Hello Creekside Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Although the circumstances around the school opening are not what we expected, our staff has been working hard to develop the best Distance Learning Program possible. In March, our staff did an outstanding job gathering information and resources and trained to prepare for Distance Learning. Since then, we have learned a whole lot more! We are using this knowledge to build a better, more balanced program to mimic a regular school day to the greatest extent possible.

We understand that parents are working hard to juggle their own jobs and responsibilities, while also facing the new school year with their student learning from home. Remember that we are all in this together! If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher. The office staff and I are also available to support you.

CELC will be using a variety of tools and resources to support our program including Zoom and Google Classroom. If you are not familiar with these platforms, do not worry because our teachers will be reviewing them at the Back-to-School Night. If you would like, I have provided attachments below if you would like to get a head start and read up on it.

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

• Registration is still open and we are accepting students for TK and K.
• The CELC office is open by appointment only. Please contact us for an appointment.
• Teachers will have a Virtual “Back-to-School” on August 19 at 5:00pm- It will be recorded and posted for parents that are unable to attend. Zoom links will be sent out on the 19th. Please mark your calendars.
  
• A virtual student assessment will be scheduled for your student on either August 20 or 21. Teachers will be contacting you with more information.
  
• Distance Learning begins on Wednesday, August 24 at 9:00 am.

• The district will continue to serve food during Distance Learning on Mondays to AUSD families in need.The location might change from BOES to JMMS. Please stay tuned for changes and further directions.

• Chromebooks will be available to CELC families who do not have access to a device at home. Please see the schedule and directions below.

• 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.
• If you are in need of Wifi, we have a limited amount of hotspots available. Please email cbrown@alpineschools.net to get your name on the list.

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

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ripke

If you were not able to attend the meeting on 8/6/20, please click here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1s8ybKodQokL3kEazcgjy2Cqe4dzYBmDOw6R6l4X2CmA/edit#slide=id.p

I also recommend that you view AUSD's School Opening Guidebook. See the PDF file below. For additional information, please visit our AUSD website. We have a COVID section that has more resources and links.

Please drive by at your designated date and time (see the schedule below) to pick up a bag full of materials put together by your child's teacher. This will also be an opportunity for families in need to checkout a Chromebook if they do not have a device available at home. We will do a contact free pick up. Please review the map provided for directions. Following the directions is key to the efficiency and safety of our service. The line will be staged in the parking lot against the curb. This will reduce traffic on Bridle Run. When space becomes available in the bus circle that is on Harbison Canyon, please proceed to the route. To help even further, if you are planning to check out a Chromebook, please have the paperwork filled out ahead of time (see PDF below). Also have your drivers license ready as well. Staff will be checking a list of fully registered students to verify enrollment. Please be patient with the process.

For the safety of our families, and to help manage the traffic flow, please enter the CELC parking lot (see green dot), pull forward to orange dot (stay there until the traffic is clear in the bus area), and then proceed to the bus circle and stop at the red dot. Exit at the light blue dot. Your support and patience during this process will be very much appreciated.

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” campaign began! 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. Here is the first Cub of the year!

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 get the details.

• August 28- New School Year Best: wear your favorite new outfit/shoes/backpack
• 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
• September 25- Team Up For Kindness- wear a sports jersey

8/19 CELC Virtual Back to School at 5:00pm

8/20 & 8/21 Student Assessments

8/24 Distance Learning Begins

8/28 Virtual Fun Friday- New Back-to-School Outfit

9/21-25 Kindness Week

PLEASE SEE MATERIAL PICK UP AND CHROMEBOOK SCHEDULE

FOR YOUR ASSIGNED DAY/TIME

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/