Elementary Parent Update 10-2-20

University School Elementary Parents:

As we prepare for the start of our return to in-person staggered schedule on Monday, October 5, 2020, we ask that you review the following information:

Parent Expectations Prior to Arriving at School

• Parents/Guardians need to check student’s temperature at home every morning students with a temperature of 100.4 or above will need to stay home and consider coronavirus testing if no other explanation is available.
• Parents/Guardians will monitor for any cough, congestion, shortness of breath, or gastrointestinal symptoms every morning.  Students should stay home if experiencing any of these symptoms without any other explanation.
• If your child is not feeling well, or exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above, we ask that you please leave keep them home and follow the return to school algorithm, which can be reviewed by clicking on this link.
• Make sure your child is only attending in-person on the days they are scheduled.

Arrival Procedures

• Arrive between 7:30-7:45 only if breakfast will be eaten at school.
• Arrive between 7:45-8:00 if not eating breakfast at school.
• Masks must be worn by all students attending in-person learning.  Please make sure a mask is on prior to exiting the car. 
• Masks are required when on the ETSU campus which includes University School. Anyone without a mask will be given a disposable or cloth mask for use while on campus.

Lunch Procedures

• School microwaves will not be available for use.
• School lunches are free until December 31 for all students.  Teachers will take a lunch count each day. Please have your child view the menu to decide if they will eat a hot lunch from the cafeteria or bring a packed lunch from home. There will be no a la carte items at this time.  
• Lunch will either be eaten in the classroom or outside in a designated space.  It would be helpful to have your child practice opening packages and drinks.  Please include a spoon/fork with your child’s packed lunch if required.
• Please send a bag/container to hold your child’s mask during lunch.

Recess Procedures

• Students will remain with their class during recess in an assigned area.  An elementary rotation will occur to allow students to have an equal opportunity to access all parts of the playground.
• Students will need to keep their masks on when playing within six feet of another classmate.
• Mask free zones will be established with proper social distancing to allow students a break.

Special Area Classes

• In-person students will have two specials per day/per week.  PE and either music, PE, art, counseling, or library. For example, third graders will have library and PE during our first week of in-person learning for both days attended. PE will take place either outside or in the gym with proper social distancing and cleaning protocols.  The second special area will take place in the classroom. 
• Remote learners will be provided asynchronous assignments for the two assigned special areas per week.  While students are at home, they may choose when to complete these assignments during the week and submit on Canvas.

Dismissal Procedures

• Students will remain in their classrooms for dismissal. 
• Car riders will be dismissed using walkie-talkies and exit to the elementary car line. Car tags will be distributed to new families during the first week of school.  Please reuse your car tag from last year if you are a returning family.  Please let your child’s teacher know if you need additional tags.
• Older siblings that pick up elementary students will be allowed to come to the classroom door to pick up their sibling.  Doors will be propped open and the older sibling needs to wait outside the classroom for their sibling to be dismissed.
• Your child will need to keep their mask on until they have entered the car.
• Afterschool care students will be picked up by a staff member at their classroom. 

Absences

• If your child is unable to attend in-person or during a scheduled synchronous session, we ask that the parent contact the office (439-4271) to report the absence.  If well enough, arrangements can be made for the students to be reported as present through the completion of asynchronous material and complete any assigned work that was missed as well as attendance on synchronous zooms.  Contact by parent must occur on the day of the absence.

We appreciate your patience and flexibility during the first few weeks of our return to in person learning as we know adjustments will need to be made to our protocols and procedures.

Have a great weekend and Go Bucs!