The Serene Scoop
Serene Hills Elementary School --- Aug. 13, 2020
DEAR SERENE HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARENTS AND STUDENTS,
If you would have told me a year ago that we would be in a situation like this, I would never have believed you. It still seems surreal, but here we are. Next week, we will begin this school year virtually, in the midst of a pandemic. The decisions that have been made in LTISD were not taken lightly. Our district and campus leadership are committed to student and teacher safety to the best of our abilities. We understand that while learning loss may have occurred over the past spring, our teachers will meet the students on their levels to close any gaps and continue to challenge them. We also know that social emotional health is a large topic that cannot be overlooked. We are committed to meeting our students' social-emotional needs so they can continue to grow and bloom.
It is undeniable that school will look very different this year. Some of our families will choose remote learning while others will be at Serene Hills in person. Regardless of your family’s personal choice, each and every child will continue to be a part of our Sailor Family.
Each school year, we establish a campus-wide theme that sets the tone and focus for the upcoming school year. Our theme this year, "Serene Hills Elementary: Home of the Brave" focuses on courage even in challenging times. When this theme was chosen, we had no idea exactly how relevant and appropriate it would be.
We are thrilled to welcome the Pre-K and ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education) programs to our campus. Even the tiniest of learners have so much to offer our community, and I know we will learn from them as much as they learn from us. No dream is too big, and no dreamer too small.
The entire SHE staff and I hope you all have stayed happy and healthy through this time, and continue do so. We are so ready to see your faces (virtually or in person) as soon as it's possible.
Warmest Regards,
Keegan Luedecke
Your Serene Hills Elementary Principal
#SHEBrave
Upcoming Events:
08/14/20..........Parent / Teacher Email Sent Out
08/17/20..........Virtual Meet The Teacher
08/18/20..........Virtual Meet The Teacher
08/19/20...............First Day of School -- Virtually!
The Top Ten Things You Need to Know:
Teacher Placements
Teacher placement emails will be sent by your child's teacher on Friday, August 14th.
Check your email around 4pm on Friday for an email from your child’s teacher assignment for the 2020-21 school year. Parents with multiple children in a grade level will receive an email from each HR teacher.
Please know that requests for classroom changes will not be considered.
2: Class Lists and Teacher Assignments:
Teacher assignments will be communicated to you on Friday, August 14th. Your child's teacher will schedule a time to meet via a virtual "Meet the Teacher" to occur on August 17th and 18th.
Learning PODS:
For students participating in learning pods, we are supportive of any additional help that may be provided outside of school. Though learning can be richer when learning together, we will not take requests to place students in the same class to accommodate learning pods. Our classes are built first on teacher input, consideration for each individual student need, and parent input submitted through Parent Input/Meet My Child forms.
Student Commitment Forms: Remote or In-person Learning:
Student commitment forms were due last Thursday, August 6th. You may, however, revise your commitment form up to two weeks prior to the first day the district is able to offer in-person learning on campus. Please note, the child of any parent who does not submit a form will default to in-person learning on campus. The Student Commitment Form is available in Skyward Family Access. Once logged in, select the icon "Commitment Form 2020-2021" from the home screen and follow the instructions provided. To assist you with your planning, please visit the section 2020-2021 School Reopening section on the LTISD website.
Whether through remote learning at home or in-person learning on campus, Lake Travis ISD will be ready to support our students and families throughout the coming year of “learning transformed.”
Though we will do our best to minimize shifting of students into different classes, some shifts this year may be unavoidable. This will mainly occur upon our return to in-person learning, September 8, and as needed, based on parent choice of in-person or remote learning. Please remember changes from virtual to in person can only be made at the beginning of a new grading period. We appreciate your patience, flexibility, and understanding as we work to meet our students' needs and maintain balanced classrooms.
3. Meet the Teacher
4. Remote Learning Schedule
Daily student participation and progress in learning activities will be required, however student participation will not be measured based on how often they are online live with the class. Attendance will be determined based on a blend of the student’s submission of assignments, daily quizzes, and live interactions each day. This allows our students and parents the flexibility to determine when and how a student participates throughout the day.
A structured schedule will be offered to students and indicate times when learning may be provided online with the teacher and class. This time will allow for direct interaction with a live teacher as well as opportunities to engage in peer collaboration within their homeroom class. The schedule will also build in time for independent, asynchronous learning activities that align with the teacher’s instruction.
5. Shift to Self-Contained
Through much deliberation and discussion with all elementary campus administrators and Learning & Teaching Services, it was decided the coming school year has too many changing and unknown variables to support departmentalization. For the 2020-2021 school year, all PK-5 classrooms will be self-contained, meaning the students will be taught all core classes by their homeroom teacher. Previously, fourth and fifth grades were departmentalized, meaning students were instructed in core content areas (English/Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies & Math/Science) by two teachers throughout a school day. This was also referred to as 'switch teachers'.
Building relationships, communicating clearly and frequently, and supporting learning experiences with students and parents in a remote learning environment will be critical as the learning environment may change throughout the school year.
While the coming year may seem challenging, we are confident that our teacher teams will work closely together to provide the highest quality instruction for your child. We encourage our teachers to share their content knowledge and expertise with each teacher on the team, so you may see "guest teachers" presenting material to your child during virtual learning.
6. There is support for Parents with Schoology
7. UPDATED SCOPE & SEQUENCE/NEW CURRICULUM RESOURCES
Teachers and campus grade level teams will be planning their own lessons similar to a regular school year. Instructional coaches, along with teachers from every grade level and campus, spent time this summer improving and aligning the Scope and Sequences with a blended learning curriculum and resources, for LTISD teachers to access and use.
For access to the learning standards for each grade level, click on the TEKS image to the top-left of this section. The TEKS image is linked to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website. This site will provide you with information on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which are the state standards for what students should know and be able to do.
8. Communicating with Our School
Mrs. Luedecke, Principal
Mrs. ShaCrista Rideaux-Glasper, Assistant Principal
Ms. Barrera, Counselor
9. RETURNING STUDENT PACKET
Both remote learning at home and in-person learning on campus must complete a Returning Student Packet for each child in Skyward.
10. NEED TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT FOR REMOTE LEARNING?
Additional Information:
FAQ: May I Re-enroll my student after in-person learning continues?
Students can be re-enrolled for in-person learning after having been withdrawn as students of the LTISD. The re-enrollment process is the same as the enrollment process for any new LTISD student. The re-enrolled student will, initially, be scheduled for in-person learning at the school building.
Once the re-enrolled student has attended school in person, remote learning, if desired, may be selected when the district next extends an invitation to select a preferred learning option.
LTEF Kinder Club
LTEF is excited to celebrate your incoming Kindergartener!
We know this important year looks very different so we would love to join you and your family in kicking off your child's school experience in a special way.
LTEF will be hosting a Kinder Parade on Sunday, Aug. 16th from 2:00 - 4:00 PM.
Located at Primrose Bee Cave, near Sportsman Finest and Golds Gym off Bee Cave Road (3801 Juniper Trace, Bee Cave, TX 78738)
Pick up your LT Class of 2033 youth T-shirt and Kinder Goodie Bag to kick off the year! The first 100 members will be able to pick up shirts at the Kinder Parade in time for the first day of school!
To join LTEF Kinder Club, a gracious $25+ donation provides you with membership in the LTEF Kinder Club, and you will receive a youth medium LT Class of 2033 t-shirt and goodie bag for your Kinder student!
The Lake Travis Education Foundation (LTEF) mission is to raise funds to support exemplary education for all students throughout the Lake Travis Independent School District!
Water-Bottle Filling Stations
Summer Office Hours
Serene Hills Elementary School
The Serene Hills Elementary community commits to engaging every student in innovative, collaborative learning focused on growth and to igniting a passion for learning in which everyone is valued.
Website: https://www.ltisdschools.org/SHE
Location: 3301 Serene Hills Drive, Lakeway, TX, United States
Phone: 512-533-7400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenehillspto/
Twitter: @SHEsailors