Farm Family Update
January 18, 2021
Dear Farm Families,
Since we have returned to school from Winter Break all of our students have been learning virtually from home. We are excited to share that this week we will move back to our face-to-face instruction at the school. Because it has been some time since we have had to drop off kids at school or be a the bus stop in the morning, I want to remind our farm families of important times to know. We will have staff outside to help assist car riders and the doors will be opened near 7:40. If your child rides a bus to school, please make sure to review their scheduled time to be at the bus stop. I would suggest being at the bus stop earlier than the scheduled time.
I have heard from several parents who have concerns about the rising numbers of COVID cases in Stafford County. At Ferry Farm, we are making sure to do our part and our staff continues to follow the mitigation strategies to help prevent the transmission of the virus. I want to remind you of those health mitigation strategies we have in place:
- Upon arrival at Ferry Farm, all visitors and staff must answer health screening questions and have their temperature checked.
- While in the building, staff and students are to maintain six-foot distances whenever possible and wear a face covering
- Hand sanitizer stations are available in the halls and classrooms
- Physical plexiglass barriers have been placed in the main office
- Air purifiers have been placed in all classrooms, clinic, and front office
- Families are asked to screen their children for COVID-19 symptoms prior to sending them to school
- Electro-static disinfecting is completed twice a week
I know we continue to have many differing opinions on what is best for our students and I assure you that we will do our very best to keep Ferry Farm a safe environment to teach and learn in. We are looking forward to seeing all of our eagles in school for hybrid learning and our virtual students online this week!
Dedicated to our Eagles even from a distance!
Stay Safe and Healthy
Mr. Freeman
Please scroll down on the right side of the SCPS webpage to find the dashboard above the Twitter messages. Beginning next week, the button will be at the top of our update.
Family COVID-19 Before School Screening
Now that we are returning to school again, I want to remind our Farm Families to screen their child/children for COVID-19 symptoms prior to sending them to school. Students and staff who do not feel well are to remain home and contact the school and principal. Mr. Freeman and Mrs. Colucci will work with you to create a plan that limits the loss of instructional time for your child. To reduce the transmission of the virus, it is extremely important to have your child stay home from school if they have any of the COVID-19 symptoms.
Family COVID-19 Before School Screening (Answer Yes or No to the following 4 questions)
1. Have you experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 48 hours:
- Fever of 100.4 degrees or greater or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
2. Within the past 14 days, have you been in close physical contact (6 feet or closer for at least 15 minutes) with a person who is known to have laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 or with anyone who has any symptoms consistent with COVID-19?
3. Are you isolating or quarantining because you may have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 or are worried that you may be sick with COVID-19?
4. Are you currently waiting on the results of a COVID-19 test?
If you answered YES to any of these questions please DO NOT send your child to school and reschedule any appointment you may have had.
COVI-19, Flu, Cold, or Allergies
COVID-19, the flu, the common cold, and seasonal allergies have many similar signs and symptoms.
Standard precautions to reduce your risk of COVID-19, colds and the flu include:
- Avoiding close contact (within 6 feet, or 2 meters) with anyone outside your household, especially if you have a higher risk of serious illness
- Wearing a cloth face mask when you're in public spaces, such as the grocery store, where it's difficult to avoid close contact with others
- Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
- Avoiding crowded indoor spaces
- Covering your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, electronics, and counters
There are some very important clues from the CDC, and the graphic below provides you with some of the important differences between these illnesses.
SCPS Face Covering Policy
All students and staff shall wear face coverings at all times on school board property as developmentally appropriate unless exempted due to a medical condition. The Centers for Disease Control provides exemptions for young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is unconscious or incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
When appropriate, face shields will be utilized by staff and/or students to meet student and staff needs. Employees who work in individual offices and areas may remove the face mask when they are alone.
WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP?
Special Education: Contact Kara Colucci (Assistant Principal)
English as a Second Language: Contact Michelle Dodd (ESOL Lead Teacher)
Focus Program: Contact Paulah Lee (Focus Teacher)
Health Services: Contact Becky Diaz (Nurse)
School Guidance: Contact Elizabeth Jenkins (Kdg - 2nd grade)
School Guidance: Contact Molly Finch (3rd - 5th grade)
Computer Technician: Contact Sabrina McAlister (CTT)
Instructional Technology Resource Teacher: Contact Jennifer Wolfenbarger (ITRT)
Registration: Contact Julie Little (Registrar)
School Concerns: Contact Bob Freeman (Principal)
Ferry Farm Elementary School
Email: rfreeman@staffordschools.net
Website: https://www.staffordschools.net/FFES
Location: 20 Pendleton Road, Fredericksburg, VA, USA
Phone: 5403737366
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FerryFarmES
Twitter: @FerryFarmES