I have been talking to some parents who are really struggling with not being able to be in the building or even see their child's classroom. I have to tell you, I really get this. My oldest started kindergarten this year. I have yet to be in the classroom, or even in the building. I desperately look at the weekly pictures from her teacher to get a glimpse of what my baby's day looks like. I have met Colette's teacher in person once for a three-minute stop-by. On the first day, I was the mom with her nose pressed against the front window taking pictures of my daughter's bouncy ponytails and too-heavy backpack as she walked nervously and bravely down the hallway.

I was brave and strong in front of Colette, but know that when I hit my car, I lost it. I was mad, I was sad, I worried for my baby. My oldest, Colette, really struggles with transitions, and COVID has increased her social anxiety. This was all out of my control and not fair, because of COVID. Still, when I drop her off in the morning, I still have that pit in my stomach and silently wish, "Please teachers and staff, take good care of my most precious little one."

I think some of my despair is that I really thought we'd be in a different place with COVID by this time this year. I want to do fun things with kids and families that build community and connection. We at HCR are in a unique and challenging position in that we (Nomensen and Reid) are still at the beginning of building relationships with you our community. We will continue to look at strategies to do this and hopefully, we will see the light at the end of this tunnel soon.

Hang in there with us. We know we can do this if we all love each other outrageously.

Our first All Read is TOMORROW!!

I hope you are all ITCHING to sign up for All Read! All Read will be at 3:20 PM on the 4th Monday of every month, so our first All Read is just two weeks away! There will be no All Read in December.

All Read will be over Zoom again this year. It is currently one of the best opportunities you have to "get in" to your young person's classroom in the absence of in-person volunteer opportunities. Readers can be parents, grandparents, caregivers, aunts, uncles....any adult in your young person's life. The kids love it - yes, even the big kids. (Even though my 5th grader has given me much grief for the time I "embarrassed" her last year when I had some Zoom trouble. LOL. Pretty sure she secretly loved it.)

Readers have 20 minutes to share a few favorite books with their young person's class.

The signup is organized alphabetically by teacher. Any questions, please reach out to Leann Scheuring. Please share this signup on individual class pages, too.

The new date for Curriculum Q & A is Thursday, September 30th. The first session will be held at 6:00 pm and the second at 6:30 pm.

We will have our annual Fall/Halloween party and parade on Friday the 29th of October. Remember this is a half-day. We will let you know asap the details so you can arrange to be present - if even across the street!

Please consider supporting HCR's capital project by eating out at Texas Roadhouse on Sept 28th. 10% of all proceeds go to HCR PSO.

September

• 27 All Read 3:20 PM

• 28 Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser

• 30 Curriculum Night Q&A with HCR

October

• 25 All Read @ 3:20 PM
• 28 AVA STRONG BLOOD DRIVE
• 29 Fall/Halloween Parties and Parade - Time TBD Soon!
• 29 Half Day - End of 1st Quarter - Dismissal at 1:00 PM
• 29 Trunk or Treat 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

To see events for the year click here.

This weeks updates are what to be on the look out for regarding COVID.

Low risk Symptoms are: fever greater than 100.4, congestion/runny nose, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, sore throat, headache, muscle aches or exposure to COVID positive person.

High risk Symptoms are: Cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or sense of smell.

What I am seeing in our students is headaches with high fevers as well as fatigue and muscle aches.

Please do not send your child to school if they aren’t feeling well.

If your child has one low risk symptom and no exposure then they may return 24 hours after symptoms resolve.

If they have 2 or more low risk symptoms or 1 high risk symptoms and no exposure then they will need to be evaluated by a health care provider before they return to school and they will have to test negative for COVID.

If they have any symptoms and exposure then they will need to be quarantined from school for 10 days from the last contact unless symptoms develop in which case they will need to be tested and isolated if they are positive. Before returning to school they will need to have clearance from their primary care provider or the St. Louis County Health Department.

We want to keep everyone safe, this includes all children, parents, teachers, staff and extended family members. We can only do this with your help and cooperation. Again, please let us know if your child has experienced any symptoms, exposures and has been tested. Let’s work together to keep each other Highcroft Strong and Healthy.

If someone in your household has been diagnosed with COVID then the rest of the family will need to stay home in quarantine or isolation depending on the situation. Please let me know immediately if you or a family member has COVID.

Upcoming Flu Vaccine Clinic Again this year we will be offering a flu vaccine clinic for students. Unfortunately we can not open this up to families or siblings. If you would like for your child to have a flu vaccine given at school by the VNA, please print and sign the attached consent form and provide a copy of your insurance card. I am extending the date to accept forms until the 22nd. That is when I need to have my numbers in to the VNA so that I have an adequate supply of vaccines. So far I have only 8 students signed up, if you sent in a form ask your student if they have given it me.

Flu Vaccine Clinic Consent Form

Please do not hesitate to contact me for any health and safety concerns or questions that you may have.

Cathy Hubert BSN, RN, NCSN

314-415-6410

chubert2@parkwayschools.net

HCR will learn about Latinx/Hispanic Heritage. We will be celebrating the culture, art, and achievements of Latinx people, September 15-October 15.

People are doing an AWESOME job turning engines off. Please continue to feel free to leave them on until 4:00 pm when we bring your children to your cars. Thank you for the suggestion from a parent who made the process safer for all. Please feel free to call us anytime. We all need to work together to make this a great place.