September 13, 2021
Hello Gilham Families,
Thank you for your grace and patience as we are starting a new year with all students back in the building. We will be going over procedures and protocols with students when they are in the building. We also need the support of parents when they are dropping off and picking up. We ask at this time that families wear masks during this time.
Arrival Procedures – To help maintain 3-feet physical distancing, grade levels have assigned entrance/exit with spots along the sidewalk where students should stand. Parents need to stay behind the red dotted line, only students approach the building. A staff member will be stationed at each entrance to welcome students and to do a visual check for any signs of illness. Students will walk directly to their classroom where their teacher will greet them and will also do a daily visual screening of students for signs of illness. Any students showing signs of illness will be walked to the office. If a student arrives before the doors open at 7:40, they will wait in their car or stand on a sidewalk spot by their assigned entrance.
Entrances —
K/1 will enter in the main door.
2nd grade will stay on the sidewalk until the doors open, they will enter through the back doors to their classrooms.
3rd, 4th and 5th graders will enter in the side entrance to the right of the main doors.
Dismissal Procedures – At the end of the day, students will exit the building with their teacher, using their designated entrance/exit doors. Bus riders will walk directly to their bus. Students biking or walking will be dismissed. Students waiting to be picked up will wait with their teacher in the designated areas. Parents need to stay behind the red dotted line.
Parking Lot Reminders — The parking lot is for families who want to walk their child to the sidewalk during arrival or who wish to meet their child at the end of the day at dismissal. Please note the following rules for the parking lot:
- ONLY cross using the crosswalk. Students and families should never cut across the driveway.
- Before using the crosswalk, students and adults must stop and look for cars.
Curbside Pause Parking Reminders — In the mornings, students may be dropped off along the curb. At the end of the day, drivers can pause park along the curb to pick up their students when they come out at dismissal. Please note the following rules for pause parking:
- Drivers must remain in their cars at all times.
- Drivers should pull forward as space becomes available.
- Drivers should NOT stop in marked crosswalk areas.
- When getting in or out of a car, students must use the door on the sidewalk side. Students should never get in or out of a car on the driver’s side. It’s unsafe for the student and it slows traffic.
Drivers must remember to ALWAYS yield at the painted crosswalks and sidewalks.
Student Reading Book Return — Some grade levels took home “Journeys” reading books last spring. If you still have your book, please return it to your new teacher this fall.
iPads — Kindergarten students received their iPads on their first day of school. We are working on getting new students an iPad checked out to them. Over the next couple of days we will also be exchanging the 3rd grade iPads for ones with keyboards. Please make sure your student is bringing their iPad daily to school.
Water Bottles — Please send a water bottle with your student daily with their name on it.
RECESS/MASKING — In addition to all indoor settings, we will be masking at recess on the playground. Students will have a few options away from the group to remove their masks (well over six feet away from others), or can walk the track for a break! We know that students playing on the playground cannot reasonably always maintain six feet of distance, so we will be teaching mask wearing outdoors.
Lunch Menu and Bringing lunch — Students are offered a free breakfast and lunch on days they are in person. Here is the link to find out what is being offered for lunch to go over with your students. Make sure you filter for Gilham — https://family.titank12.com/menu/86L6D9
If your student is bringing their lunch from home it needs to be nut free and students need to be able to open the items on their own.
A Big Thank You to Hooray Yard Cards — Thank you for helping make the first days of school special. The signs were great.
Picture Day is Coming, Thursday September 30, 2021 — Watch for more information coming soon!
Free Weekly COVID-19 Testing Available — 4J is partnering with the Oregon Health Authority and the University of Oregon to provide free COVID-19 testing to all 4J students during the 2021–22 school year. Visit the COVID-19 Weekly Testing webpage for more information or to sign-up.
No Dogs on Campus — As students are returning to school buildings, we want to remind families and neighbors of some rules and regulations governing school grounds to help protect the safety of our students, staff and neighbors. If your dog comes with you to drop off or pick up your student at school, please stop at the sidewalk and don’t bring your dog onto school grounds.
For more information, please see the information from the district website — https://www.4j.lane.edu/2021/04/safety-reminder-no-dogs-at-school/
Regular School Schedule —
Monday – Thursday starting at 7:55 and ending at 2:25.
Friday starting at 7:55 and ending at 1:10.
Stay tuned and visit the school district website for the latest information. https://www.4j.lane.edu/
Important Dates —
9/30 — School Pictures
10/15 — No School — Professional Development Day
Lavinia Page
Principal