Arroyo Eagle Eye - 08/15/21

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Principal's Message

Dear Arroyo Families,

The start of school is just around the corner and I’m so excited to welcome our students and families and kick off the school year. I know there is a lot of information to digest at this time of the year. Please read through it carefully. Some things are repeated from past messages because of their importance but in most cases, new details have been added so please read it even if you think you already have. If you need to refer back to any of the information shared you can find a running document of my messages here.

We Need YOU!:
We are in desperate need of additional parent support to help keep our students safe and secure. Volunteers are needed to help with drop-off and pick-up daily. Campus Supervisors (paid positions hired through the district) are critically needed to help with lunch and recess supervision. If you’re able to help with either of these, please complete this form and we’ll be in touch with you soon. Ideally this would be a year-long commitment at least one day a week with a regular schedule but we understand that things come up and will be as flexible as possible.

Arroyo/Central is also in need of a Food Service Assistant to coordinate our hot lunch program. You can apply through the link or reach out to [email protected] if you’re interested. This is a paid position through the district.

COVID Updates:
An updated version of the San Carlos School District Safety Plan can now be found on our Arroyo website as well as the district website. Please read through this carefully as it outlines key components of our plan for in-person instruction. I also want to remind you all that the district maintains a dashboard where you can access the count of positive cases within the schools (students or staff).

I want to stress that our Safety Plan relies on each of us, staff members and families alike, to do our part to reduce the spread of COVID in the community and thereby reduce the risk of spreading the virus at school. This includes getting vaccinated if eligible and COVID testing whenever symptomatic or after a known exposure. In addition, we ask that families familiarize themselves with the CDC’s recommendations regarding testing and quarantining after travel. We know that many families may be squeezing in one last trip before school starts. If that’s true for your family, please monitor for symptoms and consider getting your child tested for COVID before school starts. Finally, please be sure to keep your child home from school for any sign of illness until you have a negative COVID test. We know that summer colds are going around, but since the symptoms overlap with COVID symptoms, we need to err on the side of caution for everyone’s sake. Testing is still available at Central Middle School, Tues-Fri, 9am-2:30pm; we are working to get hours extended to accommodate working parents. Other testing options in the county can be found here. 

Additionally, students are not required to wear masks outdoors, but it is recommended that they do so if they will be in “crowded outdoor settings or during activities that involve sustained close contact less than six feet away from other students.” Teachers will be reminding students as they head out to recess that masks are recommended, particularly if they will be in close proximity with a friend. You can help to reinforce this message at home. We will be working to create an inclusive climate where students are empowered to take ownership for their own decisions outdoors, whether that means wearing a mask, maintaining social distance during playtime, or both. 

Welcome Week Events:
All families are invited to join us in-person on Monday, August 16 for our Arroyo Day Welcome event. This is a drop-in, outdoors-only event; feel free to stop by anytime from 4-6pm. We will be gathering near the Arroyo lunch tables and playground where we’ll have plenty of room to spread out. Masks will be required for all attendees, regardless of vaccination status. Since parking is limited, I encourage you to walk or bike as a family. We will have name tags and encourage you to include the name of your child’s teacher so that families might begin to meet some of their new classmates. Our fabulous PTA will also have activities available for students and the Kona Ice Truck will be on campus from 5-7pm. Families are also invited to bring a blanket and their own picnic meal from 6-7pm. It should be a lot of fun for everyone!

Later that evening, I hope you’ll join me on Zoom from 7:30-8:30pm for my Virtual Principal’s Welcome. The Zoom link will be sent separately on Monday, and the presentation will be recorded and shared for anyone who is unable to attend. In my presentation, I’ll share more information about the Upper Elementary program, as well as review our COVID norms and protocols as we resume in-person learning, and answer any questions you may have. 

First Day:
Our first day of school is Wednesday, August 18, a minimum day (8:35-12:50pm). Starting at 8:25am, students will be invited to gather on the blacktop where they will find their class lines and have a chance to meet their new classmates. Please note that at this time, the campus is open only to staff and students. Whether students arrive by bus, car, or on foot/bike, they’ll say goodbye at one of the school entrances and proceed across the campus to the play yard. Masks will be optional, however, when the bell rings at 8:35am, children will line up to meet their teacher and put their masks on so they are ready to enter their classroom. The teacher will lead the line to class and help the children put their items away. Dismissal on the first day (a regular Wednesday early dismissal) is at 12:50pm. Our daily bell schedule can be found here.

Access to Technology:
With students returning to full-time in-person instruction, we do not anticipate a need for students to have regular access to a device at home for learning. However, if you do believe your child will need a device, one can be provided. Please contact me at [email protected] for more information.

Electives:
4th grade students will get to participate in three electives this year, one per trimester, including Art, Music Fundamentals, and Theater. 5th grade students will have one year-long elective, either Theater, Band, or Orchestra. Students who opted for Band/Orchestra selected an instrument in the spring and additional information was sent to families in June. Families who are new to Arroyo should have also received information on selecting an elective. Please note that although electives will begin on Thursday, Aug. 19, no instruments will be needed the first week. Mr. Fischer (Orchestra) and Ms. Moulder (Band) will share more information with families soon.

For additional information on arrival/dismissal procedures, school supplies, snack/lunch, attendance, communication, volunteering, staff updates, or the Remote Independent Study program, please refer to this Google Doc to access an archive of the Principal’s Messages, including last week’s message. 

Looking forward to seeing you soon! Enjoy the last few days of summer!

Warmly,
Mindy Shelton
Principal
[email protected]