Hello Howard Families,
Happy Friday! I hope that you are all staying warm out there today! As you may know, due to the decrease in the positivity rate in our community, in-person learning labs will begin next week. We will begin with groups of 3 for next week and gradually increase the number with a cap of 6-8 students if things go well (as assessed by the district). We have been safely and successfully testing in-person groups of 3 students per classroom at Howard for the past couple of weeks and we will continue to do this next week during the learning lab time frames as we are finishing up student assessments. You can plan on your child transitioning from testing to in-person learning lab instruction (between the hours of 1:55-3:50) the week of October 12th. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we, together, implement a new process during an unprecedented time.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND REMINDERS:
Please take your child’s temperature and go through the screener prior to each time your child enters Howard. If your English: COVID Screening Tool Arabic: COVID Screening Tool in Arabic. IF you answer yes to any of the questions in the screener, please keep your child at home and follow the advice on the document.
All students and staff will social distance and wear masks at all times. Please have your child come to the designated door based on their grade level (listed below for your convenience). We kindly ask that all parents stay outside the building (unless you have a scheduled appointment with staff) to help us ensure social distancing is taking place and to keep everyone safe.
- Kindergarten: Door #4, on N. York St.
- First/Second Grade: Door #1, Main Entrance on N. York St.
- Third/Fourth Grade: Door #15, In front of the staff lot on Lawrence Ave.
- Fourth/Fifth Grade Split: Door #3, on N. York St.
- Fifth Grade: Door #3, on N. York St.
Your child’s teacher will contact you about in-person learning lab dates/times (usually between the hours of 1:55-3:50) if your child is selected to attend. Please be sure to pick up and drop off your child on time as we will disinfect touchpoints/desks in between groups of students and need to stay on schedule as best as we can. If you prefer to do only virtual learning labs, no problem, please let your child’s teacher know.
Please know that our staff has been working diligently to ensure that your child’s experience is positive and safe while in the school building. Each classroom has disinfectant spray, disinfectant wipes, mask/face shield for teachers, and plexiglass for each classroom to be utilized when staff work one-on-one with students. Students will be seated 6 feet apart at all times and we have created divisions in our hallways with one-way directions for everyone’s safety.
We thank you for your trust and support.
I hope you have a great weekend,
Mirvat Sabbagh
Principal