The Magic in the Middle
Arcola Weekly Update, March 18, 2021
Dear Arcola Families,
We are heading into spring and hopefully this brings a fresh new beginning for everyone.
Thank you for your on-going support and commitment. Hang tough and stay Arcola Strong~
Attendance
Please email our attendance office: attendance-ac@methacton.org. or call: 619-831-5314.
Lanyards and Masks
Student Services Tutoring and Support
Asynchronous Day- Friday, March 19
March 12, 2021
Dear Methacton Families,
The district has been notified by the state that the following date is scheduled for COVID-19 vaccine administration to our staff:
- Friday, March 19, 2021
As a result, all Methacton students in grades K-12 will be 100% virtual on Friday, March 19, 2021. Online instruction will be asynchronous (recorded lessons from your child’s teachers; no live instruction). Teachers will post lessons and assignments in their Google Classroom for students to complete at their own pace.
Thank you,
Methacton School District
Counselor Corner
Scheduling for 8th Grade students for the high school is wrapping up. Students can still change their selections on their own in PowerSchool until March 23 and all changes have to be made by April 7. Any changes after March 23 need to go through Mr. Mueller in the Counseling Office (x30220 or mmueller@methacton.org).
Is your child transitioning back to in-person learning? Are you wondering how best to help them? Here is an article from The Philadelphia Inquirer that offers some tips on things to say and things to do with your students: Helping kids adapt to school
Are you a mom struggling with your teenager and feeling at loss with how to parent them? Do you long for more connection with your teen but feel shut out? Do you worry about their well-being and the choices they make but aren’t sure how to help? You are not alone. The Phoenix Trauma Center is hosting a virtual support group for moms of teens, “Parenting Teens: Where’s the Playbook?”. Group members will learn tips to navigate parenting through this dynamic stage, connect with other moms, and share experiences, expertise, and support in a safe and non-judgmental environment. This group will meet for 5 weeks and membership will be capped at 8 people.
Date & Time: Beginning April 14, 2021 – May 12, 2021 (5 weeks). Group meets every Wednesday evening from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (EST) on Zoom.
Fee: Pay what you can! (Suggested donation, if financially able, $20 per session).
Contact: Lauren Sullivan, Med, MS, NCC, if you are interested in joining this group at Lauren@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com or 267-713-2621
Art News
The Art Department developed a wonderful presentation for Youth Art Month. It’s a celebration of the visual arts and includes student art from each building, K-12.
Here’s a link to the presentation: Youth Art Month Presentation
Spring Sports
Arcola will be having a Spring sports season which will begin on Monday, March 22nd. If interested in participating/trying out for a team at Arcola this spring, please visit the Arcola Athletic website which can be accessed on the Arcola homepage. On this site you will find the information necessary to begin the process of signing up for a team. The following sports will be available at Arcola this spring: softball, baseball, boys tennis, girls lacrosse, boys lacrosse, girls track and field, and boys track and field. Each of these sports have a team site located on the left side of the athletic website under the spring sports link. Please visit the site of interest for more specific information. If, after visiting the athletic website, you have any further questions please email Mr. Ron Schnabel at RSchnabel@Methacton.org.
BUSING & COVID-19
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
METHACTON SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS HAVE NO POSITIVE CASES FROM CLOSE CONTACTS ON THE BUS.
Methacton School District has incorporated information from CDC into their Health & Safety Plan and established procedures to help mitigate risks of contracting COVID-19 while riding a bus.
Cleaning
- Each day, the buses are cleaned after the AM and PM runs with an approved sanitizing spray. First Student and Methacton School District partnered with third party to perform a through disinfection of the buses.
Masks
- Yes, masks must be worn by both students and drivers. It is recommended that students wear masks at the bus stop while waiting for the bus, but it is MANDATORY for students to wear masks (and correctly wear them) when boarding, riding and departing the bus. Don’t have one? We will provide a disposable mask to the student. We also have a tracking system for anyone not complying with this process and an escalation process that could result in the removal from the bus for the rest of the year.
Air Circulation
- Windows are cracked and fans are on to increase circulation of the air flow as recommended by the CDC.
Contact Tracing
- The district conducts contact tracing at the direction of County Health Department – identifying students within 6 feet of the child to the left, right, front and back, and on the bus seat, front/back and to the side.