Explorer Strong
Weekly Staff Newsletter, August 14, 2020
Staff Weekly Newsletter Disclaimer
Q&A
To Our Dear Staff,
Thank you for your participation in grade-level meetings which occurred earlier this week and the week before. First, it was wonderful to see you all. Second, thank you for the opportunity to share and listen. Third, we were listeners too. We hope the information in this email provides you with some clarity. We appreciate your "poking holes" in the plan. Let's try to solve them now, together.
For those who wish to get into the building, please do so between 8:30 AM and 2:30 PM. Wear a mask and practice social distancing guidelines. And, please stop in to say hi - we are likely in the library. :)
Keep enjoying summertime!
Jen and Christine
Welcome to Our New Explorer Colleagues
Brianna Lubelski, Sixth Grade
Allegra Counsellor, Music
Explore and Tour
Our rising fourth-graders were not able to visit and tour Pleasant Valley School this past spring; therefore, with the help of our counselors, we will be hosting the Explore and Tour event on Monday, August 31st. Fourth graders and new student transfers will be permitted to sign up for a fifteen-minute, self-guided tour of Pleasant Valley School. Each student, again our fourth graders and students new to the district, are allowed to bring ONE PARENT OR GUARDIAN. This announcement is for your information only. Teachers and staff are not required to be present.
Looking Ahead to a New School Year
NEW: INTERVENTION
Intervention will likely begin with the second cycle. It will be virtual.
NEW: SELF-CARE CARTS
Self-Care Carts will be located in each wing. While each classroom will continue to receive a small kit of bandaids, gloves, paper towels, etc., as they have in the past, the self-care cart will contain additional items such as boxes for lost teeth, wax for braces, etc. Students and teachers are able to access the cart which will reduce the need to visit the Health Office. The carts will be maintained and restocked by the Health Office and assigned staff.
NEW: SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Integrated lessons for our Explorers' social and emotional learning and growth will occur during PE. One of the three lessons on the cycle will be dedicated to our students' SEL. We are grateful to our PE team for understanding the important role that they will have with our students in this vital area.
NEW: STUDENT SCHEDULES
It will be necessary for each student to have their own personalized digital schedule that will contain all of the links for their virtual instruction. This will be part of in-service time in September.
COPY MACHINES
Staff will submit all copy work to Pam Cooke. Teachers will not be permitted to complete copy work during the school day in the workroom and main office. Please plan accordingly.
WORKROOM
The workroom is closed for indoor eating until further notice.
LUNCH PACKERS
We are strongly encouraging staff who are packing their lunches to also pack with an ice pack. Keep your lunch with you in your learning space versus cramming them in the limited fridge space. We would like to avoid microwave use although the microwaves will be available. If you use the microwave, you are responsible for wiping it down after your usage. Wipes will be located next to the microwave. Thank you.
LUNCH ORDERS
Ordering out for delivery? All lunch orders must be delivered after 11:15 AM, no earlier. We anticipate more parent pick-ups than we have experienced in the past. We cannot have food delivery interfering with parent pick up nor pulling a staff member away from parent pick up to call to a classroom for orders and money due. Lunch delivery must be picked up outside at an agreed location and the person who orders must handle the money and the food. Do not send your money to the main office and expect the main office to receive your order. Thank you for your cooperation.
CLASSROOM FURNITURE
Classrooms will look different as furniture has been removed to accommodate student desks. Tables and extra furniture have been labeled and removed. Desks will not be shared. We will label AM and PM desks to provide for distancing.
DOORS
Our doors, as per the fire department, are allowed to be kept open during hybrid instruction.
LANYARDS
All staff should be wearing blue lanyards when we return to school. The lanyards are an additional layer of security that helps to identify staff, substitutes, and approved visitors. Thanks for helping to keep our school safe!
VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers and visitors will not be permitted to enter the building until further notice. This includes any mystery readers, class parties, etc. Room parents will be selected for homerooms; however, there will be limited responsibilities until further notice.
Masks - Please read
It is essential that decorations and "fun mask activities" relating to a global pandemic are NOT integrated into your teaching, decorating, nor projects. For example, bulletin boards that read, "I can't MASK how excited I am to welcome you back!" If you have any questions or concerns about something you have planned, please ask.
Labeling
In September, encourage your families to make sure their student's masks are labeled with their child's name. I will include this information in my communications as well.
Breaks
Face covering breaks should only occur when social distancing can be maintained and ideally outside or with windows open.
Pleasant Valley School
Email: hackett-slimmj@harrisontwp.k12.nj.us
Website: www.harrisontwp.k12.nj.us
Location: 401 Cedar Road, Mullica Hill, NJ, USA
Phone: (856)223-5120
Facebook: facebook.com/HarrisonTownshipSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @HTWPSchoolsNJ