Friday News -- March 26, 202

Friday, March 26, 2021


 

Hillcrest Elementary School

Friday News

March 26, 2021

Dear Hillcrest Families,

Welcome to Spring! I know that most of our students have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this season and that they have been learning all about the different signs that point to its arrival here in New England.  I have overheard several classroom discussions about animals becoming more active, plants beginning to sprout, and an increase in the amount of daylight we can enjoy each day.  Has your Hillcrest student been talking to you about signs of spring?  I am sure they have plenty of ideas to share with you! 

Some important news items for the week: 

  • We’ve been busy getting prepared for our return to full-time in-person learning on April 5th.  We’re adding desks to our classrooms to accommodate additional students, making sure to space these at least 3 feet apart.  We are also adjusting our lunch and recess schedules to ensure that each classroom group has its own dedicated time in those spaces and has plenty of space to enjoy meals and outdoor playtime. We will also be adapting our arrival and dismissal line-up spots to make room for more students at those times.  As we make the transition, please keep in mind that arrival and dismissal routines may take a bit longer.  As always, your patience and flexibility are deeply appreciated. 

  • With our shift on April 5th, all of our established Covid safety measures will remain in place.  These include mandatory mask wearing, physical distancing, the use of air purifiers in each classroom, an updated HVAC system, enhanced cleaning and sanitizing measures, and pooled testing.  

  • Pooled testing is in place for students and staff here at Hillcrest and you may have recently received a mailing from Hillcrest School Nurse, Melissa Bednarski, outlining the consent process for pooled testing.  Some of those mailed packets may be missing a page, so I have attached another copy of the consent paperwork to your weekly email message. We will also send home additional packets next week.  Please note that students are unable to participate in pooled testing without signed consent from a parent or legal guardian. Pooled testing is one of many mitigation strategies that we have established to protect the health of our entire community. If you have questions about pooled testing, please contact Hillcrest School Nurse, Melissa Bednarski, at 413-863-2638.

  • In addition, if you would like to sign up for Binax asymptomatic testing, that form is also attached to your weekly email.

  • Please note that the first Wednesday of April is a scheduled Early Release Day for a Teacher In-Service.  It will be an In-Person learning day, but our kindergarten and first grade students will be dismissed at noon.  Preschoolers will follow their regular schedule with an 11:30 dismissal. 

  • For the students who are remaining in Remote Learning, there will be some schedule changes and teacher changes.  Those will be communicated directly to each family via email on Monday, March 29th.  

  • Each year, the district posts updated Environmental Health and Safety plans on topics such as water quality, fire safety and asbestos management on the district website: www.gmrsd.org.  You can find that plan here: Environmental Health & Safety.  

 

PLEASE NOTE THESE IMPORTANT DATES

  • Monday, April 5th -- Return to In-Person Learning -- 5 days a week

  • Tuesday, April 6th -- Hillcrest School Council Meeting @ 3:30

  • Wednesday, April 7th -- Early Release Day/Teacher In-Service

  • Wednesday, April 7th @ 6:30 -- Kindergarten Q & A via Zoom (more details to follow)

  • Monday, April 12th -- Friends of Hillcrest Meeting @ 5:00

Wishing you a wonderful weekend ---

Sarah Burstein

Sarah Burstein, Hillcrest Principal