A quick update on assorted things.
On Monday, August 31st the Proctor School Board held a special meeting for the purposes of completing some last minute Human Resource business. What was also unique about this Board meeting was the anticipation around community participation. Community members have felt compelled to share for some time their support or indignation around the complicated decisions the Board's obligated to make. At most times throughout the three hour event, attendance held at over 100 participants. Many observations and opinions were shared. The Board has a procedure in place that appropriates three minutes to each individual speaking. While some required a bit more than allotted, the overwhelmingly cathartic event shed honest light on the variable points of view our proud district shares. While no new decisions were officially made, voices were given their space to articulate their broad perspectives around returning to school. I imagine this meeting mirrored others occurring virtually in small and large communities across the United States.
As we roll into this pinnacle Holiday weekend of the summer, please make safe choices when celebrating with friends or family. Mask up, socially distance, wash you hands, and have fun. I'm not trying to sound like the internet Karen or Chad, rather I"m warming up for the fabulous return of students to Pike Lake. The above will be a phrase on consistent loop heard by our students from faculty and staff alike. We look forward to seeing many of you next week as back to school conferences begin. I will send out another newsletter early next week too along with a video showing what it will look like for kids when they return. Lastly, if you're holding on to a chrome book or Ipad, kindly return next week.
Be safe and stay healthy Pike Lake!
Mark
School Planning Guidance:
LINK TO FALL 2020 PARENT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Emergency Executive Order 20-82
Parent drop off and pick up protocols
As a reminder, start and end times for the school day have changed 9:05 - 3:35. Parents dropping off their child will do so at the Martin Road entrance no earlier than 8:45. Students enter the building with a mask or face shield on and follow the protocols in place to continue on to the cafeteria or to their locker. Kindergarten students will be directed into the cafeteria and then walked to their lockers by staff members. It pains me to say that parents will not be able to be on site and walk their child to their classroom that first day or any other day of school for the near future.
Parent pick up is at 3:30 this year. Families will need to wait outside of the Martin Road entrance on the side walk for their child. Be mindful of the group size congregating. The expectation is that parents will be wearing masks in congested spaces and social distancing as much as they can while waiting for their child to exit.
Families with children in Kids Zone will follow their outlined routines. Look for email from Ines Chandler, Kids Zone Coordinator around parent expectations for pick up and drop off.
If you have questions about the drop off and pick up protocols, please contact principal Hughes at mhughes@proctor.k12.mn.us or by phone at 218-829-8214
Masks and/or face shields will be required at Pike Lake Elementary for Faculty, Staff, and Students.
While face coverings around the nation have in some instances become an extension of one's fashion style, the reality is that not all coverings are created equally. Research is showing that solutions like neck gaiters or a bandana are not nearly as effective as a mask that adequately covers the nose and chin. Families have options when it comes to coverings based on the Governor's executive order. As we return students to classrooms, let's all do our best to implement the safest environment we can for students and adults alike.
For more information about face coverings and the Executive Order, please see the Frequently Asked Questions About the Requirement to Wear Face Coverings.
Pike Lake Principal Hughes
Email: mhughes@proctor.k12.mn.us
Website: www.proctor.k12.mn.us
Location: 5682 Martin Road, Duluth, MN, USA
Phone: 218-729-8214