Harvey-Swanson News

Dear families,

We have been focusing on the character strength gratitude this week and top on my gratitude list is the 11 weeks we have had together in-person. I am thankful for how hard our families and staff have worked to help our students follow all of our new routines and procedures that help keep us healthy at school.

As we prepare to take a two week pause from in-person learning, please know that our number one priority is to help our students and families have the smoothest transition possible. Following are some steps we have already taken or will be taking in preparation for our week of virtual learning that begins on November 30th:

• Yesterday and today, teachers spent time helping students become more confident and familiar with the technology they will be using during distance learning. They also ensured that students have all of the necessary supplies needed for these next two weeks as they learn at home.
• On Monday, November 23rd and Tuesday, November 24th, the students will be engaging in asynchronous learning. This means they will not be connecting with their teachers through Zoom on these days. Teachers will be providing activities for students to work on at their own pace. Many teachers have already reached out to parents to share, but If you haven't received communication from your child's teacher yet, you will before Monday.
• On Monday and Tuesday, while the students are engaged in asynchronous learning, our staff will be working hard to plan for the following week of virtual learning.

Look for specific information by Wednesday, November 25th from your teacher about the schedule, etc. for the week of November 30th-4th. I wish everyone a healthy, happy Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing our students in-person again on December 7th.

Sincerely,

Debbie Brauher

We have been focusing on the character strength gratitude. Click here for a one page character card.

What it is: Gratitude is shown by expressing appreciation and thankfulness.

Why it matters: Research shows that gratitude is the single best predictor of individual well-being. People who practice gratitude tend to be happier and have strong relationships with others.

• Click here for the updated Student and Staff At-Home Screening Checklist. The symptoms are now separated into two categories. The top section indicates the one symptom that requires a student to stay home and the lower section includes symptoms that if there are two then the student must stay home.
• Click here for the updated Symptomatic Student Letter to Parents. Please note that the updated process does not include the three choices like before. There are only two choices now, when a student is sent home with possible Covid symptoms. This is the change... no longer is an alternate diagnosis accepted. Students and staff must have either a negative PCR (not the rapid antigen test) COVID test or isolate at home for 10 days. In either situation the person must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications and other symptoms must be improving or resolved before returning to school.
• Symptomatic students aged 4-17 are eligible for free testing at Oakland County Health Department by appointment by calling 1-800-848-5533. This information is also on the bottom of the Symptomatic Student Parent Letter.
  
• Click here to view the telephone screening resource "Safe For School" hotline.

• Our Wojo's Christmas Greens pick up will be on Monday, December 7th between 4:15-5:30 PM.
• We are doing curbside pick up in the pick-up lane AFTER dismissal is complete.
• No early pick ups please.

• 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.

Please click here to see some options through Paramount Signs & Graphics. Last spring some of our staff had some cool hats made as well. Check out the website or stop in the store to see what they have.

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.

• Monday, November 23rd and Tuesday, November 24th students will be engaging in asynchronous learning.
• November 25th – 29th – Thanksgiving Break
• November 30th-December 4th- Virtual learning for all HSE students

• 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.

The following documents are attached below:

• Safe Home Alone and Certified Babysitter
• Challenge Island STEAM
• Pack 531 is still looking for scouts!

• 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