Eccles Weekly News

Below are some school highlights & updates for the week...

Eccles WeeklyNewsBelow are some school highlights & updates for theweek...
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UPCOMING DATES

March 11th - NO SCHOOL - Grading Day

March 17-18th - NO SCHOOL - Parent/Teacher Conferences

March 21-25th - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break

Mask Wearing - OPTIONAL

Greetings Eccles Community,


Monday, March 14th is the first school day in which wearing masks indoors will be optional for all staff and students. We have been wearing masks or face coverings at school for quite a while now and this change will certainly yield different feelings from different people. To help our students understand and process this significant adjustment, all of our teachers will be hosting a class meeting with their students this Thursday. I have listed the meeting topics below for you to review in advance:


  • Some people will choose to wear masks and some will not. Some may elect to wear one depending on the situation.

  • The most important factor is that our response to each person’s choice is grounded in respect meaning we do not negatively judge or criticize any one individual’s practice either personally or privately.

  • I have asked our teachers to address their own influence and note that whatever they choose to do as the teacher should in no way pressure the students to do the same. In addition, our staff all agrees that they want to remind the students that they care about them and that their choice would not change this.

  • In regards to questions kids may have about personal safety; answers from staff will be centered on letting kids know that we have been following guidance from the medical community and that at this time, the medical community has shared that it is safe to make mask wearing optional.


The pandemic and our response to it has been evolving and ever-changing. It has taught us to be flexible and resilient like never before. This change marks a reason to be hopeful and optimistic as we move forward.


Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!


Warm Regards,

Mr. McKean

Additional measures/adjustments we will be taking are as follows:

Distancing - We will continue to strive for at least 3 feet between students to the extent possible and having both inside and outside eating areas.


Hand Hygiene - We will continue to have students use hand sanitizer (or wash their hands) as they enter and exit the building, as well as before and after lunch/recess.


Contact tracing and quarantining - We will pause on these procedures.


Parents to screen children - We ask that parents continue to screen for COVID-19 primary symptoms: cough, temperature of 100.4 or greater, chills, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and new loss of taste or smell
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Volunteers & Visitors

More exciting news!


As you may have read in the district level communication that came out earlier today, we will be re-opening our practice of hosting classroom volunteers in our school starting on Monday, March 14th.


In addition, on that same day, our doors will once again be open to parents walking students into the building during arrival in the morning. This is very exciting. I want to acknowledge how long it has been since we have had our parents in the building and let you know that we have truly missed you.


Please note that there will be no change in our dismissal process at this time.


After such a long time I am sure there will be some questions. I’ve shared some guidelines about being in the building for you below. Thank you for taking the time to read these in advance.


Volunteering:

  • You may expect specific information on getting cleared to volunteer via email soon.

  • Grade levels will once again be taking various field trips starting this Spring. Watch for information from your child’s teacher for chaperone opportunities.

  • Classroom volunteers will be limited to one individual per day, per class.

  • If you have an interest in volunteering, please let your child’s teacher know at conferences next week.


Walking Students to Class:

  • Front entrances will still be used. (2nd/3rd = East, K/1st = Central, 4th-6th = West)

  • Arrival is from 8:45-9:00am.

  • Generally speaking, this should be a relatively quick in & out for parents. This is a great opportunity to see the classroom, watch your child’s arrival routine, see where they sit, etc. Please don’t linger for more than a few minutes. Mom or Dad watching from the doorway can be a real distraction for our kids.

  • Also, please avoid using this drop off time to hold a mini conference with your child’s teacher. The opening of the day is a very busy for our teaching staff as they greet their students, lead them through their opening routines, and set the tone for the day.

  • Animals are not allowed inside the building. Exceptions may be made for service animals if cleared in advance.


Thank you and once again, please let us know if you have any questions.

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Curriculum Renewal Open House

As we prepare to adopt a new social sciences curriculum, we invite families to an open house. Come learn about our curriculum renewal process, view potential instructional resources, and have the opportunity to ask questions about social science instruction in Canby. The event will take place at Ackerman Library on March 15th from 6-7:30 p.m. Drop in at any time.
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Kinder Kick-Off!

If you have a student who will be five years old by Sept. 1, then get ready for our Kinder Kick-offs! These events will be held in-person at each of our elementary schools and will help incoming students imagine a day in the life of a kindergartner. They’ll have a chance to tour the school, meet the teachers and principal, and even receive a welcome gift bag.


Otherwise check out your neighborhood school on April 12 from 6-7 p.m. If you need help determining which school your child should attend, use the Clackamas County Address Checker. Families are welcome to enroll their students ahead of time as registration is open online now.


If you think a Spanish and English K-12 educational program might be right for your student, then please join the first kick-off on April 5 from 6-7 p.m. at Trost Elementary, Canby’s dual language immersion magnet school.
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State testing for 3rd-6th Grade Students


State testing will pick up again this year for all 3rd-6th grade students. At Eccles we will conducting state testing for these grade levels after Spring Break.


For more information on State Testing including the process to 'opt out’ your student, please click the link below.