Dena'ina Elementary School
What's New in 2020-2021
What can I expect when my child is at school this year?
OUR PRIORITIES WHILE PLANNING FOR CHANGES:
Keep Schools Open
Stay Positive
Meet Academic Needs
Keep Schools Open
- Follow the district mask guidelines while building in opportunities for students to have a mask break in a safe and distanced way.
- Social distance as much as possible and within reason.
- Utilize the new outdoor classroom located in the back bus loop area when the weather is nice.
- Students will only mix with their bus cohort (if they ride it), their grade level (recess only) and homeroom class. If needed, we can easily adjust recess to stay with their homeroom class.
- Students will wash their hands when they get to class, before/after lunch, recess and specials. As always they will wash after using the restroom or as needed.
- School wide schedule allows time for classes to transition without crowding hallways.
- All classrooms are equipped with J-512 cleanser. Tables are wiped before and after lunch in homerooms, and before/after each class during library.
- Each grade level has their own supply of recess equipment, sanitized daily.
- PE and Music will rotate & sanitize materials so they aren't shared between classes.
- Students will have their own materials, labeled with their name, stored in a manner that can easily be transported if needed.
- All adults entering the school must wear a mask.
- Volunteers must wear a mask in accordance with employee guidelines and agree to only volunteer at our school.
- Adult visitors minimized and allowed in the office only. Plans for curbside early pick ups or late drop offs can be implemented if needed.
- Extra cleaning and sanitizing throughout the day in common areas including bathrooms, handrails, etc.
- Use of water bottles instead of fountains.
- *IMPORTANT* Change to dismissal procedures to maximize social distancing - please see details at the bottom of the newsletter.
Stay Positive
- All staff out and greeting kids every morning (minus physical contact like high 5's or hugs)
- Focus on positive behavior - provide regular encouragement
- Treating mistakes as an opportunity to learn
- Morning meetings to discuss character traits, student goals and class goals
- Regular SEL (Social Emotional Learning) lessons and a focus on a growth mindset
- Student of the Month, Math Maniacs, Academic Awards & school wide celebrations (but not all together in the gym - details to come)
- Responsibility Chart system to teach and encourage the 5 components of SEL
- Set Free Alaska therapy services on site
- Regular communication home - monthly school newsletters, weekly classroom newsletters, updates on our website/Facebook page or sent home via text/email
These things ARE changes:
- Time in the schedule for a longer afternoon class meeting to reflect on student learning and goals, address needs before going home
- Elimination of the 'Keepin' it REAL' guidelines for success and REAL tickets - singular focus on the character traits of the Y chart, less confusion for kids
- Inclusion of At Home learners in class events via Zoom so they feel connected to their teachers and peers (details to come)
- A full time teacher dedicated to the SEL needs of students including individual and small group time
Meet Academic Needs
While we believe that this system has served our students well in the past, it is problematic given the current health and safety needs. This year, all students will be in their homeroom class, however all students (at home and at school) will use the Mat Su Virtual School platform for core classes. Exceptions to this may be students who need a replacement core or specialized instruction as outlined in their special education IEP. The benefits to this change are:
- There is only one login/one program for students for all subjects.
- In the event of school closure, parents interface with only one teacher.
- In the event of school closure, students seamlessly transition to instruction at home.
- While at school, students use Mat Su Virtual in a 'hybrid' model; some time on the computer, some time directly with the teacher, and some time engaging in other independent or group collaborative work.
- Teachers will have a thorough data dashboard to see how every student is responding to the online instruction, allowing them to plan for intervention and extension by individual student.
- When/if At Home learners transition back to school they just continue on in their courses.
- Students can be placed below or above grade level as needed, and teachers can customize the content as a student shows growth or needs acceleration.
- 5th grade students who are ready for 6th grade courses would transition over to the secondary Apex platform, allowing them to continue learning new standards they are ready for.
DISMISSAL CHANGES - MAKING PICK UPS EASIER!
Afternoon pick up WILL NOW OCCUR IN THE BACK LOOP, where the buses normally are. This loop has two lanes; we anticipate more parents may choose to drive their students to and from school and we want to ensure you can pick up all your children quickly and easily.
Enter & exit off of Knik Knack Mud Shack Road, just past the morning/front loop entrance. Cars will stay in a single lane and move into the 2nd lane ONLY WHEN YOU'RE READY TO LEAVE. There is no parking or waiting in the 2nd lane.
Just like before, students will be lined up by grade level; kindergarten students come out first and then all grade levels are out within 10 minutes. Teachers must make contact with you either by waving or talking, then the teacher must verbally acknowledge the student and release them. Please be patient with us while teachers learn your names & faces; we may ask you for ID if you are unfamiliar.
A map for the new afternoon procedure will be posted on our website and Facebook page next week.
Dena'ina Elementary School
Email: crystal.nunley@matsuk12.us
Website: www.matsuk12.us/dne
Location: Dena'ina Elementary School, Knik Knack Mud Shack Road, Wasilla, AK, USA
Phone: 907-864-5600
Facebook: facebook.com/dnegrizzlies