To the families of Tamarac Elementary School,
I hope this welcome back letter finds you well, and still enjoying the summer, despite today's clouds. We are, and have been, busy this summer, making sure that our school is ready for your children. We have worked to accommodate the learning, whether in-person or remote instruction, that addresses the needs of your child and your family. Our goals are to do everything we can to provide a safe, clean environment for your child to learn and a manner of instruction that meets the expectations of our community.
Many things are still being addressed and finalized, so patience and flexibility will be required a while longer, but you should begin getting more definitive answers and explanations early next week. Teachers will be doing much of the communicating with families, sharing information with households about how the classroom or remote instruction will look; almost all of these communications will be via email or google classroom, so having a good email address on file with us is very important, as is checking your messages. Despite the different look due to our COVID-19 protocols, many of the things that we have had in place in the past will still be here - calling in absences, access to free and reduced lunch programs, before and after care (if spots are available) will still be part of our programming - we are still the school you have come to rely upon for the well-being of your child, and that commitment hasn't changed.
Procedures around the building will look different. As we are encouraging families to drop off students in the morning to minimize contact on buses, we will be opening our doors and be available for student drop off earlier - closer to 8:30 am as we begin the school year. Parents who drop off their children are asked not to accompany students to the building, and parents will only be permitted in the Main entrance lobby, and only after all students are in the building. Grade levels will enter through different entrances, to facilitate escorting students from the buses, for temperature taking and minimize congestion within the building. Dismissal will look different also. Parents who have picked up students in the past may still do so - pick up will begin earlier to eliminate congestion in the parking lots and on Route 2. More to follow here.
Classroom locations will be changing as we utilize our spaces differently; gyms will become classrooms, as will other spaces. Tents have been ordered to get kids outside. Teachers will be teaching different grade levels so that we can maximize in-person instruction. Students will have PE and specials, such as art, music and library, but in a different rotation to minimize adult to student contact. Students will be going outside - A LOT! They are kids, after all. Dress accordingly for class, and for PE which will take advantage of our outdoor resources.
I'll be sharing more next week. Direct your questions or concerns to me and I'll reply in a timely manner. Our new phones are in and we can be reached at our usual numbers.
Enjoy the weekend.
Sincerely,
Rich Pogue