Monthly Newsletter September 2020 Edition
Monthly Newsletter
Welcome Back to Gurney Elementary! The entire Gurney Staff and I would like to thank all of our parents for being patient, kind and supportive as we worked through our first full week with grades 1-3! There are still kinks to work out in both hybrid and virtual academy for sure but, we are confident that the solutions we find together will make your children’s education even better! The Gurney Staff is focused on these three goals to start the year: 1. Build relationships 2. Assess for students’ needs 3. Teach Chromebook use and applications (to support virtual learning at home, virtual academy and to be ready in the event we are all online only) I can’t reiterate enough how important it is this year for you to communicate with your child’s teacher. If something is too difficult, if your child is confused, if virtual programs aren’t working, etc. please let your child’s teacher know immediately. That kind of feedback allows us to adapt to our students’ needs, to try new supports and to build a trusting relationship with you and your child.
Updates and Reminders: Morning Arrival/Drop-Off from Cars - We are working hard to not have cars waiting on Bell Rd. Drop off time starts at 8:30am and runs until 8:40am. If cars are getting backed up, feel free to pull up the middle lane and then park by the softball/soccer fields to walk your child across to the school building. This has worked great the past two days and we have not had any cars waiting on Bell Rd.! Dismissal/Pick-Up with QR Codes - THANK YOU to all for remembering your QR Codes! We’ve got the process under 10 minutes for both the AM/PM pick-ups! Our scanner works best on paper copies but if you have it on your cell phone that is acceptable too. You do NOT need to roll down your window if you are using a hard copy of the code - we can scan it through your window! Curriculum Night via Zoom - Mark your calendars for our 1st-3rd grade Curriculum Night Sept. 17th! We hope you can join your child’s teacher and the parents of your child’s classmates! Each presentation will be recorded and made available for those unable to attend. Benchmark Assessments - This year more than ever we need to quickly identify the skills students are starting with and begin our support for any gaps in learning that may have occurred since last spring. Starting next week we will begin our school-wide benchmarking to assess students strengths and needs in literacy and math. Some assessments are digital and some paper-pencil. All students K-3 will complete our iReady Reading and Math Diagnostic assessment throughout the month of September. The students complete these assessments on their Chromebooks. They are adaptive assessments which means the difficulty of the questions the student receives becomes higher or lower based on the students providing a correct or incorrect answer to prior questions. The assessment is Gu rn ey El e men t ar y S c ho o l
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working to identify the child’s approximate performance level for that subject; this means the child is actually expected to get about half of the questions presented wrong. Teachers will discuss with students that this assessment is looking for their “just right” level and that means some questions will be too hard and some too easy. Students should not feel badly or frustrated if they receive very difficult questions and feel they don’t know answers - that is expected and necessary to determine their instructional level. Once our benchmarking is complete, teachers will be sending home parent reports early in October. Technology Support - ALL students are working for half or more of their day virtually. If you ever have technology glitches the best place to seek assistance first is with your child’s teacher. After the teacher, don’t hesitate to contact our District Technology Department for assistance, repairs, etc. Visit the Technology Support Website - https://bit.ly/CFtechsupport Attendance - Attendance is taken for BOTH halves of your child’s day - this applies to BOTH Hybrid and Virtual Academy students.
In-person in the building / In-person via Zoom for half a day - your child needs to be present in the building or Zoom every day for literacy and math instruction. Independent, asynchronous for half a day - your child will have half of each day during which time they are to complete their science or social studies lesson, assigned online reinforcement programs (i.e. iReady, RAZ Kids) and any additional assignments given by the classroom teacher. COMPLETING ASSIGNMENTS is how attendance will be monitored for this half of the day. If required assignments are not completed, students will be marked as absent during this half of the day. It’s been a VERY successful week - let’s keep this going! On Tuesday we will welcome our kindergarten students to Gurney - both in hybrid and virtual academy! Kindergarten parents have been troopers waiting since last spring for us to finally get to do a screening and orientation! All students this week have been absolutely amazing with wearing their masks and learning to physically distance - a wonderful tribute to the preparation all of you did at home. We hope all our Gurney families enjoy the nice, long weekend and stay safe! Sincerely,
Dr. Rachel Jones, Principal
The Gurney staff would like to thank our PTO for their continued support including our back to school staff lunch, PPE supplies, and Kindergarten screening/orientation assistance.
September 2020
Hybrid AM Drop Off: 8:30 - 8:40 Hybrid PM Drop Off: 12:30 - 12:40 PM
Hybrid AM Dismissal: 11:30 -11:40 AM Hybrid PM Dismissal: 3:30 - 3:40 PM
September 7 September 8 September 9 September 10
NO SCHOOL - Labor Day Kindergarten First Day of Classes Preschool First Day of Classes Superintendent Levy Presentation via Zoom 6:00 pm ... http://bit.ly/Sept10_DistrictUpdate September 11 Patriot Day - wear red, white and blue September 17 1st - 3rd Grade Curriculum Night via Zoom 1st Gr. / 5:15 pm 2nd Gr./6 pm 3rd Gr./6:45 pm September 28 NO SCHOOL - YOM KIPPUR A look ahead … October 9 NO SCHOOL - Staff Professional Development October 13 Picture Day
I want to thank everyone for being mindful of wearing masks, washing hands and physically distancing. We will get through this pandemic by doing what we do best, caring for one another.
Screenings are not possible for students who are learning virtually. As a result, parents will be mailed an Ohio Department of Health waiver form that will need to be signed and returned promptly. Stay safe and healthy, Debbie Elam, RN 330-998-3350
Health Notes
During the week of September 14th, we will begin hearing and vision screening. If a student has difficulty passing a test, a letter of referral will be sent home. Please follow-up with your primary healthcare provider for further evaluation. Notifying the clinic via phone or email will be most appreciated.
Reporting Student Absences
PREFERRED METHOD: Use our online attendance system located on our Gurney web page under our Online Absence Reporting Forms section on the right side of the page or CLICK HERE
Attendance Line: Call our attendance line at 440-893-4033
Planning an absence such as family trip, etc.? Please fill out our Planned Absence Form on the Gurney web page by clicking on “Planned Absence Form” under the Attendance section or CLICK HERE
Mental
Happy Distractions ... During periods of chronic stress, finding “happy distractions” can provide important relief. Engaging in enjoyable activities to give yourself and your family a mental break from a stressful environment allows for immediate relief during the activity and can carry over for a period of time after the activity has ended. Movies, music, crafts, bike rides or just about anything else can provide relief if you and your children are able to immerse yourselves in that activity. These ideas and more are discussed in Dr. Lisa Damour’s Podcast “Parenting During a Pandemic.” Listen to the full podcast HERE
Identifying Students With Disabilities … for information please CLICK HERE
K-12 Math Instructional
Coach’s Corner with Ms. Cymanski
We are beginning our third year using Bridges in Mathematics for our K-5 students in the Chagrin Falls Schools. Bridges in Mathematics is a comprehensive K-5 curriculum that is rigorous, coherent, engaging, and accessible to all learners. It weaves together the standards for content and practice in ways that support student learning by encouraging students to explore, develop, test, discuss, and apply ideas. Most days in the math classroom, students will start with some Number Corner activities anchored around the calendar. They will then move to Bridges in Mathematics activities which focus on developing students’ deep understandings of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and reasoning abilities through age appropriate problems and investigations. Link to Parent Resources on the Bridges website- Unit overviews, games and activities you can do at home Bridges in Math Parent Handout - general information about the math program For more specific information about the math curriculum for Chagrin Falls Schools you can visit the Math Coach’s Corner website. I look forward to sharing resources, blogs and articles that might be of interest in future monthly Gurney newsletters. Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have. Barb Cymanski K-12 Math Instructional Coach / Barb.Cymanski@chagrinschools.org #EveryoneisaMathematician
MISS GILL’S
LIT BITS
Dear Gurney Families … It has been awhile. I hope that you are healthy and excited about the start of a new school year. It has been wonderful seeing beautiful and eager masked faces in the classrooms at Gurney. I have also been able to Zoom in with our Virtual Academy students and see their beautiful and eager faces as well. Everyone is doing an incredible job and the learning continues. I wanted to start with just a few tips for helping your child build his or her reading life.
Tips for Helping Your Child Grow as a Reader Talk to your child about what he or she is reading Ask your child to tell you a story Ask questions when your child reads
Read to your child Listen to your child read Make reading a regular activity at home
Please let me know if I can help support your child’s reading life in school and at home. Fondly, Katie Gill, K-12 ELA Instructional Coach kathleen.gill@chagrinschools.org / Phone: 440-247-5500 extension 4340 / Follow me on Twitter @CFELACOACH
Sarah Read
Assistant Principal
Sarah Read was named the assistant principal of Gurney Elementary School in 2020 and also serves as the district testing coordinator. Previously, Sarah was the principal of Chagrin Falls Intermediate School from 2014 - 2019. Sarah has been recognized as a Jennings Scholar, and was named Chagrin Valley Rotary Club Today’s Teacher in 2010. She was nominated twice for the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation George B. Chapman, Jr. Teacher Award for Excellence in Math Education. Sarah received her B.A. in elementary and special education from Hiram College and her M.A. in educational administration from Ashland University. She also studied for her Endorsement in Gifted Intervention. She resides in Chagrin Falls with her husband, Mike, and their two sons, AJ and Will, who attend Chagrin Falls Schools.
Mrs. Courtney Mooney graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has elementary teaching experience including working at St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anselm, and Valley Christian Preschool. She serves on various local committees as an advocate for children with special needs. Mrs. Mooney resides in South Russell with her husband and two children, Braden and Jack. As a Chagrin Falls alumni and parent, she is looking forward to giving back to our community and sharing in our tiger pride!
Courtney Mooney Educational Aide
Once a week each grade level, both hybrid and virtual, has a full day of Encore! Students start in an Encore homeroom and then rotate to the remaining Encore classes throughout the day. Both hybrid and virtual students will have STEM and Art alternatively, every other week. Students
who are attending school in the HYBRID model, are not required to complete virtual assignments posted in the Encore Google classroom. We are excited to be starting the school year, and look forward to all the connections and adventures it brings!
Hybrid Help Should you have any questions about Encore, please email any of the Encore teachers, and we will be sure to get back to you as soon as possible. (see last page of newsletter)
Virtual Help In the coming weeks, an Encore teacher will be meeting with virtual students via their grade level classroom Zoom to check in with students on what has been working and not working technologically. From this feedback, the Encore team will continue to work to improve weekly lessons in order to give virtual students the best experience possible. Students are required to participate in all Encore classes and will be marked absent if tasks are not completed.
Potential Adjustments As the year continues, both virtual and hybrid models/schedules may be adapted and revised as needed.
Supplies For Physical Education, Mr. Cannon recommends that the students wear a lanyard with their mask attached to it. Students will be able to take mask breaks as well as remove the masks when we are outside and appropriately physically distanced. The lanyard helps students keep it on their person without having to shove it in a pocket or lay it in the grass. Because of the amount of time students will be going outside, students are encouraged to bring a ball cap or sunglasses on their encore days (to be worn during PE only).
Gurney PTO A MESSAGE FROM THE GURNEY PTO: The weeks leading up to the start of school were very exciting for everyone and in the midst of it all, your Gurney PTO and amazing Gurney volunteer families, successfully helped supply lunches for the Back to School Teacher Field Day Picnic Luncheon, provided volunteer support for the 3days of kindergarten screenings, helped to welcome new families to Gurney and to the community, and filled all volunteer needs for September 17th’s, Curriculum Night. Additionally, yearbooks from 2019-2020 have been delivered and PPE has been distributed. But best of all, school has started and our children are getting back into a routine with their classmates! Whether at home as virtual learners, or at Gurney, we are so excited to report big smiles all around! The PTO continues to need your support and we ask that you consider joining to support our goal of 100% membership from CFEVS families. Please take a look at the varied membership levels and join today!
BE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED: Sign-up to receive the Gurney monthly newsletter by going to the district website: http://www.chagrin-falls.k12.oh.us/ and click the “STAY CONNECTED” envelope in the upper right hand corner of the page. This link will ask you to provide your contact information and your school level preferences for newsletter communication. 1. “Like” the Chagrin Falls PTO Facebook page – Chagrin Falls PTO 2. Receive the Gurney PTO Volunteer Insider monthly newsletter by providing your contact information to your child’s teacher. 3. Join your child’s graduating class FB page. Chagrin Falls Graduates – Class of 2030, 2031, 2032, or 2033. If you are a virtual family, look for the related Virtual page too!
Thank you, Your Gurney PTO
Extension
rachel.jones@chagrinschools.org
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@DrJ_cfprincipal
Principal
sarah.read@chagrinschools.org
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@read_chagrin
Assistant Principal
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@GurneyPreschool
lisa.dugach@chagrinschools.org rachel.gebler@chagrinschools.org
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@MrsDugachClass @MrsGeblersClass
martina.kehoe@chagrinschools.org
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mallory.mazzola@chagrinschools.org
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@missmmazzola
vanessa.mattson@chagrinschools.org
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@msmattsonsclass
kelly.purcell@chagrinschools.org
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@MrsPurcellClass
katie.sorace@chagrinschools.org
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@Mrs_Sorace
justin.wise@chagrinschools.org
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@wiseclassroom
julie.albrecht@chagrinschools.org
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@JulieAlbrecht
stephanie.malley@chagrinschools.org
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@stephaniemalley
nicole.nanchoff@chagrinschools.org
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@MissNanchoff
vicky.pelsozy@chagrinschools.org
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@Mrspelsozy
rena.polien@chagrinschools.org
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@MrsPoliensClass
dayna.vilk@chagrinschools.org
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@ms_vilk
ellen.jones@chagrinschools.org
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@ejonesgurney
ann.kehrier@chagrinschools.org
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@MrsKehrier
jillian.langer@chagrinschools.org
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@mrslangersclass
brooke.vandeweel@chagrinschools.org
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@MrsBVanDy
brian.ritz@chagrinschools.org
x4128
@RitzClassroom
regina.lantsberg@chagrinschools.org
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ben.rose@chagrinschools.org
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@BenRoseTeacher
shelly.zdolshek@chagrinschools.org THIRD GRADE
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@shellyzdolshek
kelly.andreas@chagrinschools.org
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@MrsKAndreas
amy.belew@chagrinschools.org
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sandra.goodin@chagrinschools.org
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@cfGoodin
brad.jones@chagrinschools.org
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@mrjonescfgurney
michelle.ricelli@chagrinschools.org
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@MichelleRiccel1
lisa.todaro@chagrinschools.org
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@TodaroClass
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@GurneyPE
PRESCHOOL marianne.canter@chagrinschools.org KINDERGARTEN
FIRST GRADE
SECOND GRADE
ENCORE justin.cannon@chagrinschools.org
christopher.englehart@chagrinschools.org x4140
@GurneySpanish