Suffield Elementary Newsletter
January 8, 2021
Go Teams: Browns/Steelers Day today & Ohio State on Monday
A message from the Superintendent-Mr. Heflinger
Field Family,
Happy New Year! It is good to be back. I hope all of you enjoyed the break. I think everyone needed it this year. As we begin 2021 there is reason for hope and optimism. As we move away from the holiday season and have more and more people vaccinated, hopefully, we will see this crisis start to come under control. I do not have a crystal ball. My best guess is things will slowly get better. I do not expect any full return to “normal” this school year. I hope we make enough progress to have a more “normal” start to the 2021-2022 school year.
We are putting out our survey for you to choose in-person learning or remote learning for the third nine weeks. The third nine weeks begins Monday, February 1.There will be another survey later in the year for the fourth nine weeks. With the situation evolving, we are only asking for a nine week commitment. The survey is very similar to the one you completed at the start of the year. Just like last time, we must have a survey returned for EACH student. Also, as before, if you choose remote learning you must remain remote for the entire nine weeks. If you choose in-person learning you may transition to remote learning during the third nine weeks, but you must remain remote for the rest of the nine weeks. The ONLY exception to this will be a change to Level Purple. If Portage County returns to Level Purple you may opt to move from in-person to remote learning and return when we are no longer Purple. As this is now a choice for only the third nine weeks, that will be the only exception. The deadline for submitting the surveys is Tuesday, January 12 at 6 P.M.
There has been a change to the quarantine policy. Upon the advice of the Portage Health District and the Ohio Department of Health, this change is effective immediately. Students exposed in the classroom or on the bus will only be required to quarantine if they were within 3 feet of the COVID positive person for 15 total minutes. Three feet is very close. This will cut down on many of the quarantine situations. This policy change applies to teachers as well. As with everything COVID related, there are exceptions and nothing is simple. The changes do not apply to sports or extracurricular activities. The changes do not apply to situations where everyone is not wearing masks. This could include the cafeteria, band or choir. ALSO, if a student meets the standard of close contact, defined as exposure to a COVID positive person within 6 feet for 15 minutes total, we will still be contacting you. If a student falls into the definition of close contact, they will be quarantined from all activities outside of the classroom. This includes sports. So, trying to summarize, if a student has exposure within 3 feet they will be quarantined from school. If they have exposure between 3-6 feet they will be quarantined from all non-classroom activities. Also, if the exposure occurs at home or not in school, nothing changes. Those students and staff will still need to quarantine as they have. No, it is not simple or easy. We will do our best to implement the new guidelines as directed.
I know everyone is tired of all of this. Believe me, I do get it. We must continue to do the right thing. We must continue to try to accomplish our goals. For me, it is the daily balance between safety and education. The information I receive changes often. My priority is getting our students the best education possible while keeping everyone safe. I know many of you have not agreed with how I have done this. I respect your opinions. At the end of the day, I need to be able to look in the mirror and believe I have made the best decision. That does not mean all of my decisions are correct, it just means I believe they were the best decisions at that moment with the information at hand.
Thank you for reading this very long email. We will continue on the path we have been on. We will take it one day at a time. Please fill out the surveys, one for each student, and have them submitted by Tuesday, January 12 at 6 P.M. Please click on the link below:
https://forms.gle/i3y8HVz5YR52nS1i7
Dave Heflinger
Superintendent
Travel Outside Ohio
Paper Plates Needed for Art
Habit 6- Synergize
Synergize, means when two or more people work together to create a better solution that neither would have thought of alone.
Gifts to those in Need
Those from Safer Futures-Portage County's only Domestic Violence Shelter, would like to extend a huge thank you for the generous donations of food, toys, toiletries, and other items for families. It is because of these donations that they are able to continue to provide support, information, and advocacy to those affected by domestic violence. We were able to help them load up over 15 boxes of items that were donated. Thank you again for all your support!
Field Middle School Student & Parent Orientation
Mark your calendar! The administrative staff at Field Middle School will provide information about the middle school on Thursday, January 21st at 6:30 PM through a virtual presentation. The presentation link will be sent to all 5th-grade parents via email and will be accessible on the middle school website that day. Students and parents will learn all about life at FMS and the current class scheduling process.
5th Grade Scheduling for Field Middle School
Mrs. Gaffke, the Middle School Counselor, will be visiting the elementary buildings to distribute scheduling materials to students on Monday, January 25th. Remote learners will receive their packet when they pick up their materials on January 19th. Parents should review the materials with their students. All materials should be returned to homeroom teachers no later than Wednesday, January 27th.
Band Orientation for Fifth Graders Interested in Band Next School Year
Please join us for a 5th-grade informal orientation program for students and families who are interested in joining the Field Middle School band program during the 2021-2022 school year. During the meeting, families will have an opportunity to examine band instruments, learn about instrument rentals, talk with band teachers, and learn more about our band program. The orientation program will be held on February 2 from 5:00 -7:30 PM and on February 9 from 5:00 -7:30 PM. Families may drop by the band room informally during those times to learn more about our band program.
If you are unable to attend the orientation program or have any questions about our band program, please contact the FMS office at 330-673-4176 or email either of our band teachers (Denise.Soulsby@fieldlocalschools.org or Charles.Collins@fieldlocalschools.org)
What's for Lunch
Monday, Jan. 11, 2021
Hot Dog/Sloppy Joe Sandwich /PBJ Sandwich with String Cheese
Baked Beans/Salad/Fruit/Milk
Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021
Popcorn Chicken/ PBJ Sandwich with String Cheese
SmileyFries/Salad/Fruit/Milk
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021
Pepperoni Pizza/Ham Sandwich/PBJ Sandwich with String Cheese
Corn/Carrot Sticks/Ranch/Fruit/Milk
Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021
Falcon Griddle/PBJ Sandwich with String Cheese
Tater Tots/Salad/Fruit/Milk
Friday, Jan. 15, 2021
Walking Taco/PBJ Sandwich with String Cheese
Green Beans/Salad/Fruit/Milk
Please have your child stop in the office if you would like a paper copy of the lunch menu.
Free & Reduced Lunch
Zoom Clarification for In-Person Learners
If your child has COVID symptoms or is exposed to someone at home with COVID symptoms, and cannot attend school, please notify the office immediately.
A student with COVID symptoms is not required to login to class to live stream if he or she is ill; however, you have the option of having your child live stream if you feel that your child is feeling well enough to be online. If they feel well enough and will be logging in, please let your child’s teacher know so that the teacher will let him/her into the Zoom session.
If your child is quarantining they are expected to be logging into all of the classroom Zoom sessions throughout the day. If your child is home on quarantine and cannot login for any reason, you should call your child off school like you would any other day. If you have any questions please let me know.
If your child is off of school for anything not “COVID” related, he/she will not be permitted to join a Zoom session.
A message for our remote learners
- The next material pick-up/drop-off date is January 19th from 9:30-1:30. Drop off the red envelope with any work your child may have to turn in. Even if you do not have something to return, please bring the envelope. We will give you the yellow envelope with new work.
- Please keep the office informed if your child will be absent from the live streaming. This is important for attendance purposes. Also, it is important for your child to log in on time so the teacher can let your child into the Zoom session. If your student is late, he/she may not be able to get into the session.
- Future pick-up/drop-off dates are:
- February 1
- February 16
- March 1
- March 15
- March 29
- April 19
- May 3
- May 17
- June 1
- June 10
To help at home learning, please consider headphones with a microphone so your learner can better focus and interact with the teacher-Thank you!
Zoom Tips & Etiquette
Just a few tips and etiquette for remote-learning environments:
1. Be on time
3. Be dressed for school
4. Have your breakfast or lunch before joining, not during
5. Pick a quiet place away from background noise
6. Raise your hand to speak
7. Wear headphones to help you focus (ones with a microphone are necessary)
Dog License
It’s that time of year to purchase a license for your dog. Applications for a new license may be picked up at Suffield Elementary. If you already have a dog license, you probably received your renewal notice mailed to your home. Your completed new application or renewal, along with payment, may be dropped off at our school. Licenses are $15 per dog until January 31, 2021. After that, under state law, the cost will go to $30 per dog. Please make checks payable to Portage County Dog Warden.
ACME Receipt Time
Continue to Save Box Tops!
Remember to save, save, save those Box Tops! Our school earns many wonderful things, simply by turning in Box Tops. The PTA will be conducting another contest sometime again this school year!
It IS Cold Outside!
We go outside if the temperature is 20 degrees or higher.
If your child is in need of a winter coat this year please call the office at (330)552-5252. We have new coats that have been donated to the school for those who may be in need of one.
Suffield CARES
Suffield CARES helps provide “short-term emergency needs” to families in Suffield. If you are in danger of having your electric or heat terminated, call Mrs. Bookman at school or Chief Rasnick at (330)628-9240.
CHILD FIND
Identification of Children with Disabilities
The Field Local School district is in the process of locating, evaluating, and identifying children from birth to age 21, residing in the district, who may be entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), including special education and related aids and services, pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).
Children eligible for FAPE under the IDEA are those with disabilities such as Autism,
Multiple Disabilities, Deaf-Blindness, Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment, Speech or Language Impairment, Orthopedic Impairment, Emotional Disturbance, Intellectual Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury or Specific Learning Disability.
Children eligible for FAPE under Section 504 include children who have a physical or
mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. If you know of a child who may have a disability or a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, or if you would simply like additional information, please contact
Megan Longfellow, Director of Special Services at (330) 673-2659 or email her at megan.longfellow@fieldlocalschools.org
2019/20 YEARBOOKS FOR SALE
School Fees
KDGN: $94.00
1ST: $104.00
2ND: $106.00
3RD: $106.00
4TH: $110.00
5TH: $110.00
Children's Advantage at Suffield
Counselor's Corner
Hello Field Families!
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful and safe holiday season! It’s a great time to get recharged, organized, and a great time to start a new routine! Work with your students on how to stay organized for school, color coding, folders, and using their planners! Getting back to a good sleep routine is extremely important as well! Students need 8 to 10 hours a night of sleep to be prepared for the next day at school. Setting up a nighttime schedule with no electronics 30 minutes before bed is a great practice to start. If you need any tips or tricks please feel free to reach out!
Also please check out my website to sign up for coffee with the counselor and or to contact me for your child's needs! School Counselor's Corner
~Mrs. Kuzas
Message From the School Clinic
REMINDERS FROM THE CLINIC:
- Updated immunization records or signed exemption forms turned into the clinic.
- Any required Asthma, Allergy, or Seizure Action Plans updated, signed by physician, and dropped off in the clinic with medication.
- Wear a Clean mask daily and remember to keep an extra one in their book bag.
- Bring a NON-GLASS refillable water bottle daily.
- Keep a change of clothes in their book bag for students that may need them.
- Remember to practice your 3 W's! Wash Your Hands! Wear Your Mask! Watch Your Distance!
For information on quarantine, please see this link: https://filecabinet5.eschoolview.com/FA9B95FA-CEB2-4E58-B13F-04A2CF21EC8E/79a12f87-e4bd-49c1-9af6-06bd2585cecf.pdf
Loretta Hepler, MA
Suffield Elementary Clinic: (330)552-5252 ext# 2056
Fax number: (330)628-9160
Please be sure to send a water bottle to school with your child daily.
Brimfield Community Cupboard
Beginning January 5, 2021, through May 2021, BCC will be one of the select distribution sites for food for our children. This is proved by a grant at no expense to you.
Each child in your care will receive a grocery bag of food that will provide 7 snacks and 7 suppers. A menu will be provided with each grocery bag for your convenience.
The food is to be picked up once a week during the regular operating hours of the Brimfield Community Cupboard, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.
In order to participate, they will need your one-time commitment, so that they will have enough food bags available. Please call Sue Fields at 330-510-1084 to make your reservation and to answer any questions about the program.
Buy your Pencils and Notebooks at School!
Just a reminder that your child can purchase pencils, gel pens, and notebook filler pads at school! There are fun designs for the kids!
Purchase prices are:
· * Pencils - $.25
· * Gel Pens - $.50
· * Neon Gel Pens - $.75
· * Notebook Filler Pads - $.75
Join the PTA
Crayola Colorcycle Program
Crayola and schools across North America have banded together to help kids understand the importance of their role in protecting the environment. Suffield Elementary will now take part in recycling markers that no longer work. It’s a super easy project to help our environment! You can send in any brand of markers, sharpies, dry erase, and highlighters. Once we collect the markers, they will be shipped to a facility that repurposes them so that they are kept out of the landfills.
Dates to Remember:
Jan. 12 - PMC Test
Jan. 18 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School
Jan. 19 - Remote pick up/drop off
Jan. 21 - 6th Grade Orientation @ FMS @ 6:30
Jan. 29 - NO SCHOOL-Records Day-End of semester
Feb. 1 - Beginning of 2nd semester
Feb. 1 - Remote pick up/drop off
Feb. 4 - Conferences
Feb. 9 - Conferences
Feb. 11- NO SCHOOL-PD Day
Feb. 12 - NO SCHOOL
Feb. 15 - NO SCHOOL-President's Day
Feb. 16 - Remote pick up/drop off
Mar. 1 - Remote pick up/drop off
Mar. 15 - Remote pick up/drop off
Mar. 19 - NO SCHOOL - PD Day
Mar. 29 - Remote pick up/drop off
Suffield Elementary
Email: shawn.bookman@fieldlocalschools.org
Website: www.fieldlocalschools.org
Location: 1128 Waterloo Rd., Mogadore
Phone: 330-552-5252
Twitter: @SuffieldE