The Arrow

FBES Weekly Parent Newsletter

July 22-29

Parents,

Please review the information below to assist you with the 2020-2021 school year.

While we do not have all of the information and several guidelines are still being determined, it is our goal to provide you with a weekly update on current information.

There might be some weeks where there is no new information, but we will still publish a weekly newsletter to remain in contact.

For this first newsletter, there is a lot of information that we need to share.

School Supply List

Research shows that wearing a mask can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Hall County School District is strongly encouraging students to wear masks in an effort to protect the health of staff and classmates. In preparation for the start of the new school year, we recommend students acquire a couple of masks that allow them to be comfortable throughout the day. Neck gaiters may also be worn.

In addition to the items on the school supply list, students will also need the following:

  • a reusable water bottle (as water fountains will not be used).

  • a comfortable mask or neck gaiter

Our school supply list can be found here.

School orientation (open house)

New Student Orientation will focus on Kindergarten students and any students new to Flowery Branch Elementary School. Homeroom teachers will reach out to families by August 6th to welcome them to their classroom and set up appointments for these new students.


Orientation for everyone else will be:

  • drive through for beginning of the year tasks/items

  • video meeting of parents with teachers

  • more information to follow

Current Parent Information

1) Guidelines

  • Adults will be wearing masks or face shields in all common areas.

  • Staff members and students will participate in temperature checks prior to the beginning of the school day.

  • School will limit visitors to the building (parents will not be allowed to visit classroom, eat lunch with students until further notice).

    • School will establish a procedure for parents to drop off items with front office to deliver to students.

  • Majority of parent/teacher meetings will be conducted via phone or online.

  • Classrooms will remove all non-instructional furniture in order to maximize space.

2) Central Office has not made a decision on students being required to wear face masks.

  • Parents are "strongly encouraged" to have students wear masks.

3) Cleaning

  • Hand Sanitizer Pumps will be provided by the district for each classroom.

    • Students are encouraged to bring additional hand sanitizer

  • Bathrooms will be monitored by janitorial staff and receive additional cleanings throughout the school day.

  • Additional signage and protocols will be established to assist with social distancing and traffic patterns throughout the school building.

  • Classrooms will be wiped down by staff member during class changes.

  • Sharing of materials will be reduced as much a possible. Shared items will be cleaned appropriately between usage.

4) Water Fountains

  • Hallway water fountains will be turned off.

  • FBES has 7 bottle fill fountains that will be for student use. (1 by the gym and 1 in each pod)

  • Each student will bring a reusable water bottle to school for daily use.

5) Lunchrooms

  • Breakfast will be "grab and go". Students will eat breakfast in the classroom

  • Lunchrooms will operate at 50% capacity. 1/2 of the grade levels will eat lunch in their classroom instead of the lunchroom.

6) Student Check-Outs

  • Each school will be equipped with a camera/voice system to allow 2 way communication from outside the building. ID verification will still be required for students to be checked out. Parents will wait outside the building while staff prepares student for check out.

7) Recess

  • Schedules will be adjusted to reduce the number of students outside at one time.

  • Playground equipment will not be utilized by students until further notice. Equipment will be roped off.

8) Chromebooks

  • Each student will be assigned a Chromebook, regardless of ONLINE or IN PERSON learning.

    • Chromebook and charger will be checked out to each student for the entire school year.

    • Parents will be responsible for lost or damaged Chromebook and/or charger.

    • Parents who wish to opt out of using a school computer must provide their own device for their student.

9) Parent Notification of Positive COVID-19 Case

  • Parents will receive notification via Remind for all students if/when there is any confirmed positive cases at school.

ReConnect Slides for FBES parents

Flowery Branch Elementary School

5544 Radford Road

Flowery Branch, GA 30542

770-967-6621

fbes.Hallco.org

Follow on Twitter:

@FBES_Indians

Sign up for Remind Messages


Text @hc-fbes to 810-10 to get text updates from Flowery Branch Elementary School

Principal:

Amy Bright


Assistant Principal:

Kim Garrison