Greetings Becker Families,
February 17, 2021
As we plan our return to school, we are excited to see all of our wonderful Becker Elementary students back in the building. We have worked tirelessly for a safe and smooth transition. Below is important information to keep you informed on the processes and expectations we have put in place.
What is “Group A” and “Group B“?
For a hybrid model, its purpose is to minimize the number of students in the classroom/building at one time. To do this, half of the students come each day. “Group A” students come to school on Monday and Thursday.“Group B” students come to school on Tuesday and Friday. On Wednesday, all students are home. When your child is learning from home, they will “zoom in” from home for live instruction. Wednesdays will look like remote learning (what students are doing now).
Back to School Parent Orientation We will be having a parent orientation on Wednesday, February 24 at 3:00 pm via Zoom. Agenda items will include many topics addressed in this letter, school procedures, and time for questions. Use this link to join the meeting next Wednesday.
Link here: Parent Orientation for Hybrid Return to School Plan
Schedule When we change to hybrid, the school start time is 9:40 am and dismissal is at 2:20 pm.
For students who are learning from home, the start time is 8:40 am and the end of the day will be at 3:35pm. Some students will still attend live learning labs via zoom with their teacher on Wednesday.
Morning Line Up Please refer to the map for line up locations. Students should line up at their entry door to be picked up at 9:35 am. We have painted markers on the ground for each student to stand on while waiting for their teacher. This will allow for students to distance themselves from one another. The playground is not available in the morning. It is important to remind your children that they must remain in their line, and on their marker at all times. Please do not bring your child to school before 9:35am. We do not have any supervision available while they wait outside.
Parent Drop Off and Pick Up Parents should drop off and pick up their child from outside the child’s entry/exit door. Parents may not enter the building at any time. If you need to pick something up or drop something off, please call the office at 827-6950 and a staff member will meet you at the main door. Student dismissal will be at 2:20 pm daily.
Classroom Our classrooms have been set up to provide social distancing for all students. Students will face the same direction and all personal belongings will be kept separated. Extra furniture has been moved to provide additional space for students. Students will remain in the classroom the entire day, except for lunch and a scheduled recess.
Special Area Classes For special classes (Art, Music, Gym, Enrichment, Media), students will join a live zoom class from home during the day they are at home. The purpose for this is to minimize additional physical contact. These classes are all mandatory. Your child’s special area schedule will be shared by your child’s teacher soon.
Lunch will continue to be provided at school. Students will have two lunch choices daily. We have eliminated shared spaces and items, like the salad bar and condiments. Students may still choose to bring lunch from home. The cafeteria has been designed to provide social distancing, and all students will be facing the same direction. Sanitizing will take place between lunch periods. Masks may only be removed while students are eating. They must be worn at all other times.
Breakfast will not be provided at school. Therefore, please be sure your child has a healthy breakfast before coming to school. Since breakfast will not be available, students should not arrive to school before 9:35 am.
Recess Each grade will be assigned a time for recess. Students will be permitted to go out for 15 minutes to get some fresh air and physical activity. Masks must be worn while at recess for the safety of all students.
Building movement As stated above, students remain in their classroom most of the day. All hallways have floor markers and directional arrows to help guide students in the halls, while remaining at a safe distance.
Family Covid Screening Process
Each morning before coming to school, please take the temperature of all children/family members in your household. If the temperature is above 100.4 degrees or if someone is not feeling well, or if they have any one of the symptoms below your child must stay home. We urge you to not take chances. We must approach every situation as a community who is protecting each other from harm.
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever or chills
All parents will be responsible to screen their child(ren) before sending them to school. Below are links to the covid screening tool.
Wayne County Covid-19 Screening tool for Families English
Wayne County Covid-19 Screening tool for Families Arabic
Hugs The natural reaction when we see someone we miss, is to hug them. While we are all looking forward to your children walking through our halls once again, the necessity to remain safe is the priority. Remember to speak with your child about hugging, sharing items, and holding hands. Such simple gestures that we do not always consider as talking points could put us all at risk.
Coming back home from school When your child comes home, make sure he/she cleans and disinfects all belongings and washes his/her hands.Your children are going to be excited to return and meet their teachers and friends. Remind your children to remain at a distance (no hugging or touching). Masks must be worn at all times. If your child is choosing to break social distancing or mask rules, they will need to stay home. This is a strict and nonnegotiable rule. Practice this at home and stress the importance of practicing safe behavior.
Student Materials Teachers may ask students to bring all materials from home to school each day. Treat their backpack like they would their school desk – model how to organize their backpack so they are always prepared. All school supply donations to the classroom are greatly appreciated.
Water Fountains All water fountains at the school have been disabled. Your child is encouraged to bring a water bottle from home (a sports cap is the best option). Invest in one bottle that can be refilled.
Sanitizing Processes All rooms used are on a sanitation schedule. All CDC recommended material and processes are available and in motion. However, the most critical safety measures are to (1) maintain social distancing, (2) keep masks on and above the nose at all times, and (3) frequent hand washing.
Student Waiting Room If your child is at school and begins to feel ill, we have designated a room for your child to wait in until he/she is picked up. This room is supervised and closely monitored to assure safety measures are followed.
What if your child is a close contact? In the scenario that your child is considered a “close contact” to another person who has tested positive for Covid-19, you will be notified immediately and with specific instructions. We will not provide the names of other people involved. To prevent this from happening, your transparency is needed. We urge you to keep your child home if they are not feeling well or are running a fever, or if they have been exposed to a Covid positive person. This is the reality of our current situation.
We look forward to resuming school as usual. We have missed the students and the love and energy they bring into Becker School!
For further information, please contact your child’s teacher, myself or the office secretaries. Your active involvement to a safe return to school is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Zahra Zreik
Principal
Becker Elementary School