Jan. 27-29...4th Grade Writing DCA

Jan. 28, 2021...Progress Reports to parents

Feb. 10-12...Student/Staff Break Days (No School)

Feb. 18, 2021..."Leader in Me" Parent Session #1 (11:30 AM-12:30 PM or 6 PM-7 PM)

Mar. 3, 2021..."Leader in Me" Parent Session #2 (11:30 AM-12:30 PM or 6 PM-7 PM)

Mar. 11, 2021..."Leader in Me" Parent Session #3 (11:30 AM-12:30 PM or 6 PM-7 PM)

Feb. 25, 2021...APTT Session #1 with all 1st Grade and 2nd Grade Parents (virtual 6:00-7:15 PM)

Feb. 25, 2021...Mid-Year Open House (virtual opens at 6 PM)

Beginning the New Year...2021...is Exciting! We still are managing two learning platforms for students virtually and for many more students attending in-person daily at Alexander Elementary!

• ATTENDANCE - IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL

Daily attendance is required. If a student is absent, the student will need to make up missed work. Students are expected to attend classes for all subjects as scheduled every school day- on campus or virtually. Students have work to complete independently each day; this work needs to be turned into the teacher for credit on assignments.

If a student misses class, they will be marked absent and a parent/guardian may be notified if absences are in excess. After 18 absences in the school year, students may be at risk of retention due to a lack of attendance. Truancy laws are still in effect.

• ALIEF LEARNS AT HOME – STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

All students attending virtually should be logging into Alief Learns at Home via the AliefHUB and Schoology https://launchpad.classlink.com/aliefisd every day. Your child’s teacher continues to spent much time and effort to ensure that we provide the best instruction possible in a remote setting. Even though we are learning and teaching remotely in a virtual environment, our education expectations are the same as they would be if you were learning in-person.

ALIEF LEARNS AT HOME is a virtual experience and all students need an internet capable device (computer, laptop, tablet, iPad) and access to the internet at home to be able to log into Schoology and the Alief Hub to be successful. When students enrolled, they indicated if they had a device and internet access. Those indicating a need for a device or internet access received information from Alexander Elementary to schedule a time to come to campus to pick up those items. Please make sure you keep the devices safe, clean, and charged for school.

STUDENTS ATTENDING VIRTUALLY:

• Adjust your child’s schedule to match the school day if virtual.
• Have your child log into live class lessons 5-10 minutes early so your child is ready to learn.
• Students should actively participate via Schoology with their class.

• STUDENT GRADES

Grades are given for assignments and work assigned to students. Students are expected to fulfill all work expectations for each class (in-person or virtually). Student grades are calculated and reported the same if attending virtual or in-person. These grades are used to calculate their progress reports and report cards. We use our normal grading scale for grades on progress reports and report cards. Grades will be used to determine promotion to the next grade level.

Tests and projects are part of the educational process. Students are expected to fulfill all work expectations. Academic honesty is required. We realize parents want to help and support their child and the best way to do that is to allow students to do their own work with guidance. Make sure your child uses their own thinking and academic skills. We cannot know what assistance a child needs if the child is not the one completing the test or assignment. If you need help or assistance on how to support your child please talk to your child’s teacher or an administrator; we would love to help.

Most of the textbooks for students are located on-line in the AliefHUB and Schoology. Some classes may require additional items. Teachers will ensure the distribution of these additional items for your child for students in-person or in the virtual environment.

• LUNCH AND BREAKFAST are served daily for students in-person. Those students in the virtual setting can also pick up lunch and breakfast, intended for consumption the following day, at school between 5pm – 6pm M-F for enrolled students (students must prove enrollment). For more information go to www.aliefisd.net/curbside.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE LUNCH APPLICATION ONLINE AT WWW.SCHOOLCAFE.COM. IF YOU QUALIFY FOR FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH, YOU ALSO QUALIFY OUR SCHOOL FOR MORE MONEY TO PROVIDE SUPPLIES AND SERVICES FOR STUDENTS.

HOME ACCESS CENTER

Every student and family should have a Home Access Center account. Home Access allows you to view your child’s grades and progress in their classes. This includes weekly grades, Progress Reports, and Report Cards. If you need to register to create an account go to www.aliefisd.net/hac to register for HAC. If you have forgotten your password, please contact your campus Registrar, Ms. Kerby @ 281-983-8300.

HELPFUL HINTS: How to be successful in ALIEF LEARNS AT HOME & In-person Instruction

• Pay attention to all communication from your child’s teacher, Alexander Elementary and Alief ISD.
• Set up a quiet learning area or space in your home for your child.
• Students need at least 8 hours of sleep nightly.
• Each student should have their own school supplies (including water bottle with name, and mask).
• Contact your campus or teacher if you have any questions or need support.

• As we continue through the 2020-2021 school year, the top priority will always be the health and safety of our students and staff. For that reason, Alexander Elementary and Alief ISD are committed to the following measures which will serve as the basics for our comprehensive safety protocol:
• Masks are required for all adults, and for all students: Please review the importance of wearing them over the nose and mouth, along with keeping hands or objects away from their face.
• Hand sanitizer students use as they enter the building and available for frequent use throughout the day, along with washing hands often.
• Daily temperature checks entering the building
• Additional cleaning and disinfecting of classrooms by custodial staff is done throughout the day and after school hours
• Arrival and dismissal adjustments and related strategies to minimize traffic and gatherings
• Distanced seating in classrooms where able, group size limits, and decreased building capacity
• Sanitizing of buses after each run
• Any visitor to the building needs to complete the safety screening (QR code is posted on front door and side door)

SELF-SCREENING/REPORTING ON COVID 19 RELATED SYMPTOMS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILD AND FOR ALL OTHER CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN OUR LEARNING COMMUNITY.

PLEASE CONTACT OUR SCHOOL NURSE, NURSE MARTINEZ, @ 281-983-8300 IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE OR HAVE QUESTIONS.

PLEASE REPORT IF YOU, YOUR CHILD, OR ANYONE LIVING IN THE HOUSE …

• has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 14 days.
• has been exposed to COVID-19

COVID-19 exposure includes: currently living with someone who is confirmed positive or if you have been in contact with an individual that is confirmed positive.
Contact is defined as being closer than 6 feet from a confirmed positive individual for 15 minutes or more within a 24 hour time period with or without a mask.

• are experiencing any new or worsening symptoms that indicate a possible COVID-19 infection
• are currently waiting on COVID-19 test results

Symptoms include:

- Temperature of 100 degrees or higher

- Cough
- Shortness of breath / difficulty breathing
- Sore Throat
- Muscle Pain / Fatigue
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Loss of taste or smell
- Chills
- Diarrhea

The new year brings us to the mid-year of our educational year. This is the time to evaluate your progress on goals set. Are you monitoring your goal? If not, this is a good time to get back on track and focus on what you want to acomplish this school year. Here are some ideas to do with your child.

We hope this information addresses many of your questions as we continue to move forward for 2020-2021. As always, please monitor our campus social media outlets and our web page.

Remember, we are here to support you as always. This will continue to be an unusual, but amazing year!

On behalf of the Alexander Elementary Staff, please accept our sincere appreciation for your patience, suggestions, professionalism and commitment to Alexander and Alief ISD. We are honored to be a part of a great school system…we trust you are as well.