Bethel Springs Elementary School
April 27, 2020
Bruno Serato--One of the Helpers!
Look for the Helpers!
Bruno Serato's story is one of many stories of kindness and courage occurring in our country right now! People all around you are helping in a variety of ways--big and small! Maybe a family member, a friend, or a neighbor is one of these people. Maybe it's you! Whether a brave medical professional caring for the sick or a caring neighbor shopping for an elderly person, or a kid watching a younger brother or sister so mom or dad can work--every act of kindness makes a difference. Look for the helpers--they remind us of all that is good in the world!
Share Your Sidewalk Chalk Creations!
Dear BSES Students,
On my walks in my neighborhood, I have noticed lots of sidewalk and driveway art. Making sidewalk chalk art is a great way for kids to pass the time while keeping a healthy distance from others. I am guessing that some of you have been making some art with sidewalk chalk. I would love to share some of your creations in our weekly announcements! Feel free to get in the photo if it is okay with your parents. Email to Mr. Piasecki a photo of your sidewalk or driveway art(piasecs@garnetvalley.org). Write in the subject line "Sidewalk/Driveway Art." Please send to Mr. Piasecki by Friday, May 8th. I will share a few pictures each week in our Monday announcements. Thanks!Progress Reports
Latest Communication from Dr. Bertrando--Friday, April 24th
Dear School Community,
I have a great deal to share today. For those of you who have a specific interest in a particular topic, today’s message covers the following: (1) Parent Survey #2; (2) Student Building Cleanout and Library Books/Textbooks/Devices Drop Off Schedule; (3) End-of-Year Instructional Calendar; (4) Grading Overview by Level; (5) Garnet Valley Strong and GV-CTC; and (6) Food Relief.
Parent Survey #2
The input of students, parents, and teachers continues to be a vital component of our continuous learning plan. So that we can maintain this important communication loop which drives both our professional learning topics and instructional decisions, please take Parent Survey #2 by clicking here.
Student Building Cleanout and Library Books/Textbooks/Devices Drop Off Schedule
We understand that students did not have an opportunity to clean out their lockers and retrieve their belongings when we left in March. We appreciate your understanding and patience through the stay-at-home orders. We, however, will have to clean-out our buildings so that we can prepare for the upcoming school year. Simultaneously, students at the elementary and middle levels will have to return their devices to our technology department. Both cleanout and device drop-off will take place on the dates detailed below. Building principals will communicate with families and provide specific directions as we get closer to the dates. It’s also important to note that after our technology department collects devices, they will clean then redistribute them to students during the summer so that we are prepared for every possibility next year. Schedule is shown below.
End-of-Year Instructional Calendar:
We have finalized the instructional calendar for the end of the year, and it appears below. Since student activities–exams, transition assemblies, awards ceremonies–that normally occur during the last few days of school will not occur this year and since our students and their families are becoming more and more fatigued with virtual learning, we will be closing schools approximately one week earlier this year.
Please understand that we are already in the process of planning for next year. Not only are we planning to redistribute devices to elementary and middle school students this summer, but our teachers will be determining where students’ learning ended and where they will start next year. Additionally, we continue to explore strategies, professional learning, and other means to make instructional delivery methods as agile as possible. As a school community, we have to accept that we need to be able to provide learning regardless of whether students are in school or at home. I think the sooner we accept this new reality, the more prepared we will all be intellectually and emotionally. Instructional calendar is shown below.
Grading Overview by Level:
Your children’s building principal(s) will communicate with you specifically about final grades for the 2019-20 academic year. All students are expected to complete their assignments to the best of their abilities and engage with their school work during the scheduled instructional days.
Expectations and grading differs by developmental level. At the elementary level, we will not issue our typical standardized progress report. Instead, teachers will continue to provide meaningful feedback on student learning through Seesaw and Schoology. At the close of the third trimester, parents will have the ability to download a .zip archive of their children’s Seesaw journal and any courses in Schoology.
At middle level, teachers will continue issuing numerical grades for assigned work for the remainder of the school year, and parents can view the progress on their virtual work through Alma. However, in regard to final grades for the 3rd and 4th quarters, we will not issue a numerical grade for each. Instead, we will evaluate the cumulative virtual learning that took place during these quarters and students will receive either a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. Then, at the end of the school year, students will receive a final grade based primarily on the first two marking periods. The middle school is implementing a “do no harm” philosophy, an approach that does not allow any poor performance in virtual learning to impact students’ grades negatively. Finally, report cards will contain a statement that acknowledges that the 2019-20 school year was interrupted by COVID-19.
Grades at the high school level are more complex. We have to acknowledge that the vast majority of our students apply to college; consequently, we have to be mindful of their transcripts. To this end, we will maintain the numerical grade structure at the high school, albeit with significant accommodations. The high school will also place a brief reminder of the COVID-19 pandemic event on students’ transcripts. Similar to middle school, GVHS will apply a “do no harm” philosophy when evaluating student performance; therefore, poor performance in virtual learning cannot impact students’ grades negatively. Finally, no student will earn a grade less than 60 (D-) in any course, thus allowing every student to move on to the next course and/or grade.
GV-CTC, Garnet Valley Strong, and Food Relief
The GV-CTC continues to receive donations. If you would like to participate, we ask that you use the GVCTC Venmo account: @GVCTC. If you are asked, the 4 digit code is 3706. Jennifer Tront, GV-CTC Treasurer, owns the account, so you will see her name appear. If you know anyone in our community who needs assistance, please have them complete this updated link (Food Services Assistance) and we’ll reach out as soon as possible.
The Little Hero Foundation (to learn more about the non-profit click here) has created Garnet Valley Strong wristbands to remind everyone that we are stronger together. We hope the free wristbands provide a smile to Garnet Valley families while showing support for our awesome community! The foundation’s primary goal is that the wristbands bring joy to everyone at home missing their friends. On the order form link (click here) there is also a completely optional donation section. 100 percent of every optional donation received is divided between GV-CTC and the AI DuPont emergency families fund (to help families in the hospital pay for adult meals without having to risk unnecessary exposure during the COVID19 crisis by leaving isolation units). To date, we have dispersed nearly 700 wristbands around the community and raised $1,200.00! (Jenn, please let me know how to send you a check for the ~$600 GV-CTC portion raised so far.)
Food Relief
We understand that not having the availability of the school lunch program during the school closure may present a significant hardship for some of our families. If this is the case for your family, please complete this form - Grab and Go Food Distribution Form
Garnet Valley School District will be providing Grab and Go meals to families in need for their children 18 years of age and under. Meals will be available for pick up from 11AM to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays at Garnet Valley Middle School’s rear entrance.
You will need to pre-register using the link above by Monday morning at 7AM to receive food for the week. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Kristin Smeins - smeinsk@garnetvalley.org.
Student Building Clean out and Library Books/Textbooks/Devices Drop Off Schedule
End-of-Year Instructional Calendar
Next Due Date for Online Learning: On May 1st the work that was assigned for the week of 4/20 to 4/24 will be due.
Weekly Attendance Forms
A student in grades K-5 will be considered present when a completed parental verification of attendance is received. The form will be emailed on a weekly basis to parents. The verification form includes a space for you to indicate a reason for missed days of “school.
The next form will be emailed to you on Monday, May 4th to confirm attendance for the week of April 27th to May 1st. Thank you for your assistance!
Technology Assistance for Students and Parents
Q. If I have a technical problem or question, who should I contact?
For all technical problems or questions, click (HERE) to fill out the tech support form. A member of our tech team will contact you after you submit the form.
The ABC’s of Covid 19: A CNN / Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids & Parents
Dear Parents,
There is a wonderful new resource which I am excited to share with you called "The ABC's of Covid 19: A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Parents.” It is excellent and does a great job in answering many questions. I watched it and think it is excellent. Our children have so many questions during this time and Sesame Street has some guidance.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/25/us/cnn-sesame-street-town-hall-coronavirus-trnd/index.html
It is about 90 minutes in length and is broken into 6 segments. I'll summarize each section and you may choose to watch some at different times depending on the topic.
Part 1 - (18 minutes) General Questions: This features Erica Hill, Big Bird, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta answering some basic questions asked by children including "What is COVID 19?," and "What does it look like?" I enjoyed Dr. Gupta showing a basketball with a crown on top to help them imagine what it looks like.
Part 2 - (13 minutes) Masks & Hand Washing - Elmo and Dr. Gupta show how to make a mask from a bandana without sewing, Dr. Gupta puts glitter on his hands to show children how to wash their hands, discuss social distancing & answer question "Can I play sports this summer?" Dr. Lena Wen, ER doctor discusses this.
There is a wonderful new resource for our families and our children called "The ABC's of Covid 19: A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Parents. It is excellent and does a great job in answering many questions. I watched it and think it may also be helpful to your children and grandchildren. Our children have so many questions during this time and Sesame Street has some guidance.
Part 3 - (13 minutes) Discuss BIG Feelings - Big Bird with Dr. Njoroge, Psychiatrist and Director of Young Child Clinic from our own CHOP discuss what we're doing during this time, why are people getting sick, why can't I see my Grandparents, Abby Cadabby discusses her feelings, Rosita belly breathing, Grover mindfulness, and 2 resources: aacap.org and zerotothree.org
Part 4 - (11 minutes) Education - Dr. Sundai Riggins, Elementary School Principal with Rosita and Elmo talks about distance learning,virtual play dates, the impacts of lack of socialization for our children, how much screen time is too much, why can't my parents always play with me, will we be able to start school at the end of summer?
Part 5 - (9 minutes) Helping Kids Cope with Loss - Big Bird talks about remembering when his friend Mr. Hooper died. Dr. Njoroge, CHOP psychiatrist, addresses how we help children with loss and the impact of this on the African American Community. This was so well done and you will hear sirens in Philadelphia at one point as they were filming in their homes.
Part 6 - (8 minutes) Tips for Staying Healthy - opens with Cookie Monster making a smoothie featuring Dr. Brancho-Sanchez, Pediatrician Columbia Hospital answers "Will it be safe to go to school without a vaccine?" "How can we help others?" during our new normal.
I hope you are doing well as you navigate this with your children. This is such a difficult time for all and I continue to hope that you and your loved ones are healthy. I miss you and send you my best. Please reach out if I can be of help to you while we are out of the building doing online learning.
Stephanie Boldin
School Counselor
GET YOUR YEARBOOKS HERE! Since we are still full speed ahead on creating a fantastic yearbook to celebrate the 2019-2020 school year, now’s the time to get your order in! Because of the current situation, we have moved to online ordering only through the Barksdale website. Follow these steps to order a yearbook for your student by Friday, May 15th:
Navigate to barksdalephoto.com
In the “What are you looking for?” dropdown menu, select “Order Your Yearbook.”
Enter the Bethel Springs Order Access Code 01766YB (Note-you may need to scroll down to see this field).
Enter the requested information and pay $20 with a credit card or via PayPal.
Please note that the homeroom number is not needed so feel free to skip entering it (I did - that’s definitely not something my brain is retaining right now ;))
If you have any issues or questions, please reach out to bsesyearbook@gmail.com.
April Fitness Challenge from Mrs. McCusker and Mr. Custer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wYzdbULBWDCrwTGCDOspkIZlppULwC61/view?usp=sharing