The Waldron Weekly ‘20-‘21
volume 20
From the Desk of Ms. Waldron
Happy New Year! I hope you and your families have had a healthy and happy Winter Break and holiday season. Anasazi is looking forward to welcoming you back on Monday, 1/4/2021.
On December 30th, SUSD sent out communication entitled, "2nd Semester Update for SUSD Parents and Guardians". You can find the communication below:
December 30, 2020
Dear SUSD Community Members,
It is our hope that you and your family have enjoyed a safe and healthy holiday break. We are writing today to provide an update with respect to our phased-in return to in-person learning for the second semester that begins on Monday, January 4. We also want to reiterate our request to those who have traveled recently or participated in group gatherings outside the home where exposure to COVID was a possibility to quarantine before returning to our school campuses.
The disruptive impact of COVID has been profound and continues to require the District to prepare for multiple contingencies. While there is some hope for improvement as vaccinations commence, it is also clear that it will take some time to see case numbers and the positivity rate decline. As a district, we have relied on the guidance of Maricopa County public health officials as we work to provide educational opportunities for all of our Scottsdale families. For some, we know the risk of in-person instruction is too great, and so the District has provided both Scottsdale Online Learning as well as Enhanced Distance Learning as options for the coming semester. However, there are many other students for whom on-line learning does not work, and the educational consequences of their not being in school are significant. For those students, we have prioritized in-person instruction with enhanced safety measures to mitigate the risk of COVID transmission while students and staff are on campus.
The current, phased-in return to in-person learning schedule is as follows:
January 4: Pre-K, Elementary (K-5) and self-contained Special Education programs will resume in-person instruction (all others will start the semester online)
January 11: Middle School students will resume in-person instruction
January 19: High School students will return for in-person instruction
Please note that all grade levels at Cheyenne Traditional and Echo Canyon schools will resume in-person instruction on January 4. Families can expect a communication from those schools tomorrow.
Also resuming January 4 will be Learning Labs for 6th - 12th grade students in need of a safe place to complete their online work when in-person opportunities are not available during regular school hours. Families need to sign up for this service with their school site.
The three-week, phased-in return plan was adopted by the Governing Board on December 15, 2020, with the understanding that the superintendent would have a follow-up conversation with Dr. Sunenshine to determine whether the MCDPH guidance has changed during the holiday break. Earlier today, Superintendent Menzel spoke with Dr. Sunenshine, who indicated she recommends proceeding with bringing back the first phase of learners while holding open the possibility of modifications for middle school and high school students as we monitor COVID spread in the community after the New Year's holiday.
Given this advice, the District will proceed with the planned phased-in return to learning on January 4 for our youngest learners and self-contained Special Education students, with a heightened focus on adherence to all of the safety precautions that have been put in place to ensure that our schools do not become a place where COVID is transmitted. In order to do this successfully, we need our parents and community to partner with the District. If you have traveled or engaged in group activity for the New Year holiday within the last seven days, please keep your children at home for the first week of school. Revised CDC quarantine parameters now permit a 10-day quarantine, meaning that exposed or potentially exposed preschool and elementary students should learn remotely next week and, if they have not become ill, return to their classrooms on January 11.
We know that many people are concerned about returning to school so quickly after the holiday. At the same time, the District is required to provide on-site support for students who need it, and our youngest learners struggle significantly with online learning. The research continues to show that our youngest students are not super-spreaders of COVID, and that with proper mitigation strategies, we can resume in-person instruction. This has been and will continue to be a delicate balancing act to ensure our students receive the education they need and our school staff are supported with appropriate mitigation strategies. We will continue to closely monitor school data and make any adjustments that are necessary.
Final reminders: if you, your student or any member of your household is sick, it is imperative that you remain at home. If sick students are sent to school, they will be sent home. Our ability to provide in-person instruction is dependent on all of us doing our part. If your student has tested positive for COVID during winter break, please let your school nurse know. Individuals who have received a positive PCR or antigen test within the last three months are not subject to quarantine requirements for close contacts; having this information on file will allow us to only quarantine close contacts who have not had COVID.
The beginning of 2021 will be a challenge. Our goal is to ensure we can safely reopen our schools in order to meet the educational needs of our students. By working together, we will get through the next few months and, hopefully, to a place where we can end the school year on a strong and positive note.
Sincerely,
Scottsdale Unified School District Leadership Team
Spring Learning Model Overview
Please use this correct link for the second semester Learning Model Transfer Form referred to in the weekly SUSD parent briefing.
- Requesting a Change of Learning Models - During the commitment process for Spring Learning Models, families were asked to select a model for their student for the spring semester. Staffing and scheduling were based on these selections. In order to request a model change, beginning Monday, December 14, families will need to fill out this form and return it to their school registrar. Model changes will be based on space availability. Requesting a Model Change, Spanish Model Change Form
This Week
Moving forward there are Early Release Wednesdays every week.
Monday, 1/4
Welcome Back!
If you are choosing to have your child quarantine after holiday activities/travel, - please reach out to the homeroom teacher for times, links, etc. for the synchronous and asynchronous schedule.
A few reminders for those joining us for in-person learning for the first time this school year:
- Drop off begins at 8:20 and gates close at 8:40. *We are a closed campus. No guardians/visitors will be allowed past gates on to campus.
- Walkers - Please enter by the gate near the playground/bus bay. *Guardians picking up after school - please remind your child to meet you by the playground gate near bus drop off. This is a change from years past.
- Cars - Please pull around to the North side of campus to drop student off and pick them up.
- Students report straight to their assigned classroom in the morning. *Staff will be on duty to help walk your child to their classroom.
- If supplies are too much for your child to carry to class, please clearly label them and leave them with the staff member at the gate. We will make sure they get delivered.
- You will be able to meet teachers through an online forum such as Meet the Teacher via Zoom. Teachers will communicate this shortly if requested.
Wednesday, 1/6 - EARLY RELEASE - 1:15pm
Upcoming Events
- 1/12 - CALLING ALL INCOMING KINDER STUDENTS - Kinder Round-Up for 2021-2022 5pm *Please contact office for virtual event details.
- 1/14 - PTO Meeting
- 1/18 - District Recess - NO SCHOOL
What is a tax credit?
A tax credit is NOT a donation! It IS a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the state income tax you pay. If your tax credit contribution is more than the amount of state tax you owe, the credit can be carried forward up to five years. Receiving this tax credit will allow you to reduce the amount you owe the state or increase your refund. When filing your income tax return for the State of Arizona, the amount you designate to your school will be the amount you may claim as a state tax credit. This payment is eligible for Arizona state income tax credit as allowed by A.R.S. §43-1089.01. Tax credit contributions are non-refundable.
Designate your Tax Dollars to help Students of Scottsdale Unified School District #48
It’s a win-win situation for you and the school! Contributions can be claimed on your Arizona State tax return for either 2020 or 2021.
Complete the form below. Thank you in advance for supporting Anasazi and our students.
IB Corner
IB in Action from Home
This month's IB Learner Profile is INQUIRER.
“We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life."
Below are some activities that will encourage inquiry.
Visit places that spark curiosity like museums, zoos, science centers, or parks. Since it is not easy to physically go places. Here is a list of virtual field trips you can take with your family.
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/a32403098/virtual-field-trips-for-kids/
Encourage your child to ask questions and wonder. Here is a website where children can ask questions and find answers. https://wonderopolis.org/
Coming to Us from an IB School?
SUSD School Year Calendar Update
Stakeholders have been collaborating to develop school calendar options for the next four school years (2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25), in order to bring recommendations to the SUSD Governing Board. We are seeking input on what priorities are most important to our community to assist with this process. Please utilize Thoughtexchange to share your response to this question: "Taking into consideration historically observed breaks (Fall, Spring, Winter and observed holidays), as well as traditional first and last days of school, what is the most important consideration when developing a school calendar?" Participate in the Thoughtexchange.
COVID-19 Testing and More!
If you are looking for COVID-19 testing, many convenient locations continue to be available.
SUSD has partnered with Embry Women's Health to conduct zero-cost, COVID-19 testing five days a week at our Oak facility at 7501 E. Oak St., Scottsdale. The drive-thru clinic is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. It conducts several different kinds of COVID testing. Results are reported within 36 - 72 hours. Embry also has many other testing locations around the Valley. Find them at https://embrywomenshealth.com/testing-blitz/.
Maricopa County and Banner Health Urgent Care have teamed up to offer COVID-19 testing at no cost to anyone who may have been exposed to someone who is, or suspected to be, COVID-19 positive. Appointments must be made ahead of time online using this link: https://urgentcare.bannerhealth.com/. COVID-19 testing and drive-through flu shots are also being offered at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. Registration is required ahead of time at this link or by calling 844-549-1851. Insurance information will be requested; however, you will not be asked for any out-of-pocket payment or co-pay.
Other community COVID-19 options include:
· City of Phoenix Mobile Testing Sites
· CVS Pharmacy Retail Testing Sites
· Walgreens Pharmacy Drive-Thru Sites
Maricopa County's COVID Parent Hotline
For more questions or concerns about COVID-19, including testing, contact the Maricopa County Department of Health's parent information center at COVIDparenthotlione@maricopa.gov or dial 2-1-1, select option 6 (for COVID-19) and then option 3 (for the COVID Parent Hotline).
SUSD'S Covid-19 Related Information
- Type this phrase into your browser: www.susd.org/COVID19
- Select “COVID-19 Response” from the very top of any SUSD web page in the “Channel Menu”
- Once you get to the section, you will see navigation on the left that guides you through all of the sections.
- There is a handy index of pages including a brief overview of each section at www.susd.org/COVID19. This changes as needed, so please check regularly.
Back to School
Everything you need to know about school starting.
Briefings
An archive of the District Office weekly briefings to stakeholders.
COVID-19 Case Dashboard
Our official COVID-19 case count among employees and students.
COVID-19 Resource Directory
An A to Z listing of helpful resources related to COVID-19.
COVID-19 Response Plan
Our protocol for managing COVID-19 illness.
FAQs
Answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions.
Incident Command Team
The emergency management leadership team structure.
Metrics
The latest SUSD specific metrics to guide reopening.
Mitigation Strategies
Steps we are taking to reduce the risk to students, teachers, staff and families.
Reopening Status
The District’s status as determined by the adopted metrics.
Return to Learn
The District’s plan for reopening schools.
Superintendent Menzel Letters
A collection of letters from Superintendent Dr. Scott A. Menzel.
Support Services Newsletter
A collection of newsletters to share resources and contacts for support.
http://www.susd.org/SENewsletter
Survey Results
A collection of results from recent COVID-related parent and employee surveys.
Older Videos
Front Office Contacts
Dijana Schlegelmilch
Administrative Support Coordinator
Elise Hepner
Administrative Support Assistant/Registration
Renee Tosto
Nurse
Andrea Martin
Assistant Principal
Jennifer Waldron
Principal
BE SURE TO CONNECT WITH US!
About Us
Our Mission - Anasazi is a diverse learning community committed to fostering a rigorous, compassionate, and inquiry-based environment, that empowers students to be globally competitive in a complex and changing world.
Our Vision - Empower and inspire each child to become life-long learners, within a culture of academic excellence, creativity and critical thinking, to take action and serve in our global community.
Email: jwaldron@susd.org
Website: https://www.susd.org/anasazi
Location: 12121 N 124th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
Phone: 480-484-7300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anasazisusd/