This message is from SPFS and shared with our community by Principal Pietrocci
Santa Fe Public Schools Reopen Tuesday, April 6th
Welcome Back! We are so happy for students to return to in-person learning! For those students returning in-person, we are thrilled and can’t wait to see you! For those remaining in remote learning, we will continue to provide rigorous remote instruction and opportunities to connect with the classroom community.
Below are some recommendations and guidelines to support families as we return to in-person learning.
GUIDELINES FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING
Before coming to school each day:
Check in with your child each morning for signs of illness. If your child has a temperature of 100.0 degrees or higher, they should not go to school.
Keep your child home if they have any of the following symptoms: chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
If your child has had close contact to someone that has tested positive within the past 14 days, they should not go to school. Follow guidance on what to do when someone has known exposure.
Current Contact Information:
Make sure your information is current at school, including emergency contacts and individuals authorized to pick up your child(ren) from school. If that list includes anyone who is at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, consider identifying an alternate person.
Chronic Medical Conditions:
Make sure the school nursing staff have current orders for medications/medical procedures needed at school.
Bring medications needed directly to nursing staff. Do not send it in your child(ren)’s backpack.
Make sure your child(ren) is up-to-date on school immunizations.
Plan for transportation:
If you wish your child to use the school bus transportation system the student’s address must be updated in PowerSchool
You may check your student’s eligibility and his/her designated bus stop using the Bus Route Search Tool at: Transportation Homepage
Charter School students may utilize the hub services, which can be viewed in the same web link by clicking on Charter School Bus Routes.
If your child rides a bus, plan for your child to wear a mask on the bus and talk to your child about the importance of following bus rules, maintaining social standing at the bus stop, and abiding by spaced seating rules while on the bus.
If carpooling, plan on every child in the carpool and the driver wearing masks for the entire trip.
If you have any questions please contact the Transportation Office at 467-3500/ 467-3501 or email Peggy Doolittle pdoolittle@sfps.k12.nm.us or Sonia Araiza saraiza@sfps.k12.nm.us
Food Services:
Breakfast and lunch will be provided free to all students for the remainder of the school year.
If your student brings a sack lunch to school and purchases milk, we will need to charge $0.50 cents for the milk because it is a la carte, and not part of a USDA approved meal. An account must be set up to purchase the milk a la carte. MySchoolBucks is not in service, so only cash or check please.
If your child will remain in remote learning, curbside distribution will be taking place at designated school sites. Please check our website for specific locations. Meals During Covid 19
Masks will be required while in the cafeteria line and when picking up meals curbside.
If you need help accessing school meals, please call (505) 467-3601.
Attendance:
Attend school everyday with your learning group (in-person or remote)!
Be on time and on-campus all school day from Tuesday, April 6, through the end of the school year.
Dress for cooler temperatures in the building
Dress in layers: Classroom windows, doors, and air conditioning dampers will be open to circulate fresh air, leading to fluctuating temperatures during the school day. Students who need jackets, other clothing or school supplies can get help through your school site.
Technology:
Bring your fully-charged device to class with you every day!
Because some of your classmates are still learning remotely, you’ll be spending part of each school day on your device. (Submitting assignments electronically may still be required by your teacher as well as accessing your class materials.)
Masks:
Bring an approved face mask and wear it all day
(Wearing a face mask at all times is the expectation while attending school in-person. The only exception is when you’re eating or drinking, or students who have a physician’s order stating that they cannot wear a face mask”).
Students who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan, must have an IEP team or 504 committee meeting to consider possible accommodations.
Extra face masks will be available at school if you forget.
Label your child’s masks clearly in a permanent marker so that they are not confused with those of other children.
Water Bottle Fillers in the Building:
Send your child to school with a full water bottle.
Students won’t be allowed to use water fountains, but filler stations will be available to fill up reusable bottles.
Social Distancing:
Students and staff will be expected to social distance to the greatest extent possible, which means no large group activities or gatherings.
Remind your child to maintain physical distance while at school.
Student Supplies & Materials:
We are limiting the use of shared supplies and materials at school. Consider packing extra items if your child may want to share supplies with a classmate.
Students should avoid sharing toys, playground equipment, musical instruments, supplies, books, and other materials.
Handwashing & Sanitization:
Please stress the importance of handwashing. Students will be washing their hands/using sanitizer throughout the school day.
School custodians will make it a priority to clean high-touch surfaces, clean during transitions and utilize a schedule to clean restrooms throughout the day.
Students are allowed to bring individual hand sanitizer.
Visitors in the Building:
We are limiting visitors onto our campuses; they must have clearance by the front office to enter the school building. If a parent or guardian needs to pick up their child early, please call the front office in advance and the school will have your child ready for pick-up.
MENTAL HEALTH & SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
Prepare Your Child Emotionally for the Transition
Talk with your child about how school will look different (e.g., desks far apart from each other, teachers maintaining physical distance, possibility of staying in the classroom for lunch).
Ask your child what they are feeling and thinking about going back to school (and it looking a little different than before), what worries they have, and what they are excited about. Normalize that feeling nervous or uncertain is okay.
Keep Checking In
Continually check in with your child about how school is going and about interactions with classmates and teachers.
Remind and encourage your child to talk/visit with their school counselor if they have concerns or need to talk.
Reach out to your child’s teacher, principal, or counselor if you have concerns.
Ways to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Changes can be overwhelming for children (and adults!). Help your children recognize when they are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or dysregulated.
Ask your children if they’ve learned any mindfulness or strategies in school. If they have, let them teach you what they are, and encourage them to use those techniques, both at home and even at school.
For elementary aged children, check out Second Step’s Imagine Neighborhood, a free podcast is designed to help kids and families tackle the big feelings that come with growing up.