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Henry Ford School Newsletter, March 14, 2021
Principal's Message
Dear Henry Ford Families,
Happy Pi Day! I Hope you are enjoying your Sunday evening.
We are thrilled that we are heading in the right direction in regards to COVID-19 in the community! Entering into the Red Tier, Governor Newsom’s Incentive Plan to Return to In-Person Learning and the vaccination available to educators have changed the game in education. One of the most fun days of the year is welcoming students on campus usually traditionally in the beginning of August. We have already welcomed back many students and now there are more to come! Our entire staff wants to welcome our additional students back to campus. Please say hello to our yard supervisors who are out front checking in students, Ms. Dina, Ms. Alma, Ms. Martha, and our custodians Mr. Ulises, Ms. Sandra, and Mr. Robert, as well as our Office Manager Ms. Ingersoll, and all the other staff and teachers on campus!
Thank you so much for completing the parent survey sent home last week. More than 90% of our families filled out the survey to return to In-Person Teaching. As a result, more than 130 additional students will be back on campus to join the already 150 students who have been back since January 19. This total number is approximately 60% of our students. We have all been working hard to contact families who hadn't responded to the survey. On Friday we had a preliminary assessment of the number of students who will be attending In-Person, either in the morning or the afternoon, and those who prefer to remain Distance. At the moment all our teachers who are coming back to In-Person will be able to offer at least one In-Person session and one Distance Learning session four days a week. Wednesdays will continue as an asynchronous day at home.
Week of March 15: Notice from Teachers regarding March 22 Orientations and Safety Protocols
If your student is already on campus, your schedule will remain the same.
If you are returning to In-Person learning, look for an invitation via email for your child on Wednesday to visit the School the week of March 22 for a 90-minute Orientation on health and safety protocols. This will be a great opportunity to be around their peers and visit the School prior to the first day of school on April 8.
Details of the schedule: Details of the new student schedule beginning April 8 will be sent home on Wednesday as well. I know we are all anxious! Most students returning to In-Person will be attending the morning session at either 8:15-11:00 AM or the 8:30 -11:15 AM session. Students remaining with Distance Learning will more than likely have the afternoon session starting at approximately 12:00 PM. Also, you will receive the procedural protocols from the office as to the requirements to check students as they enter campus each day. Please make sure to read these thoroughly with your child as it will speed up the process to enter on campus. We know everyone will begin to form these new habits of entry and movement around campus.
Week of March 29: Spring Break for Students. Week of April 5-9: Continue with current schedule on April 5 and April 6. New schedules begin April 8.
Again, we are excited for the opportunity to have more of our students back on campus. I look forward to seeing so many more faces. Look for the invitation for next week's orientation later in the week.
Sincerely,
Al Rosell, Ed.D., Principal
— MARCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS —
MARCH
15-20, Parent / Teacher Conferences all Week — Students will have asynchronous work in the afternoon to allow teachers to conference
23, Tuesday, Professional Development Day, 11:45 AM - Students will have asynchronous work in the afternoon
23, Tuesday, School Site Council, 4:00 PM
24, Wednesday, Super Citizen Recognition
24, Wednesday, RCSD Board Meeting, 7:00 PM
29 - April 2, Holiday / Spring Break
April 5, School Resumes
Parent / Teacher Conferences 2nd Trimester
Parent/Teacher Conference Week is a great time to learn about your child’s progress at this time of year when there is a need to connect about social, emotional, or academic concerns. This week starts Parent/Teacher Conferences. It is a regular school day for students. Teachers will end their synchronous instructional day at 1:30 PM to begin conferences. Students will continue their assignments with asynchronous work starting at 1:30 PM until the end of their regular day.
If you didn't receive an invitation to meet, the teacher may not have a concern with your child at this time. However, you may also request a conference if you were not notified. All conferences will be held virtually. This is a good time to ask questions and determine next steps with the teacher. We look forward to continuing support for your child.
PROGRESS REPORT CARDS
Progress Report Cards will be sent home by Friday, March 19, for both Distant Learners and for students who are at school for In-Person Teaching.
Annual School Book Fair Has Begun!
The Scholastic Book Fair is back! While the Fair is being held virtual this year, it features:
A fully Virtually Fair so you and your kids can experience the joy of the Book Fair experience! Browse nearly 300 titles by grade, meet popular authors, watch book videos, and discover the magic of reading.
Direct access to over 6,000 additional titles with family-friendly prices at the Scholastic Store Online
Every dollar you spend will benefit our School directly (25% back in rewards for every purchase!)
Save these dates, and view our School’s Fair site:
Fair Dates: March 8 - 21
Virtual Store: https://tinyurl.com/1h20vrjl
Check out the catalog: http://bit.ly/3b4UOXz
COVID TESTING - Questions & Answers
LIBRARY BOOK CHECK OUT
Every two weeks students are able to reserve books on their device. Many students have taken advantage of this wonderful opportunity. On a student's Chromebook or iPad, they would go to Cleaver and find "Alexandria." Students would then look for the book they want. If it is available, they can reserve it. The book would be ready to pick up on the designated Friday, the same day as Material Pick Up.
Here is the schedule for the rest of the year:
Kinder - 2nd Grade . . .Dates 3rd - 5th Grade
March 19 . . . . . . . . . . . March 26
April 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 16
April 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . April 30
May 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 6
The May 6 date is for all grades. This will be the last library check out of the year.