Panel Discussion on the Reopening of Schools
Superintendent David Bills, along with other district staff, will be giving a detailed presentation about the reopening of schools. This presentation, given both Wednesday, 8/19 and Thursday, 8/20, is intended for parents and guardians. Today is the deadline to register and submit questions. As of this morning, the 8/19 meeting is full (met the Zoom capacity), but there are still openings for the 8/20 meeting. Here is the link to register for Thursday's meeting.
Classroom Configurations
I have had a few people ask about the classroom configurations for this coming year. Because we are now limited in the number of students we can have in each classroom, we have had to increase the number of sections. At East Hill we have gone from 18 sections (K-5) to 25 sections (K-4). We are now using every nook and cranny in the building that we can find! Class sizes will be between 8 and 18. While some teachers will remain in one room all day with their students, some teachers will be working in teams of two or three. Two-person teams will be comprised of a teacher and a teaching assistant. They will rotate between the two rooms during the day with the teacher delivering the bulk of the academic instruction. Three-person teams will be comprised of two teachers and a teaching assistant. The team will rotate to each of the classrooms throughout the day. In an effort to limit movement throughout the building, special area teachers will come to the classrooms. When the weather is nice, physical education will take place outside.
Mask Use
There continues to be some confusion over the wearing of masks. Students will be required to wear masks throughout the day. Teachers will give students "mask breaks" during the day (when all students are seated and the teacher is not moving about the room) and students will obviously be able to remove their mask when they eat. Face shields cannot be worn, unless they are in addition to a mask. Please let me know if you have any additional questions about mask-wearing.
Arrival and Dismissal
Arrival, and particularly dismissal, will be a challenge to say the least. I expect it to be rather lengthy at the start of school but I'm sure it will become more efficient with time. Here are the current (DRAFT) procedures:
Arrival
The elementary school begins at 9:00 a.m. Parents may drop off their children between 8:40 and 8:55. Buses will enter the parking lot at 9:00. If parents are late in dropping off their children, they will wait to enter the parking lot until after the buses have unloaded. Parents must stay in their car at all times. Students cannot begin unloading from cars until 8:40. Walkers may arrive at the school between 8:40 and 8:55. Students will be given a designated door to enter. Families will be provided with screening slips. These slips, which indicate that a child’s temperature has been taken prior to arrival at school, the temperature is less than 100℉, and that the child is symptom-free, will be given to school staff upon entering the building. If a child does not have the screening slip, their temperature will be taken. Students will then walk directly to their assigned classroom. Lockers will not be used. Breakfast (and lunch) will be delivered directly to the classroom.
Dismissal
Bus dismissal will begin at 2:15. Parents can enter the parking lot after all buses have arrived. Parent 
pickup tags, similar to the ones pictured here, will be provided for all students being picked up. Each family will get two car tags with the same number. Students will be provided with a backpack tag with the corresponding number. School staff will be able to easily identify the correct car in the pickup line outside of school. If a parent is designating someone else to pick up a child on a particular day, it will be up to the parent to make sure they provide that person with their pickup tag. Again, parents must stay in their car at all times. If you are having someone else pick up your child on a particular day you will need to make sure you provide that person with your tag ahead of time. More information will be sent out later this month.
Kindergarten Screening
We can't wait to welcome the class of 2033! Kindergarten screening will take place on Monday, August 24th. All families should have received a letter with a screening time. We will not be holding an in-person kindergarten orientation this year but are hoping to put together a video orientation for all students before the year begins.
Please say hello to your children for me! I miss them! Have a great rest of the week!
- Lisa
