July 7/29 Update

Hello Families!

Hope this a wonderful Wednesday for you and your family.

Landmark sent out an email with a more detailed "Return to school" plan yesterday. With this information I will be working in our classroom to ensure it is set up in a safe way and will follow the guidelines in place. Our learning environment will be safe and engaging for an awesome year in First Grade!

The following are some things specific to our daily routine in First Grade:

There was an update on the masks in the new plan. All students will be asked to wear a mask. Like I mentioned in the previous blog, you will want to practice with your student now. Please work towards taking it off and putting it on INDEPENDENTLY. We will go over when it is appropriate to take it off and on during the day.

Water bottles: I ask that you send your student with a full water bottle each school day. Make sure it is a water bottle that your student can drink from easily. Pop tops are the preferred water bottle. Please avoid tumbler and wide mouthed bottles, when tilted it can spilled easily.

Lunch: Students have the option of "hot lunch" which is from the school's lunch line and "cold lunch" which is a packed lunch from home. If you student will be getting hot lunch be sure to have money added to their lunch account. You should be able to do this on the Parent Portal online. If you plan on sending a packed lunch please make sure your student can easily open all their items. Our lunch crew will be their to assist them but they will often have to wait for help. Students will be in the classroom for lunch time this year. There will be no outside visitors for lunch at this time.

Snacks: I do provide two times during the day for snacks. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. I suggest that you pack HEALTHY snacks ( NO CANDY) . Students should bring SMALL snacks to be able to fit in the SMALL snack times. I suggest putting them in a separate pocket of their backpack than their lunch box if you plan on packing their lunch so they know the difference. If you feel the need you can label the snack with their name as well. Some  families pack a day's worth of snacks and some will pack enough for the week. Not sure what will work for your family!  **Students are PROHIBITED to share any food. This is a safety issue.

Arrival: Please review the arrival expectations listed in the "return to school" email from the school. This is a much different procedure than last year so please discuss this in length with your student. Please don't let this be a surprise on the first day of in-person school. See if your student has questions or concerns about the new routine. Please let me know if you foresee any homesickness or anxiety about the first day. Our Wing door is the North door by the storage sheds.

Dismissal: Please review the dismissal expectations listed in the "return to school" email from the school. This will be a bit different from last year as well. You have a few options in how your student will be picked up. Driveline (serpentine line) and Side door walker (North door).

Chromebooks: I have received a few questions about the Chromebooks for each student. I am still trying to gather info on that. Thank you for your understanding.

Supplies: The "Return to School" email mentioned supplies should be brought with your student on the first day of school. I know it is a lot of supplies so I will be looking to split bringing the supplies over 2 days. I will send out more information about that soon. Please review the supply list on the first blog post. Please LABEL items clearly in permanent marker when needed.

Below is the link to a survey to help me better get to know your student and your plan/thoughts for the year. It takes about 2 minutes to fill out. I ask that you fill this out before August 7th.

Survey Monkey Link- Click Me!

Thank you for your patience with not only me but with Landmark as well. This situation is ever changing and we are trying to make the best decision for all. I look forward to starting this school year with you and your family, no matter what it looks like! Please continue to look for any other communication from the school or from me in the coming days and weeks!

July Helpful Tips

Hello families!

I do not have any new information on the upcoming school year. The following are tips to help prepare your student for whatever may come this school year. 

Around this time I start to ask parents to think about getting their student's back on a "school" schedule. IF we do return to school in person don't wait till the first day to have your student wake up early. No one will have a good day if you wait! Instead start getting them up a little bit earlier each day. There will be less of a fight in the morning IF we return to school learning.

Review your morning routine with them! Discuss with your student the things they have to accomplish before leaving the door! You can also make a visual check list. Toothbrush picture for teeth brushing. Coat picture to see if they need/want to bring a coat. Homework folder picture so they can double check their backpacks! You can add or take away pictures depending on your child's needs. Not only will this help everyone in the morning but it will also hand over some responsibility to your student. PRACTICE this before school starts so it can be successful!

Bathroom breaks! I give as many bathroom breaks as I can however, the transition back into school can be hard. We have all been stuck at home with the ability to go to the bathroom as much as we want! In the school setting it can be a little bit before your student can get to a bathroom due to lines or all the stalls are taken. Practice waiting just a few minutes! It seems small but can make a difference. Don't forget to practice hand washing too!

One thing that seems to be a common conversation in the news and media are masks. I have no idea what will be expected when it comes to masks but you may want to prepare. Recently I was in Target, in the school section, and they had some fun kid masks. If you feel like your student will wear a mask, please review your expectations and practice wearing them. You may want your student to pick out their mask's so they are excited to wear them. Again, don't wait till the first day to put a mask on your child.

I just like to echo again that I do not know what the school year will look like and I also do not know about any mask expectations. My job as an educator is to present information and help prepare people for the next step. I hope this information, even thought its limited, will help your family prepare successfully for whatever this school year may bring.

I will keep you updated on any other information or updates that I get. I know Landmark is thankful for your patience during this time and so am I. I look forward to our partnership this year. Hope you have a wonderful day!

Crockett

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