PANTHER NEWS
December 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Purdy Families,
Happy December! Even in 2020, we have much to be grateful for in our school, community, and lives. It is my hope that during the hustle and bustle of the COVID holiday season, you have a blessed holiday with family and friends.
Although I am saddened that all our students and staff are not in the building with us to learn and connect, I find we still have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful that we have been able to safely provide in-person learning for preschool, Options, Kindergarten, and first-grade students giving us the opportunity to get to know our new students and reconnect with our returning students. It is a joy each day we get to see our students. I’m thankful for the hard work and quality instruction our remote teachers are providing to keep our students safe during this time. Most of all, I am thankful for the trust our Purdy families have placed in us as we safely educate your children virtually and in-person.
We know school is important but so is your health and safety. Please continue to take care of yourself and each other (from a safe distance of course). Be proud of yourself, your child, your resilience, and your ability to adapt to extreme circumstances. I am proud of all our staff, students, and families as we continue to work together to overcome the challenges we continue to face.
Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we navigate the safest path for our students and staff. We will continue to follow directions from the district and health department to provide a safe learning environment. From everyone here at Purdy, we want to wish you a safe and happy holiday season!
Kind regards,
Ms. Kristi Brooks
Purdy Principal
brooksdk@psd401.net
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Important Upcoming Dates
12/21 - 1/1 Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
12/7 - Voluntary Weekly Antigen Testing - See below for details and consent form
12/14 - Voluntary Weekly Antigen Testing
1/18 Martin Luther King , Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
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Reminders From The Office
For In-Person Learners that will be late or absent from school, please call the office attendance line at 253.530.4606 to let us know.
When writing notes for transportation changes be sure to include your child's last name. If it is pertaining to riding bus be sure to include bus number and stop.
Please take a moment to do your Emergency Contact Update for your child(ren) to ensure that we have the necessary information in the event of an emergency. See below for instructions on how to access the update.
Parent Portal Information - HOW TO UPDATE YOUR CHILD'S EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Do you need to update your child's emergency information? Here's how you get started!
How do I get started? Please note depending on the device you are using things may look different!
- Visit powerschool.psd401.net/public and log into your ParentPortal account.
- Select the student you wish to register along the top
- Click the 2020-21 Emergency Contact Update link from the left menu
- If this is the first time you are logging in you will be asked to agree to the terms and conditions - Click begin forms
- You will be asked to enter the date of birth for the student whose form you are working on
Login Tips/Troubleshooting PowerSchool ParentPortal:
- Forgot your login credentials? select the “Forgot username or Password?” link on the Sign In page.
- Still having trouble signing in to your existing account, email: powerschool@psd401.net.
Completing your Emergency Contact Update:
- Do I have to answer all the questions? Questions marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.
- What if I make a mistake? If you would like to make a change, click on the underlined field or click “< Prev” to return to a previous page.
- I don’t know what a question is asking. You can contact powerschool@psd401.net to ask any general questions about the form or the Emergency Contact Update process.
I’ve completed the form, now what?
When you have finished entering your information, click “Submit.” This will send all of the information you’ve entered to the school. If you cannot click on this button, you will need to make sure that you have answered all the required questions.
What if I have more than one student in the district?
Do I need to do this for each child? Yes, because you’ll need to provide information that is specific for each child. We recommend that you submit one Emergency Contact Update and then start another – this will allow you to “snap over” shared family information, which will save you time.
Having trouble? Please email powerschool@psd401.net
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ALL TOYS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT PURDY ON OR BEFORE 12/9/2020 BETWEEN 8:00-4:00 PM
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COVID-19 Testing Pilot Program Reminders
Weekly Antigen Testing for Students and Staff Begins Monday, Nov. 30
Voluntary rapid antigen testing will take place once a week at each elementary school, Key Peninsula Middle School, Peninsula High School, and Gig Harbor High School beginning the week of Nov. 30 for students and staff only. Testing will occur once a week at each of these sites until Winter Break. The rapid antigen test to be used is a mid turbinate nasal swab. Results are available in about 15 minutes and it is 97.1% accurate on positive results and 98.5% accurate on negative results.
Any positive rapid test would require a second test to confirm the positive, which would be a PCR test, also a mid turbinate nasal swab. The follow up PCR test would occur free of charge at the school location following any positive rapid antigen test. People with positive PCR confirmation tests are usually notified sooner (usually within 48 hours) than those with negative results (5-7 days).
Here is the weekly testing schedule:
Mondays: Harbor Heights, Minter Creek, Purdy
Tuesdays: Pioneer, Vaughn, Voyager
Thursdays: Artondale, Evergreen
Fridays: Discovery, Gig Harbor High, Peninsula High, Key Peninsula Middle
(Please note, staff and students at Goodman, Harbor Ridge, Kopachuck, Henderson Bay, CTP and the Educational Services Center may be tested at Key Peninsula Middle School, Gig Harbor High School, and Peninsula High School starting Friday, Dec. 4 between 2pm and 4pm).
Consent Forms for Weekly Antigen Testing
Please remember that a signed consent form will be necessary for each student and staff member being tested during the weekly antigen testing. Please send the signed form to school with your child. The consent form only needs to be signed once and will be in place for the duration of the testing pilot.
Testing for Remote Students and Staff
Any student or staff member who attends/works at a location that is not a testing site, or is attending school/working remotely, can get tested at Key Peninsula Middle School, Gig Harbor High School, and Peninsula High School on Fridays, starting Friday, Dec. 4 between 2pm and 4pm. Please be sure to bring a signed consent form to be tested.
Curious About the Testing Procedures?
Our friends at White River School District have graciously shared a video they produced showing testing procedures in their schools.
White River SD is also partnering with TPCHD in the school-based testing pilot program, and started their testing earlier this week. Testing procedures will work similarly in PSD to what you’ll see in the video.
If you would like to see the testing being performed, please watch the video.
Video of Live Discussion with Dr. Chen from TPCHD
In case you missed the live discussion with Dr. Chen, Director of Health with TPCHD on Nov. 24 regarding the pilot testing program, you can view the recording on our website.
More Information
We encourage staff/families to take advantage of this opportunity as we work to provide an additional layer of safety and confidence for both in person and remote learning. We want your decision to be an informed one and are providing the links below should you want more information or answers to frequently asked questions.
Sincerely,
PSD Leadership
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COVID-19 DATA DASHBOARD
Tracking Cases within Peninsula School District
The health and safety of all students and staff remains a top priority of the Peninsula School District.
In the event of a positive COVID-19 case at a PSD school or office location, we work directly with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) as they conduct contact tracing. Based on the guidance provided by TPCHD and the school COVID-19 case response tool kit, notifications are sent to impacted staff, students, and families. If an individual is found to have close contacts while contagious, those who were in close contact will be required to quarantine. Each case and situation requires unique action as determined by the TPCHD.
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
The purpose of the COVID-19 Data Dashboard is to provide transparency regarding the number of COVID-19 cases within the Peninsula School District while respecting student and staff medical privacy rights. The Peninsula School District COVID-19 Data Dashboard only displays information related to confirmed cases of Peninsula School District individuals.
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NEWS FROM THE HEALTH ROOM
Clothes
This is a gentle reminder that students will need a change of clothes (pants, underwear and socks) in their backpack in case clothes become wet at school. Due to Covid guidelines the health room is no longer able to hand out clothing.
Get Ready for Flu Season!
Start with Prevention:
Wash hands
Cover your cough
Get Your Family Flu Shots
While all family members should get flu shots yearly, it’s especially important for children, and those who have chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease that put them at risk for serious complications from flu.
Recognizing Flu Symptoms
Flu symptoms are much like cold symptoms – but tend to be more severe:
· Fever 100.4 F or above.
· Cough and/or sore throat, runny or stuffy nose.
· Headache and/or body aches.
· Chills, fatigue.
· Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (more common in children).
Do not give aspirin to any child who might have the flu; talk to your healthcare provider about medicine that is best for pain or fever.
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Highly Capable Referral Notice for Annual Testing grades 1-8
Open October 22nd – February 12th, 2021 (Note the extended window for referrals)
Online Highly Capable Referral form for Parents and Teachers
Direct link- https://tinyurl.com/PSD401HCREFERRALS
Please note: single online referral form for teachers and parents
https://www.psd401.net/learning/highly-capable for more information
¡Aviso importante!
Las aplicaciones al examen anual del Highly Capable Program (Estudiantes de Nivel Avanzado) ya están abiertas
Cuando: del 22 de octubre del 2020 al 12 de febrero del 2021.
Dónde aplicar: el formulario para referir a un estudiante se encuentra en la liga https://tinyurl.com/PSD401HCREFERRALS
Quien debe referir a un estudiante: los padres y profesores del alumno.
Para más información por favor visita https://www.psd401.net/learning/highly-capable
¡Recuerde! enviar un solo formulario diligenciado por los padres y profesores del estudiante.
Kiona Rainey
Highly Capable/Curriculum Secretary
Peninsula School District
(253) 530-1059
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Inclement Weather Procedures
To Peninsula School District Community:
As the fall and winter storm season is upon us, we have prepared this letter to explain Peninsula School District's procedures and expectations during inclement weather and school closures. Below you will find guidelines to make this process easier, plus explain how weather decisions are made.
Delay or Closure Decisions:
- Weather information is reviewed the day and night prior to the decision. A review with our Transportation Department and neighboring districts is also done.
- Starting at 3:00 a.m. or sooner, district officials and the Transportation Department drive emergency bus routes throughout the district's current operating routes.
- The district may choose to operate on a normal schedule, start late, or close entirely.
- A decision to alter the school day in any way due to inclement weather will apply to both in-person students/staff and remote students/staff.
- Late starts allow us:
- Time to monitor and adjust decisions to changing weather and road conditions;
- Safety of daylight for students and Transportation personnel;
- Additional time for Peninsula School District staff to arrive to work; and
- Time for the Transportation Department to further critique snow routes and make necessary adjustments or modifications.
Types of Communication:
- The SchoolMessenger System© notifies all staff and parents of a decision within 30 minutes by phone, text, and/or email.
- Emergency weather procedures can be found on the Peninsula School District website at psd401.net.
- The Peninsula School District emergency information line can be reached at 253-530-1088.
- Local TV and radio stations will provide timely updates.
- For questions regarding your child's emergency bus route, contact the Transportation Department at 253-530-3900.
Please remember the district has a large geographical size and weather conditions may vary greatly from area to area. This may warrant a closure or late start for the entire district due to conditions impacting only limited areas. Student and employee safety is our highest priority.
Sincerely,
Dr. Art Jarvis
Superintendent
#WEarePSD
Peninsula School District 401
14015 - 62nd Avenue NW; Gig Harbor, WA 98332
(253) 530-1000
psd401.net
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SNOWFLAKE PROJECT FROM THE OT DEPARTMENT
"Hello all and here we go into Winter!
This is a wonderful webpage that has a variety of ideas for cutting out snowflakes. They range from easy to difficult and you can decide what your student's skill level is. You may also simplify by folding paper into four sections and just cutting angles and triangles into it to see what you come up with.
Using scissors at any age helps maintain our ability to steady our focus and our bodies while also strengthening hands for other tasks. And these classic snowflakes turn out looking good no matter what approach you use!
https://ideas4diy.com/how-to-cut-out-snowflakes
Have a wonderful, cozy December!
Kjirsten Winters, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
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PTA NEWS
Have you joined the PTA yet? There’s still time. Check out our new online registration
www.memberplanet.com/s/purdypta/purdyptamemberpacket
2020-2021 Executive Board
Pattie Reuter, President
Jarusha Kenyon, Vice President
Jocelyn Hanson, Secretary
Julie Pero, Treasurer
Tim Montgomery, Member-at-large
Sara Patinkin, Member-at-large