Keeping up with Keller
By: Marcie Dryden, Principal
August 26, 2020
Mission Statement
The mission of Helen Keller Elementary School is to establish and maintain an educational community that empowers all students to become principled, independent inquirers who are socially responsible global citizens.
Dear Keller Families,
It's hard to believe we are so close to the start of this school year. It has definitely been a busy summer for our staff as we have worked to develop plans to make this school year successful and safe for our students. This year, our teachers are working closely together to make sure our students can still feel an important part of the classroom community and to develop lessons that will help our students grow academically. We realize that our students will be at different places in their learning, and so we will continue to work as a team to help our students close learning gaps and master important grade-level concepts.
As you are reading this newsletter, classroom placements will be available to view through your Parent Portal this Friday, August 28th. Our teachers and staff members are excited to welcome you to our new school year! Please look at the schedule for our Drive By Beep & Greet as we would love for your children to see who their teacher will be this school year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Dryden
Important Dates
*September 8: First Day Back to School
*September 9: Virtual PTA Meeting
PRINCIPAL DRYDEN ON FACEBOOK
Do you want to see what's going on at Keller? Check out my Facebook page where I frequently post pictures and share events that are happening within the Keller Community. Click on the button below to go right to my page!
Daily Learning Schedule
With online learning parents have the unique opportunity to peek into our "classrooms" in a way you never could before. Part of that unique experience is knowing the detailed daily schedule because it now affects everyone in your home. We are working hard to come up with aligned and consistent schedules, because we know it is important for our students and families. I want to share with you a little peek into creating schedules that you don't typically see during face to face school. One big aspect of scheduling that you may not realize, is that teachers makes changes in their daily schedule for at least the first two weeks of school. There are many reasons for this such as, scheduling with special education teachers and services, intervention groups, changes in the specials schedule and just reading your group of students and realizing that the way you thought the schedule should work, doesn't actually work best for your new class. Teachers also spend the first few weeks building their classroom community before diving deep into curriculum, this sets the stage for a successful year. Teachers must be flexible, especially during the first few weeks of school. Flexibility is one of our teacher's many super powers!
I shared this little peek inside of what it takes to make a classroom schedule because this year is no different.There are a lot of moving parts, this year more than ever, that makes a schedule work well.
We appreciate your patience and flexibility as these preliminary schedules may change a bit over the first couple of weeks. Below is an outline of a schedule to help you prepare and plan for online learning in your home. Teachers will be reaching out to you with their specific classroom schedules no later than September 2nd.
Drive By Beep & Greet
We wanted to offer you an opportunity for you and your child to meet your child's teacher prior to the start of the school year. In order to do this in a safe manner, we are going to do a drive by Beep & Greet in the drop off lane of our parking lot. Classroom teachers and other staff members will be outside to say "hello" and provide information and some materials for your child.
Directions for the "drive thru"
Families should follow the directions of staff as they enter the school driveway.
Once you enter the parking lot, there will be teacher stations with large signs on them. Following the traffic pattern, drive to the appropriate station.
Once there, you can say hello and get your materials from your teacher.
Continue on towards the exit!
Here is the schedule for our Drive By Meet & Greet:
Tuesday, September 8
11:00-1:00: 1st Grade
1:30-3:30: 2nd Grade
Wednesday, September 9
8:30-10:30: 3rd Grade
11:00-1:00: 4th Grade
1:30-3:30: 5th Grade
**Teachers will not be available outside these scheduled times above.**
Safety precautions:
In order to ensure the safety and well being of every student, staff member, and family member please adhere to the following guidelines:
If you are sick (temperature of 100F, cough, shortness of breath) or if you have been asked to self isolate or quarantine- please do not come and we will work together to ensure your child receives his/her materials.
All Keller Staff will be wearing masks.
Students and families must remain in their cars, and should adhere to social distancing throughout the process.
Chromebook Needs
If you are in need of a computer device for your child, Royal Oak Schools can provide a Chromebook. Please complete the survey at the link below.
ALL Keller students must have their ANNUAL online registration completed
If you have not completed the registration process yet, please click on the link for directions for registering your child using Parent Portal. If you do not remember your PIN and/or Password, you can contact Mrs. Kaiser, our secretary, and she can provide this information to you.
Blessings in a Backpack
In light of the tough economic times facing our area, we are attempting to help Royal Oak Schools families by making sure that all of our children have enough food. “Blessings in a Backpack” is a program designed to provide students on the free and reduced lunch program with enough food for three meals a day during the weekends. This program, sponsored by Community Foundation of Greater Rochester and the Meijer Corporation, is active in Royal Oak Schools. If you agree to take part in this program during the school year, your child will receive a bag every Friday filled with food for the weekend. While we are remote, the food will be delivered to your home by volunteers. The simple meals may include food like macaroni and cheese, beef ravioli, canned fruit, granola bars, peanut butter, soups, juice and other items.
Meal Needs
2020-21 School Supply List
I know now is a great time to get schools supplies as there are many great deals out there. Below you will find a button that will take you right to our original school supply list for the 2020-21 school year. With the supplies being so cheap you could purchase them now in the event that we do return face to face. Otherwise, there are basic supplies on the list that you can choose for remote learning.
In addition, Mrs. Eovaldi is asking for the following items to be added for art class.
K-5 :
- Sketchbook or white construction paper
- Watercolor set
Optional 3-5:
- Oil pastel set
- Ruler
- Color pencils
SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS:
PTA Corner
By joining the Keller Elementary PTA you provide financial support for the state and national PTA, which advocates family friendly legislation. Past accomplishments of the PTA organization include: all day kindergarten, federally funded school lunch programs; healthier lunches, a separate juvenile justice system and bike helmet safety. As the PTA continues forward, parent involvement will remain the core of everything it does. Health and safety issues will continue to be priorities and the PTA will hold steadfast on increasing funding for public schools.
Locally, the Keller PTA sponsors many fun and exciting activities for students and their families throughout the school year, including (but not limited to): Family Activities (IFFF, Co Ed Dance, Fun Fair, Family Nights Out), 5th Grade Graduation and Academic Enrichments (Scholastic Reading Counts Program, Cultural Arts & Education Assemblies, Technology and School Supplies, including classroom and media center books).
- Individual membership is $ 7
- Family memberships are $14
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
- All adult members of your family can sign up here.
- By sending in your Keller PTA Membership Form 2020-2021 and check made out to "Helen Keller PTA" that will arrive with your child's welcome packet
Business Membership is $50 Keller Elementary Business Membership Form 2020-2021
Essential Agreements
*We are respectful
*We are safe and in control
*We are responsible learners
Keller Creed
I will act in such a way that I will be proud of myself and others will be proud of me too.
I came to school to learn and I will learn.
I will have a good day.
Learner Profile Highlights
Don’t forget that the highlighted monthly learner profile and weekly behavior focus is on the Google calendar (every Sunday).