From the Middle EMS and ELA
News from the Principal, March 13, 2020
TRANSLATE THIS LETTER...
Hello Parents and Families,
Happy Friday the 13th...Yikes, what a roller coaster we are on!
Thank you for your patience and support through the COVID-19 processes. Our district will continue to keep all families and staff updated through email and Infinite Campus as well as the district website.
Please see information below about the extended spring break and supports during that time.
Thank you for your support...as always, let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Be well!
We look forward to having our students back to school as soon as possible.
~Annessa Hart, Principal
Health and Wellness--COVID 19 District Communication
Dear Englewood Schools Community,
In an effort to keep our community safe, and reduce the spread of COVID-19, local school districts have made the decision to extend this year’s spring break. There will be no school for students from Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 27. During this time, all meetings, activities, sports, clubs and transportation will be canceled ( activities and sports continue to be suspended through April 5). We will reassess the COVID-19 situation the week of March 23rd to determine if the break from school needs to be extended beyond March 27.
We recommend that families make every effort to take home what they will need from school for the extended break today. However, every school building will be open on Monday March 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for families to collect anything that has been left at school that will be needed over the break (e.g., devices, medications, clothing.) Students’ devices may be taken home by families during this break. Essential medications should be retrieved. However, if you do not need the medication at home, we will continue to store it at school. There will be no access to our buildings after 11:00 a.m. on Monday.
School closures are a way to stop the spread of disease using social distancing, to help protect vulnerable populations and because many staff members or parents may feel fear about sending children to school or coming to work. During this school closure, we want to make every effort to help our families and staff members. We know there are many considerations to make during this unprecedented time, and Englewood Schools will provide as many resources as possible to ease the burden on families.
During the closure, all schools, district facilities and buses will undergo additional deep cleanings with hospital-grade disinfectants. We encourage the community to continue hand washing and follow other recommendations from the CDC about how to avoid the spread of illness.
Child Supervision
Closing school is a way to keep social distancing in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Because of that, we will not be offering childcare during the school closure.
Additionally, because the closure is for social distancing, families and students should make every effort not to congregate in groups.
Breakfast and Lunch
We understand that many families rely on meals served at school on a daily basis. In order to help meet this essential need, Englewood Schools will provide “grab and go” breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, March 16-20. Unfortunately, we will be unable to provide meals during our already scheduled spring break (March 23-27) as food deliveries were not scheduled during that time. We are working to change that, and will keep families updated. If we are unsuccessful in having food delivered that week, we recommend families access food through these food banks. The Colorado Department of Human Services will also provide food packages through the USDA to qualifying families. Learn more about this program here.
What: One FREE breakfast and lunch per child. Children do not have to be enrolled in Englewood Schools to have access to free meals. Meals will be packaged together and available for pick-up.
When: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 2:30pm. March 16-20.
Where: Cherrelyn Elementary (4500 S. Lincoln St.) and Bishop Elementary (3100 S. Elati). Meals can be picked up at the kitchen doors (Cherrelyn: kitchen door is located on Sherman, Bishop: kitchen door is located on Delaware).
Considerations: Special dietary needs can be specified at time of pick up. Nutrition Services will provide meals as available for children with allergies or conditions rising to the level of a disability.
Learning at Home
Englewood Schools is unable to replace core instruction and special services with online learning and services due to issues of capacity, equity and access. However, we have compiled extensive learning resources for students to access during the extended closure of our schools. Linked here is a website with the optional, supplemental resources. The site will be updated periodically throughout the closure. While we know these resources do not replace classroom instruction, they are designed to provide students an opportunity to continue their learning. We understand that questions might arise on how to use the resources. If you have questions regarding the resources linked on the website, please contact Learning_Services@engschools.net.
Families who qualify can receive free internet for 60 days through the Comcast Internet Essentials program. To sign up or get more information, click here.
Health and Mental Wellness Resources
This can be a stressful and scary time for everyone. Feeling prepared and knowing what you can do to help you and your family stay well are some ways to help minimize stress. This resource for parents/caregivers provides ways for families to prepare as well as how to help children from different age groups cope with what is going on. If you think you are having symptoms of COVID-19, please follow these guidelines from CDC. These resources from Tri-County health can also help you stay informed and reduce the risk of spreading or catching COVID-19. Additional mental health and food resources can be accessed here.
We plan to resume school on Monday, March 30 and we do not anticipate adding any days onto the end of the school year as a result of this extended break. However, this situation is rapidly evolving and we will continue to take direction from Tri-County Health Department and Governor Polis. We will provide updates if our return date to school is changed. As always, our highest priority is the safety of our staff members and students. By closing school and slowing the spread of COVID-19, our goal is to protect the most vulnerable among us and help to positively contribute to ending this pandemic.
Sincerely,
Wendy Rubin, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Englewood Schools
Coping With Stress During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Middle School Band Festival "SUPERIOR RATING"
Family Resources
Denver Rescue Mission is now taking applications for qualified homeless working families and seniors over 60 to receive first month’s rent, security deposit assistance, and mentoring. Please visit MDHI's blog post for the referral form and more information.
Comcast is offering free broadband internet access to low income households during the coronavirus crisis so families can more easily work from home, access education resources, obtain important government health care alters, and stay in contact with their families.
They will send all new Internet Essentials customers a free self-install kit that includes a cable modem with a Wi-Fi router, with no term contract or credit check and no shipping fee.
WISH WEEK 2020
Our students and students participated in Captain Overboard Competitions, French Fry Eating Contests, Pirate Duels, and so much more to raise money. We are so proud of all the efforts for Wish Week.
A HUGE shout-out to Ms. Crispino and her EMS student council students for their amazing work in planning all the activities. Students began planning several months ago and we are so proud of our work with Make-A-Wish!
All our students at our kick-off assembly!
Robert from MAKE-A-WISH is so proud of our work.
Arlene Schwegmann--Amazing Soloist!
Attendance Line for EMS and ELA
Phone: 303-806-2300