I wanted to take a moment to address an issue that is slowly beginning to make its way into our schools across the country.

By now, you have probably heard of the show called Squid Games, which has become a viral sensation on Netflix. This show is rated TV-MA, which means it is rated for mature audiences, due to indecent language, explicit content, and graphic violence. In the show, characters compete in childhood games such as Red Light Green Light, where losing in the game results in the participant's death. Because of the popularity of the show, parody's have started to pop-up on Youtube, Tik Tok, and other forms of social media, and forms of Squid Games are now being included on games like Fortnite and Roblox, which are popular with our kids. Even cartoon versions are being shared through various platforms making the content easily accessible to our students.

I share this to provide context for what is occurring on playgrounds across the country, where students have started playing games like Red Light Green Light on the playground, but rather than being "out" of the game, students are referencing death with one another, which does not align with the expectations we've developed for any environment here at Whitney. This is has not yet happened at our school to my knowledge, but I want to be proactive and provide you with information that can support conversations with your children at home, so the content and nature of the show isn't being referenced at our elementary school.

I also share this information so you are aware that this content is making its way across a variety of social media outlets, some of which our students regularly use outside of school. The explicit content addressed in Squid Games is not school appropriate and should not be used or referenced while at Whitney.

Further, with Halloween fast approaching, no student should be wearing a costume that represents any characters from this show due to the graphic nature of the content.

Again, my goal is to provide you with information, so you can have a conversation with your child as you deem appropriate.

Once again this year we will have classroom Halloween parties. The parties will take place on Friday, October 29th from 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. in the classrooms.

Please remember that ONLY the 3 parent helpers per class, that have signed up in advance, will be admitted. All parent helpers must sign in in the office with a photo ID and receive a visitor's badge.

For the parties:

1. We will have to maintain at least 3 feet of social distancing at all times.

2. Games and activities will have to occur while students are sitting at their desk. Unfortunately, we can't have students move around the room or groups of students congregating. (Some teachers have suggested that crafts might be an easier option than games)

Parent Helpers: Please send in any food items in the morning to allow us the time to verify if the foods meet the district requirements.

All foods being brought in must adhere to the District's Shared Foods Policy and must be checked in the office before going to the classrooms. Please follow the guidelines. We have had to return candy/treats/snacks to many families because the items were made on a nut line and "may" contain nuts. It is amazing as to how many things are made in a nut factory and may contain nuts. Please read the labels carefully before you purchase. The ingredients must be listed on the packaging for us to share in the classrooms. All food must be free from ALL NUTS and PEANUTS and state on the label that it is a nut free product.

For the safe snack guide:

www.SnackSafely.com

Click on the Safe Snack Guide on the tool bar of the site. Then there is a red box that says "Click to download your copy"

This site is updated regularly.

While we know parents like creating "treat bags," we simply do not have the time to verify each item within the treat bag and thus these will be sent back home without being distributed.

Weather permitting, we will have a short parade through our bus loop and playground from 2:15-2:30 p.m . If you are coming to view the parade, parking will be available on our playground . . . please leave a full "lane" around the perimeter/outside edge of the playground blacktop to allow for the parade. If it is raining or snowing, there will NOT be a parade. With increased security in our schools, we simply cannot coordinate screening every parent/family member that would want to enter our school to view a costume parade inside the building. If the parade is cancelled, we will send out a "School Messenger" message at approximately 1:45 p.m.

We want to encourage students to dress as characters from books they’ve read or aligned with our "Whitney Rocks" theme. Please remember that even costumes MUST adhere to Whitney’s Dress Code (NO spaghetti straps, NO bare midriffs, NO inappropriate icons or graphics). Students may wear or bring their costumes, simple in nature, to school. We encourage creativity in costuming and NON-VIOLENT and NON-RISQUE costumes.

*Please note: Costumes such as the "Scream" mask or any reference to "Squid Games" will NOT be allowed due to the graphic violence these characters represent.

Look-a-like weapons (including, but not limited to, swords, guns, and knives) are NOT permitted. This should be a positive experience by encouraging fun and originality that does not frighten our younger students. Masks will not be permitted to be worn throughout the school day, but may be worn at the party. Students who bring their costumes will be given time to change into their costumes before the parade begins at 2:15 p.m. Students must be able to dress and prepare themselves in their costumes independently at school.

I’m certain that we’ll have a “spook-tacular” time!

Don't miss the "Electrify Your Symphony" concert with world-renowned violinist Mark Wood, featuring SMS and SHS orchestra performances, on Friday, November 19. Two shows are scheduled - get your advanced tickets for the 6:00pm show HERE & for the 8:30pm show HERE.

This class offers a unique application of the engineering design process with custom builds designed with master LEGO® building and our very own Research and Development team! From carnival rides to drawing machines, mechanical animals to soaring towers, you’ll explore exciting engineering careers and develop creative problem-solving skills galore.

Register by calling the Strongsville Rec. front desk at 440-580-3260. Please register at least one week in advance.

COVID-19 prevention strategies remain critical to protect people, including students, teachers, and staff that may not be vaccinated. As we want to provide a safe and supportive environment for everyone, we will continue to implement the following preventive measures for the 2021-22 school year in consideration of the recommendations provided by the Ohio Department of Health.

1. Vaccination. We will continue to share vaccination opportunities/locations for eligible students and staff.

2. Wearing Masks. Per the CDC, masks must be worn by all students and staff when riding on the school bus. When at school and indoors, masks are optional for students and staff, yet strongly recommended for those who are unvaccinated. When outdoors, masks are not necessary, but still are optional based on individual/family preference.

3. Ventilation. We will continue to implement our ventilation protocols to bring in as much outside air as possible and provide air filtration at the highest level possible for our existing HVAC units.

4. Social Distancing. We will strive to maintain 3 feet social distancing within classrooms, cafeterias, and learning spaces. Cooperative grouping opportunities for students may be phased throughout the fall based on COVID trends in the school district.

5. Additional Mitigation Strategies. We will continue to provide opportunities for regular hand washing / hand sanitizer use and educate students on proper respiratory etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes.)

6. Cleaning / Disinfection. We will continue to implement the same cleaning / disinfection procedures as were implemented last school year.

7. Health Screenings. Families/Staff continue to be required to perform daily health screenings and must stay at home when feeling ill and/or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms (CLICK HERE).

8. Contact Tracing, Isolations, and Quarantines. We will continue to perform regular contract tracing in combination with isolation or quarantine mandates as set by the Ohio Department of Health or other state/local mandates.
   

Note. The Superintendent may enact further restrictions, such as mandatory masking and increased social distancing by classroom, grade-level, or building based on COVID-related data and trends.

For additional information on the prevention strategies listed above and COVID-related restrictions in our buildings for the 2021-22 school year, click on the link below.

PREVENTION STRATEGY DETAILS

SCHOOL BUILDING OPERATING PROCEDURES / RESTRICTIONS