Blair Mill Beagle Brief
From our PAWS to yours...September 3, 2021
Principal's Message
Dear Blair Mil Families,
We are less than a week away from our first day of school on September 9, 2021. I am hoping that you are all safe following the recent weather. Our teachers and staff have been working throughout this week to prepare their classrooms and building for our learners. Teachers have also devoted time to professional development to continue to improve our instructional practices. Check out some of our classroom pictures below and one of teachers working away!
I am continuing to share beginning of the year information. Included in this newsletter is important dismissal information that is needed, first day of school logistics, masking guidelines and logistical information regarding our Health and Safety Strategies. There is also some information that I have shared in the past weeks for anyone who missed it.
There is still time to send your family fun pictures. We invite you to share a picture of your family doing anything special over the summer. Please send the picture to jjones@hatboro-horsham.org with the SUBJECT: Family Name - Summer Pic. We will be creating a slideshow with our Blair Mill Families' summer pics to display in our lobby in the first weeks of school.
Although email is currently down, we will be able to access the photos when email is restored.
As a reminder, email is currently down in the district due to the recent storm. Please call (215)420-5243 during our business hours with any questions. Here are Blair Mill's hours leading up to school.
Friday, Sept 3rd - 8am-1pm
Monday, Sept 6th - Blair Mill Closed
Tuesday -Sept 7th Blair Mill Closed
Wednesday - Sept 8th TBD
Thursday Sept 9th- First Day of School for Students
Kindest Regards,
Dr. Elisha Gee, Principal
Welcome Firsties!
Third Graders Welcome!
IMPORTANT!! DISMISSAL INFORMATION NEEDED FROM EACH FAMILY
Masking Guidelines and Hatboro-Horsham Health and Safety Plan 2021-22
Masks are required to be worn inside of the building by vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Information regarding masks can be found on page 5 of our district Health and Safety Plan. This is includes a link to the CDC website with additional information on masks.
https://www.hatboro-horsham.org/Page/1799
IMPORTANT MASKING INFORMATION:
Hatboro-Horsham School District is following the CDC and Montgomery County Office of Public Health guidance for face coverings. All students, staff, and visitors are required to universally mask while indoors and on school transportation. Unless a documented medical condition or disability precludes the wearing of a face covering at school. Appropriate face coverings should follow the most recent CDC Guide Masks which means....
A face mask should:
- Fit properly, snugly, and comfortably, fully covering the nose, mouth, and chin with no large gaps.
- Have two or more layers of breathable fabric.
The following are not acceptable face-coverings: single layer neck gaiters,, face-shields without prior district approval, masks that are too loosely fitting, open-chin bandanas, masks with exhalation valves or vents, face covering with fabric or holes that let light pass through (e.g.) mesh.
First Day of School at Blair Mill - September 9th.
- Arrival is at 8:30 AM on September 9th.
- Students arriving by bus, car, or walking will be guided to the playground to find their teacher.
- Teachers will have a sign with their name and grade level.
- Teachers will asks their students to social distance and place their masks on when they get in line, so that we can prepare to transition into the building.
- All staff will be wearing masks to model for our students what to do as they enter the building.
- Students will be escorted in at approximately 8:50AM.
If you plan to walk your child to the playground, here are are a few reminders:
- Two adults can accompany children to the playground, if they wish. This is not a requirement. Your child can arrive to school how they normally would (bus, car, walker, etc). All children will be escorted to the playground.
- Pets or furry friends should remain home.
- Per our health and safety plan, masks do not have to be worn outdoors for this event. We do encourage any adult in attendance socially distance. Spread out on our nice, large blacktop.
- Once you enter the playground, take your first day picture and escort your child to their classroom teacher's line.
Health and Safety Strategies and School Logistics
Carline and Walker Arrival and Dismissal Notes
CARLINE INFO:
- The carline for arrival and dismissal will be in the front loop of the building for all grades K-5.
- Buses only will be picking up and dropping off students on the cafeteria side of the building.
- Children should exit the car CURBSIDE for their safety.
- We are using a family number for dismissal. All families will receive hangtags with the numbers on the first day of school.
- Display your family carline number in a space easily visible by our carline staff - either on the rearview mirror or on the windshield. If another family member is picking up your child, please be sure they have the family number displayed in their window.
- If you arrive after 8:50 and there are no staff in the car line area, please park your car in a parking spot and accompany your child to the school lobby. For late arrivals, families must sign their child into school.
WALKER INFO:
All students who are WALKERS in kindergarten, first grade and second grade need to be picked up by an adult family member at dismissal. Students who have an older sibling can walk home with them. Please indicate that on your dismissal form.
Walkers will be dismissed from the FRONT gym door of the building. A staff member will be at the door with our youngest learners (Grades K-2) to ensure that they are dismissed to an adult or are walking with their older sibling.
Updated Device Distribution Information as of September 2nd
All students from Kindergarten through grade 12 are issued a device from the school district to support learning. Students in kindergarten and grade 1 use iPads. Students in grades 2 through 12 have laptops.
Device distribution has been revised due to the recent weather. Students do not need to sign up again. If you need a device, you can come to the High School at the hours below. Bring your ticket with you to expedite service.
Friday 9/3: No Distribution
Saturday 9/4: 10am-6pm (extended 2 hours)
Tuesday 9/7: 1pm-8pm
Wednesday 9/8: 9am-2pm (newly added date).
Please continue to monitor the districts Website, Twitter, and Facebook for additional updates.
NEW Elementary School Hours
8:30 a.m. Student drop off begins
8:50 a.m. Academic Day begins
3:30 p.m. Dismissal to walker area, car line or buses
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Office Hours
School Meals Information
The Hatboro-Horsham School District operates under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. We provide our students with healthy meals everyday.
School Meals Payment information: https://www.hatboro-horsham.org/Page/548
Free and Reduced Lunch Information
The school district continues to participate in the Free and Reduced Meals program, and we encourage families to complete an application to ensure the provision of needed services across our schools. Please click the link below to the school district website for more information and to apply online.
Food Service / Free and Reduced Lunch (hatboro-horsham.org)
SEPTEMBER SCHOOL LUNCH MENU BELOW - CLICK THE LINK
School Supply List
https://www.hatboro-horsham.org/domain/520
If your family is experiencing economic challenges, please email one of our guidance counselors, Ms. Fedyna at cfedyna@hatboro-horsham.org. All family information is kept confidential. We would be happy to help.
Transportation Information
Look for bus routes to be updated by the end of August on this website.
https://www.hatboro-horsham.org/Page/459
Here Comes the Bus App
You and your children will now know when your bus has entered your neighborhood with Here Comes the Bus. A customizable map enables you to see, in real-time, exactly where your children’s bus is. With your smartphone or tablet you can even customize the Here Comes the Bus app to send you notifications when your bus is near, or let you know when there has been a schedule change. We still encourage you to have your children at the bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled pick up time.
About Us
Email: egee@hatboro-horsham.org
Website: https://www.hatboro-horsham.org/Domain/8
Location: 109 Bender Road, Hatboro, PA, USA
Phone: (215)420-5200
Twitter: @blair_mill