First Day of School
August 24, 2020
Welcome Back Message
Dear Parents and Students,
The administration and faculty would like to welcome you back to another wonderful school year. The many successes Beck has had and continues to enjoy are due to a partnership in which the school and community work together to create a wonderful, supportive and inclusive culture of learning. I encourage all our parents to be a part of the effort as we continue to strive to provide an excellent education for all our students.
I realize that this school year has brought new challenges and increased anxiety for many families. We would like to take a moment to reassure our parents that we have worked hard all summer to ensure that our building follows all DHEC guidelines. Our custodial team along with the teachers and staff have been working hard to prepare the building according to DHEC recommendations. Masks must be worn in the building whenever social distancing cannot be observed. There will be no sharing of equipment and materials between students. Desks have been reduced in each classroom to ensure social distancing is maintained. Desks will be sanitized in between classes and the entire building will be thoroughly cleaned each evening. Water fountains have been turned off; however, our water refilling stations will be operating and students are encouraged to bring a water bottle. Please note that we will not have a microwave available during lunch. Also, due to the need to limit the handling of items, we will not be accepting fast food deliveries of lunch in the main office.
While we are on hybrid attendance plans, students will attend school for in person instruction on their assigned day and then log in from home the remaining days of the week for eLearning. The expectation is that students will log in to each class every day to complete and submit work in order to be marked present for the day. They can log in at any point during the day in order to be marked present. If a student does not log in, they will be marked absent. During students' eLearning days, teachers will have a set time each day that they are available for questions and to meet with students who need additional support. The times are as follows:
6th: 12:27-1:09
7th: 1:32-2:13
8th: 2:26-3:10
Related Arts: 8:30-9:00
On Fridays, all students and teachers will be engaged in eLearning and students should log in to classes based on the schedule below:
1st period: 8:30
2nd period: 8:50
3rd period: 9:10
4th period: 9:30
5th period: 9:50
6th period: 10:10
7th period: 10:30
At Beck, we are committed to educating the whole child. We understand that students at this age are experiencing many changes in their body and the world around them. They are seeking approval while yearning for independence. As their teachers, it is our responsibility to provide a place where they feel accepted and heard. Only once their social- emotional needs are met can they be successful in the classroom. We understand that this is even more important during this time of uncertainty. Please reach out to your grade level guidance counselor if you have concerns or feel that your child may be struggling.
Please take time to review the Greenville County Discipline Code that you should have received in the mail. In addition, every parent and student should take time to review our student handbook, which is posted on our website. This is a great resource for information pertaining to our dress code, school policies and COVID information.
Finally, our award winning PTSA is one of the strongest in the state. Our parents play a vital role in the success of our students. Their dedication and commitment is evident in our school on a daily basis. I encourage you to visit the PTSA website, and use the link to join.
As we enter this new school year together, I am excited by all the new possibilities and opportunities the new year brings. I look forward to working with faculty, staff, parents and students to ensure that this is another successful year at Beck.
In closing, here are some helpful reminders about how you can stay connected to the school and your child’s academic success.
· Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
· Listen to the school phone messages sent every Sunday.
· Sign up for Parent Backpack- Instructions can be found on our website.
· Visit teacher websites for information about coursework and important due dates.
· Attend our Virtual Meet the Teacher on August 27th from 5:00-6:00
We are excited for another great year at Beck, where it FEELS RIGHT TO BE A KNIGHT!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Meisten
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
In order to access your Google Classrooms you will need to check you Google email for the class codes.
If you have not picked up your Chromebook, you will need to call the main office at 355-1400 to set up an appointment to pick up your materials.
Changes Due To Covid
Water fountains will be closed; however, the refilling stations are open. All students are encouraged to bring a water bottle every day. In the past, there has been water available in the cafeteria, but that will not be the case this year.
MICROWAVE
Due to the inability to sanitize appropriately in between students, microwaves will not be available to students during lunch.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Students taking PE will not be changing for this class. Locker rooms will remain closed at this time. All PE classes will meet outside unless it is raining, so please ensure that your child dresses appropriately.
HAND WASHING
All students will have the opportunity to wash hands prior to lunch. There will also be touchless hand sanitizer stations throughout the building. Every teacher will have hand sanitizer in their classroom.
LOCKERS
Students will not have lockers this year and they will need to carry their backpacks with them. Due to this, backpacks should fit under their desk and cannot be on wheels.
Virtual Meet The Teacher
Arrival And Dismissal Process
ARRIVAL
Bus riders will enter from the back of the building, while car riders will come in through the fine arts hall prior to 8:00. After 8:00 am students will enter through the main doors.
All students will have the opportunity to eat breakfast; however, car riders need to arrive before 8:10 in order to do so. Remember breakfast is FREE FOR ALL STUDENTS!
Students will hold in classrooms on their grade level hallways until we dismiss to their homerooms at 8:05. We will not use lockers this year, so students will keep backpacks and personal items with them.
Students will transition in the hallways in smaller groups in order to maintain social distance.
DISMISSAL
Parents will enter the car rider line from Woodruff Road via our main entrance. Cones have been used to block off our left lane. We typically double stack the cars around the side of the building; however, this year we ask that cars remain single file. This will allow us to dismiss students in smaller groups and maintain appropriate distancing. We ask that parents have their car rider tag clearly posted in the front windshield. Numbers were sent home on the LEAP postcard and can also be found on Backpack.
Please remember that the car rider line is always slower at the beginning of each year so please allow additional time.
ATTENDANCE
Teachers will take attendance each day for the students who are assigned to be in the building. Students will be marked present as long as they are in the class for more than half of the class period.
ELEARNING ATTENDANCE
On eLearning days, students will be marked present as long as they log in and submit work for each class each day. Realizing that many parents are dealing with different home situations, students do not have to log in at the specified class time, but they must log in at some point during the day to be marked present.
ELEARNING SUPPORT
When students are working on eLearning Monday- Thursday, they can receive help and guidance from their teachers during the posted office hours. Teachers will check emails and reach out to students needing assistance during office hours.
eLearning Friday
On Fridays, all students will be engaged in eLearning. Students are encouraged to follow their normal school schedule as teachers will host Google Meets based on the posted schedule.
BEGINNING OF YEAR PAPERWORK
Chromebook Issues?
Chromebook Repairs – Face to Face/E-Learning Students
On days that students physically attend school, students may turn in their Chromebook for repair at the media center and receive a loaner device as long as one is available. Once repaired, the Chromebook will be returned to the school and must then be returned to the student.
On days when students participate in E-learning, students may call (864) 355-4357 for assistance with minor issues. If the Chromebook is not functioning properly, students should bring Chromebooks to the nearest career center (Mon-Thu, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM) for repair and to receive a loaner device. Once repaired, Chromebooks will be returned to the student’s home school and must be returned to the student in exchange for the loaner Chromebook.
Chromebook Repairs – Virtual Students
Virtual students may call (864) 355-4357 for assistance with minor issues. They may also bring Chromebooks to the nearest career center (Mon-Thu, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM) for repair and to receive a loaner device. Once repaired, Chromebooks will be returned to the student’s home school. The school staff will then contact the student to notify them that the Chromebook is available for pickup.
ETS loaner Chromebooks returned from students should be held at the home school until further notice from ETS.