From Mr. McRae
Dear Parents, We're excited about another school year at Mountain View and we look forward to engaging our traditional and remote learners in the upcoming weeks. I know these last few months have left many parents with questions on what our school will look like when we open our doors on August 24th. As always, the safety and well being of our students and staff have always been our number one priority. I can assure you we will take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of illness within our building. Below are just a few of the practices that will be in place as we begin phase one of the 2020-21 school year.
Temperature checks will be taken at the door for all faculty, staff, and students upon entry.
Students expressing symptoms of illness will be directed to the isolation room where our school nurse will determine the best course of action according to Department of Health and Meriwether County guidelines.
All classrooms and restrooms will be disinfected throughout the day using an approved product. This will be administered at times when students with respiratory illness such as asthma will not be affected.
Masks will be worn at all times. We understand that this is new and the first few weeks will be an adjustment period for your children.
Breakfast will be served in the classroom to prevent students from being in the cafeteria and/or gym during arrival.
Lunch times have been staggered and some students will eat within their rooms during designated weeks to promote social distancing as students eat with their masks off.
Water fountains will be turned off. Please send your child with a clear, tightly sealed water bottle to be accessed throughout the day. Students will have opportunities to fill their water bottles at the teacher’s discretion using a water source within the classroom. Carbonated drinks and/or Gatorade will not be allowed since these products cause stains and attract ants.
Transitions will be limited. Teachers having 2 or more traditional classes will rotate rather than students. This will allow students to remain in a cohort and limit the amount of expoiser each student has with other students.
Recess has been scheduled to decrease student interaction with other classes and groups. Our phase one schedule allows students to remain in a cohort as much as possible throughout the school day.
Dismissal will be staggered to allow for social distancing as much as possible. For the first few weeks, we will begin dismissal at 2:25pm beginning with car riders. All car riders will be dismissed from the gym to promote social distancing. Bus students will be escorted to the buses in a structured manner to prevent too many students from congregating at the front entrance.
Scheduled restroom breaks will be in place throughout the day on each hallway. Also, restrooms will be fogged with disinfectant throughout the day.
PE equipment will be sanitized between classes.
No communal supplies will be allowed. Students will use items only in their possession. The sharing or supplies by students and/or teachers will be prohibited.
All furniture and technology equipment has been sprayed with a microbial agent that eliminates the spread of illness through contact for 90 days. This product will be reapplied after 85 days.
No outside visitors will be allowed. Unfortunately, we will not be able to allow parents to walk their children into the building. For the first 3 days of school, parents may walk their children to the car rider entrance where a staff member will escort the student to their designated classroom.
These are just a few of the practices that will be in place at the start of our school year. We want school to be an enjoyable experience for all of our students but we also want to take a proactive approach in addressing the spread of illness.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at 706-655-3969.
Sincerely,
Todd McRae
Principal Mountain View Elementary School