Weekly Update--Welcome Back Edition
8/23/21-8/27/21
Well, we're at T-MINUS ONE WEEK until the start of school! :) Please do take the time to read through this message, as it contains some pretty important information.
I hope you also had an opportunity to read through the information that Dr. Barnhart shared yesterday evening regarding some more of the specific COVID "Return-to-School" information contained in the Parent Handbook and Board Brief. (Both are linked for your ease of reference.)
I would also appreciate it if you could have your child/ren watch the super short video below from me. Hopefully, it will help get them ready and excited for the start of school next week!
(Disclaimer--certainly no academy award contention here, but rather just good intentions!)
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, August 25: First Day of School! (Full Day, 1st-5th; Regular AM/PM Kindergarten)
Wednesday, August 25: PTA New Family Welcome (8:30am in the tent at the Kdg Doors)
Friday, August 27: PTA Welcome Back Social (6:00-7:30pm)
Wednesday, September 1: Virtual Curriculum Night (6:00-7:30pm)
Monday, September 6: NO SCHOOL LABOR DAY
Wednesday, September 15: School Picture Day
Arrival/Dismissal Reminders
As part of our continuing efforts to provide adequate distancing between students when possible, we will maintain our arrival/dismissal locations from last school year. Please note: masks are not required for students while they are standing in line outdoors. I would encourage you to have a conversation with your child to ensure they are clear on your expectations regarding masking outdoors. We will support all students/families in their decision.
Arrival/Dismissal: Students in ECE, Kdg. and Grade 1: Line up at SE door (#2) on Central Ave.
Students in Grade 2: Line up at SW door (#3) on Fair Elms
Students in Grade 3: Line up at gym door (#4) on Fair Elms
Students in Grade 4: Line up at NE door (#6) on Central Ave.
Students in Grade 5: Line up at main entrance (#1) on Central Ave.
A few important reminders about the arrival/dismissal process:
- Students can be dropped off on both Central Ave. and Fair Elms.
- Central Ave. is ONE WAY (north to south) and Fair Elms is ONE WAY (from south to north) during arrival/dismissal times.
- Please take arrival/dismissal with a "Kiss 'n Go" approach. Parents/caregivers should remain in the vehicle at all times during the process. Should you wish to park and wait at the doors, please do so NORTH of the building on Central or Fair Elms or on 51st Street.
Please find a map HERE for a visual of arrival/dismissal. I appreciate your cooperation with these procedures with the hope of creating the safest experience possible for everyone (especially kids!).
SAVE THE DATE: Forest Hills VIRTUAL Curriculum Night
As much as we look forward to connecting with families in person and opening classroom doors for parents to experience their child/ren's learning environment first hand, we ultimately felt a virtual option was the safest and best option to ensure all families can access the important information shared.
Please plan on receiving a video overview of the material in advance, and a synchronous opportunity to ask follow-up questions and connect with the Forest Hills staff.
More information, including a schedule and links, to come soon.
Bus
School Supply/Medication Drop Off
If your child requires medication to be administered at school, please feel free to drop that off during school hours one day before school starts, or on the first day of school. Please ensure you have the proper paperwork completed so that we may administer medication at school. The forms can be found by clicking HERE.
Classroom Snacks
Lunch
- We are thrilled to welcome our new Lunch Director, Mrs. Jenna Quinn to the Forest Hills lunch program. She will oversee the logistics of all things lunch!
- Upon entry into the lunch setting, students will hand sanitize or wash their hands.
- Students will eat lunch at tables in either the gym or the art/music room for half the lunch hour. (Grades 1-2 eat from 11:30-12:00, Grades 3-5 eat from 12:00-12:30)
- Students will go outside for recess the other half hour. (In the event of inclement weather, students will have indoor recess. We will maintain 3ft of distance in order to avoid any potential "close contact".) (Grades 3-5 have recess from 11:30-12:00, Grades 1-2 have recess from 12:00-12:30.)
- Parents of students who have food allergies can expect an email from the Forest Hills Nurse to confirm your lunch preference for your child.
We are happy to welcome the majority of students back on campus for lunch this year! I do want to ensure that parents understand that lunch is one of the potential places in school where we would meet the definition of "close contact", as students will be within 6ft of one another, unmasked. We will maintain seating charts within the lunch spaces so we know who sits where and should a need to quarantine students arise, we will quarantine as few students as possible.
Students Going Home For Lunch
If you child is going home for lunch, they will be dismissed out the main entrance at 11:30am. Upon their return to school at 12:25, they should enter through the main entrance (not at their grade level doors).
We are assuming that all children are staying for lunch, unless on the initial lunch survey, you indicated that your child/ren will be going home each day. If your lunch plans have changed, and your child WILL BE GOING HOME or you did not complete the survey AND YOUR CHILD WILL BE GOING HOME, please email Erin McLaughlin (emclaughlin@d101.org) to let us know that your child won't be staying for lunch. It is important that we, along with your child, know what the plan is, to ensure everyone is accounted for and safe.
PTA Registration/Volunteer Vaccination Information
A reminder from the PTA...
The link to online volunteer sign-up for school wide events and classroom specific duties will be sent via PTA email distribution and posted on the PTA website on Sunday, August 22nd. A link to the sign up will be sent out on that date and the sign up will go live at 7pm.
Please keep in mind that the District 101 policy will require that any/all volunteers must be vaccinated and show proof of vaccination to be eligible to participate in indoor volunteer opportunities.
Upon arrival to volunteer, parents must stop into the office to show proof of vaccination. This will be required just once, as we will make note and you'll be "good to go" moving forward. Additionally, all parent volunteers must be masked while inside the building.
We appreciate your willingness and generosity with your time, and your patience while we all work to keep the environment as safe as possible, while still bringing back these beloved events for our students.
Right At School
I hope everyone enjoys this final weekend before the start of school next week! Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. I know I speak for everyone at Forest Hills when I say that we can't wait to welcome students back on Wednesday.
Best,
Rachel
Rachel Corrough
Email: rcorrough@d101.org
Website: www.d101.org
Location: 5020 Central Avenue, Western Springs, IL, USA
Phone: (708)485-5184
Twitter: @corrough