WHPS RLE Community School
October 30, 2020
Message from the Principal
Good afternoon,
Thank you for taking time to review the updates and information below. We will continue to share newsletters every other week and ongoing email updates for specific items as needed.
Our school continues to evolve with your feedback. Weekly targets are now posted to SeeSaw/Google Classroom. Students are becoming experts at utilizing a wide range of technology tools. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for the Week of November 16-20. Our school schedule is modified for the week (see information below). Teachers will contact you to schedule a virtual conference time.
Have a great weekend and stay safe,
Kerry Jones
Remote Elementary School Principal
Director of Elementary Education
UPDATES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
School Directory
Please click here for the Remote Learning Elementary (RLE) School Directory for 2020-2021 as of October 29.
We have new families who join our school each week. If you are a new family who would like to be added to the Directory or a family who has not yet completed the RLE Directory Survey, please complete by clicking here by November 25. Updates to the RLE Directory will be added and shared in the newsletter at the beginning of each month.
Please note that the RLE Directory will not include any student or family information without your permission or completion of the survey. If you wish to update information in the Directory, please contact Sarah_Falvey@whps.org in our RLE School Office by November 25.
Parent-Teacher Conference Week Nov 16-19
November parent-teachers conferences will be held during the afternoons of Monday, November 16-Friday, November 20.
Classroom teachers will contact you to sign up/schedule a mutually convenient time to meet for a conference via Google Meet.
What will the school schedule be during the week of Parent-Teacher conferences?
Small group class times will change for conference week as follows:
Elementary RLE Conference Week Schedule
PreK (updated)
Group 1 - 8:30-8:50 and 9:10-9:30
Group 2 - 9:30-9:50 and 10:10-10:30
Group 4 - 11-11:20 and 11:40-12:00
Grades K-1 (45 min each)
Group 1 8:30 - 9:15
Group 2 9:30 - 10:15
Group 3 10:45-11:30
Group 4 11:45 - 12:30
Grades 2-5 (60 min each)
Group 1 8:30 - 9:30
Group 2 9:45- 10:45
Group 3 11:30 - 12:30
Conferences begin @ 1:00 p.m.
Will students have their regular special area classes that week?
No, regular music, art and PE specials classes and world language workshops will not be scheduled that week.
However, Ms. Arcari and Mrs. Cardona, our RLE PE and music teachers, will offer workshop-style sessions for all PreK-5 students. Please see this Conference Week Specials Workshop sign-up form which will also forwarded to all families via School Messenger and through classroom teachers next week.
What can I expect at Parent-Teacher Conferences?
You will receive your child's report card from your classroom teacher via email on Friday, November 13.
Reviewing the report card is just one part of the parent-teacher conference; conferences are an important opportunity for dialogue between you and your child's remote learning teacher. I hope you will bring your questions, celebrations, and observations of your child's learning at home to share. Your child's teacher will be prepared to share observations of your child's transition to the remote learning school environment, development of social-emotional learning skills, and progress toward mathematics and literacy targets.
CURRICULUM
Veterans Day 2020
Grade 5 Human Growth and Development
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Save the Date: RLE Virtual Dance Party!
Thanks to parents and guardians who joined our recent Parent Coffees and PTC meetings for inspiring us to schedule a fun "virtual" event to connect families in our school community!
Elementary RLE Parent Coffee Meetings
Our next Principal Coffee Meet-Ups will be held on November 23 at both 10:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. These are informal "open agenda" meetings to meet other parents/guardians, share celebrations and ask questions of the principal and staff.
10:00 a.m. Principal Coffee Meet-up
Join by Google Meet: meet.google.com/ngz-ixnz-wmr
Join by Phone
(US)+1 605-863-9356 PIN: 793 466 730#
5:00 p.m. Principal Coffee Meet-up
Join by Google Meet: meet.google.com/hks-cuke-tjn
Join by Phone
(US) +1 929-266-3006 PIN: 448 082 235#
West Hartford teacher, Eric Feeney, runs a nonprofit called "Friends of Feeney." Their mission is to help children and families who need assistance after heartbreak and tragedy. We just received news about their upcoming 10/31 Cardboard Challenge! While it may be late to participate this year, it's not too late to find out more about this local organization or how to participate in the Challenge in the future. Our own RLE paraprofessional staff member Nancy Wallace-Sohn is on the Board of Directors and quoted in last year's Courant Community article:
CALENDAR & EVENTS
Halloween Drive-Through Trick-or Treat Event 10/31 10AM-12PM
Town of West Hartford to hold a free Halloween Drive-Through Trick-or-Treating event on Saturday, October 31, 10AM-12PM
West Hartford will hold a free Halloween Drive-Through Trick-or-Treating event on Saturday, October 31, 10AM to 12PM, at Sedgwick Middle School, 128 Sedgwick Road.
Cars should enter via Wardwell Road and follow the driveway around the school and exit out onto Sedgwick Road. At the mid-way point cars will stop at the candy distribution center. Candy bags will be placed in your vehicle. Volunteers will be wearing personal protective gear. In keeping with COVID-safety rules, please stay in your vehicle at all times.
Along the way, children can look out their window and see fire trucks and a cast of characters dressed in costumes. Families can get into the spirit by decorating their car and dressing in costumes too.
Special thanks to the Town of West Hartford, West Hartford Fire Union, Blue Back Square, Chamber of Commerce and Costco for their donations and support.
School Calendar
- Tuesday, 11/3 Election Day (no school)
- Wednesday, 11/11 Veterans Day (Morning Meeting)
- Thursday, 11/12 Elementary RLE School Virtual Dance Party! *new*
- Friday, 11/13 RLE Newsletter publication
- MONDAY, November 16-Friday, November 20 Parent-teacher conferences (modified school schedule AM only and PM virtual parent-teacher conferences)
- Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 - Thanksgiving Break (no school)
RESOURCES
Who are the teachers in our school?
The WHPS Elementary RLE School is comprised of professional elementary educators and support staff from across the district. Staff member names are posted to the district website: http://whps.org/remotelearning.
How do I contact the remote school office?
Our remote school office has a dedicated phone line for elementary and secondary schools (860) 561-6609. Please call that number to report absences or contact our office team with any questions or concerns.
Mrs. Angela Tokarz is the remote school secretary for both the elementary and secondary remote schools and can be reached at (860) 561-6609 or angela_tokarz@whps.org. Mrs. Sarah Falvey provides office support to the elementary remote learning school via the number above or email at sarah_falvey@whps.org.
Accessing Powerschool to Update your Family Contact Information
When you are signed into the PowerSchool parent portal, go to the Forms icon in the menu to access those forms. You will find a Contact Phone and Email form and an Emergency Contacts form. Please see this New School Year information Tech Reminders for instructions on how to create and navigate your account in the portal.
Grab & Go Meals and Community Information
Click here for information on School and Community Resources
Family Flu Clinic November 5 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Sedgwick Middle School
128 Sedgwick Road
Age 4+
For more information, call the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District 860-561-7900 (see CT Dept Public Health listing by town)
WHPS Health and Safety Videos
http://whps.org/remotelearning
Mrs. Angela Tokarz, Remote School Secretary
Mrs. Sarah Falvey, Remote Elementary School Office Support
Location: 50 South Main St, Room 412
Phone: 860-561-6609