We Are... Wildcats!
December 6th, 2020
A Note From the Principal
Happy Sunday Wildcat Families!
This year has been unlike any other when it comes to adapting based on variables out of our control. The last three weeks were no exception to this. I know for all of us, the pause in face-to-face learning created some new challenges but also showed many successes. Staff, students, and families were all navigating a whole day of school while being remote. In previous years, this task would have seemed nearly impossible to complete while also showing high-levels of student growth. However, these past three weeks confirmed that our students can achieve great success no matter the setting because of our collective partnership. Although I know many of us agree that in-person school is the ideal setting for our learners, I am confident in times when we must go remote that our students will still see high-levels of achievement.
I do want to share a few shout-outs to our whole community:
To our families- Thank you so much for creating a great learning environment and high-expectations for remote learning. Thank you for your patience, grace, and understanding as our staff adjusts and learns the best way to support our students and families no matter what the environment. We know sometimes it can be frustrating when a link doesn't work, an iPad crashes during a Zoom meeting, a password isn't being accepted, or when other technological challenges happen but it makes all the difference seeing your continued support during these challenges.
To our staff- You have all taken every challenge this year and made it appear to be much more simple to overcome than it really is. All the work and preparation that each of you has done behind the scenes in the past and continue to do every day is remarkable. From our teachers, to custodial staff, to our paras, to food service workers, and our office staff... you have all done so much in the background to make this year a success. Thank you all for your love and dedication to our Wildcat community!
To our students- Thank you so much for being flexible, independent, and positive throughout this whole school year. Time and time again your smiles, and positive attitudes make this is all seem possible and worthwhile to everyone. This year has thrown you all SO many challenges but you continue to impress every single Weiss staff member with your continued kindness, resilience, perseverance, and growth. You are all the true MVPs!
Sincerely,
Mr. Bezeau
Principal
Downriver STEM at Weiss
PTO Virtual Holiday Event
New STEMtech Teacher- Mr. Klotz
Reviewing Protocols
Close Contact and Positive COVID Cases
Process for when students aren't feeling well at school.
Students becoming ill while at school has been addressed throughout this year. However, since we are returning from our pause in face-to-face learning, it seemed appropriate to review these procedures and guidelines. Students often report they do not feel well while at school. In previous years, we have tried to encourage our students to stay at school if they didn't appear ill while also notifying our families of the situation. This year, we are not able to work through minor symptoms with students and allow them to stay at school. As Elementary educators, we know that changes in a student’s schedule (like a substitute teacher), an online writing assignment, or a math test can cause emotions that make a child feel uncomfortable, and they may report being sick. Please have conversations with your child at home about the importance of reporting what is making them nervous or anxious, so we can work through that as a team. Any student or staff member who becomes ill at school and/or reports they are ill at school must be sent home immediately.
Students and staff may not return to school until they have a doctor’s note that states their symptoms were not COVID-19 related or that their illness was a different diagnosis.
These processes make it even more important for families to have updated contact information in their Parent Portal and multiple emergency contacts. Students will not be allowed to wait until the end of the school day to be picked up from school when they are ill or are reporting being ill. Please ensure you have multiple emergency plans in place for your child. Thank you for your help in this educational journey and your support of these processes.
Health Screening and Extra Precautions
Important Dates
Monday, December 7th-Welcome Back, Wildcats!
Wednesday, December 9th-Remote Learning Schedule for a Half Day of School-Our teachers will be spending the afternoon learning about additional ways to support our students. It is also a deep cleaning day for the building.
Monday, December 14th- Ugly/Beautiful Christmas Sweater Day (Alternative- Dress like a snowman by wearing white)
Tuesday, December 15th- Flannel Day (Alternative- Dress like a candy cane by wearing stripes)
Wednesday, December 16th-Remote Learning Day/Deep Cleaning of the Building.
Santa's Workshop - Dress as Santa, an Elf, a Reindeer, a Toy, or any other holiday item.
Ideas (feel free to do others)- Wear a Santa hat, dress as Else, cut out a snowflake and tape it to your shirt, wear a shirt with fire and say you are a fireplace, wear a shirt with your favorite toy or character on it (Disney, JoJo Siwa, Fortnite, color your nose red and say you are Rudolph.
Thursday, December 17th-Red and Green Day
Friday, December 18th-Pajama Day/Christmas Break begins~
Monday, January 4th-8th-Remote Learning from Home-Classroom Teachers will send out the remote schedule for these days.
Monday, January 11th-School Resumes for in-person Instruction
Lunch Monitors?
If you know anyone that loves being around kids and would be interested in helping Weiss during lunch, please have them call Maria D'Alfonso from Food Service at 734-379-7619