Glenwood News
What is happening at Glenwood, November 7, 2020
News from Dr. Cappucci
We are waiting for all final information. As we get our final answers, we are going to hold a virtual meeting to answer any additional questions you may have.
We are getting close to our return. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers:
As we prepare for hybrid learning, we know that some families will need assistance with technology. In order to help close these technology gaps, we are keeping our Chromebook Request and Internet Access Assistance forms available.
1. Chromebook Request
If your own chromebook breaks, we still need parents to fill out the request. Please follow the link below if you need to borrow a Chromebook in order for your WRSD student to participate in remote or hybrid learning.
If a borrowed chromebook breaks, then we will replace it. Just contact Mrs. Johnstone at 508-886-0399.
2. Internet Access Assistance
If you DO NOT have home internet access and would like assistance, please follow the link below.
Request Help with Internet Access
3. Additional Technology Support
To assist with some of the challenges of remote learning, we have developed a technology support website for families. It contains basic information on accessing the major learning platforms our students will use and also provides a means by which parents can contact the technology staff for support. Please follow the link below to visit the site.
4. What will the schedule look like during the day?
The doors open at 8:55. Officially our school day begins at 9:10 with children in their seats ready to learn. A child is considered tardy at 9:08. There will be two snack/mask breaks scheduled throughout the day.
Here is the recess (please note that masks must be worn at recess) and lunch schedule:
4th grade Lunch/Recess
11:00 -Class A, B leave for recess
11:05- Class C, D leave for recess
11:10- Class E,F leave for recess
Lining Up
One line is for buying lunch- one line is for brought from home/
11:30- Class A,B Line up to get to lunch 11:35-
11:35 Class C,D LInes up and Head to lunch
11:40 Class E,F lines up and Head to Lunch
Second Lunch/ Recess- 3rd grade
11:45 Class A, B leaves for recess
11:50 Class C,D leave for recess
11:55 Class E, F leave for recess
12:15- Class A, B line up and head to lunch
12:20- Class C,D line up and head to lunch.
12:25- Class E,F line up and head to lunch
Third Lunch/Recess- 5th Grade
12:30 Class A,B leave for recess
12:35 Class C, D leave for recess
12:40 Class E, F leave for recess
1:00 Class A,B line up and head to lunch
1:05 Class B line up and head to lunch
1:10 Class C line up and head to lunch
Cafeteria is empty by 1:40
We will have specials everyday that students are in school. Students will attend one special for 3 weeks at a time to make scheduling easier for students and parents. You will be notified when specials change.
At this time, our official school day will end at 2:40. We will have to see how the buses run as we return to school. Please note that the end time may change.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Wednesday afternoons will be Half-Days (See the WRSD Calendar Attachment HERE for exceptions).
5. What masks are acceptable to wear.
Students and staff may only wear two ply masks. Bandanas, gaiters and vented masks may not be worn in any Wachusett schools. If your child wears one of these masks, we are required to replace them with a disposable mask.
6. Will there be the option to continue to pick up packets/ materials/ work?
Yes, our goal will be to provide paperwork and materials as needed and requested from families. We want to support you in any way we can.
7. Will the students be assessed on their current level of academic performance?
The District has purchased Star Math and ELA to help teachers gain a better understanding of where students are in math and ELA. Our staff understands that data collection/ assessment of student progress will be important to ensuring progress and we will be providing more information related to tracking student progress as we move forward.
8. Will attendance be taken every day and are students getting report cards?
Per the Department of Education, the teachers will take attendance on student participation and engagement. Report cards will not be issued during the first quarter. All other quarter report cards will be released.
9. Is there a supply list for the return to Hybrid Learning?
There are supply lists that have been shared with all parents. Please remember that any art supplies/materials can be placed in a child’s pencil box or in a separate baggie that they will take to art class.
3rd, 4th, and 5th grade supply lists are available below.
Suggested Art Supply List
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1emrZBg_n4mh2DLgnt5bVSlYEsktOwkoDYgKsLUVqYy8/edit?usp=sharing
If you, or any family you know, is in need of assistance in regard to materials/ supplies, please contact me and we will do our best to support.
10. Where can I find information on the Hybrid plan?
Page 32 of the district plan outlines the timeline and Hybrid plan. Here is a link to the plan: http://www.wrsdonline.net/documents/WRSD-Reopening-Plan.pdf
11. Meal Distribution Information From WRSD
Hybrid Learning Meal Distribution Program
As we return to school for hybrid learning on November 18th, meals will again be served curbside at five District sites, with a few modifications from the previous curbside model that was in place in the spring. Meals will again be served using a drive-thru model, allowing for parent pick up; however, our required transition back to the National School Lunch Program will result in the following process impacts:
Curbside meal pick up will be available for our remote learnings on the off days at Glenwood Elementary (65 Glenwood Rd. Rutland)
~ Students or parents will pick up meals at the school students attend.
~ Lunch is free to all students in the district through June. Students will have free lunches on their cohort days. Parents will be able to pick up meals on the remote days. This will be scheduled by the district.
Please contact Margaret Barton at 508-829-1670 x278 or Margaret_Barton@wrsd.net if you have questions.
12. Can my children bring a lunchbox?
We are requesting that all students bring their lunch in a paper bag. This is to lower the risk of transmission.
Glenwood's Reopening Plan
Box Tops
If you have any questions, please contact Robin Monahan at binmom@charter.net
Save the Date-This is the Information we have for today, November 7th
November
11- No School/Veterans Day
18 -First fully remote day of our new quarter with all students remote.
19-Cohort B students will return to Glenwood in a hybrid model.
23-Cohort A students will return to Glenwood in a hybrid model.
25-27 No School Thanksgiving Recess
December
1- Silent Auction
24- First Day of Christmas Break
January
4-Return to School
Fundraisers
December 1 -Silent Auction
Year Long- Mabels Labels
PTO News
1. Mabel's Labels is a Glenwood Fundraiser that is held all year long.
2. Glenwood PTO will be hosting an online silent auction starting December 1st. It will run for 2 weeks only. More information coming...
What is Happening at Glenwood
COVID Checklist for Parents
Dear Glenwood Parents & Guardians,
To help families prepare for the eventual return to in-person learning, it is important that the following information pertaining to student illness is reviewed before students start school. As the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the medical community learn more about COVID-19, it is possible that this guidance will change. The information below is based on the most recent, reliable medical guidance.
Parents whose child has one or more of the following signs/symptoms of illness, that are also associated with COVID-19, should keep their child home from school. It is also recommended that parents contact their primary care physician for further evaluation:
Fever of 100.0° F or higher accompanied by chills
Persistent cough that is not due to another known cause such as chronic cough
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Headache in combination with other symptoms listed here
Muscle aches or body aches
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Fatigue in combination with other symptoms listed here
Nasal congestion or runny nose that is not due to other known causes such as allergies and is in combination with other symptoms listed here
Click here for the CDC’s COVID-19 Information Page
The following information, related to when child(ren) may return to school, is based on the WRSD School Reopening Plan and Department of Health guidance:
If a student is referred for further medical evaluation for symptoms of illness, they may only return to school with a note from their doctor or following a 10-day quarantine IF symptoms have improved AND they are fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
Close contact is defined by the CDC as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic clients, 2 days prior to positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.
If a student is considered to be a close contact, they may only return to school following a 14-day quarantine period, even if a negative COVID-19 test result is received.
It is recommended that anyone who is considered close contact gets tested for COVID-19 four to five days following exposure.If a student has tested positive for COVID-19, they may return to school 10 days following documentation of the start of symptoms if they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication AND if their symptoms have improved.
Important: All documentation must be faxed or emailed to the health office prior to returning to school.
As the District refines and finalizes school reopening plans, it is understood that there may be situations unique for families that require further discussion. Your child’s school nurse is available to discuss these situations, as well as to provide further explanation for the protocols outlined in this message. Please be aware that the WRSD school nurses have been integral in shaping the District’s protocols and procedures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they are a valuable resource for parents and guardians.
I appreciate the questions and concerns that have arisen in our outreach to the families of students. Our ability to work together and collaborate during this difficult period of time is integral to our success.
News from Mrs. Pope, School Psychologist Intern
Expect the Unexpected Emotional Editorial
Social and Emotional Resources and Support
Submitted by Melissa Pope, M.A. Candidate, Counseling Intern, Glenwood Elementary School
Meeting our Children’s basic needs for improved learning and life success
So a long long time ago in a galaxy far away…. there was this guy named Maslow, who developed a hierarchy of needs, to explain human behavior and motivation. The pyramid he created said that in order to grow as a human you need to meet the needs in one level before being able to move upward to the next.
Fast forward to today with Covid-19 and hybrid learning, we can still use this pyramid to understand our children and what they need in their daily lives to promote academic achievement. If the first four levels are fulfilled within our children, then they will be able to flourish academically, creatively, and emotionally.
Putting it into action
Physiological- Biological needs (food, drink, shelter, clothing, sleep)
The above basic needs met….
If you have food, and water with a full belly, then you no longer think about needing food and, water...and can move to the next level.
Safety- physical and emotional security
Feeling physically safe means experiencing:
Order
Predictability (very hard in our daily lives right now)
A general sense of control
Health for myself and loved ones
Emotional security means experiencing:
Emotionally validated with any expressed emotion (yes, this means anger too)
Love/belonging- interpersonal relationships (play as a whole family or just 2)
Feeling loved means “I am perfect the way I am”
Communication systems are in place to feel supported by my community
I feel like a team member because others value & collaborate with me (problems or family decisions)
The relationships and experiences that increase my feelings of belonging are what will motivate my behavior, and have the greatest impact in shaping my identity
Esteem- self esteem and desire for respect from others
Having positive self esteem means:
I am accepted, believe in myself, and proud of myself, and work
If I make a mistake, it is ok, because I can use coping skills, and then try again
My family and friends notice my efforts, even when I make mistakes, and praise my hard work
The people around me focus on building my strengths, instead of my weaknesses
Weekly family discussion question(s):
Describe something that made your past week special?
How do you feel about the weather getting colder?
Just a Reminder that school lunches are free for all students through June 2021 and we return to school. I know students are all missing our delicious school lunches and it could be a treat after working hard all morning!
Lunch Menus are always posted on the Glenwood Website.
Notes from Mrs. Lawton, School Nurse
Welcome to the Health Update-
To The Parents of 4th and 5th graders:
Thank You to those who have sent in recent copies of their children’s MD physicals and updated immunizations- I appreciate it! For those of you who haven’t been able to yet- if you could send them along as soon as possible, that would be great!
- The new Health Office website is up and running. Please visit this site: https://sites.google.com/wrsd.net/wrsdhealthservices/home
Reminders from Mrs. Johnstone, School Secretary
- It is important that we have the most up to date contact information for your child. Updates of contact information can be completed by contacting our school secretary Mrs. Johnstone at 508-886-0399 or by email at jeanine_johnstone@wrsd.net
- If your child will be absent, please notify us by either sending a note with your child, or notifying the school at 508-886-0399.
- If your child has a change in dismissal, please send in a note with your child's full name and teacher's name.
- Please ensure your CORI has not expired. Contact Mrs. Johnstone if you are unsure of your expiration date. Mrs. Johnstone has current information regarding the CORI. We cannot rush CORI checks at the end of the year as systems are overloaded.
- Unless otherwise noted: Dismissal on Early Release Days will begin at 12:30 with lunch being served.
News from the Cafeteria
- Please email jennifer_jones@wrsd.net if you do not want your child to purchase a snack from their Schoolbucks account. An alert will be placed on your child's account.
- Breakfast will not be served daily when we return to school on November 18th.
- If a child qualifies for free or reduced lunch, then they will also qualify for a free or reduced breakfast. Please contact Mrs. Jones if you have any questions.
- Lunch Menus are available on the Glenwood website: http://www.wrsd.net/glenwood/