The Falcon's Nest
Week of July 25, 2020
Corte Sierra Elementary School
Website: cse.lesd.79.org
Location: 3300 North Santa Fe Trail, Avondale, AZ, USA
Phone: (623) 547-1000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corte.sierra
Message from the Principal
Dear Corte Families,
I am excited to begin another school year at Corte Sierra Elementary School. Although last year was a year full of challenges, I am very proud of the way our students, families, and staff met them head-on.
As we begin another year, we still have some unanswered questions about what school will look like. However, I can assure you that our Falcon staff is committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure all students receive a high-quality education.
Although things are changing rapidly from one day to the next, I am able to provide some general information at this point. I will be sending home another newsletter just like this one next week with updates and more information about the first days of school. Once the school year is underway, teachers will continue providing their classes with weekly updates. My school newsletters will then move to a monthly distribution timeline.
Your partner in education,
Tanya Rotteger
Academic and Home Based Learning (School Begins August 5th)
Thank you for taking the time to submit your Commitment Form by the deadline last Friday. Parents will be emailed on Thursday, July 30th by their child's new teacher. In that email, teachers will introduce themselves and provide detailed information on how our families can attend the Virtual Open House scheduled for Monday, August 3rd, from 4-6 pm.
Within the next two weeks, teachers will be emailing families their login information and other helpful resources needed to start the first day successfully. Starting August 5th, all students regardless of the model they chose (or were assigned) will begin class online.
As of right now, In-Person and Hybrid Models will begin when it is deemed safe for students to return to campus. Students who chose to enroll in these models will transition to the classroom with their same teacher and student cohort they began the school year with digitally.
What will Distance Learning format look like?
Distance Learning will look very different from what it did at the end of last school year. At that time, schools across the state did their very best to provide instruction with the tools and resources that were available at that time. However, we have learned a lot since then about what good, high-quality distance learning should be in order to maintain academic growth.
The Distance Learning format starting August 5th, will mimic the structure of our new Digital Learning Academy. It includes a grading process, daily attendance, recorded and/or live teaching lessons, and social-emotional learning.
Daily schedules will be determined this week and announced by classroom teachers once class rosters are finalized. Until then, here is a snapshot of what a typical day of distance learning will look like:
- Mornings will include attendance, classroom meetings, and Conscious Discipline procedures (social-emotional learning).
- Teachers may also include “live” and/or recorded learning time and teacher office hours.
- Afternoons will include “live” and/or recorded learning time and assignments/independent learning time.
- Afternoons may also include teacher office hours and small group time with teachers.
- Specials, recess, and brain breaks will be included in the schedules that may vary by grade and school.
- District-wide lunch for all students and staff is 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, which includes teacher prep time and coincides with meal services at several locations.
Low Cost Internet Information
Open House- Meet the Teacher
2019-2020 Yearbooks Are In!!
Yearbooks may be picked beginning this week in our front office. To abide with social distancing and city regulations we ask that you sign up for a time to come in and pick up your yearbook here.
If you have not purchased a yearbook and wish to do so, you can also sign up for a time to come in and purchase one. The cost is $25.00 per book and we are only able to accept exact change and cash only.
If you are unsure if you ordered a yearbook please feel free to contact our office at 623-547-1000
Grab & Go Meal Update
LESD Grab and Go Meal Program has finished for the summer. However, meals will resume during Distance Learning beginning August 5th in the Grab & Go format on M, W, F. Students will continue to get 2-Breakfasts & 2 lunches. Although this service will be available to all, students who are NOT on Free/Reduced lunch will need money in their accounts to purchase meals.
You can apply for Free/Reduced meals online by using the TITAN School Solutions link in the “Food Services Department” on our new website. The application process may take up to 10 days.
General Disinfecting Measures
Intensify Cleaning and Disinfection
As part of the daily cleaning regimen, EPA approved disinfectant cleaner will be used on all touch point surfaces.
Classroom touch point areas will be disinfected throughout the day.
Bathroom touch point areas will be disinfected throughout the day.
Each classroom will be provided with approved disinfecting cleaner and staff training of its proper use, while keeping the products away from children.
Signs and Messages
Hand washing signs in all bathrooms to promote proper hand washing by students.
Signs will be posted at every school, department and District building to promote health and safety protocols.
Visitor Restrictions
Wearing Masks
In light of the rapid growth in positive COVID-19 cases, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved regulations related to wearing masks in an effort to slow the spread of the disease. The regulations create consistent minimum mask-wearing requirements across all jurisdictions while allowing cities and towns to set their own policies and regulations related to face coverings.
Some highlights from the regulations include:
- People older than six must wear masks in enclosed public spaces
- Adults with children 2 to 5 years old must make reasonable effort to make them wear masks inside enclosed public spaces
- All riders and operators on public transportation must wear a mask
- Staff working in public spaces (such as restaurants or stores) must wear masks
Getting back into a Routine
With school starting in 10 days, it may be a good idea to start building routines back into your child's daily schedule. Here are some quick and helpful tips to help your student prepare both physically and socially for the first day of school.
We Recommend:
- Setting a specific wake-up and bed time
- Setting limits in video gaming/screen time
- Encourage at least 15-20 minutes of reading during week days
- Work on basic math facts for 5 minutes per day
Next Week's Topics...
- Student Supply Lists
- Teacher Assignments (July 30th via email)
- Open House Details
- Bus and Campus Safety
- PTSA Update/Spirit Gear