Welcome to Hybrid Learning at Mitchell

March 19, 2021

 

Dear Mitchell Families,

 

On behalf of the Mitchell staff, I want to welcome you to in-person, hybrid learning at Mitchell School! 

Regardless of whether you're returning to school now or remaining in at-home remote learning, I'm sharing this information with all members of our community. 

This letter contains important information about in-person, hybrid learning at Mitchell and the Covid informed procedures and updates you can expect. 

 

School Hours

8:10am – Virtual instruction begins for remote learners

9:00am – 9:10am – Arrival window for in-person students

2:10pm – 2:20pm – Dismissal window for in-person students

3:13pm – End of instruction for virtual students

School Start Dates – By Stage

• Stage 1 – Self-Contained, Preschool, Young 5, Kindergarten 
• March 25 – Cohort 1
• March 26 – Cohort 2
• Stage 2 – First & Second Grade
• The Week of April 5 with Cohort 1 on M/T and Cohort 2 on Th/F
• Stage 3 – Third, Fourth & Fifth
• The Week of April 12 with Cohort 1 on M/T and Cohort 2 on Th/F

Updated Medical Response Plans and Medication

As a reminder to parents/guardians whose children are medically sensitive, please turn in updated medical response plans from your child's physician to the school office before school begins.  An updated plan is required each year and/or any time there is a change in your child's health.  

• As a reminder to all parents, children may not take medication at school unless we have written instructions from your physician.  This includes over the counter (non-prescription) medication.  For families with medically sensitive children, please turn in medication and a doctor's note on or before the first day of school.

Breakfast/Lunch

For the rest of this school year, all students will have the opportunity to receive breakfast and lunch for free! Families will need to order student lunches using the new AAPS Online Student Lunch Ordering system.

 

While families will not be charged for breakfast or lunch, you must register for the program at sendmoneytoschool.comin order for your student to receive a free lunch on their hybrid in-school learning day.

 

Questions? Contact AAPS Food Service at 734-994-2265.

 

Here is a sample video of what the lunch procedures will look like at Mitchell this year. 

Lunch Routine

Immunizations for 2020-21

Please be sure that your child's immunizations are up to date by the start of school! All pre-school, Young 5, Kindergarten and new students at any grade MUST provide proof of immunization. Many parents turned in immunization records in the fall of 2020. If we are missing your immunization records, we will call you. 

 

For information about free/low cost immunizations, how to get a waiver, and more, visit the AAPS immunization page: http://a2schools.org/Page/8151

 

Mitchell School Is Nut-Restricted
Nuts are allowed at Mitchell School. However, there are students in the building with life-threatening allergies.  This means the building is a nut-restricted building. Some rooms in the building are designated as "No Nut" areas.  If this is the case, a sign will be posted outside the room and teachers will communicate with classroom parents. 

 

Bus Transportation

The Ann Arbor Public Schools provides bus transportation to each student who lives one and a half or more miles from school. Bus service is not available to School of Choice families or In-District Transfer families. Bus routes and schedules are published on the district's website. 

• NEW THIS YEAR:Families must register for bus service. If an eligible student opts out of bus service but your family transportation needs change at a later date, there will be a two-week waiting period to start the student's bus service.
• Mitchell School Bus Routes

 

During Hybrid learning, the following rules apply on the bus: 

• All staff and students are required to wear a mask at all times while riding the bus.
• Hand sanitizer is placed in every bus and all staff and students are required to use sanitizer upon entry to the bus.
• Windows will be open, weather permitting (dress appropriately), to circulate air. 
• Assigned seats will be established to ensure distancing and to limit contact.

Arrival & Departure During In-Person Learning Days

Mitchell's parking lot is very busy at the beginning and end of the day. In order to ensure everyone's safety, please take caution when driving through the parking lot. 

 

Please read the guidelines below as there are additional details resulting from our COVID safety protocols. 

 

Arrival 

• The arrival window is between 9:00am and 9:10am. Families are NOT permitted to drop their child at school any earlier than 9:00am. 
• Students will not be able to play on the playground before school.
• There is no before school supervision.
• Parents will pull up in front of the school, allow their children to exit the car and proceed out of the parking lot. Parents who wish to drop their children off should pull all the way to the end of the front circle drive allowing other cars to pull up behind you. DO NOT stop in front of the school and do not park in the front circle. 
• Students will exit the car and enter the building. 
• Parents WILL NOT be permitted to enter the building at this time. 
• Students who ride the bus will unload in the back of the building. Buses will line up near the curb closest to Mitchell. This is a no parking zone – please leave this lane open.

Dismissal

• Dismissal is the busiest time of day. Be patient and go slowly – Safety First! 
• Dismissal is at 2:10pm. Parents should plan to begin arriving at 2:05pm.
• We will use the Driveline App to manage dismissal for students being picked up. Please watch this videoto learn how Driveline works. 
• All families will be given a Driveline code (will be sent on Monday, March 22). Upon arrival, staff will enter family codes into the system. This will alert the classroom teacher that the child's parent/guardian has arrived.
• Students will remain in the classroom during dismissal until their parent arrives at school. 
• All students must depart immediately. Students are not allowed to remain on the playground after school and must be picked up by 2:20pm. 
• There is no after care available for students. 

Bus Riders

• Students who ride the bus will load in the back of the building.
• Bus riders will be dismissed at 2:10pm and buses will depart by 2:20pm. 

Walkers

• Children walking home will be dismissed at 2:15pm and will walk straight home. Again, students will not be allowed to remain on the playground. 

Health and Wellness

COVID Safety Protocols

• All staff and students are required to wear a mask at all times inside the building, except when eating and drinking.  
• Hand sanitizer stations are placed in every classroom and throughout the building. All staff and students are encouraged to use sanitizer upon entry and exit of classrooms and other spaces.
• Student desks will be spaced apart to ensure social distancing.
• Seating charts will be established in every classroom to minimize contact between students.
• No visitors are allowed on campus, unless by appointment (dropping off medication, etc.).  
• All parent/guardian and other meetings, including school events, remain virtual.

Here is a sample video of what the procedures might look like for social and physical distancing at Mitchell School this year.

Social and Physical Distancing

Family Responsibilities

• Screen your student for symptoms each morning before sending them to school. A District screening questionnaire will be provided and keep your student home when they are exhibiting symptoms.
• Immediately notify your building principal if your student or someone in the household tests positive for COVID-19. Speak with a district contact tracer if needed for an investigation.
• Ensure your student has a mask and water bottle every day. Masks will be provided to those who do not have one. 
• Be available to pick your student up from school should they begin to show symptoms while at school.
• Be patient and know that hybrid plans may change from day to day to better meet the needs of our students. 
• Understand that students or staff may need to quarantine if there is a classroom case.

Student Responsibilities

• Wear a mask at all times, except when eating or drinking. 
• Bring a personal water bottle daily. 
• Follow school rules to stay physically distanced from others. 
• Monitor health status and report symptoms immediately to an adult.

What Happens If There Is A Confirmed Case?

District protocol for contact tracing; timeliness is critical! - 5 steps

1.    Staff member or family immediately notifies the principal

2.    District contact tracers contact staff/families for interview

3.    Principal communicates to cohort or classroom as soon as possible

4.    General notification, no confidential information is shared

o  Additional communication with those in close contact, possible quarantine

5.    Return to school after quarantine is complete 

When Should My Child Stay Home From School?

To help reduce the spread of illnesses including COVID 19 and other illnesses, and for the health and safety of children and our staff, please keep your child home from school for the following reasons: 

• Any symptoms related to COVID-19. Please refer to the family screener provided by AAPS. 
• Fever: Your child should be fever free, without medication, for 24 hours before returning to school. 
• Rash: Check with the doctor before sending your child to school with a rash. 
• Vomiting: Your child should not have thrown up for 24 hours and be back on his/her regular diet before returning to school. 
• Diarrhea: If your child is having loose stools, he/she needs to stay home to make sure he/she gets enough fluids. 
• Doctor Recommendation: If your child has been to see the doctor, check with the doctor as to when the child can return to school. If your child has been prescribed an antibiotic, check to see how long your child needs to be on the antibiotic before returning to school. 

What Happens if My Child Develops Symptoms Related to Covid-19 at School?

1.    If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19 at school, they will be brought to our health support room, an isolated location away from the rest of the school population. Children will be supervised. 

2.    The child's family will be contacted and a member of the family is expected to pick the child up from school immediately. 

3.    The child must remain home until: 

• They receive a negative COVID test,
• Receive a differential diagnosis from a physician, 
• 10 day quarantine and symptoms are gone.

Packing Your Child's Backpack

During hybrid learning, we recommend that every family sends the following items to school with the children. 

• Their school issued device (iPad or Chromebook). Chargers do not need to be sent to school but families should make sure the device is charged each night.
• Water bottle.
• An extra mask in case the one the student is wearing gets damaged (additional masks are available at school).
• Lunch (if bringing from home).

You can find more information about safety practices, including the information below, at THIS LINK:

• Daily Student Prescreening for COVID-19 Symptoms 
• Why Should My Child Stay Home From School

We are looking forward to the start of in-person, hybrid learning at Mitchell School! Certainly, we will all work together to ensure the health and wellness of all Mitchell students, staff and families. If you have questions now, please reach out to your child's teacher or to the main office and we will help. 

Sincerely,

Matt & Alison