Middle School Update 10-3-20

University School Middle School Students and Families:

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:

Prior to Arriving to School

• Parents/Guardians need to check their child’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

• If purchasing a school breakfast, students may arrive between 7:30-7:45 AM.
• Students should arrive to school between 7:45-8:00 AM if not eating a school purchased breakfast.
• 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.
• Please review attached traffic flow map for drop-off and pick-up.
• 7:45 AM - MS Students report to their first period Specials Classes (see attached schedule and refer to PowerSchool for room assignments) with their belongings. At the end of specials, students will be sent to their 2^nd period classes.   
• Lockers will not be assigned, so students will need to transport all their belongings from one class to another in a backpack.

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.
• All meals will be prepackaged and must be taken in full. For students who only want a milk, this will need to be purchased separately by using cash or funds from their online accounts.  With the exception of milk purchases, a la carte items will not be available at this time.  
• Lunch will either be eaten outside or in a designated inclement weather space.
• Students are required to distance 6ft or further when eating.  Students are expected to wear a mask when finished eating and when 6ft distancing is not maintained when outside.

Dismissal Procedures

• Car riders and students in sports/aftercare:  remain near flagpole until 3:15 PM.  At 3:15, sports students will go to designated areas for practice and aftercare students will report to aftercare. 6th grade teachers will take turns covering the front flagpole zone until 3:15.
• Students with elementary siblings: remain near the tree - with a 7th or 8th grade teacher supervising. This teacher should have a walkie-talkie turned to the elementary school channel to listen for students or their siblings to be called.
• Walkers must leave immediately or when all siblings have been gathered to walk home.
• Face coverings should be worn and distancing maintained at all times. 
• All car riders must be picked up by 3:15 PM.

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 by attending the scheduled synchronous session for the day or through the completion of asynchronous material that was missed due to the absence.  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!