Slate Hill Newsletter
November 6, 2020
Changes to Related Arts
As we returned from remote learning to hybrid learning we took every precaution seriously and followed CDC guidelines. We continue to follow those guidelines for the safety and well-being of the students, staff and family. We continue to learn and grow from our experiences in maintaining a safe environment.
Currently, related arts classes occur in either homerooms or in designated outdoor spaces. We believe that by continuing to follow our safety protocols we can provide the students related arts services in the related arts classroom space.
The following safety protocols will continue:
· Mask wearing at all times when indoors
· Students maintain 6 feet social distancing
· Shared supplies will be minimal and any time shared supplies are used, sanitizing will occur between use
· Students sanitize seating area between classes
· Activities involving movement or singing continue to occur outdoors
· Use of different equipment between each class
· Activity needs to keep students 6 feet apart
· Students will follow one way directional patterns to and from related arts class (if possible)
Beginning Trimester 2, Monday, November 16, 2020, we are expanding spaces for students to learn within the related arts classroom spaces, following enhanced sanitization and safety protocols. Our students have done a wonderful job meeting the safety expectations we’ve outlined and we are prepared to allow students to attend related arts in related arts classrooms for stationary activities. At Slate Hill this will be for Wellness, Music and Art classes only.
Guidelines for Use of Shared Related Arts Spaces – 2020
Current Best Practices as we know them:
· We make every effort at elementary to limit/reduce student cohort contacts as much as possible, while still offering our school programs
· We maintain 6 feet social distancing in all activities.
· Masks are to be worn at all times.
· Cleaning protocols are followed after and between each class utilizing the shared spaces/equipment.
· We adhere to the parameters of Close Contact. (“Close Contact,” as defined by the CDC and local Public Health Agencies is anyone being within 6 feet of an infected person for 15 minutes or more, cumulative, over a 24 hour period. Droplets can linger in the air for 15-30 minutes from normal activity; possibly up to 3 hours from coughs, sneezes, loud vocalization, etc.)
For The Gymnasium:
· Classes will be planned so that equipment is not shared by two classes in succession.
· *All equipment used will be wiped down after each use with approved sanitizing materials or washed with soapy water between each class period.
· Activities maintain 6 feet distancing and no physical contact --such as stretching, exercise, skill building, dribbling, tossing, catching, targets, etc. (example: crab soccer or volleyball could be played indoors if student participants have/defend a fixed 6 foot distanced area)
· Strenuous activity that engages students in person to person contact should be conducted outside (weather permitting) with masks on.
· Students will sanitize hands prior to entering the gym and will do so at the conclusion of the class period before returning to the classroom.
· Class teaching time may need to be reduced 5-10 minutes to ensure cleaning protocols are completed.
· Teacher keeps record of equipment used and cleaning completed.
· Teacher is responsible for floor clean up when necessary (excessive sweat, spitting, etc.)
For the Art Room:
· Classes will be planned so that equipment is not shared by students from two classes in succession.
· *All equipment used will be wiped down after each use with approved sanitizing materials or washed with soapy water.
· All table tops and chairs/stools will be sanitized with approved materials or soapy water between each class period.
· Activities maintain 6 feet distancing and no physical contact
· Students will sanitize hands prior to entering the art room and will do so at the conclusion of the class period before returning to the classroom.
· Class teaching time may need to be reduced 5-10 minutes to ensure cleaning protocols are completed.
· Teacher keeps record of equipment used and cleaning completed.
For the Music Room:
· Classes will be planned so that equipment is/instruments are not shared by students from two classes in succession.
· *All equipment used will be wiped down after each use with approved sanitizing materials or washed with soapy water.
· All table tops, chairs/stools, and risers will be sanitized with approved materials or soapy water between each class period.
· Activities maintain 6 feet distancing and no physical contact
· Students will sanitize hands prior to entering the music room and will do so at the conclusion of the class period before returning to the classroom.
· Class teaching time may need to be reduced 5-10 minutes to ensure cleaning protocols are completed.
· Teacher keeps record of equipment used and cleaning completed.
· District-provided air purifiers (when they arrive) will be operated during all class periods.
· Vocal singing IS permissible, at teacher discretion, so long as masks are worn.
For Library/Media:
· Library may be the easiest or only Related Art to stay “on a cart” due to the need to use the library for other class purposes (EPP, EL, etc.). This will vary building to building. Slate Hill will continue to have library in the classrooms.
· If used for library classes, all table tops and chairs/stools will be sanitized with approved materials or soapy water between each class period.
· Present book sanitizing protocols continue to be followed.
For Spanish:
We will continue to have Spanish in the classrooms at this time.
*Students may participate in sanitizing using approved materials such as the peroxide wipes and/or soap and water.
PAC meeting (Parent Advisory Council) for Slate Hill
We hope you will join us on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 from 7-8pm on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/6384978220
We will be discussing our upcoming virtual Math and Literacy Night, which will be held on December 3rd, and would like parent input on what topics you would like to learn about!
Worthington Resource Pantry Food Drive (Nov 16th - Nov 20th)
Superintendent Coffees
The Worthington School District will be holding several community coffees with Superintendent Trent Bowers throughout the month of November.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of the coffees will be held at the Worthington Education Center (200 East Wilson Bridge Road) and be limited to 10 people. Masks and social distancing will be required.
If you are interested in attending one of the events, please send an email to Christy DeWees at CDewees@wscloud.org.
Make sure to include the following information in your email.
1. Your Name
2. Phone Number
3. Date of session you'd like to attend (if that coffee is already full, you will be offered another date)
4. Any topics you would like to be updated on
Here are the dates & times of the coffees:
November 10 (Tuesday) Noon - 1pm
November 13 (Friday) 8am - 9am
November 16 (Monday) 9am - 10am
November 19 (Thursday) 5pm - 6pm
November 20 (Friday) 8am - 9am
Helpful Reminders
* All adults are required to wear masks on school grounds, both inside and outside. Please keep this in mind when picking students up outside at the end of the school day.
* The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has announced the extension of all Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) waivers, allowing schools to offer meals to all children at no charge through the end of the 2020-2021 school year. This extension will allow Worthington City School Food Services the ability to provide School Meals Free of charge to all school aged children for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.
Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts Activities!
Friendsgiving with Worthington Girl Scouts: In honor of Homelessness Awareness Month, Seeds of Caring will share their new choose-your-own-ending book "Imagine if" that puts kids in the shoes of someone experiencing homelessness, and helps them grow in empathy. There will be additional other activities to show gratitude for our friends and community. This is a free virtual event on Fri., Nov. 20 for registered Girl Scouts, or any Worthington girls interested in becoming a Girl Scout. Sign up by Nov.13 at: https://forms.gle/4cF5nYzSBJotbLU57 Questions? Contact: worthingtongsoh@gmail.com
Eagle Scout Project: A Thomas Worthington student is completing an Eagle Scout project that will benefit Slate Hill (and other Worthington schools)! The project is to build a lending library that will house diversity and inclusion books. For more information, please check out the document below.
Enjoy some Halloween Fall Fun Day Pictures!!
SkateZone 71 FREE Admission Reward for Worthington Students!
The first quarter of classes are wrapping up, and Skate Zone 71 would like to reward our students with a FREE Admission Skate Night!
Worthington City School District has been chosen to come on November 16th from 6:00pm-8:00pm to redeem this reward! Please see the certificate here for details to receive FREE Admission!!
Cyber Safety Information
eBackPack
Please make sure to check out the eBackpack for the latest flyers of activities and events going on at Slate Hill!
School Fees
School fees are in your MyPaymentsPlus account. Please log-in to pay your students’ school fees as soon as possible. If you do not have an account set up, please create one to pay your student's school fees. https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome
Thank You!
PTA Corner
The Slate Hill Elementary PTA is always eager to welcome new members! If you are interested in joining the PTA, the membership form is attached here.
Slate Hill Elementary School
Follow us on Instagram! @slatehillstars
Email: jgulley@wscloud.org
Website: https://www.worthington.k12.oh.us/Domain/21
Location: 7625 Alta View Boulevard, Columbus, OH, USA
Phone: 614-450-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/ourschool
Twitter: @gulley_julie