HASKIN DECEMBER SPACE CAPSULE NEWS
Haskin Elementary School - Dawn Greenacre, Principal
November 20, 2020
FROM MS. GREENACRE
As per the email you received from the superintendent, Sandwich School District will transition to full remote for ALL students beginning November 30, 2020 through January 18, 2021. As long as the metrics show it is safe to return, we will return to A/B days on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 with B day students in attendance.
I want to share that our staff is aware of the struggles that can come about as a result of remote learning five days a week. It is a challenge on many levels to manage daily life on top of having your students learn from home. For many of our staff members, we can directly relate as we have young learners of our own at home. Please know that our teachers will continue to take these variables into consideration when planning. That being said, it is paramount that during our "adaptive pause" that we continue to push along in our curricular paths, develop necessary skills, expose our students to valuable content, and maintain connection between peers and with staff. Your student’s teacher will be in contact with you regarding the structure of how their "class" will function during remote learning.
I feel it is important to mention that routines are important. It will only serve to benefit your student, when they return to school, if they follow a similar routine while remote learning as they would while here at Haskin School. Below are some suggestions that we hope will help during the coming weeks:
Sleep is very important to our students' physical, emotional, and educational development. Keep bedtimes reasonable and consistent. Try to wake your students up and have them start their remote learning day on the same schedule as a typical school day.
A healthy breakfast and lunch is key to a successful day of remote learning. Try to limit high sugar foods. Instead focus on whole grains, proteins, fruits, and vegetables.
Set up an appropriate workspace for students to complete their learning. Good lighting, an outlet for your student's chrome device nearby, and all materials in an organized location will help minimize distractions and potential frustrations.
Encourage your students to take brain breaks and remain physically active. Take the dog for a walk, complete a GoNoodle, run around the house a few times, log onto cosmic yoga, and complete all of their P.E. assignments.
Encourage your students to approach each day of learning with a positive attitude. If, at any point in the day, your student becomes frustrated it is OK to take a break, move on to a different activity, and come back later and try again.
Ask questions! If you or your student is confused, ask for help! Use your Seesaw or Google Classroom platform to message your teacher(s) or simply email. Our staff will do their best to get back to you in a timely manner.
Heading into Thanksgiving, I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge the many facets of Haskin that make me grateful for being the leader of such an outstanding school: THE STUDENTS, THE STAFF, THE FAMILIES, and all that comes together to create an atmosphere of learning, support, understanding, and community. We have a wonderful school, even when virtual, that makes me thankful that I am a part of it!
Once again, we truly appreciate all of the efforts, support, patience, and understanding that you have shown to the staff and students. We know this is challenging for everyone and offer the same to you.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and see everyone, virtually, soon!
November 23 & 24 Conference Schedule
Conferences will still be taking place virtually, November 23 and November 24. If you have not scheduled your conference yet, please reach out to your student's teacher to make an appointment.
There will be remote learning for ALL students on Monday, November 23, 2020, from 8-11am.
SUPPLIES/MATERIALS PICK UP
On TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, bins will be placed near the front doors labeled with your teacher(s) names beginning at 7:30 a.m. Please make sure to pick up the necessary supplies needed for your students. We will be scheduling weekly material pick up for the duration of our adaptive pause and should it be extended we will continue to provide those pick up times.
If there are other items that you are in need of prior to the holiday (student medications, forgotten items, etc.) our office will be open on Monday, November 23rd & 24th from 7:30-3:30. Please contact us at 815-786-8812 and we will collect those items for you to pick up.
REMOTE LEARNING STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
Remote Learning Attendance:
Attendance during our adaptive pause will be monitored closely. Students will be required to fulfill a daily attendance form within the times provided by each building (for example 7:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.). For students in Kindergarten through second grade, this requirement will be completed through a Seesaw activity. Students in grades three through twelve will fulfill their attendance requirements through Google Classroom. Per the Illinois State Board of Education, there is a minimum of a five hour day required for remote learning. This includes: student work time, viewing pre-recorded lessons, web-based and non-web based skill practice, etc. Students will be expected to complete daily work and turn in assignments as they are assigned. If your student is not able to participate in learning due to illness or a family circumstance, this must be communicated to our secretaries in a timely manner. They can be reached at 815-786-8812, or you can email Mrs. Kellogg at lkellogg@sandwich430.org. If we do not hear from you and work is completed, then your student will be marked as an unexcused absence. Unless already being monitored for truancy, each school year students receive 7 unexcused absences as cited in our student handbook. Simply completing the attendance link does not count as attendance.
COMMUNICATION WITH TEACHERS:
VIDEO CONFERFENCING EXPECTATIONS:
"ADAPTIVE PAUSE" FREE MEAL PICK-UP
Until the end of the calendar year, free food is available through the USDA's "Free Meals for Kids" program. During our adaptive pause from blended learning, our process for ordering and picking up meals will change. Each week, you will need to fill out a meal order form by Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. for the NEXT week. Meals will be picked up Mondays and Thursdays from 10:00-11:00 a.m. behind Sandwich Middle School. Your first meal order will be due by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25th.
Click Here to access the meal order form
Meal order deadlines during the adaptive pause:
- November 25th at 12:00 p.m.
- December 2nd at 12:00 p.m.
- December 9th at 12:00 p.m.
- December 30th at 12:00 p.m.
- January 6th at 12:00 p.m.
Starting the week of January 18th, we will return to ordering food using the same process that was in place prior to the adaptive pause.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT SURVEY
Dear Parents and Guardians,
In order to continue our school improvement initiative, we need your help! Each year we send a survey to parents and guardians asking for input. Please take the time to fill out a survey. The link for the survey is below. In advance, thank you for your help. We will be closing the survey on December 18th.
Click Here to access the parent survey link!
News From The Nurse
Dental Reminder:
Completed Proof of School Dental Exam forms are required for current Kindergarten and second grade students by May 15th. If you are unable to obtain the required dental exam, please complete the Dental Exam Waiver Form.
Healthy Sleep for the HOLIDAYZZZZ
Make the most of the season by staying well-rested with these science-based sleep tips:
Kids 12 and under need at least 9 hours of sleep each night.
Try to keep a consistent sleep schedule by having your family go to bed and get up at the same times every day, even on holiday breaks or when learning remotely.
Avoid caffeine and avoid large meals right before bed.
If you want to nap over the holiday break, aim for a 20-minute nap, which experts say is the best time length to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go.
We sleep better when the room is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit (65-70 degrees for babies and toddlers).
Make sure to stay active over the holidays, as physical activity during the day can facilitate better sleep at night.
Turn all screens off at least an hour before bedtime.
For more health sleep ideas, visit http://www.Healthiergeneration.org/smartersleep
IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION
Lynn G. Haskin Elementary School
Email: lkellogg@sandwich430.org
Location: 720 South Wells Street, Sandwich, IL, USA
Phone: 815-786-8812