Updates from OR

While we abide by the health and safety recommendations, I want you to know that I will truly miss your (our) children for the next few weeks.  I hope that you and your family use the time to reconnect in positive ways...Read some good books together.  Dust off those old board games and play together!  Have meals at the table together.  Most importantly, take care of one another...

I hope these updates help, and we will keep in touch as much as possible.  Please note:

• We will NOT have school this Friday, March 20.  This is the latest update in the attendance schedule.
• Our Science Fair is postponed.  I am not yet sure about rescheduling, but will let you know once we are back in regular attendance.
• Our 3rd grade chorus concert is cancelled for next week, and  rescheduling remains to be seen.  Stay tuned.
• We will let you know as soon as possible about report card distribution and whether they will be available to you online.
• As of now, we will not be taking the NYS English Language Arts Assessment, but will let you know of any changes.
• The Gertrude Hawk Candy Sale Distribution still needs to be determined.  As of now, I anticipate the packages being delivered to school, but I do not yet know of a distribution process.  Maybe we can get volunteers to deliver!  Stay tuned for that, too. 
• We anticipate returning to school on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.  Again, this is subject to change, but we'll keep our fingers crossed!

Fifth grade parents and families have been planning some events and fundraisers, but at this time, these events remain to be seen:

• The bake sale scheduled for the Science Fair is cancelled indefinitely.  If we are able to host it at another spring event, I will let you know.
• The Applebee's Fundraiser Flapjack Breakfast is also cancelled indefinitely.  We are unable to reschedule this event at this time.  Many families already purchased tickets for this breakfast, so please stay tuned for information regarding refunds and/or donations.  For now, the funds are safe and we will keep you posted.

And a few other odds-n-ends, as I anticipate your questions:

• Within the next few days, you will receive information regarding alternative learning experiences for your child while we are not in regular attendance.  Stay tuned while we finalize plans for you!
• If your child was not here today (Monday) and you need to pick up his or her personal belongings, the building will be accessible Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week from 8:30-3:30 each day.  Please know that you will still need to bring ID and buzz in at the front door if you need to retrieve something from your child's locker. You will not need to come for school books or materials, but we will make learning accessible online.  See the District website and note from Superintendent David Bills if you need information about accessing a Chromebook for your child, or call the technology office at 315-487-4677.

I will be in touch!  Most importantly, stay safe and take care of your health.  Think spring!

Respectfully, 

Jeannette Clark

Mark your calendar... Next week is a busy one!

- Our Positivity Project character trait for next week is "Love of Learning."

- Monday, 3/16 we will have a demonstration of bagpipes and Irish dancers.
- Wednesday, 3/18 at 6:30, there is a Board of Education meeting at WGHS.
- Thursday, 3/19 at 6:30-7:30 is our Science Fair.

FYI, stay connected with the West Genesee district website for up-to-date health and safety information.  Additionally, I found these two sites to be good references for parents and teachers to use while we educate and talk to kids about current events:

Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/pep20-01-01-006_508_0.pdf  

Talking to Children: A Parent Resource

https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource 

 

Have a great weekend!

Update from OR

Our PTA meeting will be held this week on Tuesday, 3/10, at 6:30 p.m. (not at 7:00 as I mistakenly indicated on the last note).  At 7:00, immediately following PTA, we will touch base with 5th grade parents who are helping to organize our end-of-year events and fundraisers.  Thank you for your support from home.

Remember that Wednesday, 3/11 is a half-day dismissal for students.  Those being picked up are dismissed at 11:20, and our buses will dismiss at 11:30. 

Enjoy this warm, spring like day!

A Few Reminders from OR...

• Wednesday, 3/11/20 is a half-day professional development day for staff and a half-day dismissal for students.  Walkers will be dismissed at 11:20, and buses will leave at 11:30.
• Please be cautious and considerate of safety rules in the parking lot while dropping off and picking up students from school.  If you are dropping your child off, please do so swiftly at the curb, then move your car out of the "no parking" zone. Also, if you are waiting for another car in front of you, please be patient and do NOT pass cars that are dropping students off.  You can see the potential danger in that, as students may be crossing the parking lot. And remember, never pass a bus with flashing red lights!
• Our annual OR Science Fair is on Thursday, 3/19/20.  Students from grades 3, 4, 5 are currently conducting experiments to be displayed at the fair.  All are welcome to tour the Science Fair exhibits at 6:30-7:30 on the 19th.
• We went through some little bouts of the stomach bug, the flu, and colds prior to February Break, but now we are well on our way to being back to our healthy selves!   Mrs. Nason, our nurse, puts a note out each month highlighting what's going around and suggestions to help keep one another healthy.  Frequent hand washing, and staying home for plenty of rest if you are sick are the two best ways to keep germs at bay.  If you are interested in reading a District update about influenza or coronavirus, please feel free to put those key terms into the search bar at the top of the West Genesee website.  This would lead you to some informational links.
• Students in grades 3, 4, 5 will take the computer-based NYS ELA Assessment on Monday, 3/30 and Tuesday, 3/31/20.  A reminder letter will go home with students next week.

Enjoy the weekend!