OPEN HOUSE
Q: If there isn’t an open house, how will children know how to get to their classrooms on the first day? I know my kindergartener will have no idea where to go. Open House is always a great way for kids to figure out where to go on the first day. A: We will be holding virtual Open House so our students and parents can "meet" the teachers. We will also stagger our start for our littlest learners so that teachers can spend the first three days orienting them to the school and our safety procedures. Kindergarten students will all be escorted to their classes the first week of school to ensure they are comfortable on campus and arrive at their room safely. Q: When is Open House? How do I find it?
A: Virtual Open House is Friday, August 21st. A link is available on our website http://osceolaschools.net/ck8s. Our Open House will be teacher-created videos to introduce our students to their new teacher. The site housing the videos has experienced episodic down times. If it asks for a code, this is due to the site being down. You do not need a code to access. VOLUNTEERS
Q: When the school reopens will you be accepting volunteer applications/Bookmark Buddy applications?
A: We will always accept volunteer applications! Unfortunately, we are unable to allow campus visitors at the beginning of the year, but look forward to when we can open our campus to volunteers once the current COVID situation stabilizes!
ESE
Q: When do special education classes start?
A: All classes start August 24th whether you chose face-to-face instruction or digital. Digital students will be provided their services along with their face-to-face classmates by the ESE teachers.
TECHNOLOGY
Q: I didn’t return the school laptop that my child borrowed last Spring. We will be doing digital learning this school year. Can I just keep the laptop for this year?
A: No, all laptops must be returned to school to be reformatted prior to the start of school. New software will need to be added for digital learning this year before it can be checked out by you again. If your child did not return the laptop during the summer, it has been deactivated and will be unable to be used for any purposes. Please contact the school if you need further information.
Q: Is there a separate school supply list for digital learning?
A: No, our supply remains the same. If your child is a digital learner, assignments will be turned in digitally. You may simply purchase what is needed for home use. When your child returns to face-toface learning you can then purchase any needed supplies.
Q: My child is unable to log on because she forgot her password. What do I do?
A: Call the office and someone will be able to reset the password for you.
Q: My child’s password is reset and now we can’t get into TEAMs or Classlink.
A: If you cannot connect after a password reset, you may need to bring your device to campus so it can reconnect with our server. Wifi access is available 24/7 in our parking lot or outside any of the buildings. Logon with your new password and you should be able to access all the district applications.
Q: What is Focus and how do I get access?
A: The Focus Parent Portal is a tool designed to enhance communication and involvement in your child’s education. The Parent Portal allows parents to better monitor their child's progress in school by providing Internet access to grades, attendance, discipline, academic history, and standardized test results in a secure password-protected environment. You can get the directions to access Focus at this website or you can type in this URL https://www.osceolaschools.net/Page/5848.
Q: My child is a digital learner. What are the expectations for learning?
A: Digital learning this Fall will be completely different than last Spring. Students will be expected to attend LIVE classes through our TEAMS platform. The teacher will be teaching lessons, providing support and a working with small groups just like he or she would in a face-to-face classroom. Students are expected to follow regular classroom guidelines for instruction. This means they must be in uniform, be actively participating in class, and be set up in an appropriate learning environment. All students are expected to be on camera throughout the learning day. Students are also expected to remove distractions from their work area including any food or drinks (other than water). All classroom rules for face-to-face students will be in effect for digital learners.
Q: My computer doesn’t have a camera. Does my child need one for digital learning?
A: Yes, a camera is required for digital learning. Teachers need to monitor student engagement and understanding, and this is best accomplished through visual cues. All district issued laptops come with cameras. If you need additional assistance regarding cameras, please contact the school.
Q: Why did my child’s schedule change? Why did my child not get the electives he or she scheduled? Can I change my child’s schedule?
A: It is important to us that our students our excited about their classes and their teachers and we typically make every effort to ensure that your child gets the classes he or she has asked for. Unfortunately, having to accommodate both digital and face-to-face learners has significantly restricted our ability to make requested changes this school year. There are many parameters we must work within when creating a student schedule including state and district mandates for class size, availability of classes, and auxiliary service schedules. We appreciate your understanding.
SAFETY
Q: Are students allow to wear face shields instead of masks?
A: Yes. Students may wear face shields, masks, or a combination of both. Face shields must completely cover the student’s lower face.
Q: What if my child loses or breaks his or her mask?
A: Students may always carry an extra mask in their backpack. We will also have extra masks available if a student needs a new one for any reason Q: Can I send a lanyard to school for my child to hang his or her mask on during lunch and PE? A: Keeping your child’s mask clean is an important part of safety. You may send a plastic Ziploc bag with your child to store his or her mask in during lunch or PE. You may also provide a lanyard for your child to attach the mask to. If you choose to purchase a lanyard, please make sure it is a “breakaway” lanyard in order to prevent injury to your child should it get caught on anything.
Q: How do you keep students socially distant while moving around campus?
A: We have created a video for both students and parents detailing how students will move safely throughout the campus. You can watch the video by going to our website and clicking on the link “Welcome Back Safety Procedures” located on the Open House picture.
Q: Will my child get his or her temperature taken at school?
A: The district has provided each school with thermometers to check temperatures randomly during the week. AdventHealth at Celebration has graciously provided us with additional thermometers so each teacher can check the temperature of every student in their homeroom each morning. They can also check temperatures throughout the day if a student complains of not feeling well. Temperatures will be checked on the student’s wrist and, if it registers above 99, the student will be sent to get their temperature checked orally by the school nurse.
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
Q: Where do I pick up or drop off my child?
A: Detailed guidelines for arrival and dismissal are located on our website under the “parent” tab. Please check out our site for more details.
Q: My child doesn’t know where to go on the first day. Can I walk him or her in?
A: Unfortunately, our campus will be closed to parents during COVID. We will, however, have plenty of staff and older middle school students available to help younger and new students get where they need to be. Our K – 2 students will meet on the covered area each morning where they will remain socially distant until being sent to class at 9:05 a.m. Students in grades 3 – 4 will meet in the Media Center and students in grades 5 – 8 will meet in the cafeteria. If it is possible for your child to arrive at 9:05 or slightly after, this would assist us in maintaining safe distancing during one of our busiest times of the day. Of course, if you must drop off earlier, we will welcome your child then. Our gates open at 8:50 a.m.
Q: My child is a face-to-face student. How will arrival and dismissal be different this year?
A: In order to maintain as much physical distancing as possible during high traffic times, we are asking parents to maintain their distance during arrival and dismissal times. Please avoid congregating in groups at the gates or on sidewalks near school. Please wear your mask whenever you are out of your car to help ensure the safety of our students and staff. Please help us model the highest safety procedures for our children. Our campus opens at 8:50 for student arrival. We have limited staff available for supervision from 8:50 – 9:05. While we know that many parents must drop off their children right at 8:50, if you have a flexible schedule, we ask that you wait until 9:05. Typically, we have all students gather in the cafeteria prior to teacher arrival at 9:05. We are unable to do so this year. Delaying your child’s arrival, if at all possible, will help us maintain social distancing until all staff arrive on campus.
Q: How do we pick up on rainy days?
A: Rainy days in Florida are a challenge for schools as the rain always seems to start right before dismissal. Ensuring your child has a rain poncho or umbrella in his or her backpack is always a good idea. Students will be sent home normally during rainy days UNLESS it is lightning or if it is exceptionally heavy rain. If it is deemed the weather conditions are too unsafe to allow your child to be dismissed, students will be held in the classrooms and you will be notified through our text messaging system. Please understand we will only hold students if necessary for their safety and the safety of our staff during storms.
