MLK Parent Newsletter
Back to School August 2020
Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year
***The same information on this newsletter was mailed to your home address.
Greetings MLK Families:
We recognize you may have questions regarding the school year. It is my desire to provide you with the information you will need to help your child engage in daily online learning successfully. We want all our students to continue to make academic gains this school year. The setting may look and feel different however; our teachers’ heart and desire to see their students learn and grow remains unchanged! After all our slogan for this year is, “One Team, One Dream; Believe and Achieve”. You will see a sports theme throughout the year. We believe every child will succeed at MLK! You are our number one partner in ensuring we can reach every child and provide them what they need. Please take a moment to review the important information outlined in this document. Within the packet you receive you will find the required forms that need to be completed and returned when you pick up your child’s device and materials. Your child’s teacher’s name will be given to you during your child’s device and materials pick up time.
Please complete and return the following completed forms during the device and materials distribution event.
· Emergency Card
· Code of Conduct Signature Page
· Supplemental Form
· Migrant Questionnaire (if applicable)
Please call our office at (559) 585-3715 to schedule an appointment between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. When you come to your appointment you will be required to wear a face mask.
English Video
Video en Español
Device and Materials Distribution
The drive thru pick-up of items will occur through our dedicated bus area on Dawn Lane. Please drive up and remain in your vehicle. Your child must be present to receive their device and materials. An MLK staff member will approach your vehicle. We ask that you please adhere to social distancing guidelines, wear a mask and arrive during your specified time.
An MLK tote bag will be provided with the following items:
· School issued iPad (TK-1) or Laptop (Grades 2-6) and charger
· Textbook and Instructional Materials
· School Supplies (White Board, Notebooks, Pencils, Paper, etc.)
During the designated date and time, we will hand you the bag of items at the drive thru pick-up area on Dawn Lane. We will attempt to accommodate parents with siblings however we may ask you to return to pick-up your child’s items during their scheduled time if we are not able to.
Distance Learning
Your child will receive a high-quality distance learning experience at MLK. Our official first day of school is Thursday, August 13th, 2020. Students will be expected to participate in live lessons, view pre-recorded lessons and work independently and/or small groups in a variety of programs and formats. Please note that we are not providing students with work packets. All instruction will occur through the device and students are expected to demonstrate their understanding through their work completion online. Teachers will be communicating with parents their schedules and the programs they will use. The expectation is that students will be engaged in content between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 1:37 p.m. (Kinder) 1:57 p.m. (First thru Third) 2:17 p.m. (Fourth thru Sixth Grade) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesdays, students are expected to work until 12:00 p.m. (Kinder), 12:10 p.m. (First thru Third) and 12:20 p.m. (Fourth thru Sixth). Students will also receive instruction for PE, Art and Music for Grade 6. We fully understand that this poses challenges to some of our families. Please let us know so we can support and help you navigate the resources available.
Meal Service
We will be distributing breakfasts and lunches twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They will be grab and go pre-packaged meals. Meals will only be provided for current MLK Students. When the student or parent picks up the meals, they will need to provide the child’s ID number. Inside your child's envelope you will find a card with their ID number on it.
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays (Begins 8/13/20)
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Location: MLK Bus Lane (Dawn Lane)
Virtual Back to School Night - August 27, 2020
On the first day of school teachers will be sending out (through Remind) a letter or video introducing themselves. Please know that we will host a virtual back to school night on August 27th where teachers will share in detail their expectations, schedules and review the programs and materials that they will use during the year. Teachers will send additional information before the event.
Daily Attendance and Participation
Students are expected to participate in virtual instruction daily. Teachers are expected to take attendance and log student participation. When a student fails to participate, our support staff will contact you to create a plan to support your student with strategies to increase engagement. Our school support staff (Student Specialist, Counselor, Psychologist and/or School Social Worker) will work with you to ensure your student is successful.
READY (Afterschool Program)
Due to space constraints, not all students were admitted into the program. If your child was selected to participate in the READY program you should have received a letter welcoming them to the program. When we move to an on-site program, students who participated in the online READY model will not be automatically enrolled into the on-site program. The ratio of students to staff and the need of families will all be considered. Parents will need to send letters from their employer demonstrating the need. The letters must be on a letterhead from the employer and include the regularly scheduled work hours. You may submit your letters to readyapp@hanfordesd.org. If you have any questions regarding READY please contact Jen Bays at (559) 585-3690.
Communication
Our school will continue to use the Remind app to communicate important information about our school. I encourage you to download the application. In addition, we will send out a parent newsletter that will keep you informed. If you are not a member of our Remind MLK group, please send a text to the number: 81010 and in the message portion write @mlkhanford. You may also e-mail us at: Dr. Sanchez-Leal csanchez@hanfordesd.org, Mr. Heugly rheugly@hanfordesd.org, and Ms. Castrejon ycastrejon@hanfordesd.org.
Important Dates
Monday, August 10th – Distribution of Devices and Materials (Grades 6, 5, 4)
Tuesday, August 11th – Distribution of Devices and Materials (Grades 3, 1, TK/K)
Wednesday, August 12th – Distribution of Devices and Materials (Grade 2)
Wednesday, August 12th – Virtual Kindergarten Orientation (more information will be provided)
Thursday, August 13th – First Day of School Instruction (beginning at 8:00am)
Thursday, August 27th – Back to School Night (Virtual – more information will be provided)Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
Website: https://king.hanfordesd.org/
Location: 820 Hume Avenue, Hanford, CA, USA
Phone: (559) 585-3715