Welcome Back!
Central Elementary 2020-2021
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, I would like to help answer as many questions as I can. We are busy figuring out ways in which we can make the school building as safe as possible. As more formal procedures and protocols are developed, I will be sending them to you. This newsletter will highlight some things we know so far.
If you plan to stop by the school, please make an appointment with our office in advance. All visits need to be scheduled so that we can assure we minimize the amount of people coming in at one time. Of course, if you haven't been feeling well, please do not come to the school. And please plan to wear your masks when you arrive. Thank you!
Parent Survey
School Supply Updates
All students must have a clean mask daily. Please label your child's masks.We have ordered each child a lanyard he/she may use to help keep track of their mask.
If you are choosing the remote learning option to start the year, some supplies may not be needed at-home, and you can work with the classroom teacher on which supplies are necessary.
Students in the building will be given a plastic shoe box to use for their school supplies. This will travel with them to the specials, as needed. Please plan on sending in supplies the first day of school.
Device Return
If your child (K-5) has a Chromebook or any other school loaned device from the spring, please call the school to schedule a time to drop it off before the beginning of the new school year. Please remember to bring your device charger as well!
Return to Learn
For more guidance on what remote learning looks like, please review the VCS Return to Learn plan, as well as the Return to Learn FAQ.
We are planning to have Specials (Art, Music, PE, STEM) in the Specials' classrooms. We will adjust the schedule to assure time for sanitizing the classrooms between classes, as well as to assure that classes are not in the hallway at the same time as they transition to and from Specials. We are able to seat students in the cafeteria to assure 6' distance for lunch time as well. And, we are working on a schedule that will allow students to be outdoors for recess and allows time for sanitation of the equipment between groups.
While remote learning will look different in different grades and different classrooms, we do anticipate that remote students will participate daily and sometimes at specific times of the school day. Remote students will experience the same content as their in-person classmates, and teachers will have contact daily.
Student Registration
If you are registering a new student, please call ahead and make an appointment with the school to come in and fill out the necessary paperwork.
New VCS Bell Schedule
The addition of the Remote Learning model creates an added responsibility for teachers. A collaborative effort by teachers and administrators produced a new daily schedule for the 2020-21 school year for all students regardless of Remote or In-Person status.
2020-21 School Day
VHS: 7:56-2:25
Middle Schools: 8:19-2:50
Elementary Schools: 9:15-3:20
Additional Important Times to know at Central:
8:55 Breakfast
9:00 Doors Open
9:15-3:20 School Day
3:20 Dismissal
Food Service Information
Food Service would like to limit contact touch points for students and staff and prefer that parents pay for meals online. This is now a FREE service (The fees have been waived during the pandemic). If you have not paid online before, you may refer to this link for a quick tutorial.
They have also added a cool app (see picture below) for students and parents to check out the menu and nutrition information. Paper menus will not be printed this year. Menus will only be available online and through the app. You can find additional menu information at this link.
Elementary meal prices are:
$1.55 for Breakfast (.30 reduced)
$2.65 for lunch (.40 reduced)
Back-to-School Changes
Douglas is excited to be here at Central!
Contact Information
Haley Cribbs
Principal, Central Elementary
Email: hcribbs@valpo.k12.in.us
Website: https://valparaisoces.valpo.k12.in.us/
Phone: (219) 531-3030
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Central.Valpo/