EBE Home Connections
September 14, 2020
Message from Mr. Hanzeli
I want to take a moment and tell you how much I commend each of you for the incredible efforts you have been making to support and partner with the school in helping continue to safely move your child's learning forward. I know it can hard, I know it can be complicated, but I can also tell you that looking in a child's eyes we know how much satisfaction and joy it can bring each of them as they learn new ideas and new techniques.
The "Friday Message" from our school district to every family is likely to cause you to have many questions. Me too :-) But like we have been, and will continue doing, we are going to steadily and systematically fine tune our systems and prepare for the hybrid model in early October, assuming the health department numbers continue to stay low.
Meanwhile, I want to encourage you and your children to take each day one at a time and make the best of each moment, learning from what goes well, and maybe more importantly, learning from what does not go perfectly.
Again, I am grateful to be serving this community of families and look forward to facing these future challenges together.
Sincerely,
Victor Hanzeli, Principal
SCSD Friday Message to Parent Emails, 9.11.21 (repeated here)
September 11, 2020
Good evening families,
Today is Patriot Day and marks the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Today is set aside to honor those who lost their lives. Patriot Day also provides us the opportunity to consider what we stand for as a nation and how we can work together to make the world a better place for all.
Reopening Updates
On Tuesday, Dr. Christopher Spitters of the Snohomish County Health District announced to school superintendents that schools could begin to reopen in a hybrid model beginning first with younger students. His guidance for schools is as follows:
“In summary, a reasonable approach for the time being is to wait for at least three weeks of observation following both the Labor Day holiday and the re-opening of schools in their current configuration. If at that time COVID-19 activity in the school and community remains stable or improving and a review of the considerations set forth above is favorable, then proceeding with incremental returns of elementary school students to in person learning at your discretion is acceptable to the Health District. I urge you to continue to allow adequate time (e.g., at least three weeks) between increments in order to detect untoward effects prior to making the next move in your planned sequence.”
He goes on to provide additional guidance for middle and high school students:
“Aside from high-needs students in small (e.g., ≤5), cohorted groups attending middle and high school in person, this letter communicates no current recommendation or guidance for returning to in person learning by middle and high school students. The Health District finds that teenage students:
• have higher rates of COVID-19 than younger children;
• are probably more likely to spread COVID-19 if infected; and
• as a group, appear to face fewer challenges in remote learning.
Given these factors, the Health District recommends middle and high schools continue to operate remotely (aside from special- or high-needs students).”
Given this updated guidance, the district will be moving to Step II of our Phase In process (see attachment) and anticipates reopening under the following presumptions:
If metrics remain constant or go down, students K-3 will be taught in a face-to-face hybrid model beginning on October 5th, 2020.
If metrics remain constant or go down, students grades 4-5 will begin face-to-face on October 26th, 2020.
Students will be scheduled in an AA/BB hybrid model by alpha group.
Students in the AA Cohort will attend school on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Students in the BB Cohort will attend school on Thursdays and Fridays.
Students will attend for a full-day (9:00AM-3:30PM) including Kindergarten.
Approximately half of students will be in a classroom at a time to minimize contacts.
Families will be kept in the same Cohort.
Schools will do their best to accommodate families' Cohort preference (AA or BB).
Families are asked to commit to either hybrid or continuous learning
Transportation will be provided following typical district guidelines.
Masks and social distancing guidelines will be adhered to.
Special Education:
Beginning September 21st our ASSIST program at Utsalady Elementary will begin in-person instruction for full days on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Beginning September 23rd students in the special education resource programs (K-12) will have the opportunity to attend on Wednesdays. This will continue in addition to added hybrid model instruction.
Beginning October 1st our PBS program at Elger Bay Elementary will begin in-person instruction for full days on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Beginning October 1st our Pre-school program at Stanwood Elementary school will begin in-person instruction in a two day per week model.
Families will be surveyed regarding their preferences on Monday, September 14.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this information.
G1 - G5 Small Group Student Supplies to Bring on First Day (Monday or Tuesday)
Some of you who are sending your child to school on Monday or Tuesday afternoon for small groups may be wondering what your child should bring. Bottom line is we really are keeping things very minimal. Students in G1-G5 coming for small group should bring the following:
- backpack
- paper, pencil, and folder for papers
- personal water or water bottle
Important Upcoming Dates
September 9
Teacher Office Hour / Student Support Google Meet - Times vary based on classroom
September 10
First Day of K - In person -Group B 9:00-11:30
September 14
First Day of K - In person - Group A 9:00-11:30
Students without internet and small groups 1:00-3:30 (M/Th Groups)
September 15
Students without internet and small groups 1:00-3:30 (T/F Groups)
September 23
Resource Room Wednesday Support Groups 9:00-12:45PBS
October 1
PBS In Person Full Days Begin (M/T/Th/F)
September 29 and October 2- SAVE THE DATE
Firefly Student and Staff Pictures - Details and times are coming
First Day of In Person Kindergarten. It's Group A's turn.
This week we are happy to welcome our Kindergarten students to in person instruction. Starting on Monday we say hello to our Kindergarten students in GROUP A.
We are thrilled to have students back in the building to learn, socialize, play and engage with their teachers and staff. Teachers have many wonderful activities and lessons planned.
The building is closed to outside visitors and volunteers. Arrival and dismissal is by car or bus. Unfortunately we do not have the ability to do "inside the gym" pick up.
Drop off (by car only) will be on the north side of Elger Bay. Reminder that you must stay in your cars. Health screening will begin at 8:40.
Pick Up is in the back of the school as in previous years. The "south" playground gate will be opened at 11:20 for cars to drive to the back of the building. Please pull forward in ONE LINE OF CARS. In the past it. has been side by side, but the protective playground fence sticks out a bit and for now we need to go single file. Please turn your car off and wait for your child to be brought to you. They will be escorted by our support staff to your car.
Bus Riders will be escorted to their bus by our amazing kinder and support staff.
Grab and Go Meals
Due to a recent USDA waiver extension, we are now able to offer FREE meals to children 18 years and under, until December 31st or when funding runs out.
Stanwood Camano School District (SCSD) Food Services Department is excited to provide FREE weekly Grab and Go meal pick-up for all children in our community 18 years and under.
A Grab and Go Meal consists of both breakfast, lunch, and milk.
With the USDA waiver extension, we are able to provide meals for a full week, including Saturday and Sunday. Seven-day meal bags will begin on September 11th.
The pre-order form is linked here. Read more information on the district website.
Parent Tech Hotline Hours Expanded Temporarily
SCSD Parent Tech Hotline
weekdays, 9:00 - 3:00
(360) 403-3966
CONTACT YOUR ELGER BAY TEAM
Email: ebeinfo@gmail.com
Website: ebe.stanwood.wednet.edu
Location: 1810 Elger Bay Road, Camano, WA, USA
Phone: 360.629.1290