The Falcon's Nest
August 2021
LESD COVID-19 Protocol Update
As we return to school next week, the health and safety of our students, staff and community are always at the forefront. We will continue to monitor guidance from Maricopa County Health Services Department and Healthy Verify and modify back to school plans as needed.
Face Coverings/Masks at School-Face masks and coverings are optional for all staff, students and visitors. Although Arizona State Law does not permit school districts or charter schools to mandate face coverings, county, state and federal health agencies strongly recommend the wearing of face coverings to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and/or variants of COVID-19.
Face Coverings/Masks on Buses- Under federal law, we are required to mandate that masks are worn on all school buses.
Vaccinations- COVID-19 vaccinations are not required for students, staff, or community members to attend school, school events or to be on the school campus. Vaccinations for adults are highly encouraged.
Isolation- Any student or staff (fully vaccinated or not) that tests positive for COVID-19 or has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and are waiting to be tested or diagnosed will be required to isolate for 10 calendar days per CDC guidelines.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)- PPE will be available to any student or staff member.
Hand washing/hand sanitizer- Students and staff are encouraged to continue with frequent hand washing or hand sanitizing and to practice good hygiene.
Physical Distancing- Students and staff will practice physical distancing when possible.
Cleaning protocols:
Enhanced cleaning protocols will continue to be implemented for nightly cleaning of campuses.
As part of the daily cleaning regimen, EPA approved disinfectant cleaner will be used on all touchpoint surfaces.
Classroom touchpoint areas will be disinfected throughout the day.
Bathroom touchpoint areas will be disinfected daily.
Each classroom will be provided with approved disinfecting cleaner and staff training of its proper use, while keeping the products away from children.
First Day of School
Our first day of school is Monday, August 2nd. Gates will open at 7:45 AM for breakfast and the first bell will ring at 8:10AM.
Our staff will be easily recognizable in Corte Sierra attire and a badge. Any one of our members located around the campus will be able to help your child safely get to their classroom.
Hours
Gates Open: 7:45
First Bell 8:10
Second Bell 8:15
Any student arriving after the second bell will need to report to the office for a late pass.
Kindergarten Dismissal: 2:45
Grades 1-2: 2:55
Grades 3-5: 3:00
Arrival Procedures:
Our campus opens at 7:45 AM Monday through Friday.
Students can arrive to school as early as 7:45 AM every morning. Gates and doors on both sides of the campus will be open for students. When dropping your child off near the gate, we ask that you pull all the way forward even if it is farther away from the gate to help with the flow of traffic. If you are walking your child to school we ask that you cross at labeled crossing areas for safety purposes.
The bus lane in the East parking lot will be closed off to traffic when the buses are here. This lane may open and close throughout the morning as buses arrive for safety reasons.
School Supplies
Dismissal Procedures:
Corte Sierra has worked closely with Litchfield Elementary School District's Transportation Department and local law enforcement to design an effective and safe protocol for student drop off and pick up. For the safety and health of your child(ren) we will dismiss students (grades 1-5) from the front (South) parking lot in our valet pick up line.
Every student will have a unique code for valet pick up purposes only. During open house parents and guardians will receive a student code and only parents will be able to give this code to out to others who may have permission to pick up your child(ren).
If you are picking up your child in the valet line, we ask that you place the unique student code in your front window. A staff member will be stationed in the parent pick up lane communicating this code with classroom teachers for your students to be released to you. If you choose to pick up in this line you will need to remain in your vehicle at all times as the line does move as students are released.
Parents can also park in open spots and meet students at a designated area, such as the flagpole. If you are choosing this option please make sure your child(ren) know the specifics of the plan, we also ask that you include the classroom teacher as this will help to alleviate any confusion during this busy time.
Dismissal Times:
Kindergarten: 2:45
Grades 1-2: 2:55
Grades 3-5: 3:00
**Please be patient as the first two weeks can lead to longer than normal wait times.**
Kindergarten First Day Drop Off
Kindergarten PM Pick Up Procedures:
Kindergarten dismissal will begin at 2:45 P.M. in the East Parking Lot. This lot is a "park and walk" lot. Parents are asked to park and walk up to the Kindergarten gate near the flagpole to safely pick up students. A staff member will be located at this gate to take your information and dismiss your student to you. Parents should have received a pick up tag for your student. If you have a kindergartner with older siblings please work with your child's teacher on options for the smoothest pick up experience possible.
School Meals
Families are still encouraged to submit a school meal application for free or reduced-price meal benefits because this information may be used for other programs, such as Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), Federal and State funding for your school, reduced registration fees for academic tests, free or discounted fees for athletic programs, discounted rates for internet service, and many more!
Closed Campus
All visitors and parents must sign in at the front office before entering the school grounds. Our campus opens at 7:45 each morning. Once our campus opens, students can enjoy breakfast or go directly to their classroom for a soft start activity. Identification is required before entering the campus or checking out students.
Computer Return
If your child checked out a laptop from the district last school year, please return the laptop to our office ASAP.
PLEASE NOTE: Per the Student Laptop Checkout Agreement that was signed when the device was received from the school, you are financially responsible for any equipment that is lost, stolen or damaged.
Corte Sierra Elementary School
Email: Rotteger@lesd.k12az.us
Website: https://cse.lesd79.org/
Location: 3300 North Santa Fe Trail, Avondale, AZ, USA
Phone: 623-547-1000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corte.sierra/