Grizzly Gazette
March 6th, 2021
Principal's Message
We had a great week of school. A "big" thank you to Mrs. Burke, one of our first grade teachers, for putting a bulletin board up for students to leave little notes of things they are thankful for. Yesterday, I was reading what students had contributed so far. What they have written is so special! I'll share a few in the next Grizzly Gazette. You have wonderful children. What a blessing to work with them each day. They make me laugh , reflect and very proud. Take care.
Jeff
Superintendent Search
The Stanwood-Camano School District Board of Directors have hired the consultant firm Northwest Leadership Associates to conduct the search for the district’s next superintendent. We wish Dr. Shumate all the best in her upcoming retirement!
Stakeholder’s Survey - Open Through April 24th
All staff, families, and community members have an opportunity to take a survey to inform the district about the personal attributes and qualities they would like to see in the next leader of the Stanwood-Camano School District. Survey results will be presented to the Board at a future meeting. Link to survey:
English https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/stanwoodcamano
Español https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/STANWOODCAMANOSPANISH
Paper copies of the survey in English and Spanish will be available at the district office (outside of the main entrance) starting March 10th.
Open Community Forum Via zoom- March 11, 2021 @ 12:00pm and 6:00pm.
March 11 - 12:00 PM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82221251384
(For phone-in information click here)
March 11 - 6:00 PM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87079009157
(For phone-in information click here)
To view the superintendent search schedule click here
Pandemic EBT
That said, P-EBT for this school year has one major improvement over last summer's process: P-EBT cards will be issued automatically to eligible kids - no application is required to get these food benefits. Each eligible child will get their own P-EBT card and it will be mailed to the most current address schools have on record for that child.
Kids who are homeless or highly mobile can use their school's address to ensure their P-EBT is mailed to a secure place and families can pick up their cards there.
Unfortunately, homeless student liaisons (as well as foster care liaisons) only got this message below yesterday - and the deadline for correct information for eligible students is MONDAY, March 8,2021 so the following must be done ASAP:
Ensure homeless families provide their best, most current address to their children's schools (EACH school, as each student will get their own P-EBT card) - or, notify school staff to use the school address to mail their cards.
Betsy Griffith LMHC, NCC
Behavioral Health Clincal Supervisor
Island County Human Services
360.678.8294 (office), 360.969.2067 (cell)
SCSD Return to School Update (Secondary)
The metrics for our region remain low enough that we are allowed to bring our high school students back to school in an AA/BB hybrid model beginning Monday, March 8. Students will need to adhere to our masking, social distancing, and hand hygiene protocols. Students must stay home for 10 days if they have any of the following symptoms:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Siblings of ill students must also remain home. Students may return earlier if they have a negative COVID-19 test.
Secondary schools will be sending out information about an OSPI survey. We encourage all middle and high school students to complete the survey.
Student comments about distance learning
We thought it would be fun to share with families the responses we got from students who answered the question, “What is good about being back in school?”
The bus rides are nice and relaxing
I get to meet my teachers
I learned what the school looks like
Getting to see people and having easy help on work whenever I need it. And I feel like I get more accomplished during my week by being at school.
Something great about being in school has been getting to interact with teachers and other students in person. Although we don’t get the social opportunities we had pre-pandemic, it’s still very nice to see people again.
I love being able to see at least some of my friends on the bus and at school and the teachers are so kind and helpful.