Little Jay Journal
November 4th, 2021
Calendar of Events
* November 6th, 1:00-3:00pm, Mancos Main Street Bridge Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
* November 13th, 10:00-5:00pm, Vaccination Clinic, Bus Loop
* November 15th, 6:00-7:00pm, Board of Education Work Session
* November 15th, 7:00-9:00pm, Board of Education Meeting, Board Room & via Zoom
* November 22-25th, Thanksgiving Break, No School
Principal's Corner
I am an incredibly proud Bluejay, as we have many celebratory events taking place this weekend. Go Blujejays!
- Our 3-5th grade girls are culminating their season of Girls on the Run with their 5K Run at Three Springs on Saturday.
- The bridge in Mancos is completed, and the Town will have the Main Street Bridge Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Saturday.
- Our High School Football Team and High School Volleyball teams have made it to the playoffs, and they play Friday and Saturday.
- Our school district is hosting a vaccination clinic, which includes vaccinations for 5-11 year old children on Saturday.
These are all wonderful events, and our pride in being a part of Mancos continues to grow!
I have included an update for families on our AR Reading Program at the Elementary School. While the quizzes have only been accessible at school or the Mancos Public Library, we are providing the URL link so families can read together, and students are able to take AR quizzes at home if needing to. Please read the section below on the access, and expectations of students when taking an AR reading quiz at home. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to spend quality reading time together.
I hope everyone enjoys the beautiful weather this weekend, and enjoys time with family and friends.
Have a wonderful Little Jay day!
Cathy Epps PK-5 Principal
Update on Events
The Mancos School District Community has a longstanding appreciation for the Thanksgiving Day and Veterans’ Day holidays. We believe in celebrating our Country’s roots and the honorable men and women that sacrificed for our liberties; therefore, we will find an alternative day and time after the pandemic to celebrate these holidays in grand Bluejay style. The family Thanksgiving Dinner and Veteran’s Day Pancake breakfast will not take place in their normal time and place in recognition of community concerns about the increase in COVID cases in the county.
The school district acknowledges that we are in a tough time in our history as we balance health and liberty concerns. As part of actively managing the situation, movement up or down on the continuum of COVID mitigation procedures will match the current reality. This action signifies a modest shift on that continuum. The North Star for the matter is a focus on students learning and school district activities that are part of a school district program. Therefore, Mancos School District is limiting large group school district activities on campus that are not part of a school district program on a case-by-case basis. This action will not affect community activities on campus that are run by outside non-profits agencies, which follow their own health standards.
As a school district, we continue with in-person instruction and school district programs such as school arts programs, school academic programs (e.g. PBL showcase, Knowledge Bowl, & extracurricular programs), classroom programs, and school district competitive programs. However, if the COVID environment improves or declines then further adjustments in the mitigation protocol will be implemented. If you have any questions Mr. Cordrey is available for any clarifications at TCordrey@Mancosre6.edu.
Nurse's Note 11-04-21
In our world of COVID-19, I think we all tend to forget there is so much more happening all around us. November is both diabetes and epilepsy awareness month. November is the month communities work together to bring awareness to these diseases.
For diabetes, this year's focus is on prediabetes and prevention - small steps, big difference.
Would you know how to help someone having a seizure? The Mancos Elementary staff have had an inservice in seizure first aid and are prepared if a seizure occurs in our schools.
Please visit our Mancos School District website for information regarding our COVID-19 vaccination clinic happening November 13th.
Accelerated Reader
What is Accelerated Reader?
Accelerated Reader is a computer program that helps teachers and librarians manage and monitor children’s independent reading practice. Students pick a book at their own level and reads it at their own pace. When finished, students take a short quiz on the computer. (Passing the quiz is an indication that students understood what was read.) Accelerated Reader gives children, teachers, and librarians feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher then uses to help students set goals and direct ongoing reading practice.
How will students take a quiz?
Students take Accelerated Reader quizzes on a computer or tablet with an internet connection. Schools choose where students can take quizzes. Available options include school, public libraries, community centers, or a student’s home.
What are the expectations when students take a quiz?
Students take quizzes on their own. They may choose to have the questions read to them, or to read it on their own. We trust the integrity of our students and families, and that the quizzes are completed independently. Teachers regularly evaluate the results, and provide goals and support for students continuously.
To access the AR Quizzes at home, students will need to enter this URL: https://global-zone51.renaissance-go.com/welcomeportal/328259
Nurse's Note
As we enter November, we also are entering the cold and flu season. Everyone is aware that the symptoms are similar to Covid. How does a parent know what their child has? How does the school nurse know what the student has? Mostly, we do not. Testing is the only true way to determine that and many people do not want to test. Many parents will keep their children home when they have a stuffy nose or a stomach ache, many will send their children to school. These ill children in school will be sent to the nurse’s office. How does she know what the student has? She doesn’t!!! Some of these children will return to class, some will be sent home. This will result in a potential covid case remaining in the classroom.
So what can we do??? We can all work together to do our very best. That is all each of us should ask of one another.
In the world of Covid and schools, what does that mean? Does that mean keeping a sick child home? Does that mean the nurse should send home every child with a runny nose? No matter what choices each of us makes, let’s just know that each of us is doing our very best to do the right thing. We may not all agree, but together we can do this. We can keep our schools open. That is the one goal each and every one of us truly wishes for. If we all do our small part, we can make it happen.
This year we are asking parents to err on the side of keeping your child home if they have COVID 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
Please watch for exciting news in the next two weeks about a vaccination clinic for students 5-11 years old, new air filtration systems in all classrooms, and remember all students can be tested every Monday at school at no cost. We CAN DO THIS.
Cafeteria Corner
P EBT cards were sent out this week. Many are asking what these cards are and why you might have received one in your child’s name. As I mentioned before, when you apply for free and reduced meals, you may be eligible to receive PEBT benefits. If you have received this card, your household qualified for extra benefits that were intended to supplement families for meals on days that school is not in session during the pandemic. This includes weekends, benefits have been extended to June 2022. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
If you have any questions please contact me at 970-533-7745 or jfogel@mancosre6.edu
Thank you and have a great weekend!
Janet Fogel,
Nutrition Services Director
970-53-7745 jfogel@mancosre6.edu
Mancos Giving Tree
Hello Mancos Community Members!
I am writing to let you know that the Mancos Giving Tree project is gearing up for the 2021 Christmas season and we want to ask for your assistance to help us make this year an outstanding success.
This is the 24th year that the Mancos Giving Tree will be giving gifts anonymously to needy Mancos residents. I have enclosed an application form for you to copy and distribute to ANYONE you feel could use some extra help during the Christmas season. Please note that the forms have changed. If you personally know of someone who would benefit from this program, please complete the back, have them complete the front, and return it to one of the locations mentioned on the form.
We ask that gift recipients be residents of the 81328 zip code or attend Mancos schools. All shopping, wrapping and delivery are done anonymously – no names are used by the volunteers.
Speaking of volunteers, we need many! As the saying goes, many hands make light work. Please let your members know about this project and have them contact me if they would like to help in any way.
Donations are also very much welcome. Financial contributions can be mailed to Giving Tree c/o Mancos Valley Resources, PO Box 204, Mancos CO 81328. Mancos Valley Resources is our 501(c)3 umbrella organization. All contributions are tax deductible and receipts will be furnished upon request.
Gifts and non-financial contributions, such as wrapping supplies, can be dropped off at Colorado Ranch and Home Realty, Coldwell Banker Realty, and The Mancos Artisans. Drop offs at the Visitor’s Center by appointment only.
Thank you for your assistance with this wonderful project!
Tressa Jukes
757-752-0226
Holiday Ornament Fundraiser
Ornament Fundraiser!
Order forms are also available from the office.
Make a Difference with every purchase!
SCAN Your Receipt
EARN Cash For Your School
For more information - https://www.boxtops4education.com/
Watch D.O.G.S
We invite dads, step dads, uncles, grandfathers or other father figures to volunteer at least one day this school year. You will be a positive role model on our students and involved in all grade levels.
To schedule your day, please contact Alice or call 970-533-7744.