Friday, August 13, 2021

School Starts Monday!

Dear Walgrove Families and Staff, 

Please read and heed the following info, which is hopefully helpfully helpful:

School starts Monday, August 16. It is in-person for all students, except those few who have signed up for Independent Study with me (or through the City of Angels). All who attend will need a negative PCR COVID test. 

DROPOFF:
There will be three gates (not four). You are assigned a gate by last name. 

Orange Gate off Appleton near the STEAM Studio
Students whose last names start with A-F

Green Gate off Walgrove to the left of the office (if you are facing the school):
Students whose last names start with G-N

Blue Gate off Morningside:
Students whose last names start with O-Z

The only exception are students in Rooms 2 and 6 (Mr. Matt and Mr. Steve). They will all use the Blue Gate.

SCREENING:
Upon arrival, students will either show their Daily Pass OR we will check their names against our roster of recent negative COVID tests. To make sure that all kiddos have recent negative COVID tests, we will continue with on-site COVID testing every Thursday 8-3pm.

PARENT ESCORTS:
We will have extra adults to escort kiddos to class for you. However, if you want to escort your child to class, you may. But you will need to show a negative COVID test (just as the students do) and you will need to leave immediately. You may not enter the classroom or stick around. Sorry!

Parent volunteers who are registered (and have negative COVID tests) may stick around. (Full vaccination will be required by Oct 15, per the new universal LAUSD vaccination mandate). The folks at the gate will have a list of registered volunteers. 

STAR & BEYOND THE BELL:
Richard Medina will be Walgrove's STAR Director. Jonney Machtig is helping Richard get situated. Richard has lots of wonderful experience with STAR (and with playing chess!). So, we will indeed have chess! ALL 83 of the applicants who submitted applications are enrolled in STAR. Marcus from Beyond the Bell will work closely with STAR (as he did this last Spring) so that the programs are aligned. They will mostly hang out in the cafeteria area (as they did this last Spring) and out on the field for sports. If you did not apply but need childcare, please apply. If we cannot accomodate you in STAR, then we will accommodate you in Beyond the Bell (and if many people apply, we will have to bifercate the programs a bit more, as in years past. But that's OK!)

PICK UP:
If you are picking up after school at 2:30 (1:35 on Tuesdays), then you must pick your kiddo up at their assigned gate. If you are picking up after STAR, then use the STAR Gate, which is on Walgrove near the cafeteria. Your kiddos will get Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) food as Grab and Go on the way home to be eaten the next morning. (Those who want.)

TECHNOLOGY:
Based on survey results, we will go with option B, which is:
Students may bring their technology (cell phones, iPads, laptops, Apple watches, etc) to school BUT may NOT use it during school unless directed to by a teacher during class (or by the STAR Director or Beyond the Bell Coach after school). They may NOT use tech during recess or lunch. 

After we see how things go, we will revisit and revise, as needed. The LSLC will ultimately approve and formalize the tech policy for the year. 

Your teachers will also reach out with info and with a supplies wish list. We can always use compositon books, notebooks, and glue sticks. So, feel free to drop those things off to any of us anytime 🙂

SATURDAY (TOMORROW):
If you want to volunteer tomorrow anytime between 8-4 (registration not needed, but negative COVID test or vaccination is), then come on down. We have things to do in the garden, Wildlands, kinder yard and more. 

Also, there is a playdate at Penmar Park from 10-12 tomorrow for those who want their kiddos to meet other awesome kiddos!