Pioneer Elementary Principal, Mr. Otte
Tom Otte 468-6458 x2211
August, 2020
Dear Parents,
First and foremost, we are truly looking forward to having our children back in classrooms. And, we will do what we can to keep all of them, along with all of our staff, as safe as is reasonably possible. We continue to spend a tremendous amount of time and effort planning for an ever-growing number of challenges. We will continue to plan for processes that give us the best chances of keeping children in school as long as possible. I want to share with you some of the plans we have made that are important for all to know.
1. Our daily routine
Our day-to-day routine will include some new expectations for us all, but should be relatively normal operation for children. They will be organized in their classrooms a little differently than teachers would otherwise have. When appropriate for learning, students will work with the same small group of children in their classrooms for a couple weeks at a time. Teachers will build in mask breaks while students adapt to wearing them. We have arranged for a variety of outdoor classroom locations to be used. And, teachers are making plans to limit the length of time children spend in close proximity to one another.
2. Additional lunch period
To reduce the number of children eating at one time, we have added an additional lunch period. We will only sit on one side of the cafeteria tables with students assigned seating by classroom and grade level. Students will rotate eating outdoors as weather permits, and may have more outdoor learning experiences than ever before. There will not be refrigeration available for students who bring their own lunches.
3. Recess
Recess will be organized by classroom and grade level and children will be able to use all parts of the playground on a rotating and organized schedule. Masks are not required when outdoors.
4. Student drop off
Parent drop-off will be similar to last year with morning drop off at the “Parent Pickup/Drop off doors immediately north of the new MS addition. We want to encourage that only students and staff enter the building when possible.
5. Student Pick Up
Parent pick-up of students will be significantly changed from what we are accustomed to in order to further reduce our collective potential for Covid exposure. There are detailed instructions here.
6. Physical Education (PE)
PE is planned for all students, but on a different rotation than we had previously completed. Students will rotate their PE classes as 50 minute blocks instead of our usual 25-30 minute blocks. These classes will be planned for outdoors all fall, weather permitting. Mask sare not required during PE when outdoors. Also, when PE is indoors, masks may or may not be worn as determined by the PE teachers following the guidelines we have been given.
7. Water Fountains
Our water fountains have been redesigned to allow for filling personal water bottles only; no individual drinking fountains. Every student needs their own water bottle.
We truly hope everyone can make a few adjustments to our lifestyles for the next few months so we can keep everyone safe, healthy, and IN SCHOOL! Thank you to all who can contribute to this year’s very unique endeavor of Back to (and STAY IN!) School.
Yours in Education –
Tom Otte Pioneer School Principal
468-6458 x2211
Dear Parents,
First and foremost, we are truly looking forward to having our children back in classrooms. And, we will do what we can to keep all of them, along with all of our staff, as safe as is reasonably possible. We continue to spend a tremendous amount of time and effort planning for an ever-growing number of challenges. We will continue to plan for processes that give us the best chances of keeping children in school as long as possible. I want to share with you some of the plans we have made that are important for all to know.
1. Our daily routine
Our day-to-day routine will include some new expectations for us all, but should be relatively normal operation for children. They will be organized in their classrooms a little differently than teachers would otherwise have. When appropriate for learning, students will work with the same small group of children in their classrooms for a couple weeks at a time. Teachers will build in mask breaks while students adapt to wearing them. We have arranged for a variety of outdoor classroom locations to be used. And, teachers are making plans to limit the length of time children spend in close proximity to one another.
2. Additional lunch period
To reduce the number of children eating at one time, we have added an additional lunch period. We will only sit on one side of the cafeteria tables with students assigned seating by classroom and grade level. Students will rotate eating outdoors as weather permits, and may have more outdoor learning experiences than ever before. There will not be refrigeration available for students who bring their own lunches.
3. Recess
Recess will be organized by classroom and grade level and children will be able to use all parts of the playground on a rotating and organized schedule. Masks are not required when outdoors.
4. Student drop off
Parent drop-off will be similar to last year with morning drop off at the “Parent Pickup/Drop off doors immediately north of the new MS addition. We want to encourage that only students and staff enter the building when possible.
5. Student Pick Up
Parent pick-up of students will be significantly changed from what we are accustomed to in order to further reduce our collective potential for Covid exposure. There are detailed instructions here.
6. Physical Education (PE)
PE is planned for all students, but on a different rotation than we had previously completed. Students will rotate their PE classes as 50 minute blocks instead of our usual 25-30 minute blocks. These classes will be planned for outdoors all fall, weather permitting. Mask sare not required during PE when outdoors. Also, when PE is indoors, masks may or may not be worn as determined by the PE teachers following the guidelines we have been given.
7. Water Fountains
Our water fountains have been redesigned to allow for filling personal water bottles only; no individual drinking fountains. Every student needs their own water bottle.
We truly hope everyone can make a few adjustments to our lifestyles for the next few months so we can keep everyone safe, healthy, and IN SCHOOL! Thank you to all who can contribute to this year’s very unique endeavor of Back to (and STAY IN!) School.
Yours in Education –
Tom Otte Pioneer School Principal
468-6458 x2211
Pioneer Elementary is definitely STUCK on reading! Spring 2019, after meeting their individual reading goals, students had the pleasure of collectively taping me to the wall!
And my daughter, Kenna, took full advantage:)
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