Hope Valley School Weekly Update
December 22, 2021
Calendar of Events
December 2021
12/23 - No School - Start of Winter Break
January 2022
1/3 - Return from Winter Break
1/5 - COVID PCR Screening Event
1/10 - PTO Meeting at 6:30 in the Library (face masks required)
1/10 - SIT Meeting at 5:00 in the Library (face masks required)
1/12 - COVID PCR Screening Event
1/12 - Early Release Day (no PM PreK)
1/17 - No School
1/19 - COVID PCR Screening Event
1/26 - COVID PCR Screening Event
Check out the 2nd graders singing Feliz Navidad
Student Devices
As we can’t anticipate what the weather will look like in two weeks, we sent home student devices and chargers today for grades 1-4. Please remind your child(ren) that they are responsible for their devices and they should only be used for learning and not play. Please do not allow your child to surf the web or play games on their chromebook. Alerts to go to the technology department if a Chariho student is on an unapproved site. There is nothing that your child has to do on their chromebook during break so they can remain in their backpacks for safe keeping.
Please see information regarding DL days for inclement weather days here. Within the district plan, there is another link for all the schools. There is only 1 plan for all Chariho elementary schools (I linked it here as well).
RIDOH COVID UPDATES
During this week's bi-weekly RIDOH meeting with school Principals and Nurses, it was shared that students can now get a rapid (not PCR) covid test at a state or community site to end quarantine after 7 days. This is a change from the previous PCR requirement and does not include home rapid tests.
As a reminder, if your child has one major or two minor possible covid symptoms, they cannot attend school and need a negative covid PCR test or doctor's note in order to return.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to keep our learning environment as safe as possible for all.
SPAM EMAILS
It was brought to my attention from a couple parents that they received a SPAM email supposedly using my name requesting your help and to email back because I cannot talk or asking you to purchase gift cards. Please be sure to ignore any emails like this. I would never email families requesting this. Interestingly enough, the entire Chariho staff was just alerted to phishing emails during the holiday season. So, I figured I'd email all the families since a couple people already received a spam email. Please be aware of who you are receiving emails from and really look at the email address before clicking on any links or responding. Although the email will say my name, typically it is from a very unusual email address with a bogus gmail account. My emails would always come from a @chariho.k12.ri.us account. Wanted you all to be aware in case you received a spam email.
Important Reminders
Parent pick up for students in K-4 are arriving while prek dismissal is happening. PLEASE be mindful of our pre-school population and do not arrive prior to 3:10. The entire dismissal process for K-4 takes roughly 10-12 min. We have some amazing staff getting our students out quickly and safely.
We continue to be a nut free school which means no peanut butter and no tree nuts including nutella.
With the cold weather, we are noticing a lot of children coming to school underdressed for recess weather. As an fyi...I will be sending children out for recess even if the temperature drops slightly below freezing. My belief is that children need to be outside to socialize and release their energy. Please ensure your children are dressed in coats, hats, and gloves. When I make the decisions for outside recess, I consider the air temperature and wind chill. All the Chariho elementary schools use a specific chart/table to determine if it is safe to go outside. I value your children's safety and would never jeopardize that.
Please make sure that your children do not take any toys from home to school. We continue to see an uptick in this and it is causing problems at school.
PTO Meeting
Monday, Jan 10, 2022, 06:30 PM
Hope Valley Elementary School, Thelma Drive, Hope Valley, RI, USA
NAEP Testing for Grade 4
Message from RIDOH
Winter is right around the corner and the holiday season is here! Unfortunately, COVID-19 is spreading in Rhode Island. Pediatric cases and hospitalizations have surged over the past two weeks.
As we move indoors for the winter and prepare to celebrate the holiday season with friends, family, and fun activities, it’s important to remember how we can do so safely. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the most important actions we can take to protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19 this holiday season. Below, please see the suggestions and resources for community members and parents of children ages 5 to 11 about COVID-19.
Suggestions:
- As we approach the holiday season, the best way to keep your children safe, healthy, and ready to celebrate with family, friends, and fun activities is by getting them the #COVID19 vaccine. Children ages 5 and up are eligible. Learn more at C19VaccineRI.org.
- Vaccines are predictable, COVID-19 is not. As of December 2, 2021, more than 4 million children ages 5 to 11 across the US have already gotten vaccinated, including more than 21,000 in Rhode Island. The vaccine works, is safe, and keeps children in schools and activities if they’re exposed to others with COVID-19.
- COVID-19 vaccines are available at no cost. You do not need health insurance to get yourself or your child vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Making an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine is easy! To find an appointment for children ages 5 to 11, visit covid.ri.gov/5to11vaccine
- We’ve planned more local, school-based, and mobile clinics between December 12 and January 8 when children are out of school for the holidays.
- The vaccination site at 100 Sockanosset Cross Road also has COVID-19 vaccine for children age 5 to 11 and will be open until Saturday, December 18! Walk ups are always welcome here (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 7:00am-2:00pm and Wednesday and Friday from 11:00am-6:00pm).
- It’s OK to have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Add talking to a pediatrician to your holiday to-do list.
- Don’t forget to practice the 3 Vs: Vaccinate, Ventilate, and Visit Safely.
- The best way to celebrate this holiday season is to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Find vaccine clinics at C19VaccineRI.org.
- If you’re gathering indoors for a holiday celebration, bring fresh, outdoor air into your home to prevent virus particles from gathering inside. Good ventilation means having multiple windows opened (even just two inches!).
- Finally, visit safely. If you’re feeling any COVID-19 symptoms, get tested and then stay at home. Wear a mask when indoors with people you don’t live with or in crowded areas outdoors.
Resources:
- Ten reasons why it’s important for children to get vaccinated: health.ri.gov/publications/factsheets/COVID19_10Reasons5to11.pdf
- Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 to 11: covid.ri.gov/5to11vaccinefaqs
- Where children ages 5 to 11 can get vaccinated: health.ri.gov/publications/flyers/COVID-5to11-Vaccines.pdf
- List of COVID-19 vaccine clinics for children ages 5 to 11 only: covid.ri.gov/5to11vaccine
- COVID-19 Community Partner Toolkit: covid.ri.gov/public/covid-19-community-partner-toolkit
Texting Feature Available
I strongly encourage you to sign up for this texting feature that Chariho has initiated. The purpose of this texting feature is strictly for any emergency notification. In order to participate in this service, you must first opt in by sending a text message of Y or Yes to our school's short code number at 67587. Individuals who DO NOT opt in will NOT receive text messages. You can always opt out at any time by texting STOP to the messages. I recommend signing up to this texting feature right now so you don't forget and miss any notifications. Thank you!
Superintendent's E-Newsletter
Please find a copy of the December issue of the We Are Chariho newsletter here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ywgbe5sCKGdGeNlSd2juwtbY_UQn3eIP/view?usp=sharing
A link to past issues of the newsletter can be found here as well:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1grxKQ2ZjeBENC4UTdO1b8SwStqKmFqPL?usp=sharing
Identification
Parking
Celebrations Outside of School
PTO & School Information
Here are the PTO meeting dates for the rest of the year. All parents are welcome to attend any of the PTO meetings. Hope to see you there!
January 10th at 6:30pm
February 7th at 6:30pm
March 7th at 6:30pm
April 4th at 6:30pm
May 9th at 6:30pm
PTO Members
Co-President: Kristin Clarke > kristinc49@aol.com
Co-President: Leah Sousa > leah.sousa@hotmail.com
Treasurer: Stephanie DaPonte > sdaponte14@gmail.com
Secretary: Chloe Morgan > cmako28@yahoo.com
Communication: Chelsea Vandeveer> chelseabaker101@yahoo.com
School Contact Information
School Principal: Giuseppe Gencarelli – Giuseppe.Gencarelli@chariho.k12.ri.us
School Secretary: Donna Sunderland – Donna.Sunderland@chariho.k12.ri.us
School Webpage: https://hopevalley.chariho.k12.ri.us/
School Contact Info: Phone - 401-539-2321 Fax - 401-633-7099
Social Media Outlets
@CharihoRegional
use #HopeValleyHawks
About Hope Valley Elementary School
The mission of the Hope Valley Elementary School is to work in partnership with our colleagues, students and families. We are committed to creating a learning environment where children are expected to achieve their full potential.
Email: ggen@chariho.k12.ri.us
Website: hopevalley.chariho.k12.ri.us
Location: 15 Thelma Drive, Hope Valley, RI, United States
Phone: 401-539-2321
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mr.Gencarelli/?ref=br_rs
Twitter: @MrG_HVES