Tiger Tales Newsletter
November 9, 2020
Upcoming Dates
November 11 - No School, Veteran's Day
November 20 - No School, Conferences
November 18-30 - Virtual Scholastic Book Fair
November 25 - Early Release, No Resource In Person Groups
November 26-27 - No School, Thanksgiving Break
Grateful for You!
For the month of November we are focusing on Gratitude. I want to thank you for your partnership this year. We find ourselves in the position of sharing the responsibility of teaching your child and appreciate your time and effort. It is not easy to balance and we understand the stress you face. Keep reaching out to your child's teacher and the school if you need support. We are here for you!
Jog-A-Thon prizes will be handed out this week. Hybrid students will take them home on their attendance days. Our online students can pick up their prizes in the office any time this week.
SDSC Friday Family Message
Reopening News
The district is frequently asked how they make decisions regarding bringing students back for in-person learning.
We first look to the Washington State Department of Health Decision Tree. This provides a general overview for districts.
The second source of guidance is our local county health departments. The district continues to meet with the Snohomish and Island County Health Districts on a weekly basis to discuss trends and changing protocols. The health districts can provide us with district specific information including case counts in our district and where the “hot spots” are emerging. Data from this week showed another increase in infection rate per 100,000 over a two week period, although it was a bit smaller of an increase than previous weeks. Both health districts have reported that in spite of the increased case count per 100,000 per two week period, districts can proceed with reopening plans for elementary students provided the district has capacity to serve students, can complete screening protocols, has required PPE available, and has the necessary staff.
Finally, the district’s lead nurses attend weekly meetings with the local health districts and district administrators to review community and individual school data. Our nurses monitor student absence reports for each of our buildings, which also informs our decision-making process. If illness rates are high, we are less inclined to bring additional students onto our campuses for in-person learning.
The district examines all of the information listed above. If we have specific concerns or questions, we consult with health district leaders to obtain more specific guidance. Currently, the district intends to bring 4th and 5th grade students back on November 30, but only if the number of cases flattens or decreases over a two week period. Our appreciation goes out to our families who are being vigilant with their children’s symptoms and keeping their children home as instructed.
Other news:
Families may be wondering what the ramifications of the passage of Referendum 90 will mean for their child(ren). Information will be forthcoming.
Conferences
Schedule Changes
Wednesday, November 25 is 12:00 early release. There will be no in-person Resource Room groups for Special Education students and Google Meet office hours will be adjusted to a half day schedule.
There will be no school on November 26-27 for Thanksgiving break. We hope you enjoy time together with family and friends.
Coats for Kids
If you are in need of a warm coat for this season, please visit the Stanwood-Camano Food Bank on Wednesdays from 10:00-3:00 or Saturdays from 10:00-2:00.
They will also be hosting Elementary School Pop-ups on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:30-7:30. Please make sure you wear a mask and plan on social distancing.
- 11/10 & 11/13 - Utsalady Elementary
- 11/17 & 11/20 - Cedarhome Elementary
- 11/24 - Twin City Elementary
- 12/1 & 12/4 - Elger Bay Elementary
- 12/8 & 12/11 - Stanwood Elementary
- 12/15 & 12/18 - Utsalady Elementary
- 12/22 - Cedarhome Elementary
Counselor Corner with Mrs. Schwarze
Gifts from the heart
Red anything
Animals
Teaching students
Ice cream, always ice cream
Time with the people I love
Umbrellas on a rainy day
Dusk, the setting sun
Every TCE Tiger!
Wow, I feel better after taking the time to think about the things I am grateful for at this very moment. An acrostic poem like the one above is an easy way to focus on the people and things in your life you are grateful for. Practicing gratitude eases our stress, boosts our mood, and just helps us feel better. Write your own gratitude poem and send it to me at jschwarze@standwood.wednet.edu. I would love to read your poem!
Counselor Corner slide decks are new each Monday and you can find these in your Google classroom, through Seesaw, or a link on Clever. Take time this week to check them out!
Kickin' It with the Counselor
Calling all 4th and 5th graders…are you looking for a fun time to connect with friends? Then look no more! Mrs. Schwarze will be hosting a weekly Google Meet for you and your buddies to attend. This will be a time to play games, visit, and just hang out with each other. This is a low pressure, fun time with NO assignments. Hope to see you there!
Times and Meet Codes:
4th Grade Girls: Mondays 10:30 - Google Meet Code: tcegrade4girls
4th Grade Boys: Tuesdays 10:30 - Google Meet Code: tcegrade4boys
5th Grade Girls: Mondays 11:00 - Google Meet Code: tcegrade5girls
5th Grade Boys: Tuesdays 11:00 - Google Meet Code: tcegrade5boys
Meals for At Home Day
New Tiger Pride Items
PTA Reflections Arts Program
Health Protocols
Families have asked what the protocol is when a school has a confirmed case of COVID 19. The district immediately contacts the school nurse and the Snohomish or Island County Health District. The Snohomish Health District has provided the following documents for families.
http://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/5251/Schools-info-101620?bidId=
http://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/5278/School-and-COVID-Spanish?bidId=
We also have protocols in place for students/staff who are ill. When students or staff display the following symptoms, they must go or stay home:
Fever/Chills
Lost of taste/smell
Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle Aches/Pains (not attributable to other causes)
Headache (not attributable to other causes)
Congestion/Runny nose (not attributable to other causes)
Cough
Nausea/vomiting
Diarrhea
Sore throat
When students/staff have these symptoms, they must stay home for 10 days or until they have a negative COVID test.
We need to reiterate schools are casualties of increased rates of transmission within the community. We have become aware of students spending time together off-campus, in unmasked social situations. This has the potential to increase transmission rates, thus impacting the district’s ability to bring back more students. We are reminding everyone that it is essential to wear masks, maintain social distancing, avoid indoor in-person gatherings outside of immediate family, and practice good hand hygiene. If a social gathering must occur, these gatherings should be held outside.
Health Attestation
Pease complete the Health Attestation Google Form. You will need to complete this form ONE TIME for the school year, NOT each week.
By completing the form parents are agreeing to screen their child daily and not send them to school with any symptoms of COVID-19. You are also agreeing to communicate with the school if your child becomes ill.
TCE Social Media
Contact Us
Jennifer Allen, Principal
Email: jallen@stanwood.wednet.edu
Website: https://tce.stanwood.wednet.edu/home
Location: 26211 72nd Avenue Northwest, Stanwood, WA, USA
Phone: 360-629-1270
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twincitytigers