Pioneer Trail Elementary
Back to School Edition - August 2020
NOTE FROM THE ADMIN.....
As we continue to make plans for returning to school for the upcoming year, I want to share with you preliminary information that will impact our daily routines at Pioneer Trail. Just like with every area of our lives right now, many things will need to look different as we begin the school year. As the situation we face continues to change, our plans will likely require updates and changes as we move through the next few weeks and months.
Our continued priority is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for our children to learn each day at Pioneer Trail. We will continue to work diligently to ensure all students are safe and provided the highest level of learning. The Pioneer Trail team is working to make plans that will provide as much normalcy and routine as we can, while working to keep our children safe and learning at the highest levels.
Below are preliminary plans for our re-entry to school on Monday, August 24th. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at scott.salmons@jcschools.us .
I hope you and your families are all doing well!
BACK TO SCHOOL IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Registration at Pioneer Trail (GYM):
Any student that did not complete online registration will need to come to Pioneer Trail to register during the dates below to begin school on August 24th.
- Thursday, August 6th 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Friday, August 7th 8:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Important Guidelines:
Students who are not registered for the 2020-2021 school year by August 14, will not be eligible for bus transportation for at least the first 3 days of school. Eligibility after the third day will be contingent on the number of riders on any given bus. If adjustments to routes must be made, it could be up to 2 weeks before busing is available.
We request that only one family member be in attendance to register your child if possible. Students should not be brought to registration if possible.
Please wear a mask and look for signs and social distancing requirements as you arrive on campus.
Open House
Due to current guidelines, we will not be hosting an in person open house this year. We are making plans for a Virtual Open House that will be shared with families prior to school starting. Students will bring their supplies with them the first week of school.
PIONEER TRAIL RE-ENTRY DETAILS
Foundational Priorities
Our plan for returning to school is built around the following foundational priorities identified in the Jefferson City School District Re-entry plan that provide for layers of protection for students and staff at Pioneer Trail Elementary. The complete Jefferson City School District Re-Entry plan can be found below this information.
Pioneer Trail will adhere to the following guidelines to the best of our abilities...
Increased Sanitation Efforts
Social Distancing
Staff & Student Screening Measures
Personal Protective Equipment
Limited Visitor Access to Buildings
Virtual Education Options
Procedures for COVID-19 Infections
As we begin the school year, there are several strategies that we will be implementing during the school day to provide the highest level of safety and protection for students and staff.
Our Universal Strategies is to Provide Safety and Protection
1. We will keep small, stable groups of students together throughout the day to create school families. This will minimize contact with other classrooms, students and possible exposure to infection.
2. We will provide students with skills necessary to socially distance themselves from others in the building and help in the sanitation efforts to minimize exposure.
3. We will follow district, state, and federal guidelines for sanitation, social distancing, staff and student screening measures, personal protective equipment, limited visitor access, and procedures for COVID-19 infections.
Our Daily Schedule
Arrival: School doors will open at 7:15 A.M. This is different from last year.
Bus Riders will enter through the front doors beginning at 7:20 A.M.. Car riders and walkers will enter in the entrance by the gym between 7:15 - 7:30 A.M. After 7:30 A.M., all car riders and walkers will need to enter through the front doors.
As students arrive, they will enter the school and go directly to their classrooms. Students who arrive on a bus must wear a mask while on the bus and keep their mask on until entering their classroom. Students who arrive in cars or walk, are not required to wear a mask, but it is strongly encouraged they wear one inside the building until they arrive to their classroom.
A thermal imaging system will check temperatures of students as they enter the building. Any student with an elevated temperature (100.4 +) will be immediately taken to the nurse for a temperature screening.
“Gel In, Gel Out”: All classrooms will be equipped with hand sanitizer at each door. We will use a process called “Gel In, Gel Out”. Students and adults will use hand sanitizer to “Gel In and Gel Out” every time upon entering and exiting the school, classrooms, and common areas.
Breakfast: Breakfast will be served in individual classrooms. We will use the same procedures we used last year for breakfast in the classroom. As students are picking up their breakfast, masks will be strongly encouraged.
Seating: Students will be spread throughout the classroom. Students will be assigned a seat in the classroom that can be reported daily for contact tracing if needed. At all times throughout the day, we will make our best effort to have students distance from each other.
- Social Distancing: Social distancing is one layer among many in our Back to JC Schools plan, and it is an important element. Our social distancing guidelines are based upon the guidance from the State Health Department and DESE (https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/COVID-MO-K12-Reopening-Guidance.pdf).
- Social distancing efforts will also include keeping desks and student seats as far apart as possible (three to six feet where feasible), and keeping students all facing the same direction rather than facing each other when possible. Where necessary, non-essential furniture will be removed, along with all soft surfaces such as carpet or soft seating, to create even more space in classrooms.
- When social distancing is not possible, then staff will be required to wear masks. There may be times in the classroom setting when masks for students would be helpful and will be strongly encouraged. It would be for a short amount of time, but would help in efforts to maintain a healthy environment.
All soft surfaced items (anything that cannot be sprayed or wiped down to sanitize: couches, soft chairs and classroom rugs have been removed from the classrooms). This has a two fold purpose: to create more space and eliminate areas that cannot be easily sanitized and wiped down.
Students will help with responsibilities for wiping down their own desk surface, chair back, own supplies, chrome books, and other personal belongings in the classroom. Staff will have set schedules for sanitizing common materials and high-touch surfaces within the classroom and school. All cleaning and sanitizing materials are 100% safe for student use.
Restroom: A restroom schedule will be developed. Our restrooms will be sanitized hourly. Students will be sent out to individually use restrooms for emergencies only.
Movement: We will minimize movement throughout the building throughout the day.
Lunch: Lunch will be served in individual classrooms. Students will be strongly encouraged to wear a mask while picking up their lunch.
Art, Music & PE: Music and Art will travel to homeroom classrooms. PE will be outside as much as possible and a grid style gym system will be established for days indoors to provide for distancing.
Recess: Stable classroom groups will participate together during recess to minimize exposure to other students.
Water Bottles: Water fountains will be turned off, but we will have water bottle filling stations throughout the building. It will be important for each student to have their own water bottle labeled with their name if possible.
Dismissal: Specific procedures will allow for social distancing. We will all need to have patience and grace as this process is likely to take longer than it previously has in the past. Students who will be dismissed to the car line are strongly encouraged to wear a mask during this process. Bus Riders will need to put their mask on before they head to the bus. We will begin car rider dismissal at approximately 2:35. Specific details will be forthcoming prior to school starting.
DOES MY CHILD NEED A MASK FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES?
KIDAccount Dismissal Cards
If you have your student cards from last year, they will still be effective this year. If you have lost them, we will do a one time replacement free of charge since we were not able to inform parents to maintain them over the closure and summer months. If you need new or additional cards, please email at erin.barbour@jcschools.us or call the office at 573-632-3400.
Kindergarten and new students will have their cards mailed to them prior to the first day of school.
NON-STAFF VISITORS TO PIONEER TRAIL ELEMENTARY DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
When parents are dropping students off late or picking up early, all communication and transactions will take place within our vestibule. Again, while this is not ideal on any level, we want to ensure the safety of our staff and students and appreciate your understanding and support.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE
REGISTRATION MAY REOPEN ONCE THE NUMBERS ALLOWED ARE IN PLACE. THERE MAY BE A WAIT LIST IF NUMBERS EXCEED CAPACITY.
Scott Salmons, Principal
Email: scott.salmons@jcschools.us
Website: https://www.jcschools.us/Domain/15
Location: 301 Pioneer Trail Drive, Jefferson City, MO, USA
Phone: 573-632-3400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jcGrayWolf