Principal's Post: Parent Edition
Vanderlyn Elementary 2021-22 Vol.27
Upcoming Dates
- Apr 28: Kindergarten Roundup; Passport to the World (5 pm - 7 pm)
- May 3: Field Day (Kdg-1st)
- May 4: Field Day (2nd - 3rd)
- May 5: Field Day (4th-5th)
- May 7: GA STEM Day
- May 17 : Chick-fil-A Spirit Night: 5 pm - 8 pm
- May 19: 5th Grade Celebration
- May 20: Last Day of School (Early Release Day)
Below are 10 tips for parents to help their children prepare for the Georgia Milestone End-of-Grade test:
1) Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep each night of the testing period.
2) Ensure your child eats a nutritious, high-protein breakfast.
3) Make sure your child arrives at school on time so that they can get settled before testing begins.
4) If your child wears eyeglasses, be sure they have them for testing.
5) Send your child to school with comfortable clothing and a sweater for cooler temperatures.
6) Encourage your child to pace themselves instead of rushing through the test.
7) Remind your child to read or listen to all directions, questions, and all answer choices carefully.
8) Students should make their best guess if they do not know the answer, but refrain from making random answer choices.
9) Suggest that your child finds one or two answer choices they know are wrong, and then choose the best one from the remaining choices.
10) Highly encourage your child to check their answers if they complete a portion of the test early to ensure that they have answered all questions to the best of their ability.
While the Georgia Milestones is a high-stakes assessment, please DO NOT tell your child that they will not be promoted if they do not pass the test. This adds undue pressure and anxiety, which could have an adverse affect on student's performance. Our teachers have done an amazing job preparing students for this, and we strongly encourage our students to simply do their best.
The Department of Education (ED) has stated that all accountability and school identification requirements under ESSA are in effect for the 2021-2022 school year. All students, including those receiving virtual instruction, are expected to participate in Georgia Milestones this school year. ED has indicated they will not waive the 95% participation requirement.
So, what does this mean for your child concerning the Spring 2022 End of Grade (EOG) Georgia Milestones Assessment?
End of Grade Georgia Milestones Assessment - Grades 3-5
The Georgia Promotion, Placement, and Retention Law and SBOE Rule 160-4-2-.11 mandates the following:
- All third-grade students must achieve grade level scores on the state-adopted assessment (End of Grade-EOG) in Reading to be promoted.
- All fifth-grade students must have achieved grade level scores in Reading and Mathematics on the state-adopted assessment (EOG) to be promoted.
Students who score Below Grade Level in reading and/or in Beginning Learner achievement level in mathematics are retained under these provisions and must participate in the EOG retest administration.
Parents If you have questions regarding any aspect of testing, please contact our Assistant Principal and School Testing Coordinator, Griffin Nichols at griffin_nichols@dekalbschoolsga.org or 678-874-9002.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Crenshaw
To ensure we maintain a secure testing environment, no class visitors/volunteers will be allowed at the school on testing days. Thank you for understanding.
Georgia Milestones Testing Schedule: Spring 2022
Students Celebrate the Upcoming Georgia Milestones with a Pep Rally!
International Night - Passport to the World!
The Vanderlyn PTO is excited to announce that we will once again be hosting Vanderlyn's annual International Night entitled Passport to the World on April 28, 2022!!
What is Passport to the World? It's an afterschool event where families are invited to come to Vanderlyn and tour the different tables showcasing various countries from around the world. Are you from, have lived in, or are passionate about another country? Then sign up to host that countries' exhibit. Our goal is for the Vanderlyn travelers to be able to see the flag and location of the country, learn a little about the history, customs, and people there, and possibly have a small taste of traditional food. There are several ways to volunteer. You can host an exhibit, donate a tent for use, or help set up/break down the event afterwards. Click on the link below for more information!
If you've never been to Passport to the World then please enjoy this video of our wonderful event from previous years.
Click here to view a short video from Passport to the World.
Please contact Smaro Economy or Andrea Greene if you have any questions.
Mark the date: Virtual Kindergarten Round-up
- When: April 28th
- How: Virtual Information Meeting
- Time: 12:30-1:15p.m.
- Students must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2022
- A Zoom link will be provided and posted on our website prior to the meeting.
Please spread the word to your friends and neighbors!
COVID-19 Surveillance Testing at VES
Vanderlyn Science Olympiad Team Heads to State!
The Vanderlyn Science Olympiad Team recently participated in a virtual Elementary Science Olympiad competition. DeKalb received three spots at the 2022 GA ESO, and Vanderlyn has earned the chance to represent the DCSD! Congratulations to our team sponsors, Ms. Sumi and Ms. Pansini for igniting the STEM spark for our students!
The Georgia State ESO takes place on Saturday. May 7, 2022, at Kennesaw State University.
2022 Metro Atlanta Econ Games Finalists Announced!
Our fifth grade Econ Games Team is advancing to the state finals! The team members are:
Abby Rosenkoff, Cooper Dempsey, Adley Gaines, David Harrison, Evan Sansbury, Jack Graviss, Vanshika Arguwhal, Divya Sood
Thank you Dr. Babbage for all she did to work with our students in preparing for and completing the tasks for Round 1 of this competition. The Final Round will take place on May 24, 2022.
Will you be enrolling a new student at Vanderlyn for the 2022-2023 school year? If so, please go ahead and register so the school can plan accordingly.
New Student Registration is now open for the 2022-2023 school year. Please click the link to register online: https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/online-registration/new-students/
REGISTRATION FOR RETURNING STUDENTS IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
The 2022-2023 Annual Verification Application is now available. Please go to: https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/online-registration/current-student-annual-verification/
Log in to your parent portal account to complete the annual verification application. Be sure to have your current proof of residency and a valid, government-issued, photo ID as these documents are required to complete the application. Thank you!
**If your child is not returning to Vanderlyn next school year or if have questions regarding registration, contact our registrar Mrs. Gillett: andrea_gillettt@dekalbschoolsga.org/678-874-9002.
MOSAIC SUMMER PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Parents are encouraged to review the summer programs being offered by the school district and sign up your child accordingly. Click the link below for more details. Thank you!
Visitor Protocol
The DeKalb County School District has updated the visitor policy for schools. We are excited about this change! Creating opportunities for our parents to visit the school is important to the overall success of our school community. Our plan is to start off conservatively with the hope that as conditions improve, we will consider more opportunities. Parents should realize that this updated policy is a dial and not a switch.
All of us at VES are working hard to meet the new needs prompted by current conditions in the world around us. Our goal is to continue providing a supportive and safe learning environment, and we will continue to work daily to ensure the health and well-being of our students and staff remain our focus.
As we prepare to allow greater access to our school, please be aware we will follow the guidelines listed below to provide a safe working environment for our staff and students:
- Upon entry to the school, all visitors/parents must report to the front office to sign in. According to the latest guidance from the DCSD, masks are strongly encouraged, but not required.
- All visitors should use the hand sanitizer provided when they enter the school office area.
- All visitors to our school offices must remain in the front office area unless authorized by the administration.
- All visitors must practice social distancing. All in-person meetings must allow participants to socially distance themselves at least six feet from another person or person(s).
- All visitors should complete a self-check before entering the school building. Visitors with a fever greater than 100.4, or those experiencing any of the following symptoms should NOT enter our school building or front office: congestion, dry cough, breathing difficulties, sore throat and/or chills It is extremely important that you do NOT come to the school if you are sick. Please do not place our staff or students at risk.
- During this transition, we encourage parents to complete any school business electronically if possible as we try to limit office visits to essential business. VES is currently observing office hours of 7:30 am until 3:30 pm. Our office staff will be available to answer your phone calls and your questions.
The following access/considerations will be granted to parent visitors:
- Parent-Teacher Conferences: (Virtual or Face-to-Face)
- IEP/504 Meetings (Virtual or Face-to-Face)
- MTSS/ Tier 2 or Tier 3 Meetings (Virtual or Face-to-Face)
- PTO Executive and Board of Directors Meetings
- PAC Meetings
- New Family School Tours by appointment only (some restrictions will apply)
- Parent Mystery Readers (must be scheduled by the teacher)
- Room parents or other volunteers for instructional and non-instructional activities (ex. STEM, PBL, class parties, special class events )
- Outdoor events (ex. Field Day- restrictions will apply)
- An outdoor 5th grade celebration/picnic
- Outdoor PTO sponsored events (ex. Passport to the World)
At this time, we are not able to consider the following:
- Parents are not allowed to come eat lunch with their child due to the removal of masks, direct exposure to other children, and the limited seating in the cafeteria
- Random class observations
- Large indoor events
- Grade-level evening performances/productions
We look forward to welcoming our parent volunteers. We know that parent support is a critical component of our community engagement and partnership and thank you for your continued partnership and support of our school!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
May I walk my child or children to their classrooms in the mornings?
You may walk your child or children to the main entrance or foyer but not beyond the secure area to their classrooms.
What if I need to drop something off in my child’s classroom?
Our main office staff will be glad to help ensure that any items you have to drop off will be taken to your child’s classroom as soon as possible.
What if I need to speak to my child’s teacher?
You may make an appointment, email him/her, send a note via your child, or visit the main office to request a meeting. School administrators and office staff will help facilitate this communication in any way they can. Partnerships with parents/guardians are valued, and communication with your child’s teacher is encouraged.
How do these procedures address safety?
Our visitor protocols are in place to help avoid incidents of a disruptive nature by controlling the flow of visitors in our school. These procedures help ensure accountability in regards to who is visiting within a school at any given time and will provide administrators with the names of all visitors in the school in the event of a school emergency, evacuation, or medical emergency of a visitor. In addition, our visitor protocols also take into account that we are still in the midst of a pandemic, and we have a responsibility to keep students and staff safe by limiting the exposure of visitors.
COVID-19 Surveillance Testing at VES
DCSD in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Public Health is excited to offer Surveillance Testing to our district! Surveillance testing is a safe, effective way to limit the spread of COVID -19 and continue to keep schools open for in-person learning.
We’ve expanded COVID-19 testing in our regions and added a new partner to ensure timely implementation. Testing is available for participants who sign up via the survey. Consenting to testing via the survey is essential to take advantage of testing services. In order to participate in testing, consent forms must be processed by our partners. Testing participants cannot begin testing the same week they provided consent to be tested. The testing processing time takes approximately one week. We ask you to communicate this with your learning community and thank you for your patience and flexibility. Please see further guidance below detailing when testing becomes available for participants.
There is still time to sign up for COVID-19 Surveillance Testing! Please remember to allow 1 week processing time after signing up.
Click the link below to access the survey.
Student Link: https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/cRTWxA
Surveillance testing is a safe, effective way to limit the spread of COVID -19 and continue to keep schools open for in-person learning. COVID-19 testing is not mandatory and is being offered to protect students, staff, family members, and our community. Weekly school-based and district-wide testing will quickly detect, trace, and identify COVID-19 positive individuals. Following the CDC recommended guidance will also reduce further exposure. The current safety measures in place, combined with weekly testing for staff and students, will lower the risk of transmission and allow more consistent access to in-person instruction for our students.
Weekly school-based testing will be available to everyone, even if you are fully vaccinated.
What is the test?
The testing is a swab test (a short swab no longer than a typical Q-Tip) and takes only a few seconds to collect.
What if I already signed up for Voluntary COVID-19 Testing?
You do not need to sign up again. You will continue testing at your school site.
Please click on the survey link below to complete the Updated COVID-19 Surveillance Survey to indicate your interest in participating in weekly school-based testing. Remember, COVID-19 testing is not mandatory at this time. If you choose to participate, please answer YES on the survey, and you will be prompted to register by completing a Consent Form. A Consent Form must be on file to take advantage of testing services.
Click here to access the COVID-19 Testing link: https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/4ZPhzN
If you have questions regarding the Surveillance Testing, please contact Mrs. JoAnn Harris, Coordinator of Student Health Services via email @ Joann_Harris@dekalbschoolsga.org.
COVID Updates - Please Read
Please continue to report COVID cases and exposures to Mrs. Crenshaw and Mr. Nichols via email. This will allow us 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 guidelines with families.
Please note that we are following the CDC's guidance published on January 6, 2022 -https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-contact-tracing/about-quarantine.html. 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.
Key CDC recommended prevention strategies that are essential to the safe delivery of in-person instruction and to help prevent COVID-19 transmission in schools include:
1. Universal and correct use of masks.
2. Physical distancing to the greatest extent possible.
3. Hand-washing and respiratory etiquette.
4. Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities.
5. Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine.
6. Watching out for symptoms (See below)
7. Getting vaccinated.
*****IMPORTANT*****
Please continue to monitor for the following symptoms of COVID-19 AND keep your child home if they are ill.
• Fever (measured temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or you feel feverish)
• Chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea