SHGS Newsletter
August 31, 2020
Notes and News
Dear SHGS Families,
I pray this newsletter finds you and your family well. I hope you are having a wonderful summer!
I continue to send weekly newsletters as our main means of school communication, please feel free to email me directly at tstrub@shgsyonkers.org if you have any questions.
Our newsletters are also posted on our website at www.shgsyonkers.org
Grade Band Zoom Meetings for Submitted Reopening Questions to be Answered
Zoom meeting links were emailed to each family in the grade bands on Sunday evening.
I will answer all submitted questions on these Zoom meetings.
Grade Band 1: PreK3, PreK4, K, Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 Zoom Meeting on
Monday, August 31 at 11:00am
Grade Band 2: Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 Zoom Meeting on
Monday, August 31 at 1:00pm
First Few Weeks of School
We ask for your patience and support during these first few weeks of school, as we adjust and learn the new technology and procedures. We will all be working hard to make this quarter the best we can for everyone.
The teachers will send the class Zoom link and a timed schedule for lessons and the afternoon check-in meeting for weeks 1 and 2 on Thursday, September 3rd to their homeroom students. A full academic and special areas schedule will be distributed on September 18th.
All remote/virtual instruction students will need to be on their class Zoom at 8:00am daily for attendance; however, on September 9th and 10th, we may need a little more time before we can begin at 8:00am.
Week 1
· Remote/virtual instruction students will login to their Zoom link for morning check in with their homeroom teacher, go over procedures and expectations and afternoon check in with their homeroom teacher
· Remote/virtual instruction students will prepare their home workspace and be sure all materials needed are easily accessible for all academic and special area lessons
· In person instruction students will practice procedures and expectations in school
· In person instruction students will prepare their school workspace and be sure all materials needed are easily accessible for all academic and special area lessons
Week 2
· Remote/virtual instruction students will login to their Zoom link for morning check in and announcements with their homeroom teacher, will come back for scheduled classes, as well as afternoon check in with homeroom teacher.
· In person instruction students will listen to morning announcements, attend scheduled classes, as well as continue to practice procedures and expectations in school
Week 3
· All students will login to their Zoom link and receive all academic and special area lessons.
Ventilation
Classroom doors will remain open when students are present. At least one classroom window will remain open when students are present, and a window fan will be placed in a classroom window facing the outside to draw air from the classroom to the outside and improve air circulation.
Visitors
No visitors will be allowed in the building during operating hours (7:40am - 3:30pm).
· For PreK 3, PreK4, and Kindergarten students, we have classroom assistants to escort the students once they clear their temperature scan to their classrooms
· For any parents who would like to meet with myself, Mrs. Millen, or a teacher, we will arrange for a Zoom meeting.
Sick Student or Staff- COVID-19 Symptoms
To ensure the safety and best practice, schools must designate a “Guardian Angel” room (isolation room) where students and staff with COVID-19 symptoms are to be placed while they await pick up and safe exit from the building. Sacred Heart Grade School has designated the room previously used as our Title 1 room (which is attached to the nurse’s office) and the room across from the nurse’s office as our ‘Guardian Angel” rooms. The sick student or staff will be monitored by the nurse and a staff member wearing full PPE. A sick student and or staff member will exit stairwell A3 and exit the building from the A3 Door to be picked up.
Morning Drop Off procedures
We will use 2 entrances to safely admit students into the building and to assure that we are maximizing instructional time. Social distancing markers outside the building will be set up along the sides of the building. Students will line up on a marker 6ft apart. Students will enter using one of two areas: Main Entrance A1: 7:45am PreK4 and Grades 1-4 and A2 Door: 7:45am PreK3, Kindergarten, and Grades 5-8.
Before entering the school building, temperature screening and screening questions as outlined in the NYS Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K–Grade 12 Schools during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency will be taken. *All individuals must be wearing a mask as soon as they line up for their temperature check. Masks will be available should an individual forget their mask. **Persons who have fevers of 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit or above or who are exhibiting other signs of illness shall not be admitted to the school.
Dismissal Procedure
At 2:40pm PreK4 will line up 6ft apart accompanied by their teacher and will be dismissed through the Main Entrance A1 Door. At 2:40pm PreK3 and Kindergarten will line up 6ft apart accompanied by their teacher and will be dismissed through the Playground Entrance A2 Door.
At 2:55pm our bus students will line up in the breezeway 6ft apart and exit through Sacred Heart High School’s Main Entrance with staff supervising to get on the bus to take them home.
At 3:00pm the students in Grades 1-3 will line up 6ft apart accompanied by their teacher and will be dismissed through the Main Entrance A1 Door, at 3:00pm Grades 4 and 5 will line up at 6ft apart accompanied by their teacher and be dismissed through the Playground A2 Door, at 3:00pm Grades 6-8 will line up 6ft apart accompanied by their teacher and will be dismissed through the backdoor A3 Door.
Bathroom Procedure
A bathroom schedule will be implemented for all classes. Students will be escorted to the bathroom by a staff member to ensure social distancing when it is not a scheduled bathroom break. Bathrooms will be disinfected by wiping down with CDC-approved cleaners at least two to three times throughout the day and thoroughly cleaned daily.
Outside Break
Each class will be given a set time where they can go for an outside break (walk outside). When outside, students will remain 6 feet apart. During this time, students will have mask free time, this will occur once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
Mask Break
While in the classroom, a mask break will be given every 30 to 60 minutes (age appropriate). This will be done by having every other student remove his/her mask for 5 minutes (half of the class) and then switch for the second group (other half of class) to remove his/her mask for 5 minutes.
SHGS Re-Opening Plan see below
Classes have been determined for 5 day in-person instruction or the hybrid schedule. Class instruction decisions are based on class enrollment, square footage of classrooms, social distancing requirements, and number of students opting for the full-time remote/virtual learning.
No After School Program at this Time
We cannot offer our After School Program at this time, as soon as we are able to reinstate the program we will let you know.
No Early Morning Drop Off
We will not have early morning drop off this school year, please be sure not to drop your child/children off before 7:45am as there is no supervision before 7:45am.
Lunches
Please note that we will not be providing breakfast or lunch this school year. All children must bring in their own "bag lunch" including a drink and a snack.
They should be easily managed by your child and not require refrigeration or the microwave. All lunches/lunch boxes should be clearly labeled with your child’s name on it. Lunches will be eaten in your child’s classroom and no food will be shared with another student.
Uniform Update
For the first quarter, students will have the following options to wear each school day:
· A Spirit-Wear shirt and P.E. Shorts/Sweats
· P.E. Uniform -
· Regular Uniform
Calendar 2020 - 2021
The tentative SHGS 2020-21 calendar is now available (see below). Please note this is a draft calendar and is pending final approval.
We wish you all a fabulous week. Stay safe and stay healthy.
Warm Regards,
Tracy Strub
Classroom Set Up for 2020-21
- Classrooms are set up for social distancing
- Students and staff are 6ft apart
- New technology has arrived and been installed
- New Smart Boards and Chromebooks are ready for live streaming
- Touchless hand santizing dispensers have been installed
SHGS Re-Opening Plan for the 2020-21 School Year
Classes have been determined for 5 day in-person instruction or the hybrid schedule. Class instruction decisions are based on class enrollment, square footage of classrooms, social distancing requirements, and number of students opting for the full-time remote/virtual learning.
PreK3 - 5 days in person instruction
PreK4 - 5 days in person instruction
Kindergarten - 5 days in person instruction
Grade 1- 5 days in person instruction
Grade 2 - 5 days in person instruction
Grade 3- 5 days in person instruction
Grade 4 - 5 days in person instruction
Grade 5 - Hybrid schedule - 2 days in person instruction, 2 days remote/virtual, and alternating Wednesdays.
Grade 6 - Hybrid schedule - 2 days in person instruction, 2 days remote/virtual, and alternating Wednesdays
Grade 7 - Hybrid schedule - 2 days in person instruction, 2 days remote/virtual, and alternating Wednesdays
Grade 8 - Hybrid schedule - 2 days in person instruction, 2 days remote/virtual, and alternating Wednesdays
For Grades 5-8, I will be in contact with the scheduling of cohorts and days for in person instruction. We tried to accommodate as many requests as we could.
At this time, if any families would like to switch from in person instruction to remote/virtual learning only, please email me directly at tstrub@shgsyonkers.org
Due to planning, we cannot accommodate any switches from remote/virtual learning to in person instruction at this time. We can look at this switch on an individual bases after quarter 1, November 6th.
For families who selected full time remote/virtual learning, the classroom will be live streamed all day, with lunch, bathroom, outside, and mask breaks throughout the day. Students are expected to be in a suitable environment conducive to doing schoolwork and should have all materials readily accessible. If a student needs a Chromebook, we will loan that student one to use for the school year.
Hybrid Schedule:
You should have received your child's/children's hybrid schedule/cohort assignment, please let me know if you have not.
Cohort A: Monday and Tuesday in person learning, Thursday and Friday remote learning, every other Wednesday in person learning.
Cohort B: Monday and Tuesday remote learning, Thursday and Friday in person learning, every other Wednesday in person learning.
Tentative 2020-21 Calendar
SHGS 2020-21 Calendar (Tentative)
September-
9th - First Day of School- All Grades
11th – No School - Conference Day
19th - First Communion, (2019-20 Class)
21st - Fall MAP Testing Begins
October-
2nd - Early Dismissal - 11:45am (PreK3, K – 8), 1:00pm (Prek4)
3rd - First Communion, (2019-20 Class)
8th - Progress Reports
9th - No School - Conference Day
10th - First Communion, (2019-20 Class)
12th – No School - Columbus Day Observed
14th - Safe Environment Lesson, K - 8
19th - TACHS Deadline
November-
6th - TACHS Test for Grade 8
Early Dismissal – 11:45am (PreK3, K – 8), 1:00pm (PreK4)
End of Quarter 1
11th – No School - Veterans Day
24th - Early Dismissal – 11:45am (K-8) - Parent Conferences
Full Day (PreK3 and PreK4)
25th - 27th - School Closed – Thanksgiving Break
Happy Thanksgiving!
December-
4th - Early Dismissal – 11:45am (PreK3, K – 8), 1:00pm (PreK4)
24th - 31st - School Closed, All Grades - Christmas Break
Merry Christmas!
January-
1st - School Closed - Happy New Year!
8th - Early Dismissal – 11:45am (PreK3, K – 8), 1:00pm (PreK4)
18th – No School - MLK Day
29th – End of Quarter 2
31st - Catholic Schools Week Begins
February-
5th - Early Dismissal – 11:45am (PreK3, K – 8), 1:00pm (PreK4)
12th - No School – Conference Day
15th & 16th – No School - Presidents’ Day Observed
17th - Ash Wednesday
March-
12th - Early Dismissal – 11:45am (PreK3, K – 8), 1:00pm (PreK4)
17th – St Patrick’s Day
28th - Palm Sunday
31st – No School
End of Quarter 3
April-
1st - 11th - School Closed – Easter Break
Happy Easter!
27th - Early Dismissal – 11:45am (K-8) - Parent Conferences
Full Day (PreK3 and PreK4)
May-
7th - Early Dismissal – 11:45am (PreK3, K – 8), 1:00pm (PreK4) 14th - School Closed, All Grades
14th – No School
28th & 31st – No School – Memorial Day Observed
June-
12th - 8th Grade Graduation
15th - PreK 3 Moving Up Ceremony and Last Day
16th - PK 4 Moving Up Ceremony
17th - Kindergarten Graduation & Last Day
18th - Last Day of School for Grades 1 – 7
Snow Days: Built into our calendar are five snow days. In the event that the school must close due to weather conditions, we will give back the following dates in this order:
5/14, 3/31, 5/28, 4/1, 4/9
Make Up Days: In the event that the school must close for weather, beyond the five built in snow days, we will use the following dates as make up days in this order:
4/6, 4/8, 4/7, 6/21, 6/22
Important Dates
Wednesday, September 9th: First Day of School - All Grades
Friday, September 11th: No School- Conference Day
About Us
Email: tstrub@shgsyonkers.org
Website: shgsyonkers.org
Location: 34 Convent Avenue, Yonkers, NY, USA
Phone: (914) 963- 5318
Facebook: facebook.com/shgsyonkers.org
Twitter: @SHGSYonkers