Whitney's Jungle Journal
Mr. Stacho's Newsletter - October 29, 2020
Wild About Whitney!
Dear Whitney Parents,
We are wrapping up the month of October and our students and staff continue to do a phenomenal job here at Whitney. We are doing our very best to continue to promote a positive and fun learning environment for our children, while taking all the precautions necessary to make sure we promote health and safety for everyone.
With that said, you probably are aware of the spike in cases across the state of Ohio, specifically in Cuyahoga County. Here are a few updates that occurred at last week's Board Meeting:
- We will remain in full in-person learning at this time.
- The Board will be meeting tonight, Thursday. October 29th, depending on the county's color coding system
- In the event that our county is moved to PURPLE, we will transition to Remote Learning 2.0 on November 2nd, 2020
- If the county remains in RED, the board will make a decision on the learning framework we will follow..
Please pay attention to any updates that are communicated over the next few weeks, as there will be key information about our learning plans. The Remote 2.0 schedule (linked here as well) is pictured below for your reference should we return to Remote Learning 2.0.
Mr. Schibley's October Newsletter
When should I keep my child home?
In order to do your part in preventing the spread of germs, it is imperative that we are frequently doing symptom checks of our children at home. If your child is displaying any of the following symptoms, please keep them home and inform our front office. We will work to ensure that your child stays up to date with assignments and the teaching taking place in the classroom:
- A fever of 100.4 degrees or higher. This is one of the strongest Covid Symptoms
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Persistent cough or runny nose
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
We need you to assist in helping us, by monitoring for these symptoms on a daily basis, and keeping your child home if they aren't feeling well.
Responsible Restart Webpage (REPEAT ITEM)
Halloween - Friday, October 30, 2020 (REPEAT ITEM)
Unfortunately, with Covid regulations, we can NOT have a Halloween Party as in year's past. We want to provide an opportunity for students to dress up on Friday, October 30th if they would like to.
Here are the expectations we will follow:
- Halloween masks or makeup will not be permitted (they must wear their regular masks).
- Costumes must be school appropriate.
- Students will not be permitted to bring accessories for their costumes.
- Costumes will be worn all day (including Encore classes, lunch and recess); they will not be able to change into or out of the costumes during the day.
- Students must be able to move throughout the day (including lunch and recess) and complete daily school activities while in their costume.
- If your child does not want to wear his/her costume, they can wear a Halloween/Fall shirt, fall colors, etc.
Again, there will be no parties, food or parents permitted in the building this day.
VETERANS DAY IS COMING (REPEAT ITEM)
Dear Whitney families,
It is a Whitney tradition to celebrate with and thank all of our Whitney family Veterans on Veterans Day, November 11. In the past we have had many wonderful performances for our Veterans. This year’s restrictions are going to keep us from having our normal performance at Whitney Elementary, but we are still hoping to honor our Veterans by learning about our Whitney Veterans.
I have linked a Google Form that you can fill out for me. I will share this information with the students. We are also learning some songs and are hoping to create a video to share with our Whitney Veterans and families.
I will miss seeing all of my Whitney Veteran friends as I look forward to visiting with them each year. We will continue the tradition of talking about Veterans and being thankful for their service.
Please complete the following Google Form below if you have any relatives that have served or are currently serving in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps., or Coast Guard.
Thank you for your patience and understanding,
We hope we will be able to resume our activities at school next year.
Mrs. Gonczy
268-5870
Or message me on the Class Dojo app
Kindergarten Bus Orientation (REPEAT ITEM)
School Fees
SOLO students your fees have been entered as well.
Any questions feel free to contact the office at 440-572-7180.
Powerschool Unified Classroom Needs to be Updated (REPEAT ITEM)
The following is information from district offices regarding updating your online account. It is vital that you update ALL information in this site, including up to date phone numbers for emergency contact and the form regarding photos.
Online "Information Update" for the 20-21 school year is now available! This task should have been completed by September 18, 2020, however we have 109 families that have not completed the update. SOLO families must update PowerSchool as well. You will use the NEW PowerSchool UNIFIED CLASSROOM (formerly referred to as (PASS) Parent Portal) to access the 2020-2021 information update form. Even though the forms are "pre-filled" please check all information and you have to submit for each form and you must do it for each child that you have in the system even if all the information remains the same.
How do I get started?
Visit the Strongsville City Schools Website and click on the Powerschool Unified Classroom icon in the upper right corner and log into your UNIFIED CLASSROOM Parent Portal account.
- Select the student you wish to register along the top
- Click on the "Quick Links" icon in the left hand menu and select "Main Portal Page."
- Choose the Link "2020-2021 Information Update" on the Navigation bar on the left hand side.
- Enter the birthdate for the selected student
- Complete the form and submit.
I can’t remember my login for the PowerSchool Unified Classroom Parent Portal.
If you aren’t able to retrieve your login credentials using the “Forgot Username or Password” link on the Powerschool Unified Classroom Sign In page, please contact your school directly for assistance logging in to the Unified Classroom Parent Portal.
I don't have a Unified Classroom PowerSchool Parent Portal (PASS) account.
Contact your school directly for instructions on setting up your account, and your credentials.
Do I have to answer all the questions?
Questions marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.
What if I make a mistake?
If you would like to make a change prior to submitting the form, you can either navigate back to the page using the “< Prev” and “Next >” buttons or if you are on the Review page click on the underlined field. If you have already submitted the form you will need to contact your student’s school so they can make the changes for you.
I’ve completed the form, now what?
Once you have finished entering your information click “Submit.” This will send all of the information you’ve entered to the school. If you cannot click on this button you will need to make sure that you have answered all required questions. Make sure you click "save and signout" before exiting to insure information is kept.
What if I have more than one student in the district? Do I need to do this for each child?
Yes you will need to provide information that is specific to each child. We recommend that you complete and submit one form and then start another. This will allow you to “snap” (or share) selected family information, which saves you time.
Help! I’m on the Information Update form and I’m having technical difficulties.
For technical support, visit our PowerSchool Community help center or click “Help” from any form page.
Please Understand... (REPEAT ITEM)
Please understand that cough drops will no longer be administered in elementary school clinics.
One more reminder - your child should have two masks at school in a plastic baggie as part of their school supplies in case one is soiled or lost.
If you should have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate in reaching out to our Whitney nurse, Mrs. Tracey Winkelmann by calling 440-268-5909.
“Here Comes The Bus” Website/App Now Available for SCS Families to Track Daily Transportation Information (REPEAT ITEM)
‘Here Comes the Bus’ App
Now Available for Strongsville City Schools Families
to Track Daily Transportation Information
Strongsville, OH (October 5, 2020) - Last year, Strongsville City Schools purchased and installed GPS on its entire fleet of buses and have now completed the testing of a new app for the District which will allow families to monitor daily transportation information. The Here Comes the Bus app is now available to families with students who utilize Strongsville City Schools transportation. The app and complementary website, available on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, or personal computer, enables parents to see the location of their child’s school bus on its daily route. Additional highlights of Here Comes the Bus include:
- Notifications sent to a phone or computer (text messages and/or email) which alerts families when their bus is approaching the bus stop
- Notifications sent updating families on any daily bus number changes
- Customizable features for different devices, depending on how parents are viewing the app/website
“Being able to add GPS to our fleet of buses and offering the Here Comes the Bus app to the families in our District is a positive upgrade for transportation in our District. This app and website provides another layer of security for our students and families, while also leading to greater efficiencies for our bus drivers,” said Mr. Stephen Breckner, Operations Manager for Strongsville City Schools.
Click HERE for additional information on Here Comes the Bus.
Families please see below for the specific code for Whitney.
SOLO / SOLO 2.0 Communications (REPEAT ITEM)
For our families in our SOLO program, which would include K-5 students in the Lincoln Learning program and all students in Grades 6-12, if you are having login issues or course assignment questions, please contact Erin Green (eringreen@scsmustangs.org). For our K-5 families in the SOLO 2.0 program, if you have questions related to assignments or other general teacher-related questions, please contact your SOLO 2.0 teacher. For other programmatic questions, please contact Katie Hawk (khawk@scsmustangs.org).
New! Request for Parent Input -- Ohio’s State Tests Performance Standards Confirmation (REPEAT ITEM)
The State Board of Education adopts performance standards for the Ohio’s State Tests that are used to determine whether a student meets the proficiency level. Because of the importance of the performance standards, the Board’s Assessment and Accountability Committee has directed the Ohio Department of Education to conduct a confirmation process to review where the performance levels are set for the English language arts (ELA) and mathematics tests.
Achieving a proficient level on a state test has significant impact for students and families. As part of the review process, the Ohio Department of Education is seeking input from parents around the meaning of performance standards for their children as they progress in school and as they prepare for life beyond high school.
We are looking for parents to participate in six virtual discussion committees. Participants should have online access for viewing the meeting information virtually, but video capability is not required. There will be six separate interactive discussions with parent committees, and they will take place on the following dates and times.
- Elementary School (grades 3-5) ELA will be on Tuesday, October 27, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Middle School (grades 6-8) ELA will be on Wednesday, October 28, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- High School ELA will be on Thursday, October 29, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Elementary School (grades 3-5) Mathematics will be on Tuesday, October 27, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Middle School (grades 6-8) Mathematics will be on Wednesday, October 28, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- High School Mathematics will be on Thursday, October 29, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
If you are interested in participating on one of these parent discussion committees, please complete the online application.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Assessment at statetests@education.ohio.gov or call Dr. Marie-Elena Hall at 614-306-3467.
Please join our PTA! (Repeat Item)
Here is the live link that you can click on that is mentioned in the flyer below: