Loachapoka Elementary School
December 2020
From the Principal's Desk
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Due to the high rate of COVID exposures and in collaboration with Dr. McCoy, we have decided that transitioning to blended learning for the remainder of this week (December 16th – 18th) is best for Loachapoka Elementary School. This transition will also result in our after-school program being suspended. We will resume traditional learning and the extended day program after the Winter Break on January 6, 2021. Please continue to be on the lookout for any updated information should changes occur in January.
Lessons will be provided via Google Classroom. Teachers will upload assignments to their Google Classrooms, meet with students via Zoom, and hold daily office hours. During these office hours, teachers will be available to zoom with students to answer questions about the content. There is still a great deal of instruction we need to provide to our students, so it is IMPERATIVE that they continue to work hard, attend the Zoom scheduled sessions, turn in assignments and ask for help from their teachers. Teachers will use the same Blended Schedule we used in August that is attached to their Google Classroom. Students will take all their belongings with them when they leave today. Also, if they will be needing a meal, they will need to drive through the car rider line/bus loop near the cafeteria between 11:00 – 1:00 CST. The lunchroom will be serving meals from the front of the high school.
We appreciate your understanding and support, as we strive to keep our faculty, staff, students, and LES families safe. As we move into the winter months and continue this journey through the pandemic together, we have some understanding of what everyone is experiencing – primarily the anxiety of the pandemic layered upon the academics and expectations, missed milestones and traditions, and the greatly missed human connections that we find when we are physically together in the school buildings and other traditional spaces. We will continue to work every day to support our students and each other through this time that is far from business as usual; together all things are possible.
As we are in the holiday season, let’s remember to work together to bring those COVID positive case numbers back down by practicing safety protocols – wearing masks, physically distancing, frequent handwashing, etc. Together, our actions can make a difference for our entire community.
Continue to be healthy, safe and loved.
With Sincere Poka PRIDE,
Natasha Foster
Principal
334.705.6031 (Main Office)
334.887.2948 (fax)
CURRICULUM
Greetings Parents!!!
Wintertime is finally here!!!! It is the perfect time to gather and do a fun read aloud with your child. Just simply find a good book, a quiet space and let the adventure begin! Choosing books that are above your child's reading level will greatly broaden your child's vocabulary. When you begin reading aloud to your child, it essentially provides them with background knowledge to understand their young world, which helps them make sense of what they see, hear, and read. Also, if you do not have many books at home, you can always use MyOn. MyOn is a digital library that have hundreds of book choices that your child can access through his/her school’s Clever account. Happy Reading!
Charma Allen; Literacy Coach
Library Media
Library Newsletter
Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad!
The holidays are upon us and most of the children are getting excited about the possibilities of receiving lots of presents and goodies. As the school days grow closer to the Winter Break, I love to ask them this question - “What are you going to do when you get out for Christmas?"
You should see their faces light up with excitement as they raise and wave their hand to tell me.
It never fails and it matters not how old they are from kindergarten to sixth grade they all want to tell it and tell it loud and proud they do! The answers vary from going somewhere to doing nothing but sleeping (which I doubt that one).
As a librarian, I am always listening for someone to say “reading” as in ”Mrs. Murry, I am going to read a good book!” I strain to hear that one small voice to say read...still I have yet to hear it. Maybe this year.
I do hear, I am going to grandma’s, my aunt, over to my dad’s house, to the mall, shopping for clothes, to the game store and everybody swoons on the word Black Friday or Door Busters.
So I wonder...have you ever taken a trip to a bookstore? There are several in the Auburn-Opelika area and lots in Montgomery and in Columbus. There is one in Tiger Town where you can browse, sit, sip and nibble, and thumb through the newest books like The Deep End Diary of the Wimpy Kid Book 15, Cat Kid Comic Club and Dog Man. There’s a store behind Zaxby’s which is across from the mall that sells all kinds of books too.
I hope that this gives you another thought for a gift that will last a lifetime…”The Gift of Reading.”
Speaking of reading…
I want to Congratulate the following grades for Outstanding Reading Performances on myOn:
Fourth Grade read 955 books for 284 hours and 48 minutes.
Third Grade read 769 books for 201 hours and 52 minutes.
Second Grade read 542 books for 102 hours and 43 minutes
Fifth Grade read 450 books for 99 hours and 37 minutes
Sixth Grade read 342 books for 136 hours and 33 minutes.
First Grade read 304 books for 115 hours and 14 minutes.
Total books read: 3, 362 for 940 hours and 47 minutes!!
If you know a student that is in one or more of the above grades...please encourage them to keep up the good work. Parents encourage your kindergartener to take tests too. They can do it!
Coming up in January, everyday a student will “peak” the audience's curiosity by reading a cliffhanger during our LES Morning Show. Help your child practice reading out loud and showing pages as they read.
Until next time, find time to escape by reading a book!
Counseling
Wow! We are on the verge of closing out the 2020 year. Happy Holidays! It's the time of the year where we are all spending more time with family and friends. Since this year has been filled with so many health issues I encourage you all to choose your gatherings wisely with safety in mind. Although we have to make sure that we practice safety, we need to stay connected with loved ones now more than ever. Utilize zoom or other virtual communication platforms to ensure that your loved ones are well along with taking the time to talk and share happy moments.
As this is the season of giving let's keep in mind that giving does not have to consist of money. Let us remember to always be willing to give love, time, talents and a smile. The deadline for Angel Tree forms was November 20, 2020. Parents of students who were placed on the tree should keep in mind that the pick up dates are Monday, December 14 and Tuesday, December 15. Please respect those who have sponsored your child/children by making arrangements to receive the gifts.
On June 4, 2015, Governor Bentley signed into effect legislative law HB 197, known as Erin’s Law. This law requires all public school systems to provide age appropriate child sexual abuse prevention education in grades ranging from Kindergarten to 12th grade. In the Lee County School System, the school counselor and other educational professionals will be presenting lessons to each student in 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th grades to meet the requirements of Erin’s Law. Lee County Schools has decided to utilize the curriculum, Safer, Smarter Kids and Safer, Smarter Teens. This curriculum was chosen to teach children to recognize child sexual abuse, equip them with skills to reduce their vulnerability, and encourage them to report the abuse. This will, in turn, educate and empower students with knowledge and skills to stay safe.
This month in guidance we will be promoting safer, smarter kids by talking to students about safety, boundaries, personal space and reporting the possibility of any inappropriate gestures. Be on the look out for parent letters that will be coming home.
Character Word: Respect
College of the Month: Southern Union
Career Cluster of the Month: Finance
Here are a few fun things to do with the family over the holiday break:
- Watch movies
- bake cookies
- look at lights
- donate clothing & old toys
- volunteer at a pantry or shelter
- make family resolutions for new year
- crafts
I am always an email or phone call away: sanford.teneshia@lee.k12.al.us, 334-528-8528, or 334-246-1694.
With love,
Ms. Sanford
LES Counselor
Nurse
More than 1 million COVID-19 cases were reported in the United States over the last 7 days.
Everyone Can Make The Winter Holiday’s Safer
As cases continue to increase rapidly across the United States, the safest way to celebrate the winter holiday is to celebrate at home with the people you live with.
Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.
Wear a mask
● Wear a mask with two or more layers to help protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
● Wear the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin.
● Make sure the mask fits snugly against the sides of your face.
Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you
● Remember that people without symptoms may be able to spread COVID-19 or flu.
● Keeping 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Wash your hands
● Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
● Keep hand sanitizer with you and use it when you are unable to wash your hands.
● Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
November Character of the Month Recipients
Ella Bonner
Juan Ortiz
Kaden Williams
Zaiden Stegall
Azaria Banks
Amillieon Canada
Emoni Ware
JoAnna Martinez Osorio
Annli Gonzales
Christopher Huerta
Leonel Ugalde
Rodney Doolittle
Laderick Ware
Antonio Doner
Upcoming Events
December 21- January 5- Winter Break
January 6- Students return to school