Harvey-Swanson News

Week four sure was a whirlwind! As we navigated our first positive Covid-19 case, I am thankful for all of the guidance from our school nurse and the Oakland County Health Department nurse that led the case. Having in-person learning during a pandemic does come with many challenges and some risks, but please know that we will continue to follow the Oakland County Health Department's guidelines which fall under the CDC's guidelines in an effort to keep everyone healthy at Harvey-Swanson and to continue in-person learning each day.

Thank you for doing the daily health screening and keeping your child home if he/she is sick. Thank you for calling the office to let us know when your child is sick. Thank you for reinforcing proper hand washing and mask wearing. Thank you for your support and patience when we call you to find out more about an absence. Thank you for being our partner in your child's education.

I look forward to stepping into week five, month two of in-person learning together!

Sincerely,

Debbie Brauher

This week we will focus on the character strength open-mindedness.

What it is: Being open-minded means you are able to consider ideas that go against your own beliefs. Open-minded people tend to try new things and don't jump to conclusions.

Why it matters: When we are open-minded, we open our minds to new possibilities. This can lead to great adventures, new friendships, and endless learning!

Please click here to read more about this character strength.

Our main goal right now is to stay connected, whether you are BLFH or F2F learning this year.

• We are looking for new board members. If you would like to serve in any of these positions: President, Secretary, or Treasurer, please reach out to us through the PTA email or Mrs. Brauher: dbrauher@brandon.k12.mi.us. We look forward to growing our leaders!
• Please click here to view the PTA Executive Board Basic Duties and Responsibilities document.
• We have a wonderful parent group! Please consider joining the team as a board leader.

Arrival...

• If you are dropping your child off, if possible, please wait until 9:20 AM when we let students into the building. This helps with social distancing and congestion. Thanks so much!

Dismissal- Picking your child up from school...

• If your child's regular routine changes, please send a note to your child's teacher.
• If you are calling the office to dismiss your child early or to change his/her dimissal procedure, please do so by 3:00 PM. Whenever possible, please avoid calling just before our dismissal process begins from about 3:45 on. During this time, all staff is working hard to ensure students get where they need to be and it is not always easy to contact teachers with last minute changes.
• If you are using the pick up/drop off lane, please have your child exit and enter your car on the grassy side.
• Please have your child bring an umbrella or wear a raincoat on the days it looks like rain is in the forecast.

• Visitors must have an appointment to enter the building. All visitors will be screened outside by our securtiy guard before entering and must be wearing a mask to enter.

• If you are dropping off items for your child, the security guard will meet you outside to collect the item/s.

• Please see the Visitor and Vending Screening Checklist below.

Please see the updated documents below:

1. The protocol for Covid-19 symptoms at school.

2. Staff and Student At-Home Screening Checklist

3. Visitor and Vendor Screening Checklist

Due to allergies and for infection control, if students are going to be bringing food to share, it must be store bought and contain an ingredients list. Individually wrapped food items would be best.

• September 28th- October 31st: NWEA Reading and Math assessment window for JK-5th grade.
• October 7th: Fall Count Day
• October 5th-9th: Homecoming Spirit Week.
• Week of October 12th: Parent Teacher Conferences. They will be virtual this year. Teachers will continue to reach out to you to schedule your 15 minute conference to be held sometime during the week of the 12th.
• October 16th: NO SCHOOL
• October 30th: Half day of school. Students dismissed at 12:35 PM.
• November 17th: Picture retakes. BLFH will be on the same date, but from 4:15-5:15PM.

• Please click here to sign up for a conference with our music teacher Mr. Marshall.
• Please click here to sign up for a conference with our art teacher Mrs. Larsen.
• Pelase click here to sign up for a conference with our gym teacher Mr. Thompson.

• Click here to view the Covid-19 School Health Screening Parent Contract: Please return it as soon as possible.
• Click here to view the updated Daily Home Screening Checklist: Parents will screen their child each day and be sure to keep him/her home and call the school if any signs of Covid are exhibited.
• Click here to view the Oakland County Covid-19 Public Health Toolkit.
• Click here to visit our Harvey Hawk Facebook Page.
• To sign up for e-news- Go to the Brandon Schools main webpage under Quick Links and choose subscribe to e-news.

• Girl Scouts
  
• Mad Science
  

• Coding

• Self Defense

• Safe at Home Family Workshop

• Preschool before and after care as well as latchkey will need to wear masks as they will not be with their cohorts.

• Parents will drop off and pick up outdoors and not enter the building. Staff will check in and sign out students noting the parent/adult who is dropping off and/or picking up and also ask the COVID screening questions and record the answers.
• All cleaning and handwashing procedures will also be in place.
• All soft toys, dress up clothing, etc that can't be cleaned easily has been removed.
• For quesitons or to sign up, please contact Diane Zedan: dzedan@brandon.k12.mi.us or Penny Green: pgreen@brandon.k12.mi.us

Office Hours: 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM

Connie Zak Administrative Assistant

Jaqueline Herbart Attendance Clerk

Student Day: 9:30-4:00

Arrival/Drop off: 9:20 AM

Dismissal: 4:00 buses will load and pick ups will be waiting outside

Email: dbrauher@brandon.k12.mi.us
Website: https://brandonschooldistrict.org/index.php/schools/harvey-swanson-elementary
Location: 209 Varsity Drive, Ortonville, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 627- 1850
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010341280577