Homecroft Elementary School
Return to Learn Update
Information
We are going to be sending out information to you in bites over the next few days/weeks. Many have been calling asking about Infinite Campus access. Currently, the district has closed iCampus access while they are updating class rosters and assignments.
If parents need a parent portal account, please call our office manager, Coleen. She will email you the form required and further instructions. Our office number is 218-336-8865 or email Coleen @ coleen.nordwall@isd709.org.
Please note that account access is granted from our district office AFTER the parent portal form is signed and turned in. Please check spam/junk email if you do not get information about access. Often, the district email address is flagged as spam.
Have a great day!
Tom Cawcutt, Principal
What will learning look like?
DISTANCE LEARNING 2.0
Distance Learning will look VERY different from last spring. We're calling it Distance Learning 2.0! Last spring we had to get emergency plans in place quickly. With very limited internet access for many students this meant focusing on packets that could be delivered digitally or on physical paper.
This year, Duluth students in grades K-5 will be using a learning management system called SeeSaw. It's a fantastic and easy-to-navigate system. Our teachers will have ongoing training and support to move their content into this format. Students will be able to watch videos (including teachers providing instruction), participate in interactive activities and assignments, take assessments, talk to each other in discussion groups, and much more!
Why does this matter so much?
- Full Distance Learning model - all students will be in Distance Learning full time.
- Hybrid model - students will learn two days with in-person learning and three days in distance learning. Students will come either on Monday & Tuesday - Group A or Thursday & Friday - Group B. Distance Learning will be an option for students that choose this option.
- In-Person model - Students will come to school for direct instruction. Distance Learning will be an option for students that choose this option.
FAQ about Distance Learning
Q. What will my child's schedule look like?
A. Students will be participating in every learning opportunity that they participated at the start of the 2019-20 school year, regardless of the model the school is offering. If you choose to have have your child participate in Distance Learning, your child will be learning in a virtual environment. If you should you change your mind and want to return, this option will be made available to you.
Q. What technology will we need?
A. We recommend some type of computer with keyboard. It is possible but incredibly difficult to participate with a smart phone. If your family is going to purchase a device, find an inexpensive Chromebook, they are easiest to use and manage. Any laptop, desktop, or tablet with a keyboard will also work. The district is working to make sure our families who need help getting a device and internet access are provided with equipment to use. Watch for more information coming soon.
Q. When will my student need to be online?
A. We know that many of our students will be sharing devices and internet access at home. Opportunities for both "synchronous" and "asynchronous" learning will be available. "Synchronous" means that students could learn at the same time as their in-person classroom. "Asynchronous" means that learning opportunities are available outside of the structured class time using videos and/or recorded lessons. Everything your student needs, from watching instruction to the discussion boards, will be available 24 hours a day. Office hours to talk to teachers directly will be more limited, but all school work and instruction will be available online.
Q. What if my student needs support?
A. Depending on the type of support they need, we'll have many options available to them.
- Social Emotional - There are many factors potentially adding to the stress and anxiety of our students. We all need support at times! Our teachers and social worker will be available to work with students during the school day in any way that works for the student. We'll share information as the year gets going about how to connect with them if the student and teacher and/or social worker aren't available in person.
- Academic support - Classroom teachers will have office hours, case managers and paraprofessionals will be ready to support our students who receive special services, and our staff and administrators will be ready to direct you and your student in ways to get support if they are having difficulty.
- Integration Specialists and American Indian Home/School Liaisons will continue to provide support in many ways for students in their programs, too.
Make a choice for fall!
Families Choose:
To prepare for the opening of schools, families were asked to give their input and selection for which model of learning they preferred for the start of the school year. This form was sent to all families via email, mail and social media.
Remember that you can change your mind at any time to switch to a more restrictive attendance model (from in-person to distance learning) at any time. Switching models may take some time to transition to another model as there could be some restrictions with available space or other parameters , but please know that a change can be an option.
We will make every effort to ensure households attend school on the same days. This means that if you have a second grader who goes on Monday and Tuesday, your 5th grader attendance days should be Monday and Tuesday too.
As noted in District Communication, from September 8 through September 18, all students will participate in Return to Learn: Digital Engagement. This means all students will be interacting with teachers virtually rather than at school. This will include:
●Parent/Teacher Conferences virtually/in-person for elementary families and teachers during week 1
●Welcome activities with teachers
● Relationship building
● Training in internet safety
● Introduction to new digital learning platforms (Seesaw)
● Introduction to content and curriculum
● Setting expectations for learning and COVID-19 safety protocols
Starting September 21, families may continue distance learning or choose to send their children to school in a hybrid model, where they are scheduled to come to school in-person on their assigned A or B group days and engage in learning virtually on other days.
Full Distance Learning 2.0
Remember, this is a choice families can make at any time. If you are concerned for your student's safety, you may choose to keep them home and they can still participate in learning with Distance Learning 2.0 through the SeeSaw learning management system if that is the model you choose.
In Distance Learning, there will be opportunities for students and teachers to interact in vastly different ways than last spring. New concepts will be taught and learning will be very interactive. Videos will be posted, group interaction, robust learning opportunities, lots of great feedback, and unique ways students will explore learning and show what they know. We will be able to provide opportunities for individualized support if a student is struggling, too.
Students receiving Special Services (IEP - Individualized Learning Plans): Tentative plans for Hybrid Model and Support
It is critical that we are able to provide the extra support our students who receive special services need.
If your student is on an IEP but spends most of their day in general education classrooms (Setting I or II):
- In a hybrid model, they would be able to come to school for a two days, to spend time with special education staff and their general education teacher. Students would spend time in classrooms receiving support with their individual goals and with any Distance Learning for all classes. They will also be able to spend time with any related services identified on their IEP (ie. Social Worker, Speech, DAPE, OT, PT, etc.)
- In full Distance Learning, they will still receive additional support from resource teachers, their case manager, paraprofessionals, and other related services. This could include online meetings, modification and accommodate for distance learning work, communicating with their general education teachers, phone calls, etc.
If your student is on an IEP and spends most of their day in special education classrooms (Setting III):
- A case manager, administrator, or specialist will be individually contacting each of the families with students in Setting III programs, including DCD, SMI, and ASD.
- Students in our Setting III Programs may attend two days per week, either Monday/Tuesday of Thursday/Friday.
- Many of our students receive special services transportation, which would continue.
- Wednesdays we will have no students in the building to allow for cleaning and sanitizing.
- We will be providing protective equipment to our staff knowing that many students in a Setting III programs will be exempt from wearing masks. This additional equipment will provide another layer of safety for our staff and students.
- Families of students who are in Setting III programs may choose full Distance Learning. This year we will be able to provide much more interactive and appropriate education using See Saw for communication, services, and content.
- Individual student considerations are critical. School staff are willing to work with the families to help determine which option may be best.
- Making changes to these decisions can be fluid with our students in Setting III programs. Case managers will stay in close contact with families.
Masks will be required
Face Coverings - Dos and Don’ts
This face covering information has been established because we respect and care for ourselves and every person that we encounter in our school. Patience and kindness should be paramount in all our interactions as we work together to make our school safe and healthy and accommodating for all.
Do:
Staff and Students: Use your own cloth face covering, if possible. If not, Duluth Public Schools will provide you one.
Be clean and in good repair
Fit snugly, but comfortably against the side of the face
Be secure and should cover the wearer’s nose and mouth
Allow for breathing without restriction
Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape. They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use.
Be on the wearer's face
Take breaks from wearing them:
Off when in a working space alone as long as there is a 6 foot distance from your neighbor.
Off when eating or drinking, however, practice physical distancing.
Students should be sitting at desks or outside when eating snacks and/or lunch.
Off when outside at recess as long as social distancing of 6 feet from others is being enforced.
Educators consider taking “Mask breaks” at certain, designated times of the days. Take students outside or remain in seats 6 feet apart from each other.
When not wearing the mask, store the mask in a paper bag with the wearer's name on it and at his/her desk.
Educators and paras wear them while instructing or working in close proximity (one-to-one) with a student. Staff may remove coverings when alone in office or other classroom space.
Ensure both parties are wearing them correctly if at any time social distancing measures cannot be met and there is a need for two people to be less than 6 feet from one another.
During small group instruction, reading, math groups etc. all students wear them while next to each other in a small group. Limit the time for these groups in one day. More time spread apart and facing the same direction is better for virus mitigation.
Staff and students wear them upon entrance to the building and during passing times in hallways.
Use hand sanitizer or wash hands for 20 seconds, before putting on the face covering and after taking it off. How to safely wear and take off a cloth face covering.
When using a medical grade face covering, make sure the metal piece is on the top and over the nose and colored-side faces outward. This will ensure the pleats of the face covering are downward.
Practice masking at home to get used to wearing a mask on the face prior to coming to school.
Face-Shields may be utilized by instructors in lieu of masks
Consider students/staff with disabilities that may not be able to wear a face covering. Accommodation may be necessary as indicated by a medical expert.
Health Aides and/or back-ups shall wear a n95 mask or a combination of a face shield and mask when working with symptomatic people in the isolation room.
Students may remove while exercising or taking part in PE as long as all other safety guidelines and protocols are followed.
Don’t:
Touch your face and rearrange the face covering on the wearer’s face.
Share face coverings with others.
Touch eyes, nose or mouth when removing mask.
Wear them under the nose, around the neck, rest under the chin or on the forehead or hanging off one ear.
Wear loose or ill-fitting masks.
Continue to wear a face covering that has holes, rips and tears in it.
Continue to wear a face covering that is wet from condensation or sweat. Replace the face covering if it is damp or wet.
Remove it to talk with someone.
Place face coverings on young children younger than 2 years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing, sensory concerns, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover with without assistance.
Resources:
Social Distancing & Face Coverings:
Six feet social distancing will be practiced to the fullest extent possible.
All staff and students are required to wear face coverings/masks at all times while in the building: entry/exit to school buildings, hallways, classrooms, and common areas.
The only exceptions, if necessary, are for the health and wellness of certain students or staff. This will require medical documentation.
A reusable mask will be supplied to students and staff. Elementary Schools will have backup disposable masks for students and staff if forgotten. Personal masks are allowed as long as they adequately cover the mouth/nose. We suggest that you find one that your child enjoys wearing if possible.
Masks may be removed for small 5 minute breaks for snack and drinks of water and during lunch time
Staff will be trained in best practices for face masks, face shields and other PPE.
Daily Screening & Next Steps:
Students and staff will be screened daily, upon entry, using a district provided screening question in addition to assessing every person’s temperature.
Students will be screened by their classroom teacher. All students will report to their outside classroom door and wait by their doors until they are invited in to be screened.
Students who present a fever of 100.4 or higher and/or any symptoms during screening or anytime during the school day will be isolated, with the assistance of our health personnel, and parents will be called to pick up their student. Students will wait in the Medical Safe Room, located in each school
Bus riders should be screened by family members before they enter the building or get on a bus.
All temperature screenings will be done inside the building.
To the extent possible: the same staff person(s) will be doing the screening at a particular entrance, for the same groups of students to expedite the process and decrease transmission risks because the same staff will be familiar with the same students on a daily basis.
Cohorting:
Students will remain in their grade level cohort groups. Cohorting means keeping the same group of students with the same staff as much as possible to decrease the number of individuals that students and staff interact with while at school.
Students individualized instructional needs will be considered when creating cohorts to limit staff exposure to multiple cohorts.
Cohort size will be determined as families choose in-person learning or remote learning options.
Cohorts will not exceed 30 students. In most cases, they will be 25 or less.
Students will be placed in grade level classes. Classroom assignments could be changed depending on the fluctuation in enrollment decisions or for the potential impact from covid exposures. Of course, we will do our best to keep students with their original teacher, but due to the circumstances, we may need to remain flexible throughout the school year. We will do our best to keep all of our students attached to their teachers, this is our priority.
As of 8/4/2020, the district has informed the school board and community that elementary teachers will not be responsible for teaching in two different learning environments. This means that remote students may be assigned another school or district teacher. We will do our best to accommodate our students with their home teachers, however this may not be possible. The district is allowing parents to change their child’s learning options during the first two weeks of school, so we could potentially be shifting staff and students at that time.
Please fill out your in-person/remote preference form as soon as possible, if you have not done so or are choosing to change your selection. The sooner we have these numbers, the sooner we can build classes and assign teachers!
Arrival/Dismissal:
School starts at 7:45 AM. Tardies will occur at 8:15 AM.
We have added an additional 15 minutes to the tardy time to minimize student tardies.
Dismissal bell is 2:15 PM. We will continue to hold students in classes until they are dismissed to ride the buses, students being picked up by families, Keyzone, or students walking home. Details will be communicated as soon as possible by each school.
Parents/Guardians can stay with his/her child until they enter the building. Parents must wear a mask and maintain social distance as much as possible while outside the building. Only staff and students will be allowed to enter the building.
Parent drop off in the AM/PM - Parents must use the lower lot. Due to bus traffic, social distancing, and student safety, parent vehicles are NOT ALLOWED in the bus alley near our main entry.
Classroom Setup:
All shared seating options (e.g. couches, bean bag chairs) have been removed. Many items in the classroom will be removed to allow for maximum space between students.
Desks or tables will be arranged to the extent possible for social distancing. Cooperative learning options will be limited- face coverings are required in small groups when social distancing is not possible.
Hand sanitizing stations will be set up at the entry of each classroom.
Hallways:
Cleaning:
Cleaning of high touch surfaces in rooms two times daily.
Cleaning common areas two times daily
Cleaning kits will be provided in every classroom.
Thorough cleaning will be done each night outlined by MDH and CDC
Elementary Schools will be supplied with approved cleaners for every classroom which will be used for daily disinfecting.
High touch areas in every classroom will be cleaned between every class period (only when students transition from one classroom to the next).
Touch points include, but are not limited to: desks and seats, tables, door handles,and surfaces that are used in the classroom.
All staff will be trained and required to disinfect classrooms, work areas, and multi-use spaces during transitions.
Custodial support will help with cleaning as much as possible.
Students will not be permitted to share supplies.
Anytime a class set of items are used, they will be sanitized between use. (example: class set of manipulatives in math, art supplies, etc.)
If small cohorts use the same materials, those materials must be disinfected before another cohort uses them. Every attempt will be made for students to have their own set of supplies, manipulatives, etc.
Additionally, custodial staff has updated processes for sanitation and disinfecting throughout the school.
Ventilation: Air handling systems bring 100% fresh air into each building, and discharge 100% of the air to the outside through heat recovery units..
The volume of air in classrooms and other spaces is renewed, refreshed, and filtered 7.5-10 times per hour.
Final analysis of classroom capacity, cafeteria and kitchen layouts to ensure safe service.
No portable air conditioners or fans are allowed
A full list of cleaning protocols can be found on the district website LINK
Restroom Breaks & Handwashing
Scheduled hand washing/hand sanitizing times will be incorporated throughout the school day.
Restroom break protocols are still being developed and will be communicated by each school.
Students will be given an individual pass to use when needing to use the restroom or go to the office.
Hand sanitizer will be available and used as needed in locations throughout the school.
Lunch & Gatherings:
Changes to food service including minimizing self-service options and additional eating spaces.
Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria however with reduced capacity and social distancing.
When possible, students will be permitted to eat outside at a location determined by their classroom teacher.
Students will be seated so they follow social distancing guidelines and are facing in the same direction. Lunch tables will be disinfected prior to the next kindergarten class arriving.
Duluth Elementary Schools will not hold assemblies or any gatherings that cannot include social distancing until further notice.
Food services are preparing their plans and these will be communicated at a later date.
Students are welcome to bring their lunch. Lunches will be stored in an individual space (the use of shared lunch wagons/boxes is no longer allowed).
Staff will be expected to maintain 6 feet of social distancing during their own lunches, breaks, and planning. Teachers are encouraged to eat outside, as weather allows, but are discouraged from leaving campus.
No gatherings or cohort mixing will be allowed.
Staff, Family, & Student Engagement:
Duluth Elementary Schools will communicate regularly around our plan and will solicit regular feedback and inquiries from families, students and staff.
These opportunities for engagement will promote transparency and understanding of Duluth Elementary School’s procedures for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Duluth Elementary Schools will create digital and virtual options for many of our traditional family engagement opportunities, such as Open House, PTA, etc. These will be communicated via our website, Infinite Campus Messenger, Social Media, and school all calls.
Guidelines do not allow families, visitors, or volunteers to enter the building.
There will be directions posted on how to sign your child out early. All adults picking up students will need to have a government issued ID (license) so we know we may safely release the student.
Each building has an A-Phone security system installed. This device allows visitors to communicate with office personnel.
Many of our family meetings traditionally held at school may now be virtual. In the rare event we do need a personal meeting, appointments must be made and parents will be screened according to our protocols. Masks and distancing is always required.
Suspected Cases, Reporting Cases, & Action Steps:
Duluth Elementary Schools will keep track of any illness of any student or staff member in accordance with district policy.
This will allow us to do proper contact tracing in the event that may be needed. If this is needed, District administration will assist the School.
Any staff or student showing signs of illness will immediately be isolated and safety measures will be taken.
Processes and procedures will be followed to determine if quarantine of staff or students is necessary as well as students and staff that believe they have been exposed
A positive test (staff or student) will start a 14 day quarantine for that cohort, and trigger remote learning for the cohort.
Decisions relating to quarantining or building closures will be made in collaboration with MDH (Minnesota Department of Health) based on the facts and the individual circumstances. Minimally, if a student or staff member tests positive, the other students in their cohort, or any they may have had contact with, will be quarantined for a period of 14 days and transition to remote learning for that time.
Specialists & Other Areas:
Plans for music are still being analyzed and formulated - more information on these classes will be coming soon.
Physical Education classes (PE) will be monitoring social distancing and planning activities that permit social distancing. Again, they will use our outdoor space as much as possible.
All K-5 students will receive Art, Music, PE, Media instruction regularly. It may be a different schedule than we are used to, but Duluth Elementary Schools have a commitment to ensure that students receive these enriching and engaging experiences.
Students will stay together as a classroom cohort for specialist instruction.
We are considering protocols for safely utilizing media centers.
Field trips, internships, volunteering are not currently allowed.
PTA meetings and CIT (Continuous improvement Teams) will be held virtually.
Duluth Elementary School principals and/or staff will communicate regularly regarding school events and news via electronic communication, Infinite Campus Messenger, website, Social Media, and the all call systems.
Academics & Daily Routines:
School Day Schedule for In-Person Learning - Students will engage in our new instructional model inside the classroom. More to come
Remote Online Learning - See the Remote Learning section below.
Teachers will receive additional district professional development on various topics such as remote learning, engagement, building strong relationships, and a student learning management system.
We will collaborate and ensure we have systemic practices - remote and in-person learning.
If students are wearing masks in class, they will be allowed 5 minute “mask breaks” every 30-45 minutes.
Classes will have a 30 minute lunch, 30 minute recess.
Students do NOT have to wear masks when at recess and will be encouraged to maintain social distancing.
Classroom cohorts will be separated and rotated on a daily basis to different areas on the playground (blacktop, playground equipment, field)
Our paras and teachers will be reviewing new game options and activities for students that allow for social distancing and are still a lot of FUN!
Technology:
Students grades K-5 will be offered a chromebook for home use if they need one. Families with multiple students in the residence will be given one chromebook for every 2 students, two chromebooks for 3 students, two chromebooks for 4 students, etc..
A plan for the distribution of the devices is being developed currently.
Working to provide internet accessibility through hotspots.
Elementary Learning Management platform: SeeSaw
School Culture & SEL (Social-emotional Learning):
Duluth Elementary School students will engage in social-emotional learning and support regularly from our
Social and emotional well-being of students and staff will be highest priority from the start of the school year
Mental health teams to be established if not already to prepare for higher needs at the start of the year
Provide support to all students through social emotional lessons
Developmental experts say disruption from the pandemic constitutes an "adverse childhood experience" for every American child
Provide emotional support to staff and students
Students will continue to be educated in PBIS initiatives (SOAR, PRIDE, etc) for those schools that participate in Positive Behavior Interventions and support programming.
Remote Learning:
Common Learning Management Systems (LMS) across our schools will be utilized: Seesaw (Pre-K-5th grade), Google Classroom will still be available..
This will look different, in many ways, to our remote learning in the spring! Teachers will be teaching lessons live, with students interacting in the lesson from home. Asynchronous learning (taped not live instruction) and Synchronous (live instruction) will be available. Information with videos and support will be shared before the start of school with training on the LMS tools (Seesaw and Google Classroom), expectations for screen time, assignments, teacher feedback expectations, family communication details, and daily live class times.
Kindergarten Registration 20-21
Kindergarten Registration for the 20-21 school year is taking place now. Please spread the word to other families you know that have a child ready to start Kindergarten in September.
Please sign up using the link below to get on our list to receive further information regarding times and how to sign up or contact us at school. 336-8865. Thank you
Register Now for September 2020 Kindergarten!
Families are encouraged to register now for September 2020 Kindergarten. Enroll online any time or download paper forms and bring to school.
Keyzone Registration:
At this time, Keyzone will provide after school child care for tier one families in the Hybrid model. Please call 218-336-8900 x2 or mark.connor@isd709.org
Instructions and protocols for each building will be given at the site.
Keyzone will be responsible for health screening students as they enter the programs.
Keyzone is committed to following State and Local Health Regulations.
Keyzone fall session will begin in September. If you have questions or would like to enroll your child in Keyzone please contact the Keyzone office.
Please know that we are continuing to monitor this situation so we can provide the best care
that we can. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
More information about tier 1 childcare will be sent by the district. If you have questions, please contact Amanda in our Community Education Office, 218-336-8708.
Beginning of Year Dates:
September 8 - we plan on opening elementary schools (Pre-K through 5th grade) with the hybrid model. In addition, the remote option for families that choose this option. (Schedule Coming Soon).
September 10 - Kindergarten students will have a staggered start with classes starting September 10. They will attend both days, September 10th & 11th. On September 8th and 9th, conferences with your child's teacher will be available to allow for smooth transition into elementary school.
September 8-18 - This week will be an orientation week to plan and prepare for in-person and hybrid experiences, and to review the new health and safety procedures with students and families. It will also be a time to prepare for and integrate a quality remote learning experience for those families who choose that option for their students. (Schedule Coming Soon)
Tom Cawcutt, Homecroft Elementary School Principal
Email: thomas.cawcutt@isd709.org
Website: https://www.isd709.org/homecroft-elementary/index
Location: 4784 Howard Gnesen Road, Duluth, MN, USA
Phone: 218-336-8865
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duluthpublicschools/
Twitter: @tomcawcutt