Phoenix Information
February Newsletter
Message from Mr. Ohnstad
Dear Phoenix Families:
Thank you for everything you do each day to support your child's learning. WE are encouraged by the parent support that we receive from you. The February newsletter provides many reminders and updates so please take a few minutes to review the contents.
The end of the 2nd trimester is February 18, 2022. We will continue to provide each student with a quality learning experience to the best of our ability. I would like to recognize all of our staff for their passion and dedication to our Phoenix students. I am confident in saying that each child is well taken care of by our adults.
Kevin Ohnstad, Principal
Phoenix Elementary School
Grand Forks Public Schools
Important Dates to Remember
February 7th
PTO Meeting - 6:00 pm
February 9th
Early Dismissal - 1:30 pm
February 18th
End of the 2nd Trimester
February 24th & 25th
Professional Development - No School
Giving Hearts Day!
Happy Valentine's Day -Gnomies!
Yay! Hurray! Woot Woot!
Covid and Mask Update!
COVID-19 Update (communication to families)
January 14, 2022
GFPS employees and families,
As a reminder, effective January 17, 2022:
- Face masks will be strongly recommended (not required) for K-12 students and employees in all school-owned or leased facilities during the instructional day.
- Masks will be required for classrooms/programs where we have been notified of an immunocompromised student or employee.
- Masks will also continue to be required in Early Childhood Special Education and Head Start classrooms, as students are not eligible for vaccination.
- Masks will also be required at the Mentor Center, as it is housed in a UND and a medical facility. Masks will be available at check-in.
- All individuals using transportation (i.e.: school and city buses, vans) will continue to wear face masks, as this is a U.S. Department of Transportation requirement.
- Mask requirements may be reinstated if COVID-19 data dictates so.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) recently made several changes to their recommendations. The following is how we are proceeding at this time.
- Shortened the recommended isolation period (those tested positive for COVID-19):
- Your isolation period starts from the first day you develop symptoms. If you don't have symptoms, it is from the day you were tested.
- Individuals who are asymptomatic or symptoms resolving (fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication): Isolate for a minimum of five full days.
- If on day five, you have a fever or symptoms have not improved or have worsened, continue to isolate through day 10.
- If before day 10, your symptoms improve and you have been fever-free for 24 hours, you can leave the house at that time.
- Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days anytime you are around others.
- If you tested positive when you did not have symptoms but later developed symptoms, you should calculate your isolation period based on the date of symptom onset and this day would be your new day zero. To help you calculate your isolation period, the NDDoH has an isolation period calculator online at www.health.nd.gov/covidcalculator.
- Updated quarantine period (those who are a COVID-19 close contact):
- If vaccinated and received a booster shot, OR
- If vaccinated with a second Moderna/Pfizer dose within the last six months, OR
- Had confirmed COVID-19 within the past 90 days (you tested positive using a viral test):
- It is recommended that all close contacts quarantine for five days.
- After five full days, get tested using a COVID-19 rapid antigen test.
- Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
- If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested. Stay home until you know the results.
- Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days anytime you are around others.
- Avoid travel.
- Avoid being around people who are high risk.
- If unvaccinated, OR
- If more than six months out from the second Moderna/Pfizer dose and haven't received a booster shot, OR
- If more than two months from Johnson & Johnson dose and haven't received a booster shot:
- Stay home and quarantine for at least five full days.
- After five full days, get tested using a COVID-19 rapid antigen test.
- Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days anytime you are around others.
- Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
- If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested. Stay home until you know the results.
- Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days anytime you are around others.
- Avoid travel.
- For information on local COVID-19 antigen testing, please visit https://www.grandforksgov.com/covid19.
Regarding quarantine for household contacts:
- Individuals who are susceptible (unvaccinated or not up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html) and have been identified as a household contact of COVID-19 will need to quarantine for five days after the last case in their household has completed their five days of isolation. It is recommended to be tested on day five of quarantine.
Regarding contact tracing:
- Families will be notified by email when we have been notified of a confirmed positive case in their students' classroom(s). If your student tests positive for COVID-19, please notify the school office.
- Please refer to the information above to best determine quarantine recommendations for your student. You would be asked to monitor your student for symptoms and, if symptoms are displayed, have your student tested before returning to school.
Again, we will continue to review local/school COVID-19 data. Mask requirements may be reinstated if COVID-19 data dictates so.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.
Superintendent Dr. Terry Brenner
Parents Lead
Get to know your child's friends - and their friends' parents.
An advantage to getting to know the parents of your child's friends is that you will know the kind of people that are influencing your child. Also, by getting to know the parents, you can verify your child's statements when he or she says, "All my friends get to do it." Most importantly, connecting with the families of your child's friend will help form a safety net for your child because you can help supervise each other's children and look out for their safety. It is common in small towns for everyone to know everyone even through generations! Here are several ways you meet other families: set play-dates, arrange to share driving with other parents for after-school activities, volunteer at your child's school, join PTO, attend faith-based activities, attend sporting events or other social gatherings, etc.
A note from Mrs. Edevold
Hello Phoenix Families,
As the cold weather continues to be present please be sure you are sending hats, gloves, snow pants and snow boots to school. If you are needing any support in getting these items please reach out and I will assist in getting them to you!
I have a few more donations that are need new homes. Currently I have sizes 5-6 and 7-8 girls tops, pants and tights. As well as some shirts and leggings sizes S-L and 14-16. Please let me know if these would fill a need in your family!
Please reach out to me via email, text or phone call,
Ms. Edevold
701-317-8382
Incoming Kindergarten Families-
We are excited to see you on April 7th as we prepare for your student’s kindergarten year at Grand Forks Public Schools! In order to help better prepare for your arrival at Kindergarten Registration, we would like you to take a few minutes to complete our online Pre-Registration form. This Google Form (https://bit.ly/2022KPreRegistration) will allow us to capture information so we can begin your student’s enrollment now and cut down your waiting time at school that day. For links to required forms and additional information that will be needed at registration, please visit https://bit.ly/2022KClass.
If you have any questions, please contact your student’s school. Thank you!
February School Assembly
Our February school assembly was a huge success this past Friday! This month during our assembly we enjoyed donuts generously paid for by Phoenix families. Students earned the donut party due to their amazing efforts in our January Penny War. Phoenix was able to raise $3,900 during the Penny War to support our custodian Janine who is undergoing treatment for cancer!
Fairness
This upcoming month our school-wide word of the month is Fairness. We define fairness as “everyone gets what they need and deserve.” During our Thursday class meetings we will be exploring how to strengthen our relationships at school and home by being fair.
Counseling Corner
National School Counseling Week is February 7-11! School counselors serve the social, emotional, career, and academic needs of ALL students. The theme for this year’s celebration week is “Better Together.” Ms. Weston wants to personally thank all families for the honor of serving them and their students together!
K-2 Classroom Counseling Lessons
In the month of February our Kindergarteners, first graders, and second graders will be working on growth mindset and the power of YET!
Grade 3 Classroom Counseling Lessons
In the month of February our 3rd graders will complete Unit 3 of our Sources of Strength work. We will learn how to manage big emotions by using the Regulation Railroad.
Grades 4 and 5 Classroom Counseling Lessons
In the month of Feburary our 4th and 5th graders will dive into the Spirituality portion of our Sources of Strength wheel by focusing on gratitude.