During Jubilee Service Day last Saturday, we had a good number of Medina Elementary alumni return to volunteer their time to clean and set up our space for this new school year. We were impressed by their maturity and hard work, and talking to them made us remember how much growth students experience over their elementary years. Each year brings renewed hope and anticipation for the work we (families and educators) put in to nurture our children. Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and most importantly, your children who inspire us all with the amazing things they do!

With school starting just a few days away, please read the essential information below to help us launch the school year smoothly.

Here's to a great year,

Betty Nhan, Principal

Kati Weiland, Assistant Principal

Back to School Event - Tuesday, August 30:

11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Membership! Events! Activities!

Come to the Covered Area in the Medina playground and meet members of our amazing PTA! They will have tables set up with information on PTA membership, programs and events planned for the school year, and what after- school clubs and activities will be offered and when the online registration opens.

11:30 am – 12:30pm: Teacher Meet & Greet Hour

Students and families are invited inside during this hour to meet their new teacher and take a self-guided building tour. Doors will close for the day promptly at 12:30 pm and families will be directed to return to the Covered Area so teachers can return to their training session. There will also be the chance to hop on and look around one of the big yellow school buses. Please see the PTA website for more information. http://medinapta.org/Home

First Day of School:

· Grades 1-5: Students will begin Thursday, September 1st, 8:05-2:35

· Kindergarten: Students will begin Wednesday, September 7th, 8:05-12:20.

You should have received your class placements late Monday afternoon in your email. If you did not, please contact the office to let us know.

Labor Day: No School

- September 5, Monday

Curriculum Night:

Wednesday, September 14. Curriculum Night will be in person, and additional details will be coming soon!

If you need to drive to school to drop your child(ren) off, please follow these guidelines:

1. Use the designated drop-off/pick-up lane when dropping off/picking up children curbside. Children should exit the car curbside as cars continue to move in the left-hand lane.

2. When using the drop off / pick-up lane:

a. Pull as far forward as possible in the rear drop-off/pick-up lane. Drop off/pick up your child(ren) on the curbside and pull back into the left lane to exit.

b. Remain in your car at all times, and refrain from using your cellular telephone.

c. Please keep the line moving! If you need to talk with another parent or a teacher, park your vehicle in a parking space.

The entire circular drive is a FIRE LANE and there is NO PARKING in a FIRE LANE. Vehicles that are stopped and unattended can be ticketed by the Medina Police at any time during the day. To ensure the safety of our students in case of an emergency, please park in the designated parking spots around the school.

If you have someone new picking your child up, please take a moment to share with them how the drop off/pick up lane works.

Car Riders – ARRIVE BETWEEN 7:45-8:00AM.

· If your child is coming to school via car, please use the above map for arrival. Please pull all the way forward to unload. This will take patience and teamwork and we have staff to support in following this guideline.

· For arrival:

Please say your goodbyes as you pull into the school lot, have your child exit quickly, and then pull away slowly. Car riders will unload throughout the whole loop.

· For dismissal:

When your child is available for pickup, please encourage your child to quickly enter the car, buckle up, and pull away slowly. Car riders will only be loaded AFTER the crosswalk. Please continue forward to pick up your child.

Walkers – ARRIVE AT 8:00AM, PICKUP AT 2:35PM

· Please use the right sidewalk to pick up your walker. See map above.

Bus – WILL ARRIVE TO SCHOOL AROUND 7:50AM AND LEAVE SCHOOL AROUND 2:40PM

· Current schedule is posted here https://bsd405.org/departments/transportation/bus-routes/

DISMISSAL

· Walkers and Bus Riders will be dismissed at 2:30.

· CAR RIDERS will be dismissed as follows. If you have a 1st Grader or 2nd Grader, please arrive as one of the first cars in the lot for easier dismissal.

• K: 2:35pm
• 1st: 2:30pm
• 2nd: 2:30pm
• 3rd: 2:32pm
• 4th: 2:32pm
• 5th: 2:35pm
  

Please follow staff directions while in the car loop and remember that we will NOT be loading any students before the crosswalk at dismissal for safety purposes. Stay in your cars at all times.

Prompt and regular school attendance by students is important to support their growth, development, and daily learning. At Medina, student supervision begins under the covered recess area (to left of main entrance) at 7:45. There is no supervision before 7:45am.

Front doors open at 7:55am, when students will walk to their classrooms. Remember that a student is considered tardy if they are not in class by 8:05am. Thank you in advance for your support in ensuring your child(ren) is/are on time and ready to learn each day.

If your child will be absent or late, please email medinaattendance@bsd405.org or call the Medina Attendance Hotline at 425-456-5401 as soon as you are aware an absence will occur. We value your child’s safety and need to know where they are if not in school. The school requires a written note or phone message from the child’s legal guardian explaining the absence or late arrival. If a student misses more than half of the day (50%), it is considered an absence.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

At this time, COVID guidance is shifting into “general disease prevention.”

The following mitigation strategies are in effect:

o Staying up to date on vaccinations

o Monitoring, masking, and testing after exposure

o Handwashing and Respiratory Etiquette

o Cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces

o Staying at home if you’re sick!

· If your child tests positive for COVID-19, the following required guidelines must be followed:

o Isolate at home for 5 days. Student may return after 5 days if there has been no fever within the past 24 hours (without medication) AND symptoms have significantly improved.

o Should your child still be feeling unwell or experiencing a fever after 5 days of isolation, they should remain at home for the full 10 days.

Students that test negative for COVID-19 should follow normal protocols when sick and stay home, rest, and recover. They may return to school if there has been no fever within the past 24 hours (without medication) AND symptoms have significantly improved.

Use this flowchart to help you determine your next steps and please reach out if you have any questions.

BSD will be distributing free COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits to students and staff who would like to test before returning to school. COVID-19 testing allows people to take precautions in a timely manner to help prevent the virus from spreading. Tests will be distributed from ESC West, Room 100 at the following times:

• Tuesday, 8/30: 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, 8/31: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
  

Additional information can be found here: https://bsd405.org/services/health/covid-19-health-and-safety/drive-thru-diagnostic-testing/