Harvey-Swanson News

I am excited to begin week three of in-person learning! I am so proud of our Harvey-Swanson family for all of our flexibility, teamwork, and patience as we work through so many new routines and procedures. I would like to say a special THANK YOU to all of our parents and guardians who continue to wear their masks and social distance during arrival and dismissal (when dropping off and picking up students). I've said it before and I am going to say it again... your support and patience is incredibly appreciated and very heartwarming. I love how we are all working together to keep everyone healthy so that we can keep learning in-person! Way to go Harvey Hawks! We've got this!

Enjoy last week's highlights in both words and pictures:

• Enjoying recess with a few classes. The students are doing a great job learning how to play social distance style (it's not an easy, natural thing to do so I give the staff and students lots of credit for their diligence and creativity in this area).
• Hearing students use their kind words to remind each other to social distance or wear their mask. It's pretty adorable.
• Working with the staff who helps oversee arrival/dismissal and seeing them constantly tweak procedures to make improvements and knowing that we are truly a team. On Friday afternoon, a few of us stood outside just visiting and reflecting on how much we have improved the process in such a short time.

Have a great week three everyone!

Sincerely,

Debbie Brauher

Arrival...

• If you are dropping your child off, if possible, please wait until 9:20 AM when we let students into the building. This helps with social distancing and congestion. Thanks so much!

Dismissal- Picking your child up from school...

• If your child's regular routine changes, please send a note to your child's teacher.
• If you are calling the office to dismiss your child early or to change his/her dimissal procedure, please do so by 3:00 PM.
• If you are using the pick up/drop off lane, please have your child exit and enter your car on the grassy side.
• Please have your child bring an umbrella or wear a raincoat on the days it looks like rain is in the forecast.

• Visitors must have an appointment to enter the building. All visitors will be screened outside by our securtiy guard before entering and must be wearing a mask to enter.

• If you are dropping off items for your child, the security guard will meet you outside to collect the item/s.

• Please see the Visitor and Vending Screening Checklist below.

• Last Thursday, Ms. Chambers visited each classroom to remind students of these four important ways to help stay healthy:
  1. Wash our hands regularly. 2. Social distance 6 feet. 3. Stay at home when you are feeling sick. 4. Wear your mask when inside the building.
• Ms. Chambers said our students and staff are doing a great job doing all of the things that will help keep us healthy!
• Click here for information about free Covid testing and here for even more Covid information.

This week we will focus on the character strength curiosity.

What it is: Curiosity is what helps us seek wisdom and knowledge. Curious people ask lots of questions and like to learn.

Why it matters: When we seek knowledge through exploration and asking questions, we are motivated to learn. When we are motivated to learn, we tend to be more engaged. The more engaged we are in our learning, the more we learn!

Please click here to read more about this character strength.

Due to allergies and for infection control, if students are going to be bringing food to share, it must be store bought and contain an ingredients list. Individually wrapped food items would be best.

• September 22nd: Picture Day
• October 5th-9th: Homecoming Spirit Week. Stay tuned for the flier indicating the theme for each day.
• Week of October 12th: Parent Teacher Conferences. They will be virtual this year. Teachers will reach out very soon to begin scheduling your 15 minute conference to be held sometime during the week of the 12th.
• October 16th: NO SCHOOL

• Click here to view the Covid-19 School Health Screening Parent Contract: Please return it as soon as possible.
• Click here to view the Daily Home Screening Checklist: Parents will screen their child each day and be sure to keep him/her home and call the school if any signs of Covid are exhibited.
• Click here to view the Oakland County Covid-19 Public Health Toolkit.
• Click here to visit our Harvey Hawk Facebook Page.
• To sign up for e-news- Go to the Brandon Schools main webpage under Quick Links and choose subscribe to e-news.

• Girl Scouts
  
• Mad Science
  

• Preschool before and after care as well as latchkey will need to wear masks as they will not be with their cohorts.

• Parents will drop off and pick up outdoors and not enter the building. Staff will check in and sign out students noting the parent/adult who is dropping off and/or picking up and also ask the COVID screening questions and record the answers.
• All cleaning and handwashing procedures will also be in place.
• All soft toys, dress up clothing, etc that can't be cleaned easily has been removed.
• For quesitons or to sign up, please contact Diane Zedan: dzedan@brandon.k12.mi.us or Penny Green: pgreen@brandon.k12.mi.us

Office Hours: 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM

Connie Zak Administrative Assistant

Jaqueline Herbart Attendance Clerk

Student Day: 9:30-4:00

Arrival/Drop off: 9:20 AM

Dismissal: 4:00 buses will load and pick ups will be waiting outside

Email: dbrauher@brandon.k12.mi.us
Website: https://brandonschooldistrict.org/index.php/schools/harvey-swanson-elementary
Location: 209 Varsity Drive, Ortonville, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 627- 1850
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010341280577