Geneva Family Gnome News
Student Materials and Device Distribution Plan
A note from the principal...
Hello Geneva Families!
First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the incredible individuals that make up our Geneva community! On behalf of the team at Geneva, thank you for the kind words, and grace as we put our plans to work. Most of all, thank you for sharing your children with us. As soon as teachers began making their welcome phone calls this week, there was a palpable shift in our collective mood; the spark of joy is back in our work! Teachers are hard at work preparing for a unique, memorable and engaging start to our school year. We have missed your family, and are eager to see your child tomorrow at our Virtual Meet and Greet.
Below you will find all the details for picking up our first phase of student supplies and device update/distribution on Friday. I am calling this our first phase because we will have a few additional items such as an individual kit of math tools, and a few items that are back ordered like individual dry erase boards and watercolors. If you have done any online shopping, you have probably noticed some shipping delays. School supplies have become the new toilet paper and Clorox wipes of the pandemic!
Before the details, the people- there are a few folks that need a public shout out!
Our recess coaches, office team, kitchen staff and bus drivers have been, and continue to be the unsung heroes at Geneva. These teams have been hard at work unloading pallets of supplies and packing individual student bags. When you swing by Friday to pick up supplies, feel free to give them a socially distanced thank you.
On the device side of this project, Librarian Nancy Hudson and coach RJ have worked with the Bellingham Public Schools Technology Team to prepare individual devices for distribution. It has been impressive!
Before you leave the last parking lot on Friday, you are welcome to give them a little toot of your horn, a wave or a shout of gratitude. Let's celebrate - schools is starting Tuesday!
As always, please don’t hesitate to connect with me if you have questions or ideas, or if your family has a need that our school district may be able to help with.
Warmly,
Sharece Steinkamp
- Our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students will be invited to check out their virtual class from 2:00-2:20.
- Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students will be invited to join their friends from 2:20-2:40.
* if your family does not have a phone, tablet or computer for the Zoom Virtual Meet and Greet, please email me today so we can problem solve and support this need.
Please Note:
We are using Skype for Business for phone conversations this year. This number will show up as a Bellingham Public Schools number. If you try to return the phone call at that number, it will not work. Your teacher will share their individual contact information.
Student Materials and Device Pick Up Plan- Friday 9/4
As part of Project Free Education, we are able to provide all essential learning supplies for every child.
For our families with a child in Preschool, Teacher Tammy will coordinate with you about supplies and a learning device for your child.
Below you will see a map that shows the route we will ask you to follow. Please enter from Cable Street onto Lakewood Lane so you can drive around the back of the school and enter the first bus loop with the flagpole. This will allow for safer waiting in line without blocking traffic.
First stop will be student learning supplies:
- In advance, please write your child(ren)s NAME, GRADE and TEACHER on a piece of paper to hold up in your car window. Our team will be able to quickly retrieve the grade specific bag with the necessary learning supplies.
- If you have library books, classroom supplies you want to return, or anything else to drop off, we will collect those non-technology related items here.
Second stop will be Seesaw codes and devices:
- For our Kindergarten and First Grade families, please drive up to the first table, and let the staff member know that you are here for your Seesaw codes. Once you have this, you are ready to go! We will connect with you about iPad distribution in the next few weeks.
- For our families who already have a device checked out to your child, please bring the device fully charged with you. You will receive your Seesaw code(s) and directions how to update your device. Please pull into a parking space, and have your child log in to the computer and follow the instructions. Please know that this process takes approximately ten minutes.
- For our families with child(ren) in grades 2nd through 5th, please pick up your Seesaw codes, and let the team know that you are picking up a device. Your child has a computer assigned and ready to be handed out. Our team will retrieve the device. You will receive a bag that has the device, power supply, and login/password information. Please note that there will be a form for family to sign. We will have a supply of pens that we will sanitize between families, but if you are immunocompromised, you might consider bringing your own pen. Once you have signed the form, you are ready to go!
For our Kindergarten and First Grade Families
We will be hosting a 30 minute informal and optional session tonight through Zoom for the families of our youngest learners who are interested in learning more about our September Experience and what to expect for your conferences with your teacher in the weeks to come. This link will be live between 6:30 and 7:00 tonight, 9/2. If this time doesn't work and you have specific questions, I welcome your email or call.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://bellinghamschools.zoom.us/j/96941654052?pwd=VHRMNWIyekk4WCsyU3NJL0I2dzVwdz09