Weekly Review August 4th, 2021

Dare I say it?  Welcome Back!

I am so excited to welcome you back to White River School for the 21’-22’ school year.  With Vermont’s high vaccination rates and low community spread of C-19, we are looking at being able to open with much fewer restrictions than we had last year.   We will still ask that all people wear masks while indoors (unvaccinated or not), but as of this writing that's about all we'll need to keep everyone safe and get back to learning.  If this changes, we will let you know immediately. 

Speaking of learning, we are embarking on a new learning journey this year with Expeditionary Learning's ELA curriculum.  This reading, writing, and speaking curriculum focuses on content-rich literacy in thematic units that all culminate in a learning project.  This curriculum change is being implemented in all three Hartford elementary schools.  I promise you that by October your children will be sharing what they are reading and learning about--without you even having to ask!  It's truly an engaging and rigorous program.  We'll be sharing pieces about this new curriculum throughout the year.  You can explore more on your own by visiting: EL Education

Please note, that we are 'full' day again next year.  7:45 AM- 2:45 PM.

Drop Off Begins at 7:45 AM in the Bus turn around.  All students, walkers, bussers, or car riders will be dropped off in the turn around and enter through the gate. Families will also have the option of parking and walking up to the gate this year. We will send a separate letter with more specifics as we get closer.  Tardy will be anyone arriving after 8:05 AM this year.  Pre-K drop off will be from 8:00-8:10 in the back parking lot (by the garden)

Dismissal will be similar to last year.  Pre-K will dismiss at 2:30 from the playground. Busses will dismiss starting at 2:45 PM.  Car riders will dismiss at 2:47 PM.  Walkers around 2:55 PM.  All traffic will flow around the school again with two specific pick-up points (Blue Hawk Door K, 1, 4 & White River Door 2,3,5).  Please help this system work by NOT arriving before 2:47 PM.   

It is very important that you take a second and fill out the Dismissal Plan survey Click HERE or see below.

We are also welcoming back important traditions and community events.  The first event to put on your calendar is Open House!  September 1st, 2021 from 6-7 PM.  We hope to see you there!

Other important upcoming dates:

• August 24th, First Day of School 1st Grade -5th Grade

  • • • • • •  Kindergarten & PreK Open House/ Screening from 8:45 AM- 9:45 AM (Personal invites to specific times coming August 18th)

• August 25th, First Day of School for K and Pre-K Students

We anticipate that finalized Covid restrictions, if any, will be announced by the Agency of Education and Vermont Department of Health just before school begins.  We will keep you updated as any changes are made.  For now, please plan on having your children wear masks while indoors (including busses).

Truly looking forward to seeing all of you this year!

As always, do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Doug Kussius

Principal

802-295-8650 ext 4113.

kussiusd@hartfordschools.net