Grizzly Gazette: November 2020
News you can use from Dena'ina Elementary School
Principal Post
Dear Dena'ina Families,
November is a busy month at Dena'ina and at home as we move into the holiday season. This is also the time of year that more illness occurs as people stay inside around each other more. Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases across Alaska and specifically the Mat Su Valley, all district schools are in the 'yellow' or medium risk level. As a school, we've generally been following the procedures at this risk level, but there are a couple changes to note: all IEP or other parent meetings will only be held by Zoom or phone and we are now restricting any volunteers or extra personnel. It won't impact our day to day operations.
Our nurse, Lexie Rickard, is currently out on maternity leave until January 22nd. We have nurse Amy Deloach filling in until 11/9, then coming back after Thanksgiving and staying until 1/22/21. From 11/10 - 11/25 we will have a variety of nurses, or there may be days we don't have a nurse at all. For this reason, we are erring on the side of caution when students show symptoms at school, and that means we have to send them home. The guidelines are linked in the next section, but please remember that if a child is sent home sick, they cannot return just because they are well - they must be out for 10 days or get a negative COVID test.
If we don't have a nurse for the day, I will send a text/email alert and a Facebook post so that families are aware. On days without a nurse, you may hear directly from a teacher or an office staff member if your child shows symptoms.
Thank you to all the parents who have communicated so well with us, it is extremely helpful and we appreciate it so much. Working together helps keep us open!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Everett
** COVID-Related Info & Updates **
Click here for reminders about students being excluded from school for symptoms. This will be sent home again on Friday, 11/6/20.
Click here for the household quarantine guide. This will be sent home to all families on Friday, 11/6/20.
CLICK HERE to go directly to the district's coronavirus page that is resources/forms for families.
Upcoming Events...
- Monday, November 9 - Picture retakes and class pictures
- Wednesday, November 11 - Happy Veteran's Day, No School for Students
- Wednesday, November 25 - Pep Rally
- Thursday & Friday, November 26/27 - Thanksgiving break, No School
- Tuesday, December 1st - AIMSWeb testing begins grades K-3
- Monday, December 7 - MAP testing begins, all grades
Lego Robotics
ART CLUB - new format!
Students can sign up for art club by November 10th, then beginning in January parents of students in art club will receive a weekly email with a video tutorial and instructions for completing an art project, and all the materials will be sent home in a kit with your child. It allows parents to be flexible with when they have their child do the project, and more kids may be able to join if transportation was an issue. Students can request a permission slip from their teacher or the office and they must be returned by Tuesday, November 10th so we can ensure all the materials are here and ready to distribute in January. If you have questions please contact Mrs. Marchini at gina.marchini@matsuk12.us.
Accessing Your Child's Buzz Work
Parents are set up as 'Observers' so that you can check out what your child is doing in their courses. If you have questions about academics, contact your child's homeroom teacher. If you have technical questions or need help logging in, contact Mr. Lavalier at 864-5639.
Input Needed!
The Family/School Compact describes how families and school staff will help support students together. Each year we ask parents to give input on the compact. You can find the compact by clicking here, and you can give input on the compact by clicking here before November 25th.
Parent Engagement Policy
About Us
Email: melissa.roovers@matsuk12.us
Website: www.matsuk12.us/dne
Location: 7068 Knik Knack Mud Shack Road, Wasilla, AK, United States
Phone: 907.864.5600