Harbor Heights On the Horizon
1/19-1/22
This week
Monday, Jan 18th, Martin Luther King Day - No School
Tuesday, Jan 19th, 2nd grade returns!
Lunch Pick up at School for remote learners and community will be 12:00-12:30. We are making small changes now to prepare for bigger changes as we bring more and more students on campus. Thank you for being flexible, feel free to call the office at 253.530.1800 with the latest updates.
Bus Routes for K/1/2
For the next two weeks:
5th grade students will have a modified Specialist Zoom Link time - now you will have Zoom STEM, PE, and Music from 12:45-1:05 so that Mr. Rucci, Mrs. Coovert, and Mrs. Mandery can adjust their times for 2nd grade in-person learning. Thank you for being flexible 5th grade! A messenger was sent out to all 5th grade families last week.
Second Grade In-Person Learning Begins Tuesday, Jan. 19
We look forward to welcoming 2nd grade students! We have communicated most details out, but most important to us is that your child feel safe and comfortable coming to school. It will feel like the first day of the year! We know that several items need to come on this first day back, thank you for having your attestation form filled out (copies attached below), school supplies. and bring in your Chromebook and charger. Please have contents in a grocery, reusable, or foldable bag if possible. Here is the recording of our Community Chat from last week that walks through the expectations and FAQ's. The most fruitful conversations with staff and community this weekend have essentially landed on this: "with all the planning in place, let's give this first day a try and then we can make adjustments for day 2." I do hope we can reduce any anxiety with the information shared and the evidence of our successful in-person learning that has been in place since the beginning of the year. We have safely and sustainably started the year with our Options program, added small groups, K/1, and now will include 2nd Grade! Staff, current K/1 students, and all personnel on campus will work together to welcome each student in Mrs. Jacobsen's, Mrs. Cohn's, Mrs. Fisher's, and Mrs. McIntyre's class.
February
While we invite 2nd grade back for in-person learning, we are working with the 2nd survey of K/1/2 to add space in PSD for students who chose remote for first semester and wish to return for 2nd Semester - 2nd Semester starts Feb 1. Many K/1/2 students are on a waitlist for in-person learning, we hope to have updated information soon.
Plans Continue for Hybrid In-Person Learning for Older Grades
We are continuing to define our plans for hybrid in-person learning models for 3rd-5th graders and 6th-12th graders. Return dates for these students have not yet been determined, but it will not be before Feb. 1, 2021. District leaders are using recent survey results to help us start the hybrid learning model as soon as COVID-19 rates allow for additional in-person learning. We will give staff and families a minimum two-weeks’ notice before the hybrid learning model begins. Questions? Please see our FAQs.
5th Grade, please remember your specialist time for the next two weeks will be changed to 12:45-1:05. Thank you for being flexible Fifth Graders!
Please check out the CIS and HOA flyers at the end, and printable Health Attestation forms are available. Hard copies are sent home each week, and extra can always be picked up at school. Thank you to all parents and students for ensuring students come every day with a signed attestation.
Some community members have asked What is the Number?
In the guidance from the state K-12 Tool Kit, the decision to resume or expand in-person learning is complex and requires weighing both risks and benefits to children, staff, their families, and the broader community. The District will consider rates and trends in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and test positivity in their community. It is not a single number, but a much broader consideration.
Please refer to the latest PSD communication: https://www.psd401.net/schoolreopening
Connection Wednesdays - modified time of 11:30 to increase access!
We had a great time with dozens of students who joined us last Wednesday for a variety of clubs for our first Whalecome to Connection Wednesday!
Clubs with the most interest such were art, sketching, gaming, and social break out rooms with peers. The survey and attendance both agree! Singing, reading stories, sharing personal writing and poems, leaf pressing, and the list continues to grow. We look forward to seeing you this Wednesday at 11:30
Join Zoom Meeting
https://psd401.zoom.us/j/98503251904?pwd=WnRtNkgwSmRFa0NnMDdEb0FTbVhpdz09
Meeting ID: 985 0325 1904
Passcode: orca
All are WHALECOME !!!
Specialist Emails
Mr. Rucci, Mrs. Coovert, and Mrs. Mandery will be holding office hours for connections with students 11:00 12:00. We will call it "Special Specialist Time" or in the world of acrostic "SST"! This time will be used to answer questions from curriculum previously taught, sharing of ideas, showing completed projects, or just conversing and connecting. We will also host a “SST Lunch Bunch” with any students who want to eat with us at 12:00-12:15 just to connect.
Use the following link to get Specialists' Zoom links: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vQ_3Jxaykve808W_-pVSCbdK43Jb2KP4XKYHxnYleZ2blYwFoC2kBv4k8ZGTOVzr5-a8V70Ljex4JD3/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.g9852b02714_0_58
howea@psd401.net, Mrs. Howe STEM
coovertk@psd401.net, Mrs. Coovert STEM
Ruccid@psd401.net, Mr. Rucci PE
manderyj@psd401.net, Mrs. Mandery Music
Remember: 5th grade will have specialists at 12:45-1:05 for the next two weeks to set up our schedule best for the implementation of the 3-5 Hybrid.
VPO Updates
From the VPO FaceBook Page: to see newsletter click on this link to access the live links from the pictures below https://mailchi.mp/b1b949244444/january-vpo-newsletter-9440393?e=5b4e0a2c38
Read and Lead
Feb 1st through March
Collection through physical turn in or email VPO for minute totaling
Yearbooks
Parents contribute photos from home and send via email to harborheightsVPO@gmail.com, we will have class pages.
VPO email list: http://eepurl.com/gEVGTT
YRU - Year Round Updates to ensure your contact information is up to date
Parents have the ability to log into their Parent Portal account and click the Year Round Update link to review and make changes to their contact information. If you don’t already have a ParentPortal account you will have to create one. For information on creating an account go to psd401.net/parent-portal. We ask that all families review the information at least once a year as well as any time they have changes.
Below is a graphic of the DocuSign message that was sent out originally on November 13th around 4pm.
Attendance
Harbor Heights Elementary
We are a passionate community dedicated to the success of the whole child
Email: bentlerd@psd401.net
Website: https://hhe.psd401.net/
Location: 4002 36th Street Northwest, Gig Harbor, WA, USA
Phone: (253) 530-1800
Facebook: facebook.com/hhorcas