Dix Street Press
Dix Street Elementary Newsletter September 11, 2020
How will you show your P.R.I.D.E. today?
At home and at school, show your P.R.I.D.E. in all you do!
R-Responsible Actions
I-Integrity Within
D-Determination to Succeed
E-Expect Excellence
Monday Mission
September 14, 2020
Student, Staff & Parent Mission: We are asking that ever popular question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" However, students when you tell people of your aspirations after you graduate also let them know what you are doing right now to make the dream happen someday. Staff and Parents, when you ask make sure you help our students take an active step towards achieving their goals.
Upcoming Events
September 14: OPS Board of Education Meeting, Admin Office @ 7:00 p.m.
October 1: Blue Group Picture Day
October 2: Gold Group Picture Day
Check-in--Checkpoint with Mr. Michael, School Social Worker
Your children are amazing! They have attended school for six days and are doing very well. We have had time to inquire how they are feeling about being back to school so we can address the social and emotional concerns through a series of lessons covering the topics of feelings, empathy, loss, and goals. They’ve expressed an overwhelming amount of joy to return to their teachers and friends. Obviously some days are better than others, but we continue to support our unique population with skilled and committed staff.
One thing I have heard from a variety of students is they are tired! We understand it's been a considerable amount of time since we’ve all been together in the friendly confines of Dix Street Elementary. So I thought I would share some information I’ve been reading concerning adjusting children’s schedules for face-to-face learning.
According to developmental-behavioral pediatricians, it is important to implement an end to screen time ritual one hour prior to bed, allowing the brain an opportunity to calm. It is not only what we do at night time which assists in our children’s circadian rhythm (sleep and wake cycle), but regular mealtimes, outdoor activities, and consistent bedtime routines (even on virtual days). I know this takes time, and my own second-grade daughter has definitely been a daily reminder of the importance in set schedules.
The new normal of the school day demands a bit more concentration and also allows for greater possibilities in forming relationships with both students and staff.
Thank you for your continued support in making the 2020-2021 school year safe and dynamic.
Required Paperwork for Young 5s & Kindergarten students
Thanks
Drop-Off & Pick-Up Routine
After the second week of drop-off and pick-up, the system seems to be working pretty well, and we have some important improvements.
First of all, I want to thank all of you for helping to make this process work as well as it did. The biggest concern was for the Young 5s, Kindergarten, and 1st-grade students who had to wait for their older siblings to arrive before pick-up.
Now that we have had a chance to evaluate the numbers on the Blue and Gold days, we believe we can adjust the pick-up times so everyone is getting picked up together. This will start Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
It may take a few days to get used to this new procedure, so I thank you for your patience as we work out the details and seek to make pick-up as safe as possible for your children. Below are the details for your information.
Morning Drop-Off:
- Parents who are dropping off in the morning should not exit their car; a staff member will be available to assist with delivering your child into the building.
- For our littlest Bulldogs, parents may exit the car to unhook their child from their car seat.
- If you must visit the office, we ask that you wait until the school day begins before entering the building. Masks are required to enter the building.
- Please be courteous, safe, and go slowly when driving through the parking lot.
Afternoon Pickup:
- All afternoon pick-up will take place at approximately 3:40 p.m.
- Parents/Guardians who are walking to Dix Street to pick up should wait by the Little Library on the west end of the circle drive. Your child will be sent to you there. (see map below)
- The locations for all groups will stay the same. (see map below)
- As soon as all students are in their designated pick-up location, we will remove the cones and welcome you into the lot for pickup.
- Please be courteous, safe, and go slowly when driving through the parking lot.
General procedures
There will be no parking in the circle drive after 3:00 p.m. to aid in a safe pickup experience.
If you arrive before the lot is open, please park on Dix St. to the east of the parking lot entrance. When the lot opens for pick-up, please drive slowly into the lot to pick up your child(ren).
Please pull to the right when you stop to pick up your child.
Please do not exit your car during the afternoon pickup.
Parents of students who require car seats may exit their vehicle to secure their child in the car seat.
- ECSE and ASD families will be notified concerning pick-up specific to your child.
We will continue to monitor and analyze the pick-up procedure and share any required improvements to the procedure with you. Thank you for your patience!
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
It is extremely important to have up-to-date contact information available for each student. When emergencies arise, we need to be able to contact parents/guardians. This is also the contact information that is used for school closures and district updates.
Please log in to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to check that your contact information is current and to make any necessary changes. If you need assistance or login information for the Parent Portal, please contact the Dix Street OfficeThank You!
Dix Street Elementary
Email: mrollandini@otsegops.org
Website: http://dse.otsegops.org/
Location: 503 Dix Street, Otsego, MI, United States
Phone: (269) 694-7700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/502857119910811/
Twitter: @otsegoschools