To: Parents and Guardians of Burr Oak Community Schools
Welcome back and thank you for your patience! I am confident with our back-to-school plan as we move forward. I have a LOT of information to share, and will do my best to make it understandable. There are two documents. This letter, which summarized frequently asked questions, and then the entire plan found on our website (www.burroakcs.org) .
We planned as if at some point we might be forced to go 100% virtual by the Governor with no onsite learning time available.
We will focus on teaching families and students how to navigate the online platforms in mandatory meetings for each family from August 19 - 28 but STUDENT LEARNING will begin August 24 (more info further down).
2. We will be calling to schedule meetings with each family who has a student registered in
our district.
Once again, if you have CHANGED PHONE NUMBERS, please call the school with that information (leave a message if it prompts you to with Mrs. Gates). 269-489-2213
Complete student schedules will be finalized during our parent/student meeting.
Classes and room assignments for HS students
Classes and room assignments for MS students
Teacher assignments and daily schedules for elementary students
Educational Development Plans (EDPs) will be completed for every student at these mandatory meetings. Teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff will walk you through this process. We are hoping to have them on campus.
We will spread out, please wear masks to this meeting, we will clean in between, and some people might even meet outside, weather permitting.
3. Device pick up
K-2 students will be issued iPads
3-12 students will be issued Chromebooks
Pick up times:
I. Wednesday - August 19 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
II. Thursday - August 20 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
III. Friday - August 21 10 a.m to 2 p.m.
*Pick up at door #2 in the parking lot.
4. On campus hours in phases 4-6 for the 20/21 school year will look different. The
reasons for this are:
Teachers need to be trained and provide time to create video lessons
We have given families options, therefore, we will need afternoons and possibly evening hours to schedule time for lesson planning, family and student supports
Monday - Friday as scheduled per school calendar 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
5. On campus hours in phases 4-6 for the 20/21 school year by appointment
12:40 to 3:00 by appointment
Determined by 2-way communication between teachers and parents/students
LIMITED evening hours
Each teacher will provide their evening schedule. If a teacher is unavailable, we will have advisors or support staff available for help on a very limited basis. (Please communicate often and we will do our best to accommodate your schedules.)
6. Being on campus for any instruction is optional NOT mandatory for attendance. Parents will have the final say as to how many days they expect their child to be on campus and that will be documented in the educational plan. See attendance procedure below.
What is mandatory is:
Compulsory education laws still apply;
Two-way communication is mandatory every week minus scheduled holidays and will focus on:
Student progress in all subjects
Subject specific conversations between students and teachers or parents and teachers in the early elementary grades.
Teachers will be documenting all 2-way communication and this is how student attendance will be tracked.
7. Student drop off and pick up procedures are very strict to maintain compliance with our state mandates and recommendations in regard to Covid 19.
Bus schedules will be completed and families will be notified or given the driver and pick up drop off times individually
Drop off by parents or students walking - MUST be between 7:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Pick up at noon each day unless otherwise scheduled
When students are dropped off, they will go directly to their assigned classroom
8. School Supplies
Keep your supplies at home and we will keep our supplies at school.
Chromebooks (3-12) and iPads (K-2) are the ONLY things that need to be brought to and from campus everyday that the student is on campus.
9. Visitors at school will not be allowed at this time
There will be no visitors in the building at this point in time. Parent drop off and pick up will be limited to the parking lot. Parents of GSRP and Kindergarten students can walk their children to the outside doors of each classroom. You will be shown this area during your meeting.
If you have to come to the school for an emergency, you will be required to go to the Main Office, which is now in the courtyard. Look for the signs. (All doors are now numbered.)
10. The complete “Return to Learn Safely Plan” is posted on the school website. www.burroakcs.org It is lengthy but gives a lot of detailed information.
11. What if my child is experiencing one of the symptoms of Covid-19 but I’m not sure it’s Covid-19?
KEEP THEM AT HOME
Temperature checks cannot be mandated but we will offer them as a courtesy with parent permission. You will need to sign (or not) the permission form at the parent/teacher meeting. Bus drivers will have thermometers and staff members will be at the parking lot doors in the morning as well. If you are able to check each morning at home, that would be helpful as well.
12. Free Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast will be eaten in the classroom upon arrival
Lunch will be grab-and-go at the parking lot doors (just like the summer program). Bus students will take as they get off the bus.
Teachers will take a lunch count each morning and if students are off campus and want to pick up a lunch, we will have a system where you can order. To have enough lunches available, it is mandatory that you order. (more information to follow on this)