Jefferson School Family Update

August 24, 2020

Jefferson Families--We are in this together!

I know this is a challenging time for us all, but, together, the Jefferson Family has got this! This is a year like no other, and we will work with you to make it successful for your child. Please know that we have been planning all summer long, adjusting and readjusting our plans due to the latest guidance from the state and CDC. Our primary goal is to create a space (whether hybrid or remote) that is safe and supportive for all students and staff. Every decision that has been made is based on that goal. Please feel free to contact the office with any questions or concerns that you may have at 781-871-8400, or email me at mscheufele@rocklandschools.org.

Thank you for your support throughout this challenging time. As always, the Jefferson Community has got this!

Remote Learning Academy and the Jefferson Hybrid Model of Instruction

Last week, Rockland Public Schools finalized the registration and enrollment in the Rockland Public Schools Elementary Full Remote Learning Academy and I received requests for bus transportation. Both of these options were sent in a letter from me to families via email with registration links to Google Forms.

I appreciate all who completed these requests on time. It is so important for me to know who will be opting for the complete RPS Elementary Full Remote Academy and who will be remaining in the hybrid model; one week of in-person learning and the following one week of remote learning, alternating weeks. If you did not enroll in the RPS Elementary Full Remote Academy, then your child was automatically placed in our Jefferson hybrid model.

The Jefferson hybrid model will include two cohorts in each grade level and within each classroom; Cohort A & Cohort B. Each teacher will have her class split into two groups, with some students in Cohort A and the remaining students in Cohort B. These splits allow us to create the alternative learning weeks of in person and remote learning with smaller class sizes to maintain 6 feet of social distancing.

If at any time conditions change with the virus, our Jefferson hybrid model will then move to a complete Jefferson remote model for either a period of time needed or additional time if conditions do not improve. For the purpose of planning and staffing each model, we are asking you to please "Pick and Stick" with the model your child is in for the entire term. The Jefferson hybrid model will not combine with the RPS Elementary Full Remote Academy. These two models will remain separate from each other. So, if you child is in the RPS Elementary Full Remote Academy they will remain with their assigned teacher and the Jefferson hybrid students will remain with their assigned Jefferson hybrid teacher if the model needs to move to full remote. Each program is separate from each other, so we can make each model work more effectively for students and staff.

Teachers are returning to work on August 31st. Teachers will be taking Professional Development courses and preparing with district grade level teams to plan instruction for both models; Jefferson hybrid and the RPS Elementary Full Remote Learning Academy. It is important for our teachers to stay connected to each other and share best practices to support instruction in person and remotely in both models.

If you have any questions about these models, please email me at mscheufele@rocklandschools.org, or call me at 781-871-8400.

Important Things to Note:

It is important for parents/guardians to model social distancing and please keep face masks on when on school property.
Students will be expected to line up 6 feet apart at their grade level doors by classes. There will be no morning or afternoon play allowed on our playgrounds.
Lunch will be served in the cafe or gym. For safety reasons, all Rockland Public Schools will be peanut-free this year.
Breakfast will be given out at dismissal and students are expected to eat breakfast prior to their arrival at school.
Students are expected to be in their line at 9:10 to enter the building at 9:15 a.m.
It would be helpful for students to bring their own water bottles to school, filled with water. We had to remove our classroom water dispensers per Rockland Board of Health. Water will be given to students at lunch.
Students will have masks breaks throughout the day and be expected to continue to be 6 feet apart.
Desks will be 6 feet apart in all classrooms. All students are expected to wear their masks, completely covering their nose and mouth, while at school and on school grounds.
Teachers will try to have some class time outside whenever possible. Students will still remain 6 feet apart.
Specialists will provide students with specials during their remote weeks.
The school calendar is being adjusted to meet the changes we need to implement due to our new models. The calendar needs to be approved by school committee with updates to the three elementary terms, report cards and conferences dates. This calendar should be on the next school committee agenda.
It is very important for you to keep your email address current. We will be sending regular communication out electronically.
We will use the Class Dojo App for direct text communication. Teachers will share information with you during orientation.
Please understand that the Rockland Education Association still needs to negotiate with the Superintendent our plan for returning to school. Please check the district website and WRPS for scheduled School Committee meetings to stay updated on any changes.

New Hours for RPS Elementary Schools

The other change to our year ahead is the schedule. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 4 will now be all on the same schedule. Our new hours to accommodate this change will be:

9:15 a.m.-2:20 p.m.

All parents/guardians/caregivers and students must wear a mask that completely covers their nose and mouth while on school grounds. Students should not arrive earlier than 9:10 a.m.

9:15 a.m. Students enter the school at grade level specific doors to their classrooms

There will be no before school playing allowed on the playgrounds this year. Students need to line up with their class maintain 6 feet of distance.

2:20 p.m. Students will be dismissed through these same grade level doors to meet parents/guardians. The playgrounds cannot be used for after school play. Students must leave school grounds on time with their parents/guardians/caregivers.

Grab & Go Lunches

Students who are learning remotely during the week may stop by Rockland High School between 11:30-12:30 p.m. to pick up their grab and go breakfast and lunch.

Orientation Groups by Cohorts and Groupings

Cohorts - Each teacher’s class is divided into two cohorts, A and B. Your child’s cohort is specified on Aspen X2. For the purpose of this orientation back to school, we took each cohort and split it again into A1, A2, B1 & B2 to reduce the class sizes to accommodate one parent/guardian attending the orientation with each child.

We have done our best to keep families and children living in the same household together in the same cohort.

For Chromebook pick up at orientation, please note you will need to sign a RPS care and use agreement for the device borrowed by your child. All students will be issued a Chromebook, even if you already have one at home. These Chromebooks are specifically for school learning, will be registered to your child, and will be pre-loaded with the apps/links needed for success in all models of learning this year.

Please be on time for your assigned time to meet with your child’s teacher.

For RPS Remote Academy Learners, an email will be sent to you today confirming your enrollment and providing more information regarding Chromebook pick-up.

Tuesday, September 8th at 9:00 a.m.

Grade 1 and Grade 4 Cohort: A 1

Tuesday, September 8th at 12:00 p.m

Grades 1 and 4 Cohort: A 2

Tuesday, September 8th: Kindergarten Screening & Chromebook pick up by appointment which will be sent to you this week.

Wednesday, September 9th at 9:00 a.m.

Kindergarten, Grade 2 and Grade 3 Cohort: A 1

Wednesday, September 9th at 12:00 p.m.

Kindergarten, Grade 2 and Grade 3 Cohort: A 2

Thursday, September 10th at 9:00 a.m.

Grade 1 and Grade 4 Cohort: B1

Thursday, September 10th at 12:00 p.m

Grade 1 and Grade 4 Cohort: B2

Thursday, September 10th: Kindergarten Screening & Chromebook pick up by appointment which will be sent to you this week.

Friday, September 11th from 9:00 a.m.

Kindergarten, Grade 2 and 3 Cohort B1

Friday, September 11 from 12:00 p.m.

Kindergarten, Grade 2 and Grade 3 Cohort: B2

The First Ten Weeks

Jefferson Arrival and Dismissal Procedures for 2020-21

Arrival

Family Drop-Off will occur at the James Street Circle. Cars will form a line around James Street Circle. Students will exit on the car door closest to the sidewalk. Parents should not get out of the car. Arrival is a drop-off procedure. Please do not pass other cars or hold up the arrival car line by getting out of the car.
A staff member will supervise to make sure students sanitize and wear masks when entering the building. As soon as students exit the car, they will follow these entrance procedures:

Grades K-1- Exit 6 (closest to Grade K-1-2 Hallway)
Grade 2- Exit 5 (Playground Entrance)
Grade 3- Exit 7 (Courtyard Entrance-stairway)
Grade 4- Exit 8 (closest to Grade 4 Hallway)

Bus drop-offs will arrive through the Jefferson Main Entrance and Jefferson Cafeteria entrance. Only one bus will exit students at a time. A staff member will supervise to make sure students sanitize and wear masks when entering the building.

Please note: Due to the bus drop-offs, no family drop-offs will occur at the George Street Main Entrance. You must wait in the drop-off line at the James Street Circle. The George Street entrance is for late arrivals or early dismissals during the school day only.

Dismissal

Students will be dismissed by grade level at the end of the day. Dismissals will begin at 2:20 PM.
Staff members will be stationed at six exits: each grade level exit (Exit 6: K-1, Exit 5: Grade 2, Exit 7: Grade 3, Exit 8: Grade 4) (where Family Pick Up will exit), the Jefferson Main Entrance and Cafeteria Entrance (where bus students will exit).
Students need to self-sanitize and wear their masks as they depart the building. The sanitizer will be placed at each exit.

No Visitor Policy for Student and Staff Safety

Families, please note, there will be no visitors allowed into the school building at any time to reduce the number of people accessing our school due to COVID concerns. If you need to drop off something your child forgot, you must call our school office and someone will assist you at the door.

If you are picking up a sick child or will be having your child dismissed from school, you will need to notify the office by phone of your arrival and someone will escort your child to you outside and sign your child out. Dismissal should be in the form of a note to the teacher or message via Class Dojo so the office is prepared for the dismissal call from you.

Please add the school phone number to your phone contacts:

Jefferson Elementary School, 781-871-8400

Jefferson Grade Level School Supplies