Kelly Creek Elementary School
Return to Learn Plan
HOME OF THE COUGARS!
Email: maranto2@gresham.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.gresham.k12.or.us/kces
Location: 2400 Southeast Baker Way, Gresham, OR, USA
Phone: 503.663.7483
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KellyCreekElementarySchool
Twitter: @KCES_Cougars
Letter From the Principal
Dear Kelly Creek School Community,
Welcome back to the 2021 - 2022 school year!
This school year will continue to look a little different than school years prior to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. The last two school years have been hard on students, parents, staff, and the community. As a parent of a 5th-grade student in the Gresham-Barlow School District and a 4-year-old little girl, I completely understand the trials and tribulations that families have faced and continue to face as we start a new academic year. The family unit is a very important part of a child’s educational experience. Now more than ever we will need to build a strong foundation together so that our children can access a quality education. Flexibility, understanding, and empathy need to be at the forefront of our minds as we navigate through this coming school year.
Student and staff safety continues to be at the forefront of our plans to reopen schools for 5 full days of instruction. While at school, it is mandatory that all staff and students grades K-5 wear a mask throughout the day, except while eating or drinking. We know wearing a mask at school is not ideal, however, following Governor Kate Brown’s mandate of wearing a mask indoors and outside will help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, especially the highly contagious Delta Variant. Regular hand washing and use of hand sanitizer will also help us stay healthy. I know working together, we will have the highest chance of getting back to normal and staying in school.
Grades 1 - 5 school will start on Tuesday, September 7th. Students can arrive on campus at 8:15 and will be directed to the cafeteria to eat breakfast or to the gym to wait with their classmates until 8:30. Parents will not be permitted to enter the building at arrival. Dismissal will be at 3:05. Kindergarten students will start the week of September 13th. More information to follow on what gradual entry will look like for our Kindergarten students.
The Gresham-Barlow School District will provide all students with the necessary supplies for the 2021 - 2022 school year. However, backpacks and lunch boxes will not be provided. All students will also have the ability to eat free lunch for the entire school year!
Please know we are here to support you and your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email at maranto2@gresham.k12.or.us or via phone at 503.663.7483.
Respectfully,
Sam Maranto, Principal
Kelly Creek Elementary School
Purpose
The purpose of the Kelly Creek Elementary School Return to Learn Plan is intended for informational purposes only. It is our goal to return students safely to our school for 5 full days of in-person instruction. This document serves as a reference to our plans to return to school. These plans are constantly evolving; and, therefore, this handbook does not contain all of the information you will need to know during our re-opening to 5 full days of instruction per week.
Updates happen frequently and I will expediently communicate those updates to the school community.
Gresham-Barlow School District News
Learn about our health and safety precautions
Every school in the district is taking health and safety precautions to provide a safe and healthy
learning environment. Our Return to Learn Health and Safety Plan was developed by following
guidance in the state’s Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework.
"It always seems impossible, until it is done!" - Nelson Mandela
Masks
All students K-5 must wear a mask at all times. Students may remove their masks only when eating or drinking.
It is important to pick a mask for your child that is comfortable and fits properly. It will be important to set your child up for success before your child needs to wear their mask. Although this varies by child, it may take repeated prep and practice to be comfortable wearing a mask.
Explain to your child why it is important to wear a mask. Some children really like to know the reason why they have to do something. Try to make this explanation positive, so your child does not get scared and refuses to wear a mask. For example, you could tell your child “We wear a mask to keep ourselves and other people safe. When we wear a mask, germs cannot jump from person to person. Masks stop the germs from spreading!”
Students should follow these expectations on how to wear a mask properly:
- Wash your hands before putting on your mask.
- Put your mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin.
- Try and fit it snugly on the sides of your face.
- Make sure you can breathe easily.
Have your child watch this child friendly video on YouTube that explains why we wear masks!
Masks are not a toy; therefore, you should not play with your mask. Students should always follow the directions of an adult to know when it is safe to take off their masks.Social Distancing
Most of us call it “social distancing” but it can help to think of it as “physical distancing”. Social distancing puts space between people, usually 3 feet or more. When people keep their distance from others, people infected with COVID-19 are less likely to spread it.
COVID-19 mainly spreads when someone breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes, which sends tiny droplets into the air. People standing nearby can get these droplets in their eyes, nose, or mouth. When there are at least 3 feet between people, these droplets are more likely to fall to the ground rather than on other people.
Some people infected with COVID-19 may never show any symptoms, therefore, it is best to keep a safe distance whenever you are around people you do not live with.
At school, when feasible, students must stay at least 3 feet away from each other and wear a mask. At Kelly Creek Elementary School, we have added floor markers and additional signage around the school to promote social distancing.
New measures at Kelly Creek Elementary School also include the following:
- Physical barriers, such as plexiglass on the front office counter
- Floor markers indicating the flow of movement and social distancing
- Signs in highly visible locations remind students about social distancing
- Staff monitoring arrival and dismissal to perform visual health checks
Cough & Sneeze Etiquette
If you feel a cough or a sneeze coming on because of seasonal allergies, or other dust and pollen, here is what to do:
- Get as far away from other people as you can, ensure you are keeping socially distant.
- Keep your mask on to help contain the droplets from your sneeze or cough.
- With your mask on, sneeze or cough into the crook of your elbow. Coughing or sneezing into the inside of your elbow is the best way to limit the spread of germs.
- Wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer after your cough or sneeze.
- If you have a spare mask available, you might want to replace your mask.
"The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine."
Hand Washing & Hand Sanitizing
When using soap and water:
- Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
When should I use...
Soap & Water
- Before & after eating food
- After using the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- Before & after playing outside at recess
- Whenever your hands are visibly dirty or greasy
Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- Before & after playing outside at recess
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, wash with soap and water as soon as you can.
To learn more about handwashing and hand sanitizer use, visit the CDC Website
The Gresham-Barlow School District will provide students and staff with hand soap and hand sanitizer that has a higher percentage of alcohol than recommended by the CDC. Students will have multiple opportunities to ensure their hands are clean and sanitized throughout the day.
Student Arrival
Kelly Creek Elementary School will have different arrival procedures than years past. These changes will make it easier for school personnel to monitor students as they enter the building. This allows the school to screen students for symptoms of COVID-19. Students should NOT arrive at school until 8:15 AM (M, T, Th, & F) and 9:15 AM (W).
Do not send your child to school if they are displaying any of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Persistent coughing that will not stop
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Chronic or bad body pain
If your child arrives at school exhibiting any of these symptoms, they will be put in a “Care Room” until a parent/guardian can pick up their child.
- Screened for COVID-19 symptoms
- Escorted by staff to the bus rider entry
- Students can eat breakfast in the cafeteria or wait in the gym until 8:30 and 9:30 on Wednesdays
Car Riders, Bike Riders, & Walkers
- Parents that drop-off their child(ren) will need to "Kiss & Go". Parents will not be allowed out of their cars during drop-off.
- Screened for COVID-19 symptoms
- Enter the building through the side doors near the music room
- Students can eat breakfast in the cafeteria or wait in the gym until 8:30 and 9:30 on Wednesdays
Parents, please...
- Drop-off your child(ren) and "Kiss & Go"
- Stay in your car during drop-off/pick-up
- Do not block intersections, driveways, or crosswalks
- Display the school-issued placard in your front windshield to make drop-off/pick-up quicker for all families
Student Dismissal
Kelly Creek Elementary School will have different procedures for student dismissal than in years past. Student dismissal will take longer and your patience during this process is very much appreciated!
Walkers and bike riders will be dismissed from their classrooms. Students will be required to exit the building through the front doors.
Bus riders will be escorted from their classrooms. Students will exit the building through the playground doors.
Car riders will be dismissed from their classrooms. Students will be called out one at a time as guardians pull up to the front doors.
Dismissal will start at 3:05. We will do our best to get students out in a timely manner.
Parents, please...
- Stay in your car during drop-off/pick-up
- Do not block intersections, driveways, or crosswalks
- Display the school-issued placard in your front windshield to make drop-off/pick-up quicker for all families
"At the end of the day the goals are simple: SAFETY & SECURITY"
Connect with Principal Maranto
Email: maranto2@gresham.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.gresham.k12.or.us/kces
Location: 2400 Southeast Baker Way, Gresham, OR, USA
Phone: 503.663.7483
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KellyCreekElementarySchool
Twitter: @KCES_Cougars