SIGSBEE SCOOP
August 2021
Welcome Back Sailfish!
Important Dates
August. :
Wednesday, August 11:
Meet the Teacher 8:30-10:00 AM (drop in)
SCS Board Meeting 2:00-3:00 PM (Sigsbee Media Center)
Thursday, August 12:
School Starts for Students 8:00-3:00 PM
Friday, August 13:
Enrichment 1 Sign Ups Due
Wednesday, August 18:
First Early Out K-5 dismissal at noon
Enrichment 1 Starts (K-5 only) 12:00 PM-2:00 PM
Middle School Early Out 2:00 PM dismissal
September.:
Wednesday, September 1: Back to School Night 5:30-6:30 PM (virtual)
Wednesday, September 8: SCS Board Meeting 8:30 -9:30 AM (SCS media center)
Friday, September 17: Family Meet-N-Greet 5:30-7:00 PM (SCS playground)
Covid-19 Protocols
At this time, SCS will be following the guidance of the Monroe County School District and the Florida Commissioner of Education in regards to Covid-19 precautions. Please understand that this guidance changes regularly depending on the spread of Covid-19 in our community.
Currently, masks are optional for students and staff on campus when school is in session. We encourage everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated to do so in order to protect the students, most of whom are not eligible for the vaccine at this time. We will maintain 3' of separation when settled indoors, whenever possible. Given our small classrooms and the collaborative nature of our teaching, this will not be possible in all spaces.
Students will be able to mix cohort groups outside for recess and during lunch. However, seating charts will be kept in classrooms and at lunch time in order to ensure that we are not having to quarantine more students or staff than necessary. This means that students will sit next to the same students on a daily basis and with a set lunch group. We hope to be able to change seating groups more regularly if community conditions improve.
There is no virtual option for students this year. If a student is required to quarantine, the teachers will provide asynchronous work for the student to complete at home.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to talk with their students about safety protocols in order to keep themselves and our school safe. If you want your child to wear a mask during the school day, it is important to share your expectations with your child. Staff will not be able to enforce your request without the cooperation of your child.
Other protocols that will be in place:
- regular hand washing throughout the day
- frequent wiping of surfaces in classrooms
- students/staff sent home if demonstrating symptoms of illness
- indoor school events will be held virtually (i.e. Back to School Night)
KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP: Monday, August 9th & Tuesday August 10th
This event is for accepted kindergarten students and their parents/guardians only. Teachers will be contacting you with information. All Kindergarten students are encouraged to attend both days. Parents stay only on the first day, during which time Mrs. Jannes will conduct kindergarten orientation. All parents of current kindergarteners are encouraged to participate, even if they have other students at Sigsbee. Please come to the cafeteria to start the day.
MEET THE TEACHER (& STAFF) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11
We are looking forward to seeing you at Meet The Teacher on Wednesday, August 11th from 8:30-10:00 AM. Meet the Teacher is designed to have children and parents greet their teachers and see their classrooms as well as take care of any paperwork that is needed. Please remember to keep your children with you at all times. This is not a drop off event.
Given the recent rise in Covid-19 cases, we are asking your visit to be brief and would appreciate it if all visitors would mask up when indoors. Teachers will post a Google Slideshow with a short video for those who prefer not to attend in person.
To expedite your visit, we will send an electronic campus map with room assignments so that you can navigate your way around campus. Staff will be outside to guide you on that day as well. All kindergarten through fifth grade students will receive a welcome email message on Tuesday, August 10th, from your child’s homeroom teacher, so that you know which class you are assigned to. We are very careful about how we place students and do not take requests for specific teachers.
Middle school students will be able to see their schedules in FOCUS.
During Meet-the Teacher, the expectation is that you will spend a few moments with your child’s teachers and then proceed to the library or office for any other needed items. Given the Covid-19 protocols, we would appreciate you keeping your visit in the classroom to 15 minutes or less. Formal presentations from the teachers will take place during Back to School Night in September.
GENERAL AREAS
Some of you have taken care of all of the pre-opening paperwork and will not need to stop by the general areas.
General areas will house:
Base passes & Yearbooks (Library) If you still need a base pass and have not provided a copy of your license, please drop by the library FIRST, before visiting the classroom. If you emailed your license earlier in the summer, you base pass will be ready in your child's homeroom class.
If you did not pre-order last year’s yearbook and would like to purchase a copy, you may do so in the library/media center. Each yearbook is $20 while supplies last.
Help with finding homerooms (Front circle, back flag pole, G wing doors and outside portables
Our special area teachers will be available outside to help you identify your child’s homeroom teacher and/or provide you with a printed map if you need help. If you are able to open your email on your phone, you will not need their assistance.
Important health or registration documents (Office)
Registration forms, medications, physical forms can be dropped off at the main office. If you need to speak to the Enrollment Specialist (Mrs. Rosch) or the Nurse (Ms. Wall), please wait until the family ahead of you has exited the main office.
If you are unable to visit during this event, please check the grade level websites for important information. There will be a slideshow and video from each teacher. The staff is not available after 10:30 AM as they are preparing for students.
NEW FAMILY ORIENTATION: will be recorded and can be viewed from home. We will not be gathering in person for this. The school principal, Principal Jannes, will be available outside the office to answer any questions and get you familiar with our Sigsbee routines during Meet the Teacher.SCHOOLWIDE ASSESSMENTS- RETURNING STUDENTS
You are able to view your child's FSA and/or EOC scores in Focus. Refer to the directions below to access the scores.
CONGRATULATIONS SIGSBEE SAILFISH!
I was extremely concerned about how all of the challenges of 20-21 impacted our students' ability to demonstrate proficiency on their statewide assessments but I also maintained such admiration and pride in the job that the students, teachers, and families did last year. The teamwork and resilience demonstrated by our Sigsbee family paid off and I'm not surprised.
In almost all cases, our students performed consistent with the scores in 2019, the last time we took state assessments. In some cases, the students actually performed even better and ranked up to 50% higher than the state average on some assessments. While I do not measure our success by statewide assessment data, I am so pleased that our teachers and students will be acknowledged for their hard work last year. Way to
FREE MEALS
The USDA has extended the national waivers to provide a free breakfast and lunch meal for students during the 2021-2022 school year. SCS has partnered with The Monroe County School District to expand the lunch menu and include warm meals. We will also offer grab-n-go breakfast from 7:45 -8:00 AM daily.
Students who wish to participate in the breakfast program should go to the cafeteria no earlier than 7:45 AM. Students may use the free breakfast as their classroom snack as long as they pick it up before 8:00 AM.
The lunch menu will be published next week. Students are welcome to bring their own lunch should they prefer a different option. Please make sure lunches do not need refrigeration or warming.
Base Passes and Gate Access
If you already have gate access with an active duty military ID, DOD, or dependent ID card, you do NOT need a Sigsbee pass. However, as stated in our base access policy, all other individuals wanting to access the school need a base pass for each person who will be dropping off, picking up students or attending school events.
Please save yourself the wait at Meet the Teacher by emailing Mrs. Roberts, our school secretary, with a copy of your driver's license (lynn.roberts@sigsbee.org). This will enable us to create passes in advance of Meet the Teacher and have them ready for pickup IN THE CLASSROOM.
Parents of kindergarten students will be able to receive their base passes at Kindergarten Round Up, if they attend the orientation with Mrs. Jannes
If you are not present at Meet the Teacher but sent your information into the office, your base pass will be sent home with your child after the first day of school.
When you are coming to school to get your baes pass, be ready to show confirmation of school registration (the email or a screen shot of the actual document) AND your driver's license. Families must have their base passes by Tuesday, August 17th.
We STRONGLY encourage car pooling!
Middle School Uniforms
Please notice the change in dress code on our School Policy website. There is specific information about middle school uniforms. The shirts can be found at Ramona’s Conch Creations 3228 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Key West.
Below is the updated price list at Ramona's:
unisex short-sleeved tshirt is $9
unisex long-sleeved tshirt is $12
unisex short-sleeved drifit is $13
unisex long-sleeved drifit is $17
school jacket is $25
Parents may bring clothing to Ramona's for an SCS Logo to be applied. The cost is $5.00
Please remember that personal clothing brought to Ramona's should abide by all of the requirements of the dress code.
VOLUNTEER HOURS- LET'S GET STARTED
We are hopeful and excited to bring back all of the awesome components of our Sigsbee program, including field trips, special events, enrichment and more. This is only possible with your help. As per the Contract of Commitment, each family is committed to providing 10 hours of service/family during the year. Most hours can be completed simply by completing necessary tasks.
1. Complete the online registration for each child before school starts (1 hour/family)
2. Attend Meet-The-Teacher (1 hour/family)
3. Attend Back To School Night (1 hour/family)
4. Fill out your Impact Aid form in October (1hour/family)
5. Attend 2 parent conferences (fall and spring) in grades K-3(2 hours/student)
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
We take pride in providing all initial school supplies for students at no cost to parents. We know how stressful it can be to find just the right folder or brand of glue stick on a small island. There are a few items that students typically bring from home. Those will be listed on our grade level websites by next week. You can click on any teacher in the grade level to see the items . Most grade levels require:
a backpack (must fit in cubby or locker)
a filled reusable water bottle
a lunch box (if bringing lunch or snack)
earbuds or headphones
water shoes
combination lock (middle school)
uniform shirts (middle school)
Please make sure all items are labeled with the child's first and last name.
In addition, the websites contain lists of items that parents may donate. We appreciate your generosity.
*Note- websites will be updated in early August, during pre-planning.
To stay current and informed on all things Sigsbee, please be sure you have done the following:
2. Make sure you have a FOCUS account to access calendars and grade books
3. Join our Remind text messaging group for emergency texts (On your phones, enter 81010 and text this message: @c6b86e)
4. Follow us on Twitter @ElisaJannes
5. Like our PTO Facebook page @SigsbeeCharterPTO
6. Enjoy the daily snapshots on our Instagram Account @sigsbee_charter
6. Once school starts, be sure you are able to get into your child's Google Classroom accounts.
WEDNESDAY ENRICHMENT
Registration for classes will be available in next week's Scoop. Please register early since spaces are not guaranteed and some classes fill up quickly. Enrollment is not established until all fees are paid. We are looking forward to providing some great classes this year.
Reminder: Wednesday enrichment is for grades K-5 only.
WHO'S NEW?
Are you wondering about our new Sigsbee crew members? Click here to check them out:
Important Dates
