MVES News- Welcome Back! 8/13/2020
News & Notes from Ms. Kapuchuck
Welcome back for another school year!
This is definitely going to be a year unlike any we have ever experienced before. In just a few days short of one month, we will arrive at the official start date of Thursday, September 10th. As you can imagine, there are still many details being finalized for virtual learning, the RCPS Home Learning Academy, and in person learning for Grades PreK, Kindergarten, and First Grade.
While I don't have all the answers to the many questions I am certain you have as you prepare for your child to begin a new school year, I am going to do my best to share some important details and I will continue to send out more information as I get it in the coming weeks. Please read this email in its entirety as it contains information you'll need to know prior to September 10th!
RCPS School Calendar: Please click here for the updated school calendar. Please note that the First Day of School for Grades K-5 will be September 10th. The First Day of School for PreK and Early Childhood will be Monday, September 14th.
Registration Days: Fees for all elementary students have been waived for the 2020-2021 school year. We will not have in person fee days or registration days as these are no longer necessary.
Face Coverings: Face coverings will be mandatory for all students and all staff at all times. There will be designated times, locations, and procedures for scheduled mask breaks. If your child is attending school in person, please make sure he/she comes to school each day wearing a clean cloth face mask. We ask for your help in teaching your children the proper way to wear a mask prior to school starting. If you have any questions, please call Ms. Kapuchuck!
Teacher/Classroom Assignments: Due to the many ongoing changes regarding students who are learning in person and students who are learning virtually, it is not possible to finalize class lists. The good news is that we still have almost one month until school starts. I will send out class placement information at some point much closer to school starting. Class groupings are constantly changing, therefore we will need as much time as possible to finalize things. Thank you for your patience during these unprecedented times!
School Supply Lists: These are available on our school Facebook page as well as below. This information was also sent out in an email to parents last week.
PreK through 1st Grade Attending in Person: Students in PreK through 1st grade who are attending in person will attend four, full school days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday). Students who are brought to school will be dropped off using the curbside drop off system we have used for several years now. All students will be picked up curbside as well. This is a safe, quick way for our students to be dropped off and picked up and it aligns with our guidelines for health and safety of all students and staff. In order to maintain social distancing, we will only be able to accommodate unloading a few vehicles at a time. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting the health and safety of all staff members and students, all student drop off and pick up will occur curbside. Please remain in your vehicle at all times. I will send out reminders prior to school starting.
CURBSIDE Device Deployment TENTATIVE DATE: September 8th: Students enrolled for virtual education or the RCPS At Home Learning Academy this year receive a school device- iPads for grades 2 and 3 and Chromebooks in grades 4 and 5. Students in the RCPS At Home Learning Academy in grades PreK-1 will also receive a school device (iPad). Families who have expressed the need for a hot spot will also receive one at the same time. During this time, we will also collect supplies for students attending PreK, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade in Person. Grade level teachers will be outside at designated times to collect these supplies. Please make sure they are in a bag and labeled with your child's name and his/her teacher's name. In order to maintain social distancing, please remain in your vehicle at all times. I will send out an email prior to this date with additional details and exact times and locations. All families will receive an Elementary School Mobile Device Agreement Form for each child in the mail next week. Please complete this form for ALL children in Grades 2-5, as well as any PreK-1 Students attending the RCPS Virtual At Home Learning Academy. Please mail these completed forms back to school as soon as possible. You may also drop them off in the "drop off" envelope on the front door of the school. Each child will need to have this form signed by a parent/guardian in order to be issued a device to use at home at our curbside deployment on September 8th.
Back To School Information: Due to COVID-19, "Back to School Night" and "PreK/Kindergarten Orientation" will be done virtually this year. Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First grade teachers will schedule virtual meetings or phone conferences with parents to discuss back to school information. They will also be sending out important classroom information through a slideshow/video that will be emailed out to parents prior to school starting. Teachers in grades 2-5 will be sending information home regarding virtual learning. Stay tuned for more information!
I hope that this general information will begin to help answer some of your questions as we prepare for a very unique school year! With every obstacle comes opportunities for creative thinking. I have learned, as both a parent and a principal, the importance of FLEXIBILITY! With so many changes happening sometimes by the day but sometimes by the minute, it has become the norm that what we plan for one day may have to be adjusted soon after. Just like you, I long for the day when my children can go back to a "normal" school year. I get emotional knowing that the "first day of school" picture we have taken for the past 8 years on my front porch will have a much different meaning this year as my husband and I report to work without sending either of our children to a school building. Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and continued support of our incredible school community. We will all get through this together!
Leslie
Leslie Kapuchuck
Mountain View Elementary School
Rockingham County Public Schools
Email: lkapuchuck@rockingham.k12.va.us
Website: http://mves.rockingham.k12.va.us
Location: 2800 Rawley Pike, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Phone: 540-438-1965
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MVESEagles/
Twitter: @LKapuchuck