Dear Adams Elementary Families, 

I want to officially welcome all of you to the 2020-2021 school year! This has been and continues to be a challenging time for all of us as we all come to terms with the “new normal”.  However, I am privileged to have the opportunity to continue to serve as your Principal, and I feel honored to work with our highly qualified and dedicated staff, our wonderful students, and all of the supportive parents.

The elementary years are critical times of development for students and families, and I look forward to working with all of you to make this school year successful. Due to COVID-19, we will experience an unprecedented shift in how we normally have school.  Nevertheless, the staff is thrilled that you have entrusted your children’s education to us. We will make every effort to help your child achieve academically and socially this year, whether it is virtually or in-person.  It is our goal to create an enriched learning environment that engages each student. Of course, we need and welcome your support and cooperation. You play a key role in the academic success of our students; therefore, school/parent communication is crucial.

As the leader of our Adams Family, I strongly believe that every child can learn and achieve the highest level of academic success with the proper preparation and support. To ensure a successful school year, please adhere to the following guidelines:

For in-person instruction:

• All students in grades 4 and above are required to wear a mask. Students in lower grades are recommended to wear a mask but not required.
  • Bandanas and scarves may not be substituted for a mask.
  • Students may not wear any mask with “indecent or offensive” messages that may cause disruption, including but not limited to the following:
    • Offensive, vulgar, or profane language
    • Violent or racist images
    • Depicting sexual images
    • Inciting illegal activity
    • Drugs or alcohol
    • Tobacco use
  • All students, regardless of age, must wear a face mask on the bus.
  • All students and staff will have a daily health screening upon arrival to school each day.
  • Parents/guardians should keep their child(ren) at home if they are ill or have a fever.
  • Social distancing will be practiced to the extent possible in classrooms and all common spaces of the school building.
  • Students will remain together in the same groups as much as possible during the day.
  • Visitors will be limited in the school building (please make an appointment in cases of non-emergencies), and all visitors are required to wear masks.
  • Parents/guardians coming to pick up or drop off students will be asked to stay outside the building.

For Virtual instruction:

• Establish a good workspace at home (Separate space, clean and organized, have all the tools/items you need, distractions set aside, etc.)
• Be sure to follow the set Norms and Participation Expectations established by your teachers.  Proper behavior and interaction with each other online is necessary.
• Students need to complete learning activities for each class by the date identified by the teacher.
• Expectations for student interaction virtually with students and staff is the same expectation as if in the classroom.
• Respond to any teacher email or question on assignments within 24 hours, Monday-Friday
• Your teacher may be including videos, notes, & slide decks of materials to help you learn the content:
• Written assignments, online quizzes, reading, or other work to be completed mostly independently may be included.
• This may include live check-in via video or text chat during available scheduled time per class.
• Videos or screencasts may be posted of presentations, explanations, etc.
• Students may be asked to record themselves -- for language, talking through math problems, reading for fluency and comprehension, doing physical activity, music lessons, art projects, etc.
• Be patient with yourselves and your teachers- we are all learning together!

Our instructional program will be far more effective with your active participation. Please send your children to us well behaved, on time, equipped with the proper materials, and ready to learn. We, in turn, will send them back to you prepared to meet the challenges of the future. Together we will make this an awesome school year!


Sincerely,

Felicia Miller, Ed.D.

Principal