Rocket News
September 2020
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A letter from your Principal
Hello Royal Oaks Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you and your family healthy and happy. To say this year has been like no other would be a huge understatement. Things in our world are definitely much different than they were a year ago. We didn’t have to wear masks a year ago, we were able to travel and go out freely and social distancing wasn’t even a “thing”. Yet, some things remain very much the same. Teachers are still teaching and students are still learning. Our Rockets, both young and old, continue to work hard to be highly engaged learners who own the learning process. I see it EVERY day.
I decided way back in the spring to worry about the things I can control and not invest too much time in matters I have no control over. This has helped me with my work here at Royal Oaks. I continue to work with wonderful students, wonderful teachers and wonderful families. I choose a positive attitude every morning when I wake up (even on rainy Monday mornings--though it’s a little more challenging). I continue to encourage our Rockets to do the same--choose a positive attitude and simply do their best. If you “tuned” into our first live Rocket Rally (8:20am on Fridays) you would have heard these two messages to our Rockets.
Your children are exceptional. I am constantly reminded of that every time I virtually visit a classroom or morning meeting. Students are picking up their computers, engaging in the work, coming to small group time, and simply doing their best. I am proud of them. I suspect our Rockets will continue to work hard and meet the expectations they’ve set for themselves and meet the expectations of their teachers, parents and caregivers. I am also proud of you as parents and caregivers. I see so many of you in the Zoom backgrounds or the shadows of Zoom supporting your child. You are doing a great job. Thank you.
For decades I’ve read a poem on the first day of school called “Unity” (I’ve attached it). I can’t imagine a more perfect year to share this poem. As you will see the last line is, Together We Can! Together we can make the best of this challenging situation and continue to see our Rockets grow as readers, mathematicians and great kids! It will certainly take a team effort; one I am up for!
Thanks for all you do. Honestly, there isn’t a lot in this newsletter. A world pandemic certainly cuts down the number of events we can hold and share, but please check out the announcements below--it won’t take too long. As always if you have any questions please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher or you can always drop me an email or phone call too.
Have a great October.
Royal Oaks Family Engagement Plan
In an effort to improve communication, each school has created a Family Engagement Plan. Royal Oak's plan is linked below.
Please reach out with any questions. Thanks for all you do!
Welcome to our new Rockets and shared Rockets!
Anna Thorwolf- First Grade Teacher
Meghan Starr- Psychologist-shared with Eastside
Molly Markley- Orchestra Teacher
Eliana Escaffi- EL Assistant- shared with Patrick Marsh
Hello! My name is Meghan Starr and I'm the new School Psychologist at RO. This is my 6th year in the district and I am currently split between Royal Oaks and Eastside (50/50). I live in Sun Prairie with my husband and two kids (Jacob age 4, Riley age1). When I'm not in school, I love to swim and play basketball.
Meet Mrs. Thorwolf, 1st grade teacher at Royal Oaks. She is a graduate of UW Madison! She has two super cute cats and two super cute nephews! She also loves Marvel and Wonder Woman. WELCOME, Mrs. Thorwolf,
School Hours and Days
Monday---8:00 AM-1:00 PM- Virtual School
Tuesday--8:00 AM-1:00 PM- Virtual School
Wednesday-- Day off from Virtual Learning
Thursday--8:00 AM-1:00 PM- Virtual School
Friday--8:00 AM-1:00 PM- Virtual School
( Your child has until midnight to log in and submit any work)
Distant Learning Attendance
Reporting Absences - Call the attendance line at 608-834-7200 (press 1) to report any planned or excused absences (illness, appointment, etc.). If your child has an appointment, is ill, or on vacation, and will be able to complete work from home please state that in the voicemail.
Present = Evidence of student participation in school
Present for live instruction/meetings (Morning Meetings, small group, one-on-one)
Classroom work turned in/Video viewed, etc.
Formative assessment/exit ticket
Written/oral communication between classroom teacher and student
“If I’ve seen or heard from you (student) related to my class any time today (until midnight), you are considered present”
Absent = No evidence of student participation in class (as listed above), at any time during the day, up until midnight.
Students will not be marked absent if the reason for the absence is solely due to failure or lack of technology.
After the 3rd absence a member of the Student Services team (Mrs. Curtin, Ms. Olson, Mrs. Starr) will reach out to families.
When a student has reached 5 unexcused absences and 10 unexcused absences an attendance letter will be mailed home.
Safety and Procedures for Visitors
The audio-visual intercom system allows us to keep all exterior doors locked during the school day to monitor who is entering our schools. Once the instructional school day has begun:
All exterior doors will be locked during the school day.
All visitors and/or late arriving students must enter through the main entry doors.
Visitors/students need to push the doorbell button to gain entry.
Office staff will greet the visitor/student via the AV intercom.
Once identity and reason for entry have been confirmed, the individual will be welcomed to enter.
Please wait in the vestibule for your teacher to pick your student up. Please do not go through the office.
The following procedures will be used for visitor management:
Every visitor will be asked to provide photo identification to proceed beyond the office. In the event photo identification cannot be provided, the visitor will be required to remain at the front desk until identification can be verified by an administrator or staff member associated with the visit.
Visitors will be provided with a visitor badge that includes: name, picture, purpose of visit, who they are visiting, room number, and estimated departure time.
Visitors must wear the badge for the duration of their visit and check out at the main office as they leave.
All visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon entrance of the building.
Protective Behaviors
As in previous years, we are continuing our Protective Behaviors Program in the elementary schools. This is an abuse prevention program designed to educate our children in the principles of self-protection. Kaitlyn Curtin, the School Social Worker at Royal Oaks, will be leading the classroom presentations via Zoom. This will consist of a developmentally appropriate video and a follow up discussion. This will be our third year using a curriculum called Play It Safe!
Each classroom at Royal Oaks will have a Protective Behaviors presentation during the weeks of October 1st- November 5th.
ANNUAL ASBESTOS NOTIFICATION
As a result of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), every school district is required to complete a comprehensive asbestos inspection and develop a management plan for all asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM), present within the district. In an effort to comply with this regulation, the Sun Prairie Area School District had all buildings owned or leased by the District initially inspected by an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), accredited inspector and any samples taken and analyzed by an independent laboratory. This information was then utilized to develop a comprehensive asbestos management plan.
A comprehensive re-inspection by an accredited inspector of all ACBM is required every 3 years, while periodic 6-month surveillance is an additional requirement. Beginning in July, 1998, the Sun Prairie Area School District contracted Environmental Management Consulting, Inc. (EMC), to perform 3- year re-inspections and 6-month surveillances for all district buildings.
Environmental Management Consulting, Inc. has completed the most recent comprehensive asbestos inspection and management plan, with this report available for your review during normal business hours in the Facilities and Grounds office. Copies of this report are also available to you upon request.
All ACBM found within the District has been identified, with location and condition assessed. Any areas noted as being in moderate to poor condition will be repaired or removed. A district long-range management plan of all ACBM has been developed.
Any questions relating to ACBM present in any District buildings, management plan or regarding the District’s on-going operations and maintenance program should be directed to Kevin Sukow, Director of Facilities and Grounds, 608-834-6567 or kcsukow@sunprairieschools.org.
Thank You,
Kevin Sukow
Sun Prairie Area School District Asbestos Designated Person