Principal's Post: Parent Edition
Vanderlyn Elementary 2021-22 Vol.16
Adjustment to the School District Calendar & Mode of Learning
Due to the rising number of positive Covid cases within DeKalb County and the Metro Atlanta area, the school district has decided that all DCSD students will engage in virtual instruction on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 - Friday, January 7, 2022.
There is no school for students on Monday, January 3, 2022 and Tuesday, January 4, 2022.
In-person/F2F learning resumes on January 10, 2022.
Happy New Year Vanderlyn!
Welcome to 2022! I hope that you enjoyed your Winter Break and had lots of opportunities to celebrate with your family and friends. We are excited to welcome students back to school virtually on Wednesday, January 5th. All stakeholders were informed that DCSD has pivoted to virtual learning next week due to the rising number of positive cases within DeKalb County and the Metro Atlanta area. All DCSD students will engage in virtual instruction on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 - Friday, January 7, 2022. By delaying our return to F2F instruction, we put the health and safety of our school community first. Plans are underway to make a smooth transition plan for the students, albeit temporary.
January is always about new beginnings and positive change. A new year also ushers in the sense of renewal – a renewal of purpose and collective commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, professional growth, and service to our community. For those of us who are perpetual optimists, each new year provides a chance to start fresh, to renew oneself, and to put our faith in the power of second chances. As we begin a new semester, we will celebrate learning, reflect on our growth, and begin to imagine how far we can go when we set our expectations high and plan a path to reach them. I love the promise of the New Year and all the possibilities that exist for our children here at Vanderlyn. With this comes the firm resolution to raise the rigor, achieve desired results, and exceed expectations, all of which are intended to meet the tertiary education needs of our students.
On behalf of the VES administration and staff, I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year. May your list of resolutions flourish and endure the whole year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Crenshaw
CHROMEBOOK REQUEST & PICK-UP INFORMATION
(This information has already been shared by your child's homeroom teacher.)
As we prepare for virtual learning Wednesday - Friday of next week, we need to know how many students will need a school-issued device. Please let your child's homeroom teacher know immediately if your child does not have a device at home, and one will be issued. Each student who is issued a DCSD Chromebook MUST complete a "User Agreement". If there is more than one child in the home who needs a device, a separate form for each child will need to be filled out and provided to each homeroom teacher. If your child has a device at home, no further action is necessary. We have a limited inventory and want to reserve our devices for students who really need one.
****Please check your child's bookbag to ensure they don't have their Chromebook before coming to the school to request one.
To expedite the pick-up process and to minimize contact with our staff, we have attached a hard copy of the User Agreement to this email. This will need to be downloaded and filled out prior to your child's chrome book being issued. Please bring a completed form for each child to the school when picking up your device(s).
Date(s), Location & Time for Pickup
- Grades Pre-K-2nd: Monday 12:00-3:00p.m.
- Grades 3-5: Tuesday 12:00-3:00p.m.
- If parents have children in multiple grade levels, they should select Tuesday, as more time is needed for processing.*
- Please inform your child's HR teacher if you are unable to pick up a device so that alternate arrangements can be made.
- Chromebooks will be distributed through the cafeteria. Tables will be set up by grade level. Staff will be available to assist.
Guidelines For Distribution
To keep parents and staff safe during pick-up, the following measures will be implemented:
- All staff and parents will be required to wear a mask and practice social distance.
- The pick-up destination will be the cafeteria. Please follow the signage.
- Only one adult per household should come to the school to pick up the device. Parent ID will be required.
- All parents are asked to complete the Device User Agreement prior to coming to the school. Hard copies of the User Agreement will also be available at the school.
USER AGREEMENT FORM
Virtual Learning Daily Schedule
The virtual learning daily schedule will begin at 7:45am and end at 1:50pm. You will receive the schedule directly from your child's teacher on tomorrow.
We will use SeeSaw, Zoom, Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams for our virtual learning live class sessions. Your child's class meeting link will also be sent out on tomorrow.
School Meals
Free breakfast and lunch can be picked up curbside in the carpool lane on January 5 - 7, 2022. If you intend to pick up breakfast and/or lunch for your child(ren), please email Ms. Julianna Phipps at juliana_m_phipps@dekalbschoolsga.org so that we can prepare accordingly.
Breakfast and lunch menus can be found at this link: https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/school-nutrition/menus/. Please note that the January menus will be uploaded by Tuesday.
Times are listed below:
Breakfast: 7:00am - 8:00am
Lunch: 11:45am - 12:45pm
Tips to Ensure Your Child is Prepared for Virtual Learning
A few ways that you can get your child prepared for virtual learning are:
- Designate a quiet, work space in your home.
- Prepare materials ahead of time and have them ready.
- Ensure your child’s device is fully charged.
- Have your child practice logging in to their Chromebook before Wednesday, January 5. All students should know how to login to their Chromebook. If they do not, please contact your child's teacher.
Reporting Covid Cases
Please continue to report COVID cases and exposures to Mrs. Crenshaw and Mr. Nichols via email. This will allow me the opportunity to be aware of case counts in our school community, make informed decisions, and share guidance on isolation, quarantine, and return to school.
DCSD has updated the Readiness Response Guide 2021 (Revised on December 30, 2021) to align with the CDC's guidance published on December 29, 2021. DCSD continues to implement the CDC's mitigation strategies and other strategies to lower the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in schools. You are encouraged to review this information and we ask that you adhere to the guidelines and protocols shared.
Stay safe!