While the start of the 2020-21 school year looked a little different this year, some things about the first week of school never change.
Teachers lined the halls eager to greet their students and welcome them to class. Waves, elbow bumps and other socially distanced greetings were exchanged instead of the usual hugs or high-fives, but the smiles that were visible even behind the face masks showed that the Arkport school community is embracing these new changes.
Before entering the building, each student’s temperature was checked. Once in the classroom, teachers helped students get settled in with their belongings, and order meals for the day. Breakfasts were delivered to the classrooms once the school day had begun and lunch was spread out between the small gym, cafeteria and outdoor eating space.
Just like the start of every school year, teachers are spending time reviewing classroom procedures and expectations and administrators are assessing what could be addressed to make things more efficient.
To that end, we’ve noticed a few hiccups and hang ups with our dismissal procedures this past week. Because students are exiting in a socially distanced single-file line, it’s taking longer than we're all used to. In effort to help speed up the process, we will make a few changes and additions to our entrance and exit points beginning Sept. 14.
Please refer to this diagram and take note of the following dismissal changes:
- Parents and guardians of students in grades UPK-4 can now enter our building in a socially distanced single-file line to pick up their child(ren). Parents and guardians must wear a mask and enter and exit through the designated doors.
- Students in grades UPK-1 will still be in the PAC.
- Students In grades 2-4 will be in the large gym.
- Students in grades 5-6 will exit through the rear PAC door to the parking lot to find their parent or guardian.
We’re hopeful that, as students’ comfort and familiarity grows, dismissal procedures will become smoother. Thank you for your continued support, positivity and flexibility.