New to In-person learning at SRE
January 2020
Office main line: 913-239-7400 Attendance: 913-239-7405 Nurse:913-239-7413
TIPS and TRICKS: SRE website
Please add the SRE website to the home screen of your smart phone for quick access.
"Parent Quick Links" at the bottom of the page has a list of links that will be useful to you now and in the future.
YOUR FIRST WEEK AT SRE
The color days are for the specialist class schedule. They are not colors we wear at school.
January 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- No School
January 19-Blue Day
First day of Second Semester- Welcome back to our students returning from virtual learning
January 20-Red Day
January 21-Orange Day
January 22-Yellow Day
In this newsletter you will find information about the following:
- In-person School Guidelines and Mitigation Strategies
- Attendance and Absences
- Arrival and Dismissal
- School Supplies
- Information from the Nurse
- PTO News and Information
In-person learning mitigation strategies
I want to inform you of the modifications we already have in place at SRE, as well as share additional accommodations we will be making as we welcome all students who registered for in-person learning.
MITIGATION STRATEGIES: Thank you to our families for supporting these important safety measures when outside of school and at home. These strategies outlined below are applicable to each Blue Valley elementary school as we return to full in-person learning.
Temperature checks: Students will continue to follow procedures allowing for temperature taking each morning upon arrival to school. If a fever is present (100 or higher), the temperature will be confirmed through an additional health assessment and the student will be sent home.
Hand washing: Frequent hand washing and hand sanitization are encouraged and are accommodated for multiple times throughout the school day. Sinks, soap, and hand sanitizer are available throughout school facilities for this purpose.
Masks/Face Coverings: Students and staff will wear masks/face coverings when at school to keep everyone safe and healthy. Students may remove masks when eating and drinking at lunch and during a short snack break. This break will be less than 10 minutes long. Students may also remove their face mask when taking a drink of water throughout the day.
Social Distancing: Social distancing will be observed to the extent possible throughout the day. In instances where social distancing is difficult or impossible, proper and consistent mask wearing and hand washing is key to keeping everyone safe and healthy.
MODIFICATIONS TO THE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Our team at SRE has worked hard to develop modifications throughout our building that prioritize the health and safety of our students and staff.
Arrival/Dismissal: To limit hallway congestion and large waiting zones, students will proceed directly to their classrooms upon arrival. We use a family number system at dismissal. Our dismissal continues to go pretty quickly. On most days, we are through the line at 3:45. It is imperative that all K-5 families stay in the car at dismissal. Please work with your kids to unbuckle and exit the car on their own. Please pull to the front of the line to allow us to fit as many cars as possible into the line.
Lunch: Students will continue to eat with classroom cohorts. Seating will be spaced out as much as possible. We will have two to three students at each round table. Since 6 feet will not be possible, small groups will be assigned and spaced as much as possible. Masks and face coverings are only removed while seated and eating. If students get up to wash hands, throw trash away or go to the restroom, their mask/covering is put back on.
Recess: Students will wear masks when at play during recess as social distancing is difficult during this time of the day.
Transitions: Students keep their masks on in hallways during transitions throughout the building. This includes keeping masks on when they enter the restrooms.
Specials/P.E.: Masks will remain in place during specials classes. If masks need to be removed during exertional activities, students will social distance and stay within their cohort group or move outside. This is particularly important when increased respiration occurs because of activity.
Space utilization: We continue to look for opportunities to fully utilize all spaces within the building as we prepare to welcome all in-person learners back full time.
Attendance and Reporting Student Absences
It is important to report all student absences. These absences can be for one full day or for future absences due to medical appointments, illness, family obligations, etc. There are two main ways to report an absence:
Preferred Option: Use your BV ParentVue account to report full-day student absences. Log in on BV ParentVue and complete three basic steps.
Select the child who will be absent.
Select the drop-down option that describes the absence.
Please utilize the “notes” section to share extra information for the staff, if needed.
Phone options will continue to be available at all schools for reporting any attendance information as well. To report an absence at Sunset Ridge Elementary School via phone, please call SRE attendance line at 913-239-7405. Note: If your elementary student participates in the VirtualED program with a teacher housed at another school site, please email the teacher directly AND contact the school attendance line at that school instead. A list of the Blue Valley Schools and attendance phone numbers can be found on our district website using these steps:
Click Our Schools and select the school
Click the About Us tab
Select Contact Us
Find the attendance phone number
Attendance Notifications (In-Person Learning)
Blue Valley schools will be notifying families of any unexpected absences through email, phone, text, and optional push notifications. Families can expect automated attendance messages by email, phone, and text if a child is absent and his/her absence has not already been reported by a parent/guardian. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to call the school to report an absence or reply to the automated email or phone message.
What is the purpose of attendance notifications?
We realize that students may occasionally need to miss school for planned absences, illnesses, and appointments. However, when a student does not arrive at school or unexpectedly misses a portion of the school day, we are concerned and want to make sure you are aware that your child is absent.
How can I get push notifications?
Families who would also like a push notification can download the ParentVUE app and manage their notifications. If a child has an unreported absence when a teacher submits attendance, then a push notification will immediately be sent to the parent/guardian's mobile device.
Interested in push notifications? Simply download the ParentVUE app (iTunes app store or Google Play), enable push notifications in device settings and select attendance notifications through in-app settings.
Arrival and Dismissal Reminders:
Arrival and Dismissal Reminders:
- K-5 adults, please stay in your car during arrival and dismissal. Please continue to work with your kiddos to open/close the car door and to buckle and unbuckle their own seat belts. As you wait in the car lane, in the morning, please make sure students have backpacks, lunchboxes, water bottles, masks ready to go. Students should hop out as cars come to a stop.
Arrival
- Doors will open at 8:20.
- Students in cars should plan to have masks on before opening the door.
Students arrive in a naturally staggered fashion anytime between 8:20-8:35 am and report directly to the classroom. We will no longer stop in the front hallway. Hallways are marked with one-way signs as well as social distancing reminders.
Arrival doors/zones will stay the same. Walkers will continue to use the front/back entrance. Bus riders will continue using the exterior door by the 5th grade hallway. Car riders will continue to enter using the front doors.
Classroom teachers greet students at the classroom door. Temperatures will be checked by the classroom teacher before the student enters the room. If students walk to school, they may need to wait a moment in the hallway to cool down. Students with temperatures 100 or above will be sent to the nurse’s office for another screening. Students will sanitize their hands and head to their assigned seat.
- Tardy bell rings at 8:35. Late students will have their temperature taken in the office before being sent to classrooms.
Dismissal
Early childhood dismissal will begin at 3:20 and go until 3:30.
Each family will be assigned a number. This number will go home with device pick-up. Families will be asked to hang this sign from the rearview mirror during dismissal.
Car riders will be called as soon as early childhood is finished with dismissal around 3:33.
Walkers will be dismissed at 3:36 from classrooms to walk to their exit door and leave. Historically, families have gathered near the front of the school to greet kiddos as they come out. To abide by social distancing guidelines, we will no longer be able to do this. If your child is a walker, please talk to them about an alternate location to meet you away from the school building. If you are meeting your child past the crosswalk, please make sure to wear a mask. We want to continue to keep all students and adults safe as they exit our school property.
Bus riders- They will stay in classrooms until the bus arrives.
All students should plan to be picked up by 3:45.
Change in dismissal
- If there is a change in dismissal procedures, please communicate this to the SRE office BEFORE 3:00 PM. At this time, the office staff begin delivery of messages to our teachers to ensure your child makes it home safely. Please have a parent/guardian call the school. After contacting the office, you may follow up with the classroom teacher through email but please know that the classroom teachers do not always check email throughout the day. So the office is the first step in this situation.
School Supplies
Water bottles: For COVID safety reasons, we are no longer able to allow students and staff to use the water fountains here at school. However, thanks to our awesome PTO, we have water bottle fillers in each pod. Students will need to bring a water bottle to school which will allow them to have access to water throughout the day. Please clearly label the water bottle with your child's name.
2020-2021 School Supplies
You will be able to purchase supplies on your own. Classroom teachers will let you know if some of these items can be left off.
The list can also be found on the SRE Website Under the "I would like to..." drop down or under families--->registration---> under useful links.
Snacks in Blue Valley
Students must bring their own snacks - no food sharing.
Snacks must be individually packaged.
Must be on the nut-safer list.
Lunch Account
Titan family portal at www.family.titank12.com is where parents will go to:
SRE Field Trip Shirt and Spirit Wear
SRE Falcon Fund
Hello SRE community,
It's that time of year again for school registration and the Falcon Fund is open ready to take your donation for the 2020-2021 school year. The SRE PTO strives to support your children’s SRE experience with fun and educational programs, as well as social events for all students and their families. The Falcon Fund is our only source of fundraising—no selling magazines, wrapping paper, or other items! Your investment in the Falcon Fund ensures that ALL students are able to participate in SRE PTO activities.
Here are few items that the Falcon Fund covers:
Family Fun Night
SRE Carnival
Class party snacks
Veteran's Day
Field Day
Book Fair Breakfast
Staff Appreciation
FALCON FUND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY YOUR DONATION. Please contribute to the Falcon Fund when fees and registration open in ParentVue. A $50 donation per family is recommended.
ParentVUE vs. CANVAS
ParentVue is the student database that houses all of your families personal information such as address, emergency contacts, and family phone numbers. It also keeps track of school related information for your student such as attendance.
CANVAS is where your students classroom and assignments are kept. Your teachers also will have virtual Canvas courses that your student(s) are enrolled in that you will view.
Up to this point, you have a ParentVue account, but you DO NOT have a Canvas account.
You need to set up your Canvas account. Keep reading to find out how to do this.
Action Needed: PARENT CANVAS ACCOUNT PAIRING REQUIRED- You may have done this.
In order to be able to observe your students learning, you will need a Canvas pairing code. In order to setup your account you will need a code from the office. the code will expire and you will need a new code. Please contact Lisa Cardone in the SRE office: 913-239-7400 or lcardone@bluevalleyk12.org to obtain your pairing code.
Please call or email me if you need the following:
- A new pairing code (due to invalid code or misplacement of the code)
- Adding an additional pairing code for an additional adult.
- Assistance setting up a new parent account
- Adding a student to an already existing parent account
Here are set-up instructions in case you need an additional copy:
- New Canvas Parent Account via the Website
- Adding Additional Students
- How to view Grades via the Website
A COUPLE OF TIPS
Setting up a new account: When setting up a new Canvas parent account OR adding a new student to an already existing account, we recommend using the desktop website, if available. The mobile app is a good option, but the usability is a little better on the desktop website. After you have set it up via the website, you should be able to view your child(ren) on the Canvas Parent mobile app, if you so choose. Only published courses will be visible in the app and website.
Courses now available: All classroom teacher Canvas courses are now published. This means that you should now be able to view your child on the mobile app and website.
Pairing Codes: We can generate up to 5 pairing codes at a time for a student. Each unique pairing code is meant to be used by only one unique observer, and each one expires within 7 days of creation or after it's used once by an observer. If for some reason your additional pairing code does not work, please reach out and we can generate another one for you.
Thank you,
Lisa Cardone
Action Required: CANVAS Parent/Guardian Pairing Codes
Please call the office or email Lisa Cardone in the office if you have not yet paired yourself to your student in CANVAS. This is for grades K-5.
In the email please state your name and the student name you are needing to pair with.
Standards Based Grading Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers.We’ve collected the most frequently asked questions (and answers!) about standards-based grading and put them in one convenient place on the district website.
Why is Blue Valley changing how students’ progress is reported?
We are committed to providing families with the best information about how their student is learning. In a traditional grading system, teachers most often award points on each assignment; this score may reflect a mixture of reporting on behavior, extra credit, late penalties and social-emotional skills as well as multiple content areas. This can cause a grade to be imprecise. Further, the quarterly grades reflect an average score, not the most recent learning. In standards-based grading (SBG), progress toward the standards of a particular grade level is noted separate from behaviors associated with schoolwork. This more clear, precise feedback allows the student and family to keep the focus on learning as opposed to earning points. Student strengths, as well as areas for further development, are clearly noted. Research tell us that improving the quality of feedback increases learning, a key reason quality school systems across the nation have made this change.
How are scores determined?
In a standards-based system, the score represents what is learned- where the student is in relation to the expectation or standard. It is intended to reflect the progression toward mastery of a standard. In a letter grade system, the grade indicates how many points a student has accumulated, through assignments, extra credit, participation, etc. In a traditional points system, the goal of the student is to earn as many points as possible to get to an A. With this shift, grades are based on student achievement of grade-level expectations (standards), rather than an accumulation of points. Because of this difference, points are not used to calculate grades on the report card. Student work is scored based on performance categories.
More information about SBG, including additional FAQs, can be found on the district website.
Subscribe to the district calendar today!
Don’t miss an important date next school year! Subscribe to the new district-wide calendar to ensure you have the latest calendar dates for the 2019-20 school year and beyond.
· Subscribe: Simply go to the district’s calendar web page and subscribe to an Apple, Google or Outlook calendar.
· Download: Prefer a one-page, downloadable format? We have you covered. Simply select a PDF school year calendar and download.
Peach Jar Community Flyers
Blue Valley- Education Beyond Expectations
Mary Riley-Principal
Email: mcriley@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: https://district.bluevalleyk12.org/schools/elementary/SRE/Pages/home.aspx
Location: 14901 England Street, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-239-7400
Twitter: @principalRiley
Lisa Cardone-Administrative Assistant
Email: LCardone@bluevalleyk12.org
Phone: 913-239-7409