Blanche Dodd Bobcat News
March 20, 2020
Hello Dodd families! I hope you are all well and finding some sort of silver lining in all of the rapid changes that have occurred! What a strange and surreal chain of events have been caused by COVID 19. I know this is an unsettling time for all of us, but in times of difficulty, communities pull together. The outpouring of support within our community is amazing! I have complete faith that our Dodd community will continue to pull together and do everything we can to bridge the distance between home and school.
We recognize that each family is being affected in so many different ways by the ever changing events in our nation. Our first priority is to support and care for you and your children by providing food, resources, ideas, and continued educational opportunities. We know that parents are now working from home and many may be in jeopardy of losing jobs. At the least, we are all trying to navigate what the new normal looks like for our families. Please reach out to us for questions or concerns that you may have. It may not just be school related. We have many resources where we can guide you and get you connected to community resources if needed. Do not hesitate to reach out to us for assistance:
Principal: patricia.bolz@krumisd.net
Assistant Principal: lisa.mayfield@krumisd.net
Counselor: tracy.reynolds@krumisd.net
Nurse: sally.bridges@krumisd.net
Preparations are in full swing to provide our students with continued quality learning. We are moving to online instruction beginning Tuesday, March 24th. The online platform we will use for instruction will be Google Classroom. Through this platform, videos, web links, documents, etc. can be pushed out to students.
The district leadership team recognizes the reality that not all of our students have internet access or access to a computer/device. Dodd has a limited number of Chromebooks that are available for distribution. If your child needs a designated device to access their online learning, please contact julie.nabors@krumisd.net
The KISD technology department has extended internet access to the parking lots of schools in the hope that this will provide an additional level of support for families. A map of these areas is located HERE.
Paper packets will also be provided for weekly pick-up for families who prefer a low-tech version of learning. Please contact your child’s teacher if this is your preferred option.
Google Classroom:
In order to provide an online presence that is similar to in-person learning, we ask that students log in to Google Classroom daily. There, they will find our morning announcements, classroom instruction and assignments, and links to contact school personnel. Think of Google Classroom as the door to our school. Students can turn in their assignments through Google Classroom and receive feedback and communication from their teachers.
On Monday, March 23rd, curb-side distribution will be available for families to pick up a bag of supplies and other items teachers have collected for their students. Your teachers have prepared bags for each student. In addition, if you have indicated that you need to check out a Chromebook or pick up medication from our nurse sally.bridges@krumisd.net these items will also be available.
BE ADVISED: Picking up materials is NOT a requirement. While we have items prepared for every student, not every student may need them. If you choose to pick up items, please follow these procedures.
Distribution Procedures:
DATE: Monday, March 23rd
TIME: 12:00-2:00 and 4:00-6:00. If you have extenuating circumstances that prohibit you during these times, please contact lisa.mayfield@krumisd.net to make arrangements.
PROCESS:
Use the parent pick-up line where you will enter from Bobcat Blvd.
Place a sign in your window with the following information. (If you already have a car tag, the additional information needed can be added to the car tag.)
Child’s First and Last Name
Teacher’s Name
Chromebook (if you are checking out a Chromebook)
Medication (if you need to pick up medication)
As you enter the pick up line, a staff member will call in your “order”.
You will pull up to the designated area to receive your items.
All staff members will be wearing gloves as they hand your order to you (through your window).
If you prefer that they place the items on the sidewalk for you to pick up, just indicate by pointing to the sidewalk.
Never in my wildest dreams would I have envisioned leading a virtual school, but like you, we are all being called to change our ways of thinking and interacting. I want you to know how much we miss your children. Our hallways are eerily quiet, and we miss the hugs and high-fives that start and sustain our days. However, we are working even harder to learn how to connect and be available for you and our students. I’m so proud of the amazing work that our staff is doing to recreate Dodd Elementary. It may look different, but our school is still standing strong! I’ve never been more proud to lead our Dodd Bobcats, where we are...
SIX HOUSES...ONE FAMILY!