We realize this process takes time. We are doing our best to keep everyone safe and this practice is similar across the district related to parent pick up.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Deadline for Requesting Individual Elementary Student Model Switch: 12Noon 9/30/20
As the school year begins we're seeing families switching between distance learning and elementary in-person hybrid, in both directions. We appreciate families wishing to find the best model for their student.
We want to provide teachers and students in both models the best opportunity for stability and to build relationships as the school year begins.
Schools will accept requests for individual student model switches through Noon on September 30. After that date, changes will only be considered for emergency situations. Thank you for your understanding.
MDH COVID-19 Attendance Guide for Parents & Families
Staying home when you are sick is one of our best ways to fight COVID-19. Keeping sick children and children who are exposed to COVID-19 away from others helps stop the spread of the virus to other children, staff, and the surrounding community. Parents and guardians can use this guide to understand when their child can attend school, youth programs, and child care during COVID-19.
MN Department of Health: COVID-19 Attendance Guide for Parents & Families
Families Need to Submit Free/Reduced Price Lunch Application
Even though breakfast/lunches are free for families right now, it's still important that they complete a Free/Reduced Price Lunch Application (called Application for Educational Benefits).
It impacts many aspects of school funding in addition to providing family benefits. Failure to turn in a completed application will forfeit a child’s ability to have a free/reduced lunch, waiver of instrument rental fees, waiver of activity and athletic fees, etc.
Families who would like support completing this application, please contact the Child Nutrition office at 218-336-8789.
Fill out the form online OR Download an application, submit to school.
Superintendent John Magas and Child Nutrition Supervisor Pam Bowe shared information with local TV stations about free meals and the importance of filling out the form.
Free bagged meals are available weekdays when school is in session to children 18 years of age and younger.
- Parents/Guardians can pick up the bagged meal without students present.
- Click here for distribution locations and times.
Fundraiser
More to come in days ahead. Our goal this year is $7000. That goal is considerably less than last year, but we recognize the pandemic and priorities of families.
Last year, our fundraiser raised over $17,000 for Homecroft. What did we do with the funds raised? We purchased a new set of 30 Chromebooks and a cart for storage and charging. The cost for the Chromebooks and the cart were over $10K.
We also purchased a monitor for digital messages in our entryway. We also purchased thousands of book titles for K-5 classroom libraries. In addition, we purchased another water bottle filler for our lower level. Your contributions to Homecroft Elementary are greatly appreciated.
Our fundraiser this year will go to offset costs for another bottle filling station, further technology purchases, such as Chromebooks, and other building needs for safety, curriculum, and general building needs.
Please consider our fundraiser this year and support our students in their active endeavors.
2020 Return to Learn Resources
Digital Learning Resources for Families
Helpful information and login links for the new digital learning platforms SeeSaw and Canvas can be found at www.ISD709.org/Digital-Learning. Information includes an introductory video to SeeSaw for families.