SIGSBEE SCOOP

respect, responsibility, resilience

July 13- July 17

LIVE LESSON LINKS

Monday and Wednesday	Graduates of	LINK
July 13 and July 15	Grade
Mrs. Hankins	K-1	https://zoom.us/j/94179009742
Mrs. Audette	2-3	https://zoom.us/j/91903436989
Mr. Helkenn	4-5	https://zoom.us/j/97469491208
Tuesday and Thursday		LINK
July 14 and July 16
Ms. Lindley	K-1	https://zoom.us/j/99212522528
Ms. Brinks	2-3	https://zoom.us/j/91257173830
Mrs. Audette	4-5	https://zoom.us/j/91903436989
Friday		LINK
July 17
Mr. Hendricks	K-1	https://zoom.us/j/97852877178
Mrs. Mitchell	2-3	https://zoom.us/j/96596377284
Mrs. Sohaney	4-5	https://zoom.us/j/93995754920
Mrs. Kirk	4-5	https://zoom.us/j/99123719456

SCHOOL REOPENING SURVEY & REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION

Sigsbee families were sent this information via email. If you did not receive an email, please take time to read through this carefully and submit the survey so that we may proceed with informed planning.

Many of you have seen plans disseminated by the Monroe County School District and organized by phases according to the degree of spread of Covid-19 in our community.  In general, you can use Monroe County Guidebook as a guideline for what operations will look like at Sigsbee.  Toward the end of this letter you will see a table that explains details about Sigsbee’s version of that plan. 

If you are not familiar with the three phases of reopening: minimal, moderate or substantial spread, please refer to the end of this letter before reading on.

We expect to open school in August in Phase B.  Please remember that we have been working around the clock to get these plans created so that we can centralize the health (physical, emotional, cognitive and social) of your children and protect the safety of our staff.  This is our top priority.  Nothing is set in stone and even with the best intentions, we may have to change course if we do not feel adequately prepared to open the facility in a way that adheres to the CDC, School District and Monroe County guidelines.  

Although our plan will not be finalized until late July, I wanted to get some information out to you in draft form so that you can start planning appropriately.  This is a really important year to begin practicing hygiene and safety routines before school starts.  For example, in Phase B, students will be required to wear masks/buffs/ or bandanas when not able to physically distance on campus.  Practicing this with your child is the key to a smooth start.

Also, in Phase B, we will need you to commit to one of our two options (on-campus enrollment or home-learning) for the first quarter.  This will allow us to plan accordingly.  A survey is attached so that we can begin assessing what your preferences might be.  You will be asked to commit to a choice in approximately two weeks.  The chart below will explain the differences between the two options.

Expect us to open in Phase B (moderate spread).  This will be determined by the Health Department.  However, the trend line is moving us into the phase.  Things to know about this phase that are DIFFERENT than what you will see at the other schools:

• Students will have the option of attending school on campus, in person, following all health and safety requirements, or choosing to work virtually, similar to how we ended the year in the spring.  This decision will be your commitment through the end of the first quarter marking period (October 9th).  We will then allow you to revisit your decision.
• The home learning option will be delivered by Sigsbee teachers and will include a full day of work with synchronous live participation in Zoom meetings and asynchronous follow-up independent practice.  It is NOT the same as the Monroe County School District online program.  If you choose to enroll in the county’s virtual program, you will be withdrawn from Sigsbee Charter School.
• Middle School Parents, we are NOT planning on an A/B schedule.  We plan to have ALL of the students who select on campus learning at school every day.  You may hear about the A/B schedule on social media because the other K-8 and high schools are moving in this direction.
• We plan on releasing everyone at 2:30 PM daily so that we can sanitize the school, give teachers time to plan, and reduce large gatherings.  You can expect information about drop off and pick up procedures later this summer.

Phase B: Operations with a Moderate Spread

The school community will follow all procedures according 

to our parent/student and school policies.

On-Campus Instruction  (in person)

Home Learning  Instruction (synchronous and asynchronous)

School hours will be 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM for all K-8 students Monday - Friday. There will be no before or after school programs (except for possibly band). Parents, volunteers, and visitors are not permitted on campus. New pick up and drop off procedures will be in place. Activities that occur in large gatherings will be redesigned to a different format. Physical distancing will be in effect when possible along with one-way hallways and walkways.  Face coverings will be required at all times when in enclosed spaces.  Students and staff will be responsible for providing their own clean face covering daily.  Students should keep extra masks in their backpacks. Parent/teacher communication will be conducted virtually. All adults are required to wear a face covering when on campus. Staff members and students will practice handwashing and hand sanitizer. Physical distancing of 3 - 6 feet will take  place in all classrooms. Students will remain in one class group to limit exposure to other students or staff.  Homerooms in grades K-4 have been added to ensure smaller classes. Students in quarantine or ill will be able to participate in virtual learning while recovering at home. There will be no large gatherings. Students will eat outdoors, in classrooms, or in small groups spread across the cafeteria. Students will have multiple outdoor breaks throughout the day when they can spread out and remove masks. Students will be required to bring a filled, cold, reusable water bottle to school daily.  Only bottle fillers will be used, not water fountains.  Parents/students will clean water bottles regularly. Parents will sign a form agreeing to check their child for symptoms of illness each morning and will keep children home if they are ill. NO exceptions.   If children are found to be ill at school or become ill, parents agree to pick them up immediately. NO exceptions.  Community materials will be wiped down and disinfected when shared by classmates. Lockers will not be used. Each student will be required to have a backpack for personal belongings, including water bottles and non-shared items.  Parents will wipe down backpacks regularly with disinfecting wipes.  All required documents for school entry must be completed before return to school, including outstanding immunizations and physicals for new students, kindergarten, and 7th grade students.   Parents, students, and staff will receive education/training on handwashing, mask use, hygiene, and Covid-19 symptoms prior to and while in school. Selection of the on campus option will be binding until the end of the quarter (late October).

Lessons will occur on a consistent schedule between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM.  Lessons will require daily live Zoom sessions in the four core classes - mathematics, social studies, English Language arts, science. Students will be expected to be punctual, engaged, and appropriate. Schedules will include breaks, will be consistent each day, and will be built around the teachers’ availability.  Lessons will not be recorded and attendance at each class is required, consistent with school attendance policies.   Lesson duration will vary by student age.   Lessons will consist of direct “live” instruction using Zoom, group work online, and independent practice. Physical Education requirements will be met by the student while at home.  Each student will be required to record his/her activity plan with a school PE teacher. Virtual music or art classes will be offered. Grading/Assessment policies will be disseminated prior to the start of the year.  Students will be held to the same rigorous standards as students on campus to ensure grade level expectations are met. Students, especially young children, will need an adult to assist navigating the technology, staying focused, and completing assignments.  The adult will not be responsible for the lessons, but they will need to assist with “classroom management.” The teacher will be consistent each day and may or may not be the assigned homeroom teacher. Students in 3-8 grade will be required to use a school issued Chromebook. K-2 students may use an iPad, which can be borrowed from school if needed. Selection of the home learning option will be binding until the end of the quarter (late October). Families may extend the home learning option if the school continues in Phase B or return to on-campus learning after the quarter ends. Meals will not be provided to students who participate in home learning.

Sigsbee Charter School will continue to monitor guidance from the CDC and Department of Health throughout the year.  Any necessary adjustments to either program will be made with health and  safety as a priority.

Click here for the: PARENT/GUARDIAN SURVEY

It is extremely important that each family complete this survey for planning purposes.  We will also use your submission to validate your child’s enrollment.  If you are no longer interested or able to matriculate at Sigsbee, please indicate that on the survey so that we can invite others from our waiting list.

THANK YOU

Stay healthy, keep reading,

Mrs. Jannes

COVID-19 REOPENING PHASE DESCRIPTION

Protocols will be implemented according to community spread risk levels.  Decisions regarding which phase the school will operate within are made by the Monroe County School District Superintendent in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and other regulatory organizations.

Phase A: Minimal Exposure Phase (no home learning virtual option)

This phase is characterized by isolated cases with limited community transmission and case investigations.  There is no evidence of exposure in large community settings in this phase.

Phase B: Moderate Exposure Phase  (on-campus learning or home learning virtual option)

This phase includes sustained transmission with the likelihood or confirmed exposure and potential for rapid increase in cases.

Phase C: Substantial Exposure Phase (only home learning virtual option)

This phase is defined by large-scale community transmission, including communal settings.