John W. Runyon Elementary
September 7, 2020
Parent Back to School Newsletter
"Breaking Barriers-Building Bridges"
Runyon Elementary's Vision: Provide an environment of excellence and pride where students choose to be successful in preparation for the challenges of our technological and global society.
Dear Runyon Families,
Welcome Back! I am extremely blessed to enter my 13th year of service as the principal of this wonderful school. This school year is already filled with so much newness. Our students will not only experience new teachers and friends, but also new methods of teaching and learning, new health and safety precautions, new social guidelines and boundaries, among many other things. One thing that has not changed is our commitment to ensure we provide the best education possible to our students. We know a strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child’s education. As partners, we share the responsibility for our children’s success and want you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities.
As you know, with a couple of exceptions, our first four weeks of instruction will be provided remotely in virtual classrooms. Our campus and the Dallas ISD have taken extreme precautions to protect the health and well-being of our students and staff. In an effort to reduce some of the stress and anxiety many of you may be feeling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, information and links to documents regarding the campus wide sterilization and safety measures that have been enacted at Runyon are included in this newsletter.
I have also included enrollment procedures, instructional information, and technology related links that will possibly answer any questions you have student instruction. You can contact the school if you have questions that are not addressed in this newsletter. We want to make sure we give you correct information and the support that you need, so we ask that you please be patient if we don't have an immediate answer to your questions.
Finally, if you have not enrolled your student online please do so right away. Students will not be able to receive technology devices if they are not currently enrolled.There is a link below that will take you to a step-by-step enrollment guide. Please contact the school to schedule an appointment if you need additional assistance. Understand it is a requirement that staff members ask several questions to verify your identity prior to giving out any confidential student information like student ID numbers and passwords. Please be cooperative and respectfully provide the information that is asked. This is for the safety and security of your child.
Thank you in advance for all of the support that you demonstrate for your students and the entire Runyon Elementary School Staff. We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential. As we begin this school year, let us all re-commit ourselves to the understanding that student learning is everyone’s top priority.
I am looking forward a positive year of growth and success!
Sherry Williams, Principal
Runyon Elementary Campus Routines and Expectations with COVID-19 Safety Measures
One of our highest priorities is to ensure that Runyon Elementary is a place where students,
parents, staff, and community feel welcome and safe. This requires that all stakeholders know
and fulfill what is expected of them at all times. Due to COVID-19 we have added more
stringent safety and health measures to our daily routines. We will continue to support our
students’ social-emotional growth and academic progress by developing and implementing
consistent routines. We will do this “The Runyon Way” by consistently providing a joyful,
positive environment so that students will feel proud to be a part of the Runyon Family.
The links below will take you to our various safety plans throughout the campus. You will be a tremendous help and support by reviewing and following the plans as well as communicating their importance to your student(s). Please reach out to us if you have any questions or need any clarification.
Who Is My Child's Teacher and How Will My Child LogIn to Class?
The link below provides access to our teachers Welcome Power Points and virtual class and meeting logins. Staff members will be available to answer phone calls and provide information regarding your child's class if you did not get the opportunity to meet virtually or talk to your child's teacher prior to the first day of school. Again, it will be necessary for staff members may ask several questions to verify your identity prior to giving out any information. We will follow this process the entire year. Please be cooperative and respectfully provide the information that is asked. The safety and security of your child is always a top priority.
First Day of School General Questions
1. What do I do if I don’t have a device on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 for the first day of school?
- Call your school to let them know that a device has not been assigned
- Request a time frame that you can drive by the campus to pick up textbooks or consumables with class assignments.
- Call your school and request support with resetting your password
- For attendance, the teacher will reach out and contact the student who has not been able to log in, via phone, numbers in the student information system, email, etc. If a student has not heard from their teacher by 2:00 p.m., we ask that the student/parent to call the school.
- Students will log into the Clever account from the district assigned device opening screen.
- From the Clever portal, you will go to their assigned online account (PK – 2nd is Seesaw, 3rd – 12th is Google or PowerSchool) and your schedule page is loaded or your can click on My Classes.
- Please visit the Dallas ISD Education Evolution website for assistance with step by step log on procedures.
Student MAP Growth Testing
Purpose: Your child will take a MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA on a computer or tablet three times a year. MAP Growth scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students.
MAP Growth tests are unique, and it adapts to your child’s responses to measure your child’s skill level. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level.
This week teachers will provide parents a link to sign their children up for a test date. Testing will be administered on campus in small groups with staggered time periods. If eligible, bus transportation will be arranged and lunch will be provided.
Our Campus Priorities
Student Achievement
Quality Instruction
Positive Culture and Climate
Sherry L. Williams, Principal
Website: https://www.dallasisd.org/runyon
Location: 10750 Cradlerock Drive, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: 972-749-6100