Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year! Whether you chose virtual learning or in person learning, we are so happy you are back with us for the school year. As our staff has been getting into new routines and procedures, we have been focusing on being flexible, giving grace for the new learning, and supporting each other, as well as students and families for social/emotional needs. To say that 2020 has been unique is quite an understatement. One thing that seems to stick in my mind throughout the year is that the only constant in our world is change; nothing remains entirely the same as the world and humanity evolves, things change. We are so grateful that you are flexible and understanding about changes that are made on a day to day basis.

Normally we've had a regular back to school night, lots of events throughout the school year, and programs. This will be quite different until further notice. In case you were wondering, we cannot allow outside visitors into the building for safety and health reasons. If this should change, we will be sure to let you know.

Our goals for this school year are based around three big areas, or big rocks as we call them. Below are the big rocks for Poyner:

1. Relationships & Equity
2. Universal Instruction & Equity
3. Special Education & Equity

If you notice, equity is a central focus for each of our goal areas. We want to ensure that all students are provided the best, equity instruction that closes achievement gaps among our subgroups including African-American, Hispanic, and Special Education. It's very important to us that all students achieve at the highest levels. Throughout the year, we will be providing training to our staff, visiting with students, and using research based practices to help students in each of the areas mentioned above.

While we are navigating the new waters, I just want you all to know how proud I am of our students and families! It has been a great start to the school year, and we hope to continue safely throughout the year! Thank you all.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Willand

Many families are graciously opting to drop off students and pick them up at the end of the day. We are so appreciative of you helping keep our bus numbers low! Thank you! Below are a few tips and reminders we need everyone to follow:

• When dropping off your student, please pull all the way up to the area near the dumpsters. There's a yellow line on the curb that indicates where you should stop. This prevents a backlog of cars, and helps us move things quicker.
• Please remain in the lane and follow the flow of traffic. This keeps our students, staff, and other drivers safe.
• When picking up students, please follow the same guidance above. Pull all the way up to allow the most number of students to enter their vehicles.
• If you choose to walk up and drop of or pick up your student, you must wear a mask. If you choose not to, you will be asked to leave campus by staff. This is to keep all staff and students safe and healthy, as well as a district expectation.

Here are our Hug-N-Go expectations:

• The Hug and Go lane was designed for student safety. Buses drop students off right in front of the building while students that are dropped off in private vehicle are dropped off on the south side of the building near the large parking lot.
• Follow the traffic around the parking lot before letting your child out of the car.
• Pull up as far as you can so that as many cars as possible can unload at the same time.
• When exiting the Hug & Go Lane before and after school we ask that you TURN RIGHT! Please obey the directions of the adults outside when leaving the lot.
• When picking up your children early from school remember to park on the street from 3:00 - 3:45. Please do not pull into the bus lane during these times.
• You may drop your child off by the front door in the morning if you arrive after 8:40 and there are no buses.

Thank you for helping keep our students safe and healthy!

Waterloo Schools is making every effort to keep our students and staff safe in order to continue in-person education opportunities. You may notice some differences in health operations this year.

Due to the virus we have put the following measures in place:

Evaluating Sick Students (When a student reports to Health Office):

High Risk Symptoms: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Difficulty Breathing, Loss of taste/smell

• If any of these symptoms is present, the student should be taken to a separate area where they will remain until a family member picks them up. The child MUST be sent home per health guidelines.

Low Risk Symptoms: Fever (100 degrees or above), Headache , Muscle/Body aches,, Fatigue, Sore throat,Runny nose, Congestion, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea

• If two or more of these symptoms are present, the student should be taken to a separate area where they will remain until a family member picks them up. The child MUST be sent home per health guidelines.

In both situations, the student must remain at home for 14 days, about 10 school days from a positive COVID-19 test. If there is a negative COVID-19 test, the student may return as long as no symptoms have been present for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications or if the family can present the school with an alternative diagnosis.

Exposure to Another Student:

You will be notified if or when your child has been identified as a close contact (within six feet for at least 15 minutes) to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The following recommendations come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and other local health officials:

1. Your child must remain home for 14 days since their last contact with the confirmed COVID-19 case. We have determined this date ____________________ as when your child can return to normal daily activities. This date could change if your child’s health status changes.

• Keep your child home from school and other activities outside of your home (such as after school activities, trips to the grocery store or playing at another child’s house).

1. We recommend that you contact your child’s healthcare provider to discuss questions specific to your child’s health and to consider testing your child for COVID-19. We recommend your child not be tested until at least 48 hours after their last contact with the confirmed case. If your child does not have a healthcare provider, please contact your local health department for potential assistance. Also you can visit https://www.testiowa.com/en about testing options.

2. Please answer the phone if the Health Department contacts you. A contact tracer may be trying to reach you with important information.

3. Make sure members of your household wash their hands often, using soap and water for 20 seconds.

4. Make sure every member of your household covers their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow, then washes their hands afterwards.

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you. With your participation, we believe we can create a safe and fun experience for your children.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please call or email your school or the school nurse.

It is very important that your child attend school on a regular basis and arrive at school on

time. School is from 8:45 am-3:45 pm. Students arriving after 8:45 will receive a tardy slip to class. If it is necessary for your child to miss school or to attend an appointment please provide us with an excuse from your doctor or dentist.

The Waterloo School District has a computerized information system that will assist by generating calls home to students who are absent without notification from a guardian. It will also send letters to parents when a student has missed four and eight days of school. In addition to the eight-day letter, a school representative will also be making a courtesy call to review the absences with you. Please call the school office on days your child is

absent. If you know he/she will be late, call before 9:15 a.m., so we can have an accurate count for hot lunch.

Poyner follows the Waterloo Schools Dress Code for students.

TOPS:

 Can be any solid color collared shirt or can be two-toned or have a colored trim

 Two-tone shirts , shirts with a colored trim and single colored stripe or single colored plaid

 Can be worn un-tucked

 No hoods may be worn

BOTTOMS:

 Length of dresses, shorts, and skirts need to be knee length (to the top of the knee)

 Bottoms must not have holes or rips

 NO green, yellow, light blue, medium blue, red, orange, purple, or white bottoms.

 No Cargo Pants are allowed (no pockets on the sides of pants)

 Pants must fit appropriately – not too tight or too loose

 No leggings without a dress or skirt that is knee length.

SHOES:

 No sandals, crocs, or flip flops

 Heels must be lower than 1 inch

If you have questions about the dress code, refer to the dress code section of our website or contact Poyner at 433-1534.

School staff and 5th grade student safety patrol will be on duty at the following times: 8:25 - 8:40a.m. and 3:45 -3:55p.m. Please help them by following their lead and respecting their requests.

License plate numbers will be reported to police on those drivers failing to follow safety rules and regulations. The safety of our students is very important.

If students bring a cell phone to school, they are encouraged to check it in at the office or with their teacher. We will not be held responsible for cell phones missing from lockers. Cell phones are not to be used during school hours. District policy for using cell phones during the school day states the following:

1st Offense: Taken and returned at end of day

2nd Offense: Taken and an adult must pick up

3rd Offense: Taken and given to Student Services at ESC for pick up by an adult.

Fall pictures will be held September 16th. School dress code is required.

. There will be no spring pictures.

On spirit days students may wear any Poyner or purple collared shirt with approved dress code bottoms. We will be sending out order form and the link to our online store soon. Please be on the lookout for that information. The following dates are Poyner Elementary Spirit Days:

EVERY FRIDAY!

Poyner Elementary is a school located in Evansdale, Iowa, just outside of Waterloo. Poyner houses grades Kindergarten through 5th grade, and there are approximately 375 students. We offer programs such as Leader in Me, PBIS, Expanded Learning Program (ELP) for talented and gifted students, and special education (including extended core).

Email: willandj@waterlooschools.org
Website: http://www.waterlooschools.org/schoolsites/poyner/
Location: 1138 Central Avenue, Evansdale, IA, USA
Phone: 319-433-1534
Facebook: facebook.com/PoynerElementary
Twitter: @PoynerPanthers