Welcome Back Letter from Principal Faber

 

August  23, 2021

  

Dear Woodland School Families,

 

On behalf of the teachers, specialists and staff of the Woodland School, I welcome you to the 2021-2022 school year.  This year will bring us new challenges and new experiences.  We will make this year the best it can be because we will work together to accomplish that goal. Please read all provided information carefully to ensure a smooth transition back. Also, please refer to our website for Back to School Information, school calendar and bus routes.  

 

School Hours 

 

• School hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00am-2:20pm. 
• School hours for Wednesday’s Early Dismissal are 8:00am-11:30am.  Please refer to the school calendar posted on the website for those specific dates.
• School hours for Kindergarten are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday  from 8:00 am-2:20 pm and Wednesdays are 8:00am-12:15pm.    

 

Kindergarten and First Grade Information

We invite you and your child for a school visit.  You will have the opportunity to visit the external school property, meet your classroom teacher and fellow classmates. At this time, outside visitors are not allowed in the school building.  However, the children will be allowed to visit their classroom.    Information from your classroom teacher will follow with the meeting location.

 

The school visiting times are as follows:

 

Kindergarten: Wednesday, September 1st from 10:00-10:45 a.m.

First Grade: Tuesday, August 31st  from 10:00-10:30 a.m. 

 

Kindergarten Specific Information

We invite you to a Kindergarten Orientation via Zoom on Friday, August 27th at 9:00am for families to hear about some general Kindergarten information and answer any questions. This event is for adults only. Joining instructions are listed below:

 

Please join this Zoom Meeting via:

https://westonorg.zoom.us/j/3667077281?pwd=UGR1ZmI5V29VRUJWcWFYYW15RGw1dz09

Meeting ID: 366 707 7281

Passcode: Woodland

 

Back to School Night

Woodland’s Back-to-School Night will take place on Tuesday, October 5th.   Stay tuned for more detailed information. 

 

Arrival/Dismissal

Please refer to the Woodland Family Safety Handbook for detailed arrival/dismissal information. 

 

Car Placards

If you are driving your child(ren) to school, please pick up your car placards on  Thursday, August 26th  at the Woodland School.  Please pick up your placard at school during the following times:

 

1. Last Name A-F 8:30am
2. Last Name G-L 9:00am
3. Last Name M-R 9:30am
4. Last Name S-Z 10:00am

 

When you arrive on campus to pick up the placards, please enter the bus loop.  Once in the loop, pull all the way to the front of the loop or behind the closest car. Please park your car in the loop.  Placards will be available in alphabetical order on the table.   If you are unable to pick up during your designated time, please ask a friend or neighbor to pick up the placards on your behalf.  

 

Student Belongings

Please do not send extra items to school such as toys, blankets, etc…We are minimizing the amount of materials that will travel back and forth from homes to school. 

 

The following items are allowed:

• Backpack 
• Lunch bag and/or snack bag
• Labeled water bottle
• Mask(s)  
• Hand sanitizer
• Tissues (optional)
• Extra change of clothes (including masks)

• Labeled Yoga Mat

 

COVID Safety Precautions

 

The  Woodland Family Safety Handbook is a helpful resource detailing all the COVID safety precautions that will be in place for this school year.  The Woodland Family Safety Handbook can be found here for your reference.  

 

Masks

The Weston Public Schools require masks that cover the nose and mouth for all students, staff, visitors and vendors, as well as all student bus riders,  per recommendation of the Weston Board of Health. 

 

When outdoors, students will not have to wear masks.  

 

Families are expected to provide each student with a minimum of two laundered face masks daily. Extra disposable face masks will be available in the event a student forgets their mask or a mask is lost, damaged, or soiled. Reusable masks should be laundered after each use and before reuse in school. Please contact the building administrator if you need financial assistance regarding purchasing masks.

 

In accordance with guidance from the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) the following guidelines for masks will be enforced: 

1. Masks must cover the mouth and nose.
2. Masks must fit snugly against the side of the face.
3. Fabric masks must have at least two layers of breathable fabric.
4. Masks should allow for breathing without restriction. 
5.  Fabric masks should be cleaned after each use and should be machine washable and dryer safe.
6.  Fabric masks CANNOT be single layer (e.g. bandanas, gaiters) or have an exhalation valve.

 

Handwashing and Sanitizing

All students and staff will be washing or disinfecting their hands regularly throughout the school day. Appropriate times to wash hands will be upon arrival at school, before/after eating, before/after recess, before/after putting on and taking off masks, and prior to dismissal. 

 

Sanitizing stations will be installed in all high-traffic areas and adjacent to all classroom entryways. Parents will have the opportunity to approve their child’s use of hand sanitizer. 

 

Distancing

While the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education distancing guidelines are 3-6 feet, in Weston, our goal is to maintain a minimum physical distance of three feet between individuals.

 

We will be maximizing space between student desks and/or stations. 

 

Students will be sitting at desks that will be facing in the same direction.

 

Alternative spaces in each school, such as cafeterias, libraries, and auditoriums can be repurposed to increase available space and accommodate additional distancing for mask breaks.

 

Snack and Lunch

Students will eat their snack and lunch outdoors or in a larger well-ventilated area whenever practical and if weather permits. 

 

If there is inclement weather, student lunch will be provided in the cafeteria.  Students will sit at desks with desk shields with 3 feet distance between. 

 

Mask Breaks

Students will be provided with a minimum of two mask breaks per day. Lunch, snack and recess are considered mask breaks. 

 

Students will wash their hands before and after taking on/off their masks. Hand sanitizer is acceptable as well. 

 

If there is inclement weather, we will have designated spaces for students to have indoor mask breaks. 

 

Wellness Check

Before morning arrival, we ask families to conduct a wellness check for their children. Families will confirm that their child is symptom-free before sending him/her to school each day. Guidelines for wellness checks will be communicated to families via the school nurse.

 

We look forward to seeing you and your child(ren) very soon! 

 

Sincerely,

Jennifer G. Faber

She/Her/Hers

Principal

Woodland School