Good Challenges

When we hear the word challenge, we typically think of something negative we need to overcome.  While the start of this year is bringing some Covid-related challenges, we are also faced with a positive challenge.  The challenge is parents are banging down the door to enroll their young students.  The flow has not stopped and Nicki is still hard at work bringing them in.  Some of you may be aware that our PreK class was overflowing and there were more lining up to come in.  Therefore, Isabel (thank you, Isabel!!) is jumping in once again to head up a PreK 3 class.  We did some quick moving of furniture last week and we are ready to start tomorrow.  Here are the changes you will see as a result of this change:

• Pre-K 4 will now have 15 students 
• Renee will continue to be the Pre-K 4 assistant in the morning
• Pre-K 3 will have 12 students (some full-day, some half-day)
• Karen B and Maria will assist in Pre-K 3 until a new assistant is hired (we have an interview tomorrow!)
• The Good Shepherd Atrium has a new permanent home at the end of the East Hall.
• Title I will be in the front section of Room 21 in Angel's Wing 

Thank you to everyone for being flexible and jumping in where needed!

Next are some Covid challenges that I need to address.  Our positivity rate in Hillsborough went from a rate of 20% to 23% last week.  In addition, I believe we had more Covid-positive students in one week than we had all year last year.  The Delta variant spreads quickly once it gets in.  Therefore, I feel we need to make some temporary changes in addition to the mask mandate (with the parental choice to opt-out) until we see the numbers drop.  These are the changes for next week:

• Middle school will eat lunch in their classroom.  A number of parents AND students are not comfortable with our choice of eating in the FLC while numbers are high.  (6th-grade supervision will be by Jamie on M, Timothy on T-Th, Gina on F.  George will be monitoring both 7th and 8th M-F.  I will help on Monday to get this started and as needed.)
• We will continue to separate cohorts (students may still move to other classrooms but may not be together indoors).
• Middle school will come up with a plan for lockers and switching classes that allow for students to be separate in the hallway (I will come to your meeting on Monday to discuss ideas).
• All special events continue to be on hold (Movie night, book fair family night, etc.)
• 5th grade will eat in their classroom when they return to school (supervision by Darien on M-W, Barbara on Th, Jamie on F)

Thank you all for understanding.  These decisions are always made after many discussions and looking at the recent events related to Covid.  

The remainder of the blog is specifically for teachers.  As you read in Tidbits and in my email, Back-to-School night will once again be virtual.  Please be sure to have your presentations to Gina by 8 am Tuesday morning.  Also, 

I would also like to give a reminder of what we should see in every classroom.  Walk the walls in your room and see if you have the following:

• Objectives and Essential Questions
• The school mission statement
• Prayer corner

You should also have a brief list of rules that students can often refer to.  A few rules can cover many things like respect others (that covers calling out, touching other's property, and so many other things), come prepared (homework, books), etc.  

Lastly, be checking uniforms.  I saw so much contraband jewelry on the first day.  It was a bling fest!  

Thank you everyone for a great first week.  Regardless of the challenges, we were all able to smile and laugh and make it to Friday!

Have a great 2nd week!!