EC&FE Update: Nov. 16, 2020
From Osseo Early Childhood & Family Education (EC&FE)
This message is for parents/guardians of students currently registered Preschool, Saturday Preschool, Preschool with Parent Connection, PreK and ECFE parent and child classes:
November 16, 2020
Dear parents/guardians:
Some of you may or may not have children enrolled in K-12 schools in the district, but you've told us that you want to receive district-level communications sent to families from Superintendent McIntyre.
The following communication was sent (11/14/2020) from Superintendent McIntyre to families of enrolled kindergarten through grade 12 students in the district.
As an EC&FE program, in addition to our program updates, ongoing, we will strive to keep you updated with district-level communications for enrolled families from Superintendent McIntyre.
Message from the Superintendent:
November 14, 2020
Dear parents and caregivers:
This message contains important information about a change in learning models for all District 279 elementary schools.
The school board has approved my recommendation to move all students, pre-kindergarten through grade 5, to distance learning effective Monday, Nov. 23. This affects all students in all programs at every elementary school and our early childhood centers.
The rapid increase in virus activity in the communities served by our district is alarming and has now reached a critical level. The move to Distance Learning for our elementary schools, joining our secondary schools that moved to Distance Learning on Nov. 9, is based on the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan and the strong recommendation by the Minnesota Dept. of Education, Minnesota Dept. of Health, and Hennepin County Public Health. In addition, high numbers of staff absences have created significant concern about having enough staff at school to provide instruction while maintaining health and safety protocols (especially group size and social distancing requirements). In short, when we don’t have enough staff in our buildings to teach and supervise students and to maintain health and safety measures, it’s not safe to hold in-person learning. In fact, the staffing concern at Garden City Elementary is so urgent that Garden City will move to distance learning effective immediately.
On a personal note, I want to share my disappointment that we must take this action. I know children love being in school with their peers. I know our staff prefer in-person interactions that support strong teacher/student relationships. I know many children learn better when they are in a physical classroom with their teacher.
At the same time, it is clear to me that it is not safe to bring children to school for in-person learning when I can’t be confident we’ll have enough staff on site to serve them. My goal every day is that students and staff will have a safe and healthy learning and work environment, and I regret that the coronavirus is having such a significant impact on our ability to achieve that goal.
Thank you for everything you are doing to support your child and our school staff during these difficult times.
Respectfully,
Cory McIntyre
Superintendent
Osseo EC&FE Programs: Moving to Distance Learning Model
As noted in Superintendent McIntyre's message above, our EC&FE program will align with the district learning model. Beginning on November 23, 2020 all EC&FE programming will move to a distance learning model. This includes ECFE parent and child classes, Preschool, Saturday Preschool, PreK, Preschool with Parent Connection and Early Childhood Screening.
We realize the move to a distance learning model is upsetting for many families. However, distance learning is not new to our program or our early childhood educators and staff. Our commitment to continuing to build strong relationships with families and deliver high-quality learning opportunities to families with young children while in a distance learning model is a program priority.
While our program is in distance learning, we will continue to support parents with early learning opportunities to promote their child's development, growth and learning. The support our families will receive from our early childhood teachers and parent educators will continue to focus on preparing children with school readiness skills while learning at home until we can be together in the classroom again - hopefully soon!
Listed below are some highlights when our program moves to a distance learning model beginning November 23, 2020.
Preschool, Saturday Preschool, PreK and Preschool with Parent Connection:
- If your child is currently registered in the Distance Learning Preschool for 3-5s class that began October 20th, this class routine and schedule will continue online with your child's teacher.
- Beginning November 23, 2020 all Preschool, Saturday Preschool, PreK or Parent Connection classes will move to distance learning at home.
- Later this week, watch for more communication from our program with details about our distance learning plan for students in Preschool, PreK or Preschool with Parent Connection classes.
In-person ECFE Parent and Classes moving to Distance Learning:
- Beginning November 23, 2020 all ECFE parent and child classes will move to distance learning at home. Classes will continue to follow the class schedule and meet online as a group with children's teachers and parent educators.
- Google Meet and Seesaw will be used for online learning.
- It is recommended that families have a Gmail account for Google Meet.
- Later this week, watch for more communication from our program with details about our distance learning plan for ECFE parent and child classes.
- If your family is currently attending an online ECFE class (Parents and Infants and Parenting classes) classes will meet online as scheduled using Google Meet.
- Online ECFE classes scheduled to start soon will receive class information from the teacher prior to the first day of class, including Google Meet information.
- It is recommended that families have a Gmail account for Google Meet.
Early Childhood Screening Appointments
- When the district is in a distance learning model, Early Childhood Screening appointments will move to screening appointments by phone. Screening appointments can be scheduled by calling 763-391-8777.
- When the district is in a hybrid or in-person learning model, in person screening appointments can be scheduled.
Calendar Reminders- A Look Ahead
November 23:
Distance Learning Model begins for the entire EC&FE program.
November 25:
No School: ECFE parent and child classes.
November 26 & 27: Thanksgiving Holiday
No School
December 19-January 3: Winter Break
No School
Continuous Year Round Registration
ECFE Parent and Child classes
- Families can still join our ECFE parent and child classes that are offered now through mid-January 2021. For openings in classes visit: osseo.ce.eleyo.com.
- Our programming for ECFE parent and child classes is currently being developed for classes to be offered during our next ECFE session January-May 2021. When available, families will receive additional communication from our EC&FE program and registration for classes will be available at osseo.ce.eleyo.com
Preschool and PreK classes
- We continue to accept registrations for our current Preschool or PreK classes for the remaining 2020-2021 school year and will adapt our programming to align with the district learning models of distance, hybrid or in-person. For openings in classes, visit: osseo.ce.eleyo.com.
- Our programming for Preschool and PreK for the 2021-2022 school year is currently being developed. In January, families will receive additional communication from our EC&FE program about Preschool & PreK programming opportunities for the 2021-2022 school year. Registration information will be posted at osseo.ce.eleyo.com and our website osseoec.org.
EC&FE Program Office
Our program office staff will be available Monday thru Friday 8:00am-4:00pm by email at ecfe@district279.org or phone 763-391-8777 to answer program questions or assist with registration.
With gratitude
As an EC&FE program, we know that families are supported by and strengthened from ECFE experiences as children learn and grow. The change to a distance learning model weighs heavily on all of us as early childhood educators, staff and the families we serve.
While I am unable to predict how the pandemic will shape the rest of our school year, I remain hopeful that we will return to hybrid or in person learning in the near future. We do ask that families continue to be aware that due to the ever-changing nature of the pandemic, future changes in learning models are likely to continue to occur throughout the school year.
Regardless of the learning model, we will continue to consult with our district leadership, Superintendent McIntyre and guidance and direction from Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control. We will align our programming with the district, health/safety guidelines and continue our commitment to the importance of providing parents, families and young children high-quality early learning opportunities.
Please watch for additional communication from our program by the end of this week with important distance learning information to families in each of our programming models: ECFE parent and child classes and Preschool, PreK and Preschool with Parent Connection.
May your family be safe and well.
Sally Nault-Maurer
Early Childhood & Family Education Program Coordinator
763-391-8777 main office line | 763-391-8765 direct line
Connect With Us:
Connect with Osseo EC&FE
Email: ecfe@district279.org
Website: osseoec.org
Location: 9401 Fernbrook Lane North, Maple Grove, MN, USA
Phone: 763-391-8777
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OsseoEC
Twitter: @OsseoEarly