Principal Message, 10/18/2020
Hello Cougar Families,
I hope this email finds you well! Here are the week’s updates and announcements. Beginning October 26th, we are operating under Plan B guidelines. As you read documents and information from WCPSS or AES, please remember that we are following Plan B guidance until otherwise notified by our school board.
In the AES second quarter and return to School update presentations below, you will see that we have tweaked the virtual learning calendar based on parent feedback, district academic guidance, the need for increased staff planning time and to allow for maximum social distancing and overall safety. While no schedule or Plan B is perfect, we hope that you will find some changes that add flexibility and agency to your child’s virtual learning experience. Additionally, the presentations below share important information for students and families who are returning to campus as well as a few Virtual Academy updates.
As always, please continue to reach out to myself, Ms. Chi and your child’s teachers with needs and concerns. We are excited for this next phase of teaching & learning at Apex ES!
Thinking of you,
Katie Caggia
Please Review: Virtual Academy 2nd Quarter and Plan B Return to School Information
Asynchronous Parent Meeting (Slides w/ Ms. Caggia’s voice over; 33 minutes long)
*Please note that a Spanish version of the slides will be sent out once the translation is complete
Teacher Workday: Friday, October 23rd
Friday, October 23rd, is a teacher workday. There will be no synchronous or asynchronous instruction on this day.
Remote Learning Days for the Remaining of the 1st Semester
- October 28
- November 18, 23, 24
- December 2, 11, 16
- January 6, 13
These days apply to BOTH Plan B & Virtual Academy students. As these are instructional days, attendance will be taken via a brief check in opportunity or via student work turned in to the teacher. When planning for asynchronous days, teachers will consider what might students be able to do independently with reduced screen time.
Apex ES Plan B Afternoon Dismissal Form
Plan B families, please fill out this form by October 21st so that we know how your students will be traveling home each day. Virtual Academy families do not need to fill this form out.
Student Accountability and Accommodation Processes
Action Needed by Oct. 23: Student Accountability and Required Health Protocols
Student Accountability and Required Health Protocols (SPANISH) outlines our expectations for students to strictly follow our required health protocols when on our campuses, as well as possible consequences and processes to address non-compliance. Families and students are asked to complete and sign the acknowledgement page and return it to your school, similar to the signature page for the Student Handbook.
If a student is unable to comply with the face covering requirement, a parent or guardian may request an accommodation for their student that is related to the student’s disability or medical needs. These requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the disability or medical need, the availability of alternative safety measures, and current public health guidance.
- To request an accommodation, parents or guardians must complete the form and return it, along with supporting documentation, to their school principal. Elementary and middle school families should submit completed accommodation requests by October 23, 2020. High school families have until Dec. 14 to turn in face covering accommodation requests in preparation for second semester.
- Unless a face covering requirement accommodation request form has been approved, all students are required to adhere to WCPSS Face Covering Requirements.
Materials Distribution
We are trying a new system for materials pick up this quarter to streamline the process for staff and allow for flexibility for our families. ALL Apex Elementary families should plan to pick up materials on Thursday, October 22 between 11:00-1:00 or 5:00-6:00 PM at Apex Elementary School.
- Students in grades Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd should pick up materials in the back lot entering off James Street.
- Students in grades 3rd, 4th and 5th should pick up materials in the bus loop entering off Tingen Road by the tennis courts.
- There will also be a place to return EL Texts. Third graders should bring Rain School and Nasareen's Secret School to return. Fourth graders should bring Love that Dog to return. Fifth graders KEEP Esperanza Rising for now.
Please follow these steps:
- Pull into the designated loop for your child’s grade. (see map below)
- Follow the signage to the materials tables.
- Find the bin with your child’s teacher’s name.
- Find the bag with your student’s name. The entire bag is for your child to take home.
- Find the bin labeled ITEM RETURN for your grade if you have items to return to the teacher. Put all items you are returning in a resealable plastic bag labeled with your child’s name and teacher’s name so we can inventory your return.
Materials for Cohort 1 students in grades Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd will be given to them on their first day in the building on Monday, October 26. Cohort 1 students in grades K, 1, 2 and 3 do NOT need to pick up materials on October 22.
Reflections Contest: CALLING ALL AES ARTISTS!
This year's Reflection’s theme is "I Matter Because..." You can submit entries in the following categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. Submission deadline for Wake County is November 11. If you have questions or want to submit, please contact ApexElementaryReflections@gmail.com.
Reflections Theme Search Contest
National PTA Reflections sponsors a student-focused Theme Search Contest annually to determine a future program theme. The national winner will be selected in January and will receive $100 and recognition at the National PTA Convention. North Carolina Students from PTAs in good standing may submit up to 5 theme entries. All entries must be submitted online at https://ncpta.org/index.php/programs/reflections-theme-search-2022-2023/. The online application period for this contest begins on September 1st and ends October 31, 2020.
PTA “No Fuss” Fundraiser: If you are able to donate, please do so at this link.
Report Cards and First Quarter Conferences
Please look for communication from your child’s teacher regarding conferencing to review your child’s progress in the first quarter. Report Cards will be sent home October 30th.
Important: Free breakfast and lunch for all students
Students in all grade levels can receive a free breakfast and lunch from an operating location until December 31*. Please visit https://www.wcpss.net/food for a list of operating sites. Students are not required to visit their assigned school and do not have to be present to receive meals. The curbside meal service will operate Monday through Friday from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Students will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost! No student ID number required to receive meals. Our AES School Kitchen is a school food distribution site. (*Or until funding is depleted).