Homecroft Elementary School
Welcome Back, Reopening Info, and Distance Learning 2.0
Welcome Back
We hope you are doing well and enjoying the fleeting days of summer. While I am eager, overjoyed, and elated about returning to school, I realize there are many with mixed feelings and a lot of questions. We are still planning, daily, related to reopening. The past few months have created a lot of uncertainty. Yet, please know we are sincerely looking forward to reconnecting, forging ahead, and making sure Homecroft is a safe and welcoming place for all.
For those that I have not met, my name is Tom Cawcutt. I am starting my third year as principal of Homecroft. I am elated and feel extremely blessed to be your principal. This is my 15th year as an administrator and I look forward to connecting with all our students and families.
If there is one thing that is apparent over the last six months, it's how resilient our students, families, and teachers are. We continue to address crazy circumstances and press through together. Through these trials, we have learned a lot and continue to strive toward excellence in the educational experience we provide.
While we create our new "normal", we are reminded that being a lifelong learner is imperative. Learning isn't a perfect process and we thank you for your understanding and grace as we strive to balance equity and opportunity across our district.
Please be in touch if you have questions. Below you will find a snapshot of information related to the upcoming year. Thank you for your support of Homecroft, I look forward to meeting, reconnecting, and moving forward together!
Updates/Changes to our Staff
Grade 1: Lisa Lochner, Samantha Wolfe, and Rachel Moe - Each transferred in to Homecroft from other positions in the District.
Grade 2: Erin Krizaj and Angela Watters join Doreen Ruhanen
Grade 5: Brenda Antonich has joined the grade 5 team
Special Education: Megan Gottschald joins our K-5 resource teaching crew and Maureen Olek will be our b-5 special education teacher.
Art: Christina Boynton will be our new art teacher.
Our new KeyZone director is Mikayla Karels.
We have a few other changes we will share at another time related to staffing.
What happens September 8th?
Beginning September 8 through September 18, all students will participate in Return to Learn: Digital Engagement. This means all students will be interacting with teachers virtually rather than at school.
This will include:
● Welcome activities with teachers
● Relationship building
● Training in internet safety
● Introduction to new digital learning platforms (Seesaw, Canvas)
● Introduction to content and curriculum
● Setting expectations for learning and COVID-19 safety protocols
Please reference this page for further information:
When will we know class placements and teacher assignments? What about A/B Day assignments?
Incoming K families, you will be mailed information about classrooms and Parent Portal account access.
Many families have chosen to return to Homecroft following the Hybrid Model - The recommendation from the district. This model will have students return to school in-person two days a week following an AA or BB schedule. Monday/Tuesday are A days, Weds is a distance learning/cleaning/professional development day, and Thursday/Friday are B days. When a student is not attending in-person, they will be distance learning.
We are also hoping to have Group A/B assignments published on/by August 31st as well. Please know, we will do all we can to work with families, however, the multiple moving pieces and coordination of these schedules impact social distancing guidance, bus routes, balanced classrooms, etc.
Will there be an Open House?
We are still planning this schedule and more information will be shared ASAP.
Will there be packets this year? Do we have to use the internet? How much screentime?
This year, during Distance Learning 2.0, we plan to implement SeeSaw. This learning platform is much easier to navigate for families and students at the elementary level.
It's also going to be much easier for students to connect with their friends, classmates, and teachers. Parents and students will learn more about this platform during the distance learning
Students will not be in front of screens all day. That is not developmentally appropriate and/or necessary. Projects, mini lessons, and traditional teaching practices are still going to be used.
If a family does not have the internet in their home, they will need to connect with the teacher about distance learning options for work completion. We are hoping for a more individualized and differentiated learning model this year related to digital/distance learning content.
Will there be recess? How will lunch look? Will you have specialists?
We will have recess, it will look different, but we will be outside!
Lunch information will be sent once schedules are finalized. Social distancing and cleaning protocols will be adhered to.
Students will have specialists. These include Music, Technology/Media/Library, Physical Education, and Art.
Stay tuned, further specifics will be coming out.
The Basics - More information to come
On August 6th, outlines were shared with the school board and community regarding the Return to Learn plan and efforts the District is taking to prepare for the start of school on September 8. For the greatest detail, visit the document linked above and review these items.
Face Coverings: Will be required by all students and staff in Duluth school buildings.
Hand washing: Required at regularly scheduled intervals; sanitizing available everywhere.
Social distancing: Students and staff will practice 6' distancing where possible and utilize masks when it is not possible.
Cleaning: Cleaning and sanitizing will take place; materials and supplies are in schools and arriving daily.
Cohorts: Students will be grouped in cohorts during in-person learning.
Recess: Students will remain in grouped cohorts during in-person learning recess periods..
Health screening and medical safe rooms: We will implement passive screening, meaning families will need to check student temperatures and symptoms and staff will check their own temperatures and look for symptoms before coming to school.
From the MN Department of Health: Health Screening, Check Your Symptoms Every Day
If you have any of these symptoms, go home, stay away from other people, and contact your health care provider. Employees are asked to contact their supervisor, families are asked to contact their school.
Fever or Feeling Feverish
Chills
A New Cough
Shortness of Breath
A New Sore Throat
New Muscle Aches
New Headache
New Loss of Smell or Taste
Medical Safe room - If staff observe a student experiencing symptoms, the student will be moved to an isolation area for assessment and if needed parents will be notified to pick up their child.
Quarantining and school closures: Decisions will be made in collaboration with St. Louis County Public Health and on a case-by-case basis.