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The Cub Hub
Notes from the Den | Volume 1 : Issue 11 - October 19, 2020
Principal's Message
Happy Monday Bear Creek Cubs,
Well we did it :-) we are fully open and have welcomed all families that selected face to face instruction. We had 234 students on campus today.
If you are interested in coming into the building for instruction you will need to give us a five day grace period.
Please just email me and the teacher(s) to indicate you want to switch from remote to face to face.
AJ and I are really so thankful for the opportunity to work with your children and be a part of this thriving community. It is great to be a CUB.
AJ and David
Department Newsletters
Just click the icon for your child's grade level newsletter. These will be updated weekly.
Facial Coverings
Be sure to remember the following requirements regarding facial coverings:
1 - Vented masks are not permitted
2 - Bandanas are not permitted
3 - Neck gaiters are not permitted
Car Rider Notes - Arrival
A few reminders about arrival - overall things are going really well. Note that we open the doors at 730am and I do not see this changing for the foreseeable future. We do not have a lot of staff so this really needs to be a coordinated effort between all of us.
Today we had approximately 25 more cars to manage so it is really important each exchange only takes a few seconds which is really achievable.
One our end I will try to locate an additional staff member to bring us to four “greeters” however we are a very small staff.
How you can help:
1 – The “GREEN CHECK” is absolutely essential – we will pull you forward if you do not have one so we can keep the line moving. Just show it when we approach and then we can take temperatures and get going with our days.
2 – Have your kiddo ready to go, I know some are not morning kids but it really has a pretty big ripple effect if we have to manage several exchanges. Because only one lane is used everything is delayed by the amount of time it takes to make each drop-off. We will not use two lanes in the morning because there are too many moving parts and I will not sacrifice your child’s safety at any cost. DO NOT GET OUT THE CAR.
3 – Your car heater raises your child’s temp and in some cases to a point where we have to administer an oral temperature check or ask you to do a drive around the block.
4 – You may only drop off using our parent lane – I will not allow any drop-offs anywhere else on property – the reason is that it will turn into a free for all which is not acceptable or safe. You all have seen a free for all drop off I am guessing.
Being mindful of these things as they will expedite the process significantly while we remain safe.
Car Rider Notes - Dimissal
The two lane system was really tested today and everyone did a great job.
Pink - Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade students and their older siblings.
Pink cars use the outside lane (closest to the school.)
We start this line at 305pm
Green - Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade students.
Green cars use the inside lane (closest to the interior.)
We start this line at 310pm
Children are called using the names on the car tags.
Children can only enter the vehicle on the passenger side. This is for safety. This means some may have to rearrange car seats.
Failed Health Screening Procedures
If your child is ill with symptoms consistent with Covid-19 then the following protocols must be followed:
Students May Return After
10 days have passed since symptoms started, and improvement in overall
symptoms, and 24 hours have passed without fever and use of fever-reducing
medication
OR
Provide doctor’s note to campus health room staff stating that symptoms
are not COVID-19-related and student can return to school
OR
Provide a negative COVID-19 test
As an FYI the same holds true for staff members
Notes From The Library
Hello Bear Creek Cubs,
I am so excited to meet everyone as the new Bear Creek Elementary librarian! I have been able to pop into many classrooms already but haven’t had the chance to meet everyone yet!
Our BCE library blend page is up and running and has many resources for the kiddos to utilize for reading! The blend link is: https://aisdblend.instructure.com/courses/266388
Please click on our AISD Resources link to access all of our district’s resources, there are many to choose from!
I have also created a 12 days to Halloween countdown with fun read alouds. I hope our cubs enjoy!
https://aisdblend.instructure.com/courses/266388/pages/read-alouds
Our MacinVIA account was just connected to the AISD shared collections, so there are almost 16K eBooks available.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Email - ashley.saenz@austinisd.org
I am so excited to be a part of this community! Remember “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader!”
Free Meals (Breakfast and Lunch)
AISD will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch until the end of the 2020 - 2021 school year.
Your child has the opportunity to eat breakfast every morning. If you are a car rider or a walker please arrive on time so they have time to eat. We close the cafeteria when the bell rings at 750am.
Technology Difficulties
Student technology issues with a Chromebook or iPad please call the Student Help Desk at 512 414-4357.
Gates At Night
I will start locking the gates at night and on the weekends. The playgrounds will be open to foot traffic and the front parking lot will be open.
Student Flu Immunization Clinic at Bear Creek Elementary
We Need Crossing Guards
Counselor's Corner
Hello Bear Creek Families.
As we settle into the school year, some of us in person and some remote, I want you all to know I am here for you and your student(s).
New feelings may be coming up such as missing friends, not wanting to go back to school, or feelings of missing out. The list goes on.
As your school counselor, I am here to help students navigate these feelings to bring focus back to school and their job at hand.
When our "thinking" brain turns off our "survival" brain turns on. This is when fight, flight, freeze, or fawn kicks in. In this state, it is hard for students to focus on school work and learn content. This is when calming strategies, breathing techniques, and brain breaks are essential.
But there is good news! Once feelings of calm and safety have returned, the thinking brain turns back on and learning can continue.
Being aware of and recognizing these types of brain reactions can help teachers, coaches, instructors, parents, all of us be more successful working with others amidst these changing times.
💙 Remember you can always contact me at alyssa.sheeran@austinisd.org
Review Of Parent Handbook And Instructional Models For The Remainder Of The Semester
The purpose of this chat is to go through an in-depth review of our parent and student handbook. The document is a living and breathing thing so I want some input but also wanted to use it a chance to discuss some of the things that make us unique.
I also want to discuss our relative immediate instructional future. I know many people have concerns about changing teachers (e.g. internal leveling) and I have significant concerns about the sustainability of the hybrid model for our teachers which ultimately impacts your child. I will share our classroom numbers and discuss potential solutions / scenarios. I have no set plans and I will not be surprising anyone. I do not foresee significant changes for the next few weeks and perhaps not at all. Input and ideas will be welcome as this is one of the few times I really do not have good answers.
Topic: Bear Creek Instructional Chat
Time: Oct 23, 2020 05:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/j/91028979473?pwd=QllLb2V6cWJ6SUVEZnBiWGE0czhUQT09
Meeting ID: 910 2897 9473
Passcode: 611304
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,91028979473#,,,,,,0#,,611304# US (Houston)
Friday, Oct 23, 2020, 05:00 PM
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Friday, October 30, 2020
We will allow children the opportunity to dress up on Friday, October 30 as long as the following conditions can be met:
1 - Facial coverings must always be worn
2 - No props
3 - Nothing that could potentially scare a 4 year old
4 - We highly encourage our virtual learners to participate as well
5 - Costumes cannot interfere with the bathroom
6 - You understand that the costume may not be perfect for the following day
7 - You have to be able to sit down in it
8 - Nothing political
PTA Paw Prints
Pumpkins & Pictures, Saturday 10/24 AND Sunday 10/25
Sign up for a time slot for your family to be photographed by Grabbing Life Photography on Saturday 10/24 OR Sunday 10/25 on the BCE grounds. Pick up a pumpkin to take home with you while you are there and enter our virtual pumpkin decorating contest. Slots are going quickly, so grab one while you can!
Cost is $20 (+tax), which includes one digital image (emailed to you) and pumpkins for your family. All proceeds benefit the Bear Creek PTA to support our fabulous teachers!
Sign up for a photo slot and a pumpkin: https://bcepumpkinsandpics.cheddarup.com
OR
Feel free to decorate your own pumpkins and enter the contest-- NO COST:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11Say5Dg3uKSUv02rFpoxJIBkB2feMzHR2uM_xVygrXI/edit?ts=5f8ddbe4
PTA Reflections-- Submissions due November 6th
Reflections is a program of the National PTA that provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts. Reflections is open to all students grade K-5th.
The theme for the 2020-2021 program year is "I Matter Because....". Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.
For more information and to enter, visit:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rDqDscQyJ5imxVZE5HpiN5wQxd5EfDYp/view?usp=drivesdk
All entries dies by Midnight on 11/6
The Hunter 5K
Hunter 5K Halloween Fun Run
Registration is open for the second annual Hunter 5K Halloween Fun Run, honoring Hunter Henderson! The event this year will be virtual.
The Hunter 5K was created to honor and celebrate the fast and free spirit of Hunter Henderson, who tragically passed away in December of 2018. Hunter was a vibrant member of the Avana/Circle C community who loved Halloween and dressed up in costume throughout the year. Funds raised from this year’s virtual event will go to Dell Children's Medical Center who helped the Henderson family immensely during Hunter’s stay. Register today at https://thehunter5k.com/.