Return to Learn!
Marlette Elementary School
Meet and Greet & Open House
Whether you have chosen to come to the school building or learn online we are excited to have our students back with us for another year of learning. Typically, we have a Meet and Greet prior to school, but this year we will be doing a virtual tour of our school along with messages from the teachers the week of August 24th. I will send out a link via email and post it on the school Facebook page. For those that are doing Marlette Community Virtual School for the first semester, your assigned teacher will reach out to you and help you set up for online learning.
What will be different from previous school years in our Face to Face Instructional Option?
Parent/ Student Wellness Expectations
Each day parents will be asked to assess their children’s health before bringing them to school or getting them on a bus. Students with any of the following symptoms should not come to school:
- Temperature above 100.4/chills
- Vomiting or gastrointestinal issues
- Chronic cough/shortness of breath
- Loss of taste or smell
- In general, if your child is not well, they should stay home
- Been in close contact (15 minutes or more at less than 6 ft) with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days
If a student exhibits any of these symptoms while at school they will receive care in a space away from other students and staff. A separate clinic space will be utilized for everyday student care. Parents will be called to pick up their child immediately. Absences related to a possible or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis do not count against a student.
Classroom/ School Environment
- While students will physically see and interact with their teachers and classmates, collaborative activities may look different or be lessened to ensure the safety and well-being of the school community.
- Classroom spaces will be rearranged to maximize social distancing and minimize any shared items.
- Some classes may look different. Classes that involve high-contact such as band and physical education may have changes. See section below.
- Each grade level will get lunch from the cafeteria without overlap with other grade levels.
- Breakfast and lunch will be eaten in classrooms.
- Large group gatherings will be reduced.
- Parent meetings and/or conferences will be scheduled to occur virtually, until it is deemed appropriate to have larger numbers of individuals on campus.
Teachers and Instructional Support Staff
- Each morning, all employees must affirm they are well and symptom-free prior to starting work each day.
- All employees will adhere to our COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.
- Teachers will adjust lesson activities to maximize social distancing and minimize sharing of items.
- Meetings with parents will be scheduled virtually until it is deemed appropriate to have larger numbers of individuals on campus.
- All teachers will receive training for the Brightspace Learning Management System with continued support and development opportunities throughout the 2020-2021 school year.
Cleaning
Each day our school will be thoroughly cleaned using a rigorous protocol outlined by our District. Our custodians will also be cleaning high touch surfaces throughout the day. Teachers will be provided with their own individual, safety approved sanitizing products so that classrooms can be wiped down throughout the day.
Arrival/Breakfast/Dismissal
Face Masks: Each student is required to wear a facial covering. Masks will be provided, however, students may wear their own personal masks. Masks must cover the mouth and nose. Students must be masked before entering campus. Masks may not have any inappropriate words or visuals. Students with a medical exemption from wearing a mask must wear a shield.
- Only school staff should be on campus. Parents, volunteers, or mentors are not permitted on campus during arrival. The only exemption is our first day of school. One parent may accompany their child to their classroom provided they are wearing a mask. If a parent has a mask exemption, they should wear a shield.
- Students should not be on campus prior to 8 am. It is imperative that all families respect this request.
- All adults MUST stay in their car while dropping off students. They are not allowed to walk their child to the classroom (except on September 1). Pre-K parents only can walk their child up to the door to hand off their child.
Where do the students go for arrival and breakfast?
- Breakfast will be served through the existing serving lines with social distancing reminders to discourage students from clustering around the serving area.
- Students will follow a time schedule to go through the breakfast line.
What time are students allowed on campus?
- 8:00 a.m.
What if students arrive at school prior to 8:00 a.m.?
- Students who are observed arriving at school prior to 8:00 a.m. will be reminded of this expectation and provided with additional resources, if needed.
Will students get breakfast if they are tardy?
- Yes, students will receive a “Grab and Go” breakfast to take immediately to the classroom.
How will students be dismissed?
- Students will be dismissed from their classroom at dismissal one class at a time.
- Please inform your child's teacher of the way your child is going home.
- We need to see and know who is picking your child up. If they are not on the release list, we will bring them to the office and call you.
Lunch
All lunches will be prepackaged and available via a bag, clamshell box, or a wrapped serving plate. Lunch will be served through the existing serving line with social distancing reminders to discourage students from clustering around the serving areas. Students will return to their classroom to eat lunch.
Transitions and Movement Around Campus
Do our students need to walk in a line with 6 ft. apart from each other?
- Students should walk in line 6 feet apart from other cohorts (classes) as best that can be accomplished.
- Signage will be present in hallways to encourage social distancing and students will be taught these expectations by classroom teachers.
- Teachers should designate a line leader and train them to lead the class while the classroom teacher walks at the end of the line to monitor that social distancing is being met.
All students Pre-K through 6th grade must wear a mask during all transition times.
Teach WALK acronym:
W: Wear your Mask
A: Attend to Self
L: Look and Listen
K: Keep 6 feet Apart
Are hallways only one-way?
- No, however, teachers will ensure that students will be able to hold arms in front of them with space so they are not near the person in front of them.
- We will continue to teach and expect students to walk on the right side of the hallways.
- Administration, teachers, and staff will monitor surroundings to ensure there are no large gatherings of students standing or waiting in the hallways.
Do students need to social distance while outside playing at Recess and/or P.E.?
- To the greatest extent possible.
- High-contact activities are reduced/eliminated.
- Focus should be more on individualized breaks.
- Grade level teams will find different designated areas for each class at recess.
Can teachers go outside with their students during instructional blocks to work?
- Yes, being in the outdoors can help relieve stress and allow students to spread out more than in the classroom and allow time to take a mask break.
- If teachers choose to work outside, they will find a location that is not interfering with P.E. and/or recess areas.
- Teachers will notify the front office of their class location.
Campus Resources
Where can students and staff access water?
A water bottle filling station is located outside of each of the gang restrooms.
The teacher will have to give the student a small cup or fill their water bottle from the sink or water bottle station instead getting water the traditional way (mouth to faucet).
Where can students and staff access hand sanitizer stations?
We have installed over 50 new hand sanitizer stations around the building and in every classroom.
How often should my students wash their hands during the day?
- Students should use hand sanitizer upon entering and leaving the classroom.
- Students should sanitize/wash hands after using shared classroom materials, before and after lunch, after using the bathroom, after sneezing or blowing their nose, during transitions as appropriate. Teachers should explicitly teach these tasks and procedures and review routinely. This is not an exhaustive list of when hands should be washed/sanitized.
What will school look like for Students, Teachers, and Instructional Support Staff when school reopens?
Students
- Students will physically come to their school for their learning. While attendance at school is critical for success, students should not attend if they are unwell or exhibiting any symptoms.
- Students will physically see and interact with their teacher(s) and classmates and follow their class/course schedule each day.
- Assignments, activities, and classroom-based assessments will be developed and conducted by their teachers.
- Special Education services will occur as outlined in student-specific plans.
- All students will be expected to complete and submit assignments as determined by the assigned teacher. All assignments will be graded and posted in Skyward.
- Code of Student Conduct and traditional school expectations remain in effect.
- All students will follow the MES Assessment Calendar and participate in all local and state assessments.
Teachers and Instructional Support Staff
- Teachers and instructional support staff report each day to lead and support instruction in their assigned classrooms.
- Teachers develop and implement daily lesson plans for grade-level, standards-based instruction for students.
- Teachers and instructional support staff differentiate and adjust instruction to meet the individual needs for student learning.
- Teachers provide student make-up work, flexibility and support if they are out of school for any reason.
Curriculum
- Traditional and Marlette Community Virtual School MCS-adopted curriculum with lessons developed and taught by classroom teachers.
- Note: If the need arises to quarantine and/or close a classroom, school, or the entire district due to health concerns, instruction will continue but transition to the digital model noted within our Phase 1-3 plan until students and teachers return to traditional instruction. All decisions for quarantine and/or closure of classrooms, along with return dates are available in our COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.
Specialized Programs
We are committed to providing a well-rounded educational experience that develops the aptitudes and interests of every student. In addition to the areas above, some programs and specialized areas of instruction have additional considerations when planning for the reopening of schools.
Preschool/Kindergarten
What will be the same as previous years?
- Continued focus for young children to learn through play and their interactions with the teacher and other students.
- Hands-on materials to develop conceptual understanding, to show and revise their thinking, and to develop social/emotional skills such as self-regulation.
- Classroom arrangements will remain developmentally appropriate, with modifications to support health and wellness.
- Continue to use outdoor spaces as part of the learning environment.
What will be different from previous years?
- It is the expectation that all Kindergarten students follow the Marlette Community Schools COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan in which masks/face coverings should be worn by all students, staff and individuals on campus to the maximum extent possible.
- Masks will be provided for students as needed. A child may wear a face shield in addition to their required mask.
- Classes will remain as cohorts throughout the day to limit cross-exposure amongst other students.
- Limiting the sharing of materials.
- Regular disinfecting and rotating the use of materials.
Physical Education
What will be the same as previous years?
- Students will have the opportunity to engage in physical education classes in alignment with Michigan requirements.
What will be different from previous years?
- Classes will be conducted outside, to the greatest extent possible, with high-contact activities reduced/limited.
- Cohorts of students will remain together to limit cross-exposure amongst students.
- Focus will be on individual skills and fitness as opposed to game play.
- Masks/face coverings will not need to be worn when outside and when social distancing can occur. Students and staff should have their masks/face coverings with them to ensure they are available, if needed.
Music/Band
What will be the same as previous years?
- High-quality, engaging music.
- Authentic rich face-to-face teaching and dialogue.
- Live class experiences.
What will be different from previous years?
- Greater focus on instrument care, hygiene, and safety as well as personal health.
- Performances and assessments may be streamed live or recorded rather than performed live.
- Rooms arranged to maximize social distancing and, in some cases, relocation of room including potential outdoor classes and/or rehearsals for some groups.
- Creative performance opportunities including live streaming, recorded, or multiple performances to address size of audiences.
Visual Arts
What will be the same as previous years?
- High-quality, engaging, live instruction from certified art educator.
- Authentic rich face-to-face teaching and dialog.
- Access in all schools to quality art supplies and materials.
What will be different from previous years?
- Limiting the sharing of materials.
- Regular disinfecting and rotating the use of materials.
- Enhanced use of art to support social-emotional well-being and expression.
- Teacher will travel to classrooms to limit movement within the building.
STEAM
What will be the same as previous years?
- Authentic rich face-to-face teaching and dialog.
- Access in all schools to quality art supplies and materials.
- Hands-on engaging activities.
What will be different from previous years?
- Limiting the sharing of materials.
- Regular disinfecting and rotating the use of materials.
- Teacher will travel to classrooms to limit movement within the building.
Recess
What will be the same as previous years?
- Each grade level will participate in recess each day
- Recess will be 30 minutes each day
- This will remain an unstructured play time.
What will be different from previous years?
- Students should use recess as time to get fresh air, experience a mask break, and maintain social distancing while having their recess time. Teachers are expected to teach and provide guidelines for personal space during recess. It is imperative that all teachers monitor students.
- Provide recess or free time to engage in safe physical activity daily for all PreK-6. Recess should provide opportunities for all students to be active and allow for free choice.
- We have identified multiple areas where recess can be held for different classes of students to minimize crowding and maximize social distancing.
- Have students and staff wash or sanitize hands before and after recess.
- When students enter the building, their masks should be on.
- Encourage recess games and activities that do not require physical contact or for students to be in close physical proximity with each other.
Library
What will be the same as previous years?
- Tables in the Hub will be available for students to work on assignments.
- MackinVIA is available for virtual books.
- We will continue to encourage students to read and take AR tests.
- Books will be pulled for students to look at and consider checking out rather than browsing the shelves.
- Books will not be immediately returned to their shelves in accordance with CDC recommendations.
Student Progress Monitoring
Students will engage in ongoing progress monitoring to support academic growth. As in all previous years, if based on classroom or formative (e.g. STAR Reading/Math, DIBELS, classroom assessments) progress monitoring a student demonstrates a need for additional supports, school teams will work alongside students and their families to provide the appropriate strategies and supports to meet their individual needs.
Marlette Community Virtual School
What will be the same as previous years?
- This is our first year operating a fully online virtual option for all families.
- Families may elect to use one of our Chromebooks.
- Access to participate in extracurricular opportunities and sports.
What will be different from previous years?
- This is not the emergency pandemic learning from last spring.
- Students will need a full-time Learning Coach (not their classroom teacher).
- Please check out details below.
Marlette Community Virtual School (MCVS)
We've decided to use MCVS, now what?
A learning coach:
- Spends 4 to 6 hours per day working with your student.
- Is actively engaged and available throughout most of the school day.
- Leads offline activities and helps their learner develop foundational reading and writing skills.
- Makes sure their child attends all required virtual meeting sessions.
- Keeps their student motivated and on track, teaching them to manage their time, and helping them become an independent learner.
Understanding the importance of your role as a learning coach is key to the success of your student. As a learning coach, you are committed to helping your student go beyond what is online and bringing those concepts to life. As we get closer to the first day of school, we will continue sharing best practices for ensuring a successful virtual learning experience.
New to the Marlette Community Schools Family?
We look forward to seeing you in the fall. Use the social media links below to stay connected and network with other Marlette families.
The Official Marlette Elementary School Facebook Page
This Facebook page is for communicating official school happenings and building community among our Marlette Family. https://www.facebook.com/mesraiders/
The Official Marlette Community Schools Facebook Page
This Facebook page is for communicating official district happenings and building community among our Marlette Family. https://www.facebook.com/marletteschools/
The Official Marlette Elementary School PTO Facebook Page
This Facebook page is for communicating building events as well as seeking additional help around our building. https://www.facebook.com/marlette.pto/
Supporting the whole child
Meet Principal Vislosky
It is an honor to introduce myself as your principal of Marlette Elementary School and welcome you to this extraordinary school community. I can assure you that I share in this school community’s commitment to caring for your children each day while providing them a world-class learning environment.
I am an experienced elementary teacher and building principal, but in addition to my role as an educator, I am first and foremost a father and husband. My wife teaches at our jr/sr high school and both of our daughters attend school here at MES.
The 2020-2021 school year will mark my 14th year in education and 8th year as elementary principal. I am a home-grown Marlette Community Schools student having attended Bea McDonald Elementary, Marlette Middle School, and graduating from Marlette High School in 1999.
My role as an elementary principal, where I have been most fulfilled in my life’s work, provides me the chance to work collaboratively with teachers daily, while also remaining connected to young students learning and growing in the classroom. I firmly believe that every child can excel and that the partnership between home and school builds confidence in students to use their powers to shape their future and the future of our community and our nation.
To our incoming Red Raiders, I cannot wait to meet you all! I hope that you are excited for this coming school year and that you are out this summer playing and reading tons of books with your family and friends. It is going to be a fun year learning together.
I wholeheartedly welcome your conversation and positive input throughout this year. Let us always keep our students as the primary focus of our work. I look forward to seeing you or connecting with you in the fall and celebrating our collective successes during the 2020-2021 school year.
See you soon!
Sincerely,
Mr. Jason Vislosky
Principal
Marlette Elementary School
Marlette Elementary School
Email: jvislosky@marletteschools.org
Website: www.marletteschools.org
Location: 6230 Euclid Street, Marlette, MI, USA
Phone: 989-635-7427
Facebook: facebook.com/mesraiders
Twitter: @mesraiders