Second Semester Update
Finneytown Community,
Our goal and plan are to return to in-person learning on January 4, 2021, for Flex Campus students. Below are some key updates.
Indicators for all Virtual Learning
- We will continue to use the Purple designation as an indicator to switch to all eLearning. In addition, the district will consider the ability to staff in-person learning, the number of students who are positive for COVID, or the number of students quarantined due to close-contact. We will strive to provide notice of shifts from In-Person to Virtual by class, grade, building, or district to the best of our ability. However, we continue to emphasize that the situation is dynamic and we are being responsive to these indicators that fluctuate daily.
Winter Break and COVID
- Please continue to keep us informed over the break if your child has tested positive for COVID, or if they have been quarantined due to close contact. We ask that you email our district nurse, Kate Welling (katewelling@finneytown.org). This information will be utilized to determine our ability to return to in-person learning for our Flex Campus students on January 4, 2021.
District Office Closed
- District Office will be closed Tuesday, December 22, 2020 through Sunday, January 3, 2021. The office will reopen on Monday, January 4, 2021.
Free breakfasts and lunches
- All students who attend Finneytown Schools are able to access free breakfasts and lunches for the 2020-2021 School Year.
- Where? Pick-up is at the Secondary Campus (8916 Fontainebleau Terrace).
- When? Starting January 5, 2021, drive-thru pick up will be every Tuesday from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
- How? Please call Milford Nutrition Services (they operate Finneytown's cafeterias) at 513-576-22900 or 513-576-4160. You are only required to order ONCE.
- What? You will receive 7 breakfast meals and 7 lunch meals. Food will be frozen.
- Please see the attachment for more details.
Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT)
To qualify for P-EBT during the 2020-2021 school year, children must be approved for free or reduced-price meals in the 2020-2021 school year. Families may still apply to be eligible for the P-EBT cards by filling out a free and reduced meals application at this link. Paper copies are also available at each school's office.
PLEASE complete and submit the applications ASAP. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. McNair by email at cmcnair@finneytown.org.
Critical Conversations and Community Learning
Our staff has been engaged in critical conversations and collective learning around topics related to our responsibility of being inclusive, equitable, and anti-racist.
As we plan for the second semester, we are looking to extend this conversation to our students and families. We know there is much to learn in order to ensure our learning community is a place of belonging for ALL.
We've identified the following topics for critical conversations and community learning. Please look for future invitations to share your experiences and voice to our learning.
- Equity, Inclusion, and Being Anti-Racist
- Assessment and Grading
- Project-Based Learning
- Literacy
New Facilities Update
Don't worry, you did not miss the official groundbreaking. That will take place in the spring when the actual construction begins. Right now this is called early site work and they are just preparing the area to build the project on.
You may also have noticed that the electronic sign on Winton is not working. Apparently, you must have electric power to make it work? Seriously, it was connected to the house the district owns on the east side of Winton at the Fontainebleau light. We had to turn that off for that house to be torn down. That will become the entry to the new elementary school utilizing the advantages of having a traffic light.
Don't worry, we will still have baseball and softball teams in the spring (with the restrictions COVID brings). Our students will play and practice at Helwig fields just north on Winton. Springfield Township owns that and is a great partner for us.
There are pictures on the website at finneytown.org. We are planning to install a time-lapse camera to keep us updated as we go. Almost 70% of the community voted for the bond issue and thus for the new schools. Thank you so much for supporting our children, staff, and district. It is great to be able to see how some of the funds are being utilized.
Caring For Your Chromebook
- Always store your Chromebook and charger in a secure location in your home when not in use.
- Do not place heavy objects on top of the Chromebook
- Do not place food or a drink next to the Chromebook
- Never leave the Chromebook in a vehicle
- Never move the Chromebook by lifting from the screen
- Do not close the lid on pens, earbuds, cables, paperclips and other objects that can damage the screen.
Cleaning
If necessary, if you need to clean your device:
- First completely power down your Chromebook.
- Use the bleach-free disinfectant wipe or apply only a small amount of rubbing alcohol solution to the cleaning cloth and completely wipe down the entire Chromebook, including the screen and around each key of the keyboard.
- Use a small amount of pressure to remove any fingerprints or smudges on the screen, but not too much since this could damage the display. If you aren’t comfortable using the cleaning solution on the screen, you can buy bleach-free disinfectant wipes specifically designed for LCD and laptop screens. NEVER spray cleaning solution directly onto your Chromebook.
Ohio's State Tests
Spring testing in Finneytown will take place between March 31st and April 21st. More information will follow as we get closer to the testing window.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
We are wishing you all a wonderful and restful holiday break!
Be well,
District Office Team
Terri Noe, Laurie Banks, Troy Edie, Patty D'arcy, Bev Thal, Connie Hudson, Patti Schnur, Tim Wagner, David Oliverio, Ann Morey, and Patti Gardner
Finneytown Local School District