Knightly News
February 2021 Newsletter
Isaac Monfort Elementary School
Website: https://monfort.uticak12.org/
Location: 6700 Montgomery Drive, Shelby Charter Township, MI, USA
Phone: 586-797-5700
International Travel Guidelines for Mid-Winter break
We greatly appreciate your continued partnership to keep our students and staff safe as we have moved to face-to-face learning. Your support of self-screening procedures for your child(ren) each morning is key to our continued success in providing a safe and positive learning environment.
It is important that families who may be traveling over mid-winter break follow closely the additional guidelines to mitigate any spread of COVID-19 in our community. These guidelines were issued in the recent Presidential Executive Order and Center for Disease Control (CDC) Travel Guidance (both attached).
Families planning to travel internationally should know and comply with the Presidential Order requiring the CDC recommendations for international air travel. For Utica Community Schools students this means the that they must follow the below procedures following their return and before returning to school.
§ Student must quarantine at home immediately upon return from international air travel. This should be for a minimum of seven (7) or ten (10) calendar days (see below)
§ Student should get tested for COVID-19 upon return from international air travel. This is best conducted during the window of three to five days after return
o If test result is positive for COVID-19, follow all applicable quarantine requirements
o If test result is negative for COVID-19, continue to self-monitor, and may return to school after the full seven days, provided no symptoms emerge
- If the student does not get tested within the window indicted above, she/he is to self-monitor for ten days, and may return to school after the full ten days, provided no symptoms emerge
- Even upon completing quarantine, students who have engaged in international air travel should continue to distance from medically fragile persons for fourteen days from return.
Students should make us aware in advance of any international air travel so that any quarantining absence is appropriately recorded. Please be advised that Utica Community Schools is not obligated to provide expanded remote learning for students quarantined following voluntary international travel.
Below are links with additional information:
CDC Guidelines: After You Travel Internationally | CDC
Executive Order: Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel | The White House
National Honor Society Tutoring Information
The National Honor Society is a nationwide organization dedicated to community service for US high school students. Recognizing that the COVID pandemic has placed immense stress upon teachers and students, the GLKUAIS chapter has collaborated with elementary schools to create a virtual tutoring opportunity through Microsoft TEAMS.
Tutoring will begin the first week of February and will continue until the end of the school year. The dates and times for sessions are listed in the flyer above.
Our tutoring will be based off your students’ homework – this means that we will help your students with problems and concepts from their classes’ homework. We are focused on the idea of guiding students to discovering the correct answer through questions and collaboration rather than giving students the answer blatantly.
There are two TEAMS links at the bottom of this e-mail. One link is labeled for Kindergarten through 2nd grade; the other is labeled for 3rd grade through 6th grade. Students will join the link that fits their grade level and after students join, they will be placed in a breakout room corresponding to their grade level.
For students to participate in tutoring sessions, a parent or guardian must sign a permission slip by answering the Microsoft Form attached below. The permission slip will contain several guidelines for tutoring.
We look forward to working with your students!
Valentines Day Celebrations
Valentine's Day is coming in the next few weeks and is a special day for people of all ages.
Each year, we find creative ways to incorporate learning, celebration, and fun into Valentine's Day. This year, mitigation strategies are making us think more outside the box. We are not going to pass out any treats, items, or cards to others physically. Virtual options, crafts, games, and even video messages could be some options that our creative and talented staff/students could use to celebrate the special day.
Friday, February 12, will be a spirit day, where we can wear pink/white/red colors, heart socks, special Valentine shirts, hats, masks, to celebrate the season. Check with your child's teacher for any specific classroom plans relating to Valentine's Day.
Important Upcoming Dates
FEB 3 - WEDNESDAY: Online learning only. No in-person instruction.
FEB 10 - WEDNESDAY: Online learning only. No in-person instruction.
FEB 11 - Winter Conferences
FEB 15-19 - No classes. Winter Break.
FEB 22 - Classes resume
MISD Fourth and Fifth Grade Daughters/Mothers Maturation Program
The Macomb Intermediate School District will be presenting a maturation program for fourth and fifth grade girls and their mothers/guardians, at which time they will answer growth and development questions.
This virtual event will take place on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The attached flyer has registration details.
2021-2022 Kindergarten Registration
Calling parents of the Class of 2034!
Registration materials are now available for families of students who will be entering the Utica Community Schools kindergarten program this fall.
In addition, families will be invited to multiple virtual or face-to-face activities to welcome them to the UCS family, including a March 18 virtual kindergarten open house.
“Kindergarten is an exciting time for children and parents, and we are pleased to begin welcoming our newest members of the Utica Community Schools family,” interim superintendent Robert Monroe said. “We are proud of our nationally-recognized, developmentally appropriate kindergarten program offered in a nurturing, supportive and safe learning environment.”
UCS provides students comprehensive instruction in core academic areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. Students also receive instruction from specialized teachers for media center/technology, art, music and physical education.
In addition, UCS offers a personalized blended learning program at the early elementary level that allows teachers to use technology – iPads, laptops and SMART boards – to support an environment based on each student’s learning style and pace. The program has been honored at national and state levels for its innovation and impact on learning. All kindergarten students receive a personal device that is preloaded with apps tailored to their instructional needs and used by UCS teachers.
Children are eligible for kindergarten if they turn five years old on or before September 1, 2021. However, children who turn five between September 1 and December 1, 2021 are eligible to enroll in kindergarten if their parents submit a waiver form.
Parents can begin the registration process by visiting the link below.
The on-line process will allow families to sign up for kindergarten and upload necessary documents. Documents include:
- Child's birth certificate
- Michigan driver's license, Michigan ID or appropriate employment picture ID
- Lease agreement, closing papers or property tax bill
- Immunization records detailing the day, month and year your child was vaccinated against measles, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis B and other serious illnesses.
Once registered, parents will receive an outreach from their child’s schools with information and activities that will help their child transition during this exciting time.
One important activity for 2021-22 kindergarten families is a virtual kindergarten open house, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 18.
At the virtual open house, parents will have the opportunity to learn about the district's curriculum and interact with school staff.
Arrival and Dismissal
School officially begins at 9:10 (AM SESSION) or 1:20 (PM SESSION). Students may begin lining up outside their classroom door at 9:05 a.m. (classroom doors open at 9:10 a.m.) or 1:15 p.m. (classroom doors open at 1:20 p.m.).
As a reminder, due to our security protocols, parents will not be allowed in the building
Arrival Procedures:
· Students will wait on a social distancing spot outside of their classroom door while they wait for their teacher to welcome them into the classroom.
· 3rd and 4th grade students will cut through the lobby door and walk out to their spots on the back side of the lobby
· 5th grade students will enter through the double doors at the end of the 5th grade hallway in the back of the building
· 6th grade students will line up on a social distancing spot outside of their classroom door on the back play pad
· If you are driving your child to school and walking them to the classroom we are highly encouraging ONE ADULT ONLY per student (and no siblings)
· Students must wear a mask
· Masks are required for all adults and children over the age of 2 years old
· The playground is not to be used while waiting for the teacher to open the classroom door, or after either morning or afternoon sessions.
Dismissal Procedures
Car Riders:
· Parents who are picking up students after school are encouraged to stay in their cars until dismissal. This will help us maintain social distancing and reduce overcrowding in the pick-up areas.
- Classes will be dismissed from their designated exterior doors.
Transportation
Transportation
For families that are eligible for transportation services, times and routes are available on the district website.
We also encourage you to review the attached video with your children. It details the important safety procedures that students must follow in riding the bus.
Food Service
Elementary students in the AM and PM programs will be provided a grab and go breakfast and lunch at the end of their school day. Please refrigerate these meals once they come home. If you do not want your child to participate in this free meal program, please go to the attached link to disenroll. Unless otherwise noted in this opt-out form, food service will provide this service for your student.
Child Care
Our UCS Community Education Department will be providing School Age Child Care for families that may require a half-day service. More information is available at the link below..
Dressing for the Elements
Don't forget that students will be walking around the school to line up at their outside classroom doors for class, and dismissal will be from classroom doors as well. On snowy or slushy days they may be standing on an un-shoveled area to remain social distanced from classmates, and wearing appropriate winter gear will help keep feet warm and dry. Even just getting through the parking lot can be wet and slushy during these winter months - remind your children to wear boots daily to avoid cold and wet feet!
If for some reason your child does not have a winter coat, hats or gloves please notify the office.
Early Dismissal
Thank you for your cooperation.
The office staff
Are you seeking a REWARDING employment opportunity?
Become an integral part of our high-quality Utica Community Schools team!
Existing Opportunities include:
· School Bus Drivers
· Instructional Aides (Paraprofessionals)
· Food Services
· Administrative Assistants and Clerks
Opportunities include part-time and full-time work schedules, competitive compensation, retirement benefits and summers off. If interested, submit your online application today! Please visit us at the link below to begin your new and rewarding career.
Direct District Employment Opportunities
Bus Drivers
Utica Community Schools bus drivers get our students to and from school safely every day and are among the first and last members of our team to interact with students each day. UCS bus driver starting wage is $17.50 per hour with increases for experience and includes a competitive benefit package. Interested qualified candidates should complete an application at our website: uticak12.org under the employment tab. The district will train persons who are interested in obtaining a CDL license for the purpose of UCS employment. Call 586-797-7100 for more information.
Paraprofessionals
Utica Community Schools paraprofessionals (teacher assistants) support varied students populations ranging from children with special needs to limited English speakers. This rewarding work generally follows the school schedule and calendar. UCS paraprofessionals starting wage is approximately $13.00 per hour with increases for experience. Interested qualified candidates should complete an application at our website: uticak12.org under the employment tab. The district provides training as applicable. Call 586-797-1130 for more information.
Skilled Trades
Utica Community Schools employs an internal team of heat and vent technicians, plumbers, electricians, mechanics and other skilled trades to maintain our facilities and bus fleet. Some industrial or commercial experience is generally preferred. Interested qualified candidates should complete an application at our website: uticak12.org under the employment tab. Call 586-797-7130 for more information.
Opportunities for Employment Through Third Party
Substitute Teachers
Substitute teachers provide a vital role in the education of students as they provide continuity during teacher absence and bring their own experiences into the classrooms. For this year, UCS is offering up to five guaranteed days per week at $125.00 per day for qualifying individuals. Interested candidates should sign up with edustaff.org, the districts third party service provider and once approved, notify the Human Resources Department, or any UCS principal, of availability. Retired former UCS teachers should call Human Resources directly at 586-797-1140. The district provides training as applicable.
Temporary School Support
Utica Community Schools is seeking persons to assist in a variety of ways within our schools upon the return of in-person instruction. These will be temporary assignments that range from assisting in the office to assisting teachers and other staff in and around the school. The positions are paid at $13.00 per hour with part time schedules available. Individuals should first have recommendation of principal prior to pursuing this employment through third party employer, at edustaff.org.Technical Support Contact Information for Students and Parents
Starting Tuesday, January 19, 2021 the UCS Helpdesk will offer two ways for parents and students to contact them directly for technical support:
- Telephone: 586-797-1055 from 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Email: techsupport@uticak12.org