Charlestown School Updates

RI Dept. of Education 5 STAR SCHOOL !!!

National Blue Ribbon School !!!

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Placement letters were mailed this week to all families with enrolled students. Parents of students in Kindergarten also received an email from me (with placement) and information regarding their assigned time for Kindergarten Orientation on August 30th.

If your child is transferring in grades 1-4 or was homeschooled or a distance learner all year last year, feel free to join us for NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION on Monday, August 30th at 3:30 pm. We will meet out front on the curb (weather permitting) or in the Gym and I will take you on a socially distanced tour of our school.

https://governor.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur236/files/2021-08/Executive-Order-21-87.pdf

Teachers will be providing students with regular mask breaks and will be taking classes outside as much as possible.

Masks are not required outside, such as at recess or when learning outside.

Students can remove their masks for eating or drinking throughout the day.

We suggest students bring extra masks and also have some in the office is they need one.

ALL OF OUR CLASSROOMS HAVE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEPA FILTERS!

I suggest having students practice wearing masks, such as when they have screen time. If you are looking to purchase cloth masks, Old Navy has great cloth ones and Addidas sells some child size that are very comfortable.

School Re-opening Guidance has been shared by the Rhode Island Department of Health.

https://www.back2schoolri.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2021-PK-12-Fall-Guidance.FINAL1_.pdf

Masks - NOW REQUIRED FOR EVERYONE IN SCHOOLS PER EXECUTIVE ORDER!

Distancing - No distancing requirement within stable elementary pods. 6' between classes.

Bussing - Increased to Full capacity. Masks are currently required on buses by Federal Order for all modes of transportation. Contact tracing remains the row of the student who is positive and 2 seats in front, 2 seats behind on both sides of the bus (total of 10 seats)

Contact Tracing - Remains within 6' for 15 or more minutes in a 24 hour period. This includes time spent outside. The practice used last year will likely continued (considering all classmates as close contacts as we can't keep students distanced 6' all day as this would have a negative impact on socialization and learning).

My current thinking regarding re-opening is to safely transition to some of our previous approaches:

• Students remain in their stable homeroom pod groups for most subjects, specials, recess and one area of the cafeteria for lunch.

• Use of Cafeteria (with homerooms separated by more than 6') for lunch at assigned seats. Staggered lunch times to shorted the time that students wait in the line for school lunch.

• Use of the Library, Art Room and Music Room for specials. (students will enjoy leaving their homerooms).

• Students in grades 1-4 will be regrouped for daily reading instruction in a tiered model. Students are grouped by current reading level and may have a different grade level teacher for the 90 minute reading block. This model helps to better target the individual strengths and needs of all students. Students will stay in their homerooms for reading instruction in September. Tiered Reading won't start until October 4th. Seating in these classes will be strategic to try to limit possible contact tracing with students from a different homeroom.

As of now, we will have the following sections and teachers (bold = new to position this year)

There have been changes over the past week!

K - 3 classes: Mrs. Healy, Mrs. Moffitt, Mrs. Raposa

1st Grade - Mrs.Louzon, Mrs. Parker

2nd Grade - Mrs. Iredale, Mrs. Truppi and a NEW TEACHER TO BE HIRED

3rd Grade - Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Brown, Ms. Patten

4th Grade - Mrs. Charette, Mrs. Fee, Mrs. Morenzoni

Districts are no longer required to offer a Distance Learning choice to families.

If you moved and are still in Charlestown, please make sure to get a new Locator Card from Town Hall and bring it to our school. We can't change your address in our records without this proof of residency card.

If you move and are still in Chariho, you can request in writing to the Superintendent for your child to remain here for the school year.

If you moved and are not in Chariho, you need to register your child at their new school. We will receive a release or records from the new school. It's best for students to begin the school year in their new schools along with their peers.

We are planning for a small-group format of K Orientation on Monday, August 30th. Parents received an email with your class placement and times for this event between noon and 3:00 pm ( grouped by last name). Families will visit the classroom for a short presentation and students will also be able to go onto a parked bus out front.

Masks are strongly recommended by all attendees and are required if students check out the bus!. We ask that families maintain 6' distance from other families during the event to avoid possible contact tracing.

WE NEED TO KNOW YOUR PLANS FOR TRANSPORTATION. PLEASE REGISTER FOR BUSSING USING YOUR CHIL'DS POWERSCHOOL ACCOUNT AND/OR COMPLETE A REQUEST FOR A PLACARD VIA A GOOGLE FORM SHARED BY Mrs. Cote!!!

Students can not have different BUS stops. This avoids more challenges with potential close contacts.

All parents are asked to log onto your child's powerschool account (same account you used to complete the daily Covid Health Check). Per a great parent tip, you must use a desktop or laptop and can not fill out the form using a cellphone.

Then follow these directions: (also attached to the email with this weekly update)

Look Under General Forms and Click Transportation Request 21-22

SEE BELOW FOR VISUALS ON POWERSCHOOL BUS REGISTRATION.

We are following the same system as last year for parent drop off and pick up.

If you plan to pick up your child from school, please email from Mrs. Cote to complete a google form to request placards for your vehicle.

Drop Off will be from 8:30-8:40.

Please email Mrs. Cote if your child will be attending the Before School Program. Students will be distanced in the cafeteria and will need to bring items from home. We suggest books, art supplies and small toys. The fee is $3.50 per day for the program.

If you have updated court documents regarding child custody, please provide us with a copy.

We will continue to follow the Rhode Island Department of Health Guidelines and the updated Playbook. Click the link to see the updated Playbook that we will be following.

https://www.back2schoolri.com/outbreak-response-protocols/

Students should not attend school if they have possible covid symptoms, this includes on the first day of school. If you believe your child is suffering from seasonal allergies, please work with your child's doctor to address these symptoms before school begins.

Due to the limited time we anticipate funding may be available, it is important that families continue to submit updated free/reduced meal applications if there are any changes in household size or income. Confidential applications are accepted throughout the school year and, if approved, are effective through the last day of the 2021-2022 school year. Applications and instructions for applying can be found by

https://www.chariho.k12.ri.us – Parent/Student Resources section; Lunch Program

Please note we are only able to provide free meals to children 18 and under and will only be provided as a complete meal per program guidelines. All extra items, including milk to accompany a lunch brought from home or ala carte, are not included in this program. Students must have sufficient funds available in their food service accounts in order to purchase extra items.

We will begin school BEFORE Labor Day, on September 2nd.

Early Release Days will continue, but the release time will be later (at 1:55 pm).

Early Release Days will be held on Wednesdays and occur about once per month. (see calendar below) There are no ERD Wednesdays in April or June.

3 Professional Learning Days are scheduled in September, March, and May. These will be distance learning days for all students and will count towards the 180 day state requirement.

PTO Link:

https://charlestownschoolpto.com

New RI Sex Offender Registry:

https://www.sheriffalerts.com/cap_main.php?office=56404

6:30 am - 2:30 pm

Always call first to make sure someone is here if you need us.

364-7716

August

*** Kindergarten Orientation - 30 minute scheduled times on the afternoon on August 30th

Look for email sent from Mrs. Poore regarding your assigned orientation time.

New Student Orientation (Gr. 1-4) - 3:30 pm on August 30th.

*** These orientations are more challenging to plan due to covid related restrictions and the need to try to avoid possible contact tracing at both events. The events will be held in person, but in smaller groups.

September

Thurs., Sept. 2nd - First Day of School for 21-22

Mon. Sept. 6th - No School

Tues. Sept. 7th - No School

Wed. Sept. 22nd - Early Release Day at 1:55 pm (about once per month next year)

Wed. Sept. 29th - No School - State PD Day

In the past, I have used the Remind App to send text messages to parents. Last year, I sent a daily text with a link to the daily health check.

The district is going to begin using Text Messaging through School Messenger. Parents will need to Opt In through a form that will be shared soon. I highly encourage you to participate. This will help you to get fast notifications, such as bus delays, inclement weather day alerts and notifications if we lose power or phones at school. I promise that I won't inundate you with text messages!!! I will let you know when we are ready for this transition and will then permanently end the use of Remind.