Creekside Early Learning Center

Hello Creekside Families,

A big congratulations to the staff and families for completing our first full week of Distance Learning. Although we experienced the expected "bumps" along the way, I am very proud to say that we persevered through the challenges! Thank you for all of your support, patience, grace, and hard work to make the first week as smooth as possible. We apologize for any frustrations and are hopeful that our circumstances will become easier to navigate as we gain experience in these uncharted waters.

Since Dr. Newman's announcement on Wednesday regarding schools opening on Monday, September 21, we have been working to prepare schedules and ensure the campus is safe and ready for our staff and Cubs. The principals at each site have been working together to align the A/B schedules for siblings. After looking it over a few more times and making necessary changes, we will be sending out a communication on or before September 8 to let families know which schedule they will have. Creekside will have staggered start and end times to help support social distancing and traffic flow.

Some other tasks that we have been working on include delivering COVID-19 supply boxes to each classroom, placing directional arrows around campus to support social distancing and traffic flow, marking spots on the lunch benches to indicate where students may sit to help distance students, ordering recess equipment for each classroom, and delivering plastic student partitions. All of this is in addition to the many other things that we completed in July.

Here are some reminders to keep you up-to-date:

• Virtual student assessments are completed with the exception of a few make-ups.
  
• In person, face-to-face Phase II begins on Monday, September 21.
• The District is requiring masks/face shields for Preschool-8th Grade. More information about guidelines will be communicated by next week. There will be opportunities to take if off throughout the day.
• Teachers will send out a list of requested items/materials to bring to school for on campus days.

• The district will continue to serve food during Distance Learning on Mondays from 11:00am to 12:00pm to AUSD families in need.The location has changed from BOES to JMMS.

• If your student needs bus transportation and you have not registered yet, here is the link to access information: https://www.alpineschools.net/o/ausd/page/transportation--837

• The district is still providing free wifi access at CELC, SHES, JMMS, and BOES. Just park in the lot and log in. The wifi name is AlpineUnited and no password is needed.
• The district has tech support available to parents. Please email helpdesk@alpineschools.net with your technology questions.
• If you inquired about a hot spot, the district has not received them yet and will be in contact with families as soon as they arrive.
• The office is open for appointments. Please call and let us know how we can help you.
• Please send us pictures of your students hard at work. We would love to post them on social media.
• If you would like to stay 100% Distance Learning and not participate in the A/B hybrid model, please email your teacher by September 5.
• AUSD's Reopening Guidebook is available to download below.

I am looking forward to welcoming our Cubs! I can't wait until my virtual hugs can become "real"!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ripke

Since we will not be able to have an in person event for Patriot Day like we did last year, the staff is working on a video to honor 911 heroes and all of our local first responders and military. We would love it if families would share pictures of their first responders and military family members (and friends) to add to our video. If you would like to participate, please email the photo(s) to your child’s teacher.

As a reminder, breakfast and lunch will be available on campus when we return on September 21. Please make sure that your student's account is set up. The kitchen will not be able to take cash for a payment. All payments must be done online. There is a Free/Reduced Lunch Program available for qualifying families. Students that have breakfast at school will eat in the classroom.

• Online Payments http://alpineunionsdca.apptegy.us/o/ausd/page/meal-payments--6
  
• Free/Reduced Application http://alpineunionsdca.apptegy.us/o/ausd/page/free-and-reduced-meal-program--2

Students may also bring their lunch. All lunches brought from home must be in a disposable container. All students will be encouraged to bring a healthy snack and 2 bottles of water each day.

Many family members, friends, community members, and CELC families have reached out to me asking how they could help us out during these uncharted times. As we plan for the 2020-21 school year, our supply needs/wants are greater than usual. Although the state provided some extra funding, that money has been spent on more "essential" items like hand sanitizer, plexiglass, and face coverings. As directed by our Governor, we will open with 100% distance learning. When we return to campus, we want to have the most engaging, fun, and safe learning environment as possible. I have created an Amazon Wish List of items that we would love to have donated to help offset the cost. If you are interested in purchasing something, please visit https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3SFKL6ROWON5R?ref_=wl_share.

As the 2020-21 year begins, we are also in need for a new PTA Board and School Site Council representatives. If you are interested in one or both of these roles, please contact Charlene Brown at cbrown@alpineschools.net. We are also looking forward to the day when we can have parent volunteers back on campus. As soon as we are able to, we will communicate the process to become a volunteer. At this time, we are looking at virtual ways for parents to help. Stay tuned for more information about being a guest reader.

Spirit Days

Mondays- Wear a College Shirt or College Colors

Fridays- Wear CELC's School Colors or Join us for Virtual Fun Fridays

Kindness Weeks- TBA

Let's continue celebrating our college spirit! Join us on Mondays and wear your favorite college shirt!

The 2020-21 “Cubs in the Community” is on a roll. Connecting with kids is one of the most essential parts of building relationships and fostering learning. Mrs. Ripke has set a goal to connect with 100 future, current, and former Cubs in the community by the 100th day of school. If you spot Mrs. Ripke out in the community, please say hi and take a picture with her. Former CELC staff count too! Our pictures may look different this year due to social distancing; however, all of the love will still be there! She can’t wait to hand out hugs again when it is safe. Mrs. Ripke is up to 13 Cub Sightings. See Cub Sighting #13 below.

To help foster school spirit and stay connected during Distance Learning, the Alpine Union School District will post Virtual Fun Friday Dress Up Days. Postings will be on the AUSD Facebook and Instagram Pages. If you are not already following us on FB or IG, please join us! We hope that you will all participate and post pictures on social media using the hashtags provided. CELC parents may email the pictures to Mrs. Ripke at tripke@alpineschools.net. If you would like to be prepared, I have provided a list of upcoming themes; however, you will have to read the posts to get the details.

• September 4- Our Future is Bright: wear sunglasses
• September 11- USA Day: wear red, white, and blue
• September 18- Cartoon Day: wear a shirt with your favorite cartoon character on it

9/4 Virtual Fun Friday-Our Future is Bright: wear sunglasses

9/7 Labor Day- NO SCHOOL

9/21 A/B Hybrid Schedule Begins

9/21-25 Kindness Week

Office Hours

M-F 8:00 am to 3:30 pm

Email: cbrown@alpineschools.net
Website: https://www.alpineschools.net
Location: 8818 Harbison Canyon Road
Phone: (619) 659-8250
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Creekside-Early-Learning-Center-414783265277455/