Park Terrace Elementary
September 16, 2020 Newsletter
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Greetings, Park Terrace families!
Well, our first A/B learning at school days and first learning at home days are officially in the books! Thanks to your tremendous support and partnership, they were a success.
Teachers were thrilled to see kids again and get the 2020-2021 school year underway. It was evident the kids were thrilled to be back in school by the huge smiles on their faces on WebEx and even behind their masks in person. One of our second graders was overheard telling his dad at the end of the day, “It felt great to see everyone’s face again!” I couldn’t agree more.
For families of our kids doing Extended Flexible Learning (distance learning), please check out the message from Kim Fehringer below with some important announcements and updates for you this week. We are so glad Kim is here to support our K-4 Extended Flexible Learning community.
For families of our kids doing Modified Campus Schedule (Hybrid), please know that your students are learning the new routines quickly and are doing a GREAT job following all of the health and safety protocols. Students on the A/B schedule have worked closely with their teachers to learn about the routines when they are online from home. They have even set alarms on their iPads to remind them of their WebEx meetings.
For families dropping off and picking up kids at school, we have a few reminders. Morning drop off has gone really well. Thank you for remembering to stay in your vehicles and use the drop-off lane. We cannot have parents walking kids to the door. Afternoon pick up has also gone well though it is taking longer than we are used to. We will continue to make adjustments to try to speed up the process. Here are some things you can do to keep the line moving:
- All parents must use the pick-up lane. Parents cannot park and walk up to the building.
- Students will be coming home with a green 8.5” x 11” name tag with your child’s name and grade. Please place that in the dashboard on the passenger side. That will help us quickly identify students and get them outside.
- Please pull your vehicle all the way up so we can serve more cars at the same time.
- If you need an additional name tag, let your child’s teacher know OR feel free to make one at home.
While this year may feel different for us, it has become evident that kids are resilient and adjust quickly. They are glad to be back in school, and we are so incredibly glad to have them back. Thank you all so much for your continued patience and partnership as we continue to make adjustments to make this the best year yet.
Warmly,
Mona Perkins
Principal
For Extended Flex Learning Families: First Week and Materials Pick Up
Greetings Extended Flexible Learning Community,
The first official week of Extended Flexible Learning is off to a great start. The first few days of school are always about relationship building and routine setting. This is true even in distance learning. Relationship building may look and sound different in this setting, but the feeling of community and belonging is still there.
Teachers had many rewarding virtual visits with students and families last week. These conversations are a great first step in building a strong and trusting relationship between home and school. We appreciate the time you were able to spend with us. As the week progresses you should start to feel more comfortable with routines and schedules being established.
Three quick announcements and clarifications this week:
- Material Pickup: On Wednesday, September 23, we will have a supply pick up for K-4 Extended Flexible Learning students from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the District Services Center. We will be using a drive thru format. Please do not exit your vehicle and make sure to follow signage. If you have any questions or are unable to make the distribution, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
- Technology: Technology plays a big role in Extended Flexible Learning. If you still need a school-issued iPad or have technology questions, please reach out to our technology team by email, techsupport@district16.org, or by phone, 763-600-5555. The Technology Tools, Resources and Log Ins page also has helpful information. We highlight some specifics in this week’s newsletter.
- Specialists: You may not recognize the name of your child’s music, art, or physical education teacher. Our K-4 specialist staff is working as a district team to provide the specialist experiences for our students. Each building team of music, art and PE teachers is designing learning experiences for specific Extended Flexible Learning grade levels for the year. For example, Park Terrace specialists will be providing experiences for Extended Flexible Learning grades 3 and 4. We hope you enjoy getting to know staff members who may be unfamiliar to you.
Please feel free to reach out when you have questions or need clarification. Our Extended Flexible Learning teachers and I are here to assist. Have a great week!
Kim Fehringer
Principal on Special Assignment
First Days of School of the 2020-2021 School Year
Technology Resources To Help You Right Now
Having trouble remembering your parent passwords? Not sure how to log in to Schoology? Wondering how to fix an iPad that isn't working properly? We’ve gathered links and information in a hub for you on the Technology Tools, Resources and Log Ins page. This week, based on questions our technology team is receiving, you may want to check out these specific resources:
Parent Passwords
Our troubleshooting tips on the Technology Tools, Resources and Log ins page include information on parent passwords. Here are a few tips:
- If you don't have a district parent username, please contact techsupport@district16.org
- In many cases, you are using a district created username and password, which means clicking a "forgot my password" links on pages within Campus and Schoology will not work. To change your district password, go to the SLP Password Portal. The link and other information is located under Troubleshooting tips on the Technology Tools, Resources and Log ins page.
- Seesaw is a parent-created account. If you need to change your Seesaw password, you will reset your password through the Seesaw website.
Student Usernames and Passwords
- All students grades K-6 should have received a password card from their child's teacher. Please contact your teacher if you have not received your login information.
- Usernames and passwords are the same for students as last year. If you are having issues with your username and password, please contact techsupport@district16.org.
iPad Tips
- If you are having issues with your iPad not working, visit the iPad Support page.
- If you are missing any needed apps, go to Self Service to download the apps. Learn about using Self Service on an iPad: https://youtu.be/2ct5F7WYFEs
Schoology Tips
- If you are logging into Schoology from a computer, use this link. Watch this video to learn more: https://youtu.be/nw5fGcE3V30
- If you are logging into Schoology from the app, make sure to select Log In through your School and type in Spring Lake Park Schools. Watch this video to learn more:https://youtu.be/2uKgxgdQuRU
- Check your parent settings and preferences for the year to receive Schoology updates. Watch this video to learn more: https://youtu.be/sspti8sls4Y
Seesaw Tips:
- To log into Seesaw, click on the Clever app, scan the QR code and click on Seesaw. (The QR code you got from the district will not work on the Seesaw Class app - only the Clever app)
- Students need to be logged in through the Seesaw Class app to see and submit work. The Seesaw Family app is for parents to view completed work and communications.
Find this information and so many more tips and video tutorials about these applications and others on the Technology Tools, Resources and Log Ins page.
Important COVID-19 Procedures Information
Daily Health Self-Screening
Staff, students, parents and visitors of Spring Lake Park Schools must self-screen for symptoms at home daily before coming to school (also called passive screening) using the Daily Health Self-Screening Checklist. If a person is sick or exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, they MAY NOT come to school.
Procedures for Close Contact, Illness and Notification Fact Sheet
We are following guidance provided by the Minnesota Department of Health to ensure the health and safety of everyone in our schools and programs. We work directly with MDH on any potential close contacts and positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 and follow their direction for contact tracing, notification and other critical actions. The Procedures for Close Contact, Illness and Notification Fact Sheet defines the specifics and explains the process for our schools in more detail.
In case you missed important information from last week's newsletter, check out the topics below and click to learn more.
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