Learning is heating up at Chet F. Harritt STEAM School!

Last week we completed our first full week on campus for the 2021-2022 school year. I am so impressed to watch our learners returning to school and re-engaging with academics. As I walked around campus I saw students engaged in critical thinking, cooperative activities, and hands-on learning, They were highly interested and full of questions, ideas, and conversation.

Here we model inquiry, imagination, and innovation. If this first week is any indication, I am confident that we have only greatness ahead. Congratulations Cheetahs, we are on our way!

PS - The weather was also really HOT last week. Read below about how we handle excessive heat on campus.

School Parking Lot Expectations

It's a good time to review some basics about the school parking lot, especially during drop off and pick up times. Please also notice some specifics that may be changes from past practice.

First, it's preferred that vehicles enter the lot and proceed to pick up and drop off using the school lot entrance, NOT the Big Rock Park parking lot entrance. We hope that vehicles coming from the Big Rock Park lot are exiting the lot, not trying to merge into pick up or drop off lanes, as that causes confusion and slows the process.

Drop Off:

The lane nearest the curb is a drop off lane.

• Please enter the lane near the Learning Resource Center. Please do NOT cut into the lane as traffic moves.

• Please pull forward as far you can and drop off at the curb along the Administration building. (Near the front gate)

  • Even Middle Schoolers should leave the vehicle as far forward as possible and walk to their gate to prevent traffic from stopping early.

• Drivers should remain in their vehicles.

• Students should be ready and exit directly to the curb.

• Vehicles should pull away as soon as students are safely dropped off.

• There is no parking/blocking this lane.

Pick Up:

The lane nearest the curb is for pick-up.

• Please enter the lane near the Learning Resource Center. Please do NOT cut into the lane as traffic moves.

• Please pull forward as traffic moves.

• Drivers should remain in their vehicles.

• Please pull away as soon as your child is safely loaded.

• All students load in front of the Administration building. In front of the Learning Resource Center is NOT a loading zone.

  • Middle Schoolers are being asked to walk toward the Administration building if being picked up at the curb.

Remember, the school parking lot is primarily for staff. If you need to park during our arrival or dismissal time, please consider using the Big Rock Park parking lot or nearby street parking.

First Covid+ Notification

Last week on Wednesday we were notified of our first Covid+ cases on campus at Chet for this school year. The individuals were in isolation. We initiated our safety protocols, and we began contact tracing. All individuals that spent more than 15 minutes and were within 6 feet of the individuals were deemed close contacts and moved into quarantine. We spoke to each family with close contacts directly, and discussed the options for when the close contact individual could return to campus. If you are curious about the quarantine process, check out this document: Quarantine Type Instructions

After identifying and contacting the close contacts, I created a courtesy notification for the rest of the campus. It was sent to all families using the School Messenger system via email.

If any further cases are identified on campus, and that is likely given current infection rates across the county and state, we will use this process for identification and notification. It is different than last year's practice. Last year, all students in a cohort (class) were sent into quarantine as close contacts if there was a positive case in class. Following current guidance, we are now identifying only those that are within 6 feet for 15 or more minutes as close contacts. (see the SAFE AT SCHOOL Reopening Plan on the district website for the latest protocols for contact tracing and identifying close contacts.) This means at this time the entire class doesn't move into quarantine, only members that fit that description.

Our next step is to take action to keep students in quarantine connected to their learning, Moving forward, students moved to quarantine by the school will begin independent study via an email to their parents. Then, the classroom teacher will work to be sure that practice is offered that allows for learning similar to what's happening at school. The teacher may need a little time to prepare this, so students should start the independent work that is emailed until the teacher connects. Families that complete the independent study as assigned can earn attendance credit during quarantine (up to 15 days annually.) If you read below, I sent more details about Independent Study Contracts last week.

When you receive a courtesy notification about an identified Covid+ case on campus, please use it as a reminder to continue personal safety practices, watch for symptoms, and resist sending children to school who may be ill. Working together, we can keep our learning moving and more students on campus safely.

The District offers an optional iPad insurance plan. The link is below. The insurance for one school year is $25. Insurance does not cover lost or stolen iPads. Also, there is still a deductible for repairing a damaged iPad. Please be sure to read the information carefully to see if it’s a fit for you.

iPad insurance - Optional Student iPad Insurance - Santee School District (santeesd.net)

Fundraiser Grades 4-8

This week we kick off our first of two optional fundraisers designed to support families in grades 4 through 8 to set aside money for 6th Grade Camp and 8th Grade Activities. This first fundraiser is through Skeddadle Fundraising, and students may sell items like cookie dough and cheesecake. For each item sold, $8 will be set aside in the child's name toward either 6th Grade Camp or 8th Grade Activities. Please see the paperwork headed home for more information. Our second fundraiser will likely be this Spring with more information as we get closer.

A note about school fundraisers like this:

Unlike a schoolwide fundraiser, these targeted fundraisers are offered for families as another way to set aside funds for their child(ren) for high-cost, school-sponsored activities. However, it's important to note that the funds raised are still the school's funds. We set aside what a child earns and ear-mark it toward their activity. The funds do not belong to the child and cannot be withdrawn. They can be transferred to another school in the district or another child, if the family wishes. If you're not sure how that works or would like more information, please contact administration.

High Heat Protocol

This past week we experienced excessive heat for the last half of the week. While we are expecting reasonable temperatures this week, I wanted to update you on our actions when high heat occurs.

First, we make an alteration to outdoor play. We take advantage of cooler morning temperatures for outdoor play and PE whenever we can. We encourage students to drink water and watch for any signs of students being overheated.

When temperatures begin to rise, we move indoors to take advantage of air conditioning, Classes may participate in an alternate PE activity such as learning about a sport or lessons on nutrition and healthy choices.

Lunch still takes place outdoors, but very differently. Students are in the shaded lunch area for less than 20 minutes. They are monitored, and their movement is limited to sitting and eating lunch. We also track the temperature in the lunch area. Typically, because of the shade and proximity to the trees in our Outdoor Learning Lab, it is 10-15 degrees cooler than other parts of campus. Once eating time has ended (between 15 and 20 minutes) students are moved indoors to air conditioning,

Again, throughout the day we are looking out for each other, encouraging hydration, and taking it easy. High temperatures occur this time of year. With all indoor spaces air conditioned and the strategic use of outdoor spaces we can move through this weather safely.

This first week is about stamina!

As we welcome our learners to campus for this first full week, we recognize that it's time to focus on procedures and routines. We know that "getting back to school" is more complicated than just walking through the school gates with a smile. It means (re)learning how to be a learner in a classroom. It means learning how to pace ourselves. Teachers and staff will focus on building the skills and fortitude necessary to grow as much as possible this year.

Everyone comes to school with a unique experience from the past year and a half. At Chet, we are dedicated to "meeting every learner where they are and growing them as much as we can." As a matter of fact, that is our rallying cry this year. That means meeting them where they are academically, socially, and emotionally.

We hope you will join us on that journey. We know it will take working as a team to meet the challenge!

Covid-19 and Quarantining - What to expect

There may come a day this year when your child's attendance at school is affected by Covid-19. We continue to follow district protocol regarding quarantining and student safety. For the latest information, go to the district webpage www.santeesd,net, scroll to the Features section, and click on the SAFE AT SCHOOL Reopening Plan. As of this newsletter, the latest revision was August 19, 2021.

At this time, individuals who test positive for Covid-19 or who are identified as Close Contacts to someone who tested positive will move into quarantine. The period of time anyone will be off campus in quarantine is driven by specific factors including the last day exposed, vaccination status, etc. Therefore each person's experience may vary. However, average quarantines span 10-14 days off campus. Some may be less, some more. We work to take the safest, quickest path back to campus for each person affected.

Unlike last year, we no longer send an entire class home to quarantine when a positive case is identified, We will send home only those designated as close contacts. For a definition of close contact, please see the latest version of the SAFE AT SCHOOL Reopening Plan. We will be offering ways to stay connected to learning and protect attendance (up to 15 days per school year) during quarantine. See below for more information.

If you receive communication about your child moving into quarantine, know that we are here to support you. You can always reach out to our Health Clerk, Norma Lewis (619-258-4804); Attendance Clerk, DeAnna Tritthart (619-258-4805); or our administration team as you need us.

The district is also maintaining a webpage with updated information about active cases throughout the district, You can see it here: Covid-19 Dashboard

Student Attendance and Independent Study Contracts

We count on seeing our learner's smiling faces every day. However, we recognize there are a multitude of reasons that may mean staying home. The largest reason during a global pandemic is illness. We certainly want anyone who is ill to stay home.

Further, if your child experiences any of the following symptoms, please reach out to our Health Clerk (619-258-4804) to create a plan to return to school:

• Fever(above 100.0 degrees)

• Feeling sick or chills

• Cough or trouble breathing

• Head hurts or a runny or stuffy nose

• Sore throat

• Feeling “achy”

• Are sick to their stomach, have “thrown up,” or have runny poop

• Not able to taste or smell

• Been around someone COVID-positive

Rarely, students will need to be out of school for more than 5 consecutive days. One situation could be a quarantine due to Covid-19 or as a Close Contact to someone with Covid-19. During these extended absences, students can remain connected to their learning and receive attendance credit if they have an Independent Study Contract (ISC) for that time. The state of California has updated its ISC protocols, and this year, students are limited to 15 days on an ISC to receive attendance credit. Therefore, we discourage the use of ISCs unless due to Covid-related situations. That said, they are available for any absence 5 days of more.

Planned ISCs require a minimum of 10 days notice to the attendance clerk to work with teachers to prepare assignments for the ISC. Unplanned ISCs (e.g. Covid+-related absences such as quarantine) will be managed on a case-by-case basis.

Please note that another state update directs that the ISC must reflect the same amount of learning time as the school day. Therefore, students will be assigned a full day's work each day on an ISC and must provide evidence of that learning to obtain attendance credit. A student's iPad can be an invaluable tool to complete assignments at home. This is one reason we hope all students will take their iPads home daily!

Chet PTA - Everything is Awesome When We're Part of a Team!

Big Rock Park After School

Students may not wait for family nor "hang out" at Big Rock Park after school. Students should be picked up after school or go directly home. Once home, students are under their family's supervision. At that time, returning to the park is a family decision.

Even though the park is immediately adjacent to campus, it is not our property and we do not supervise that area after school Since we are responsible for students until they are with an adult or have arrived home, we cannot allow students to remain there without supervision. Any students in the park after dismissal will be asked to identify the adult that is supervising them or asked to leave if there is no adult present. Further, verbal permission won't be sufficient. If an adult isn't present, the student should proceed home.

Thank you for reinforcing this practice with your child.

General Education Transportation Temporarily Suspended Beginning 8-23-21

Before and after school bus transportation for some students has been temporarily suspended. This does not affect students attending the Boys and Girls Club after school nor students who receive transportation due to an IEP. Unfortunately, general education students will need to find alternate transportation to and from school each day. Affected families should have received written communication about this last week.

This interruption is due to a lack of bus drivers and could last four to five weeks.

In my conversations with our Transportation Department, I have been assured that Chet will be the first school to have its bussing reinstated when drivers join the department, If you know of anyone qualified or interested in becoming a school bus driver, please direct them to our hiring platform: www.edjoin.org/SanteeSD and apply!

We can't wait to see everyone tomorrow morning.

Just a reminder that all students should have a mask or face covering that will be required to be worn indoors. Masks are optional outdoors. We will also be maintaining brief symptom checks when students arrive to class. Beyond the safety protocols, we can't wait to get them on campus, connecting with teachers and friends and learning! Our challenge this year is to be sure that everyone grows in their learning as much as possible. No worries; we plan to have a lot of fun along the way!

There's information below and then you'll notice that my past newsletter is there as well. Please review it, as it has good information about our first days together.

Class Lists (Teacher Assignments) REMINDER

The district will be posting the 2021‐2022 school year class lists online this evening after 6:00 PM. To find your child’s class list, please visit the district website (www.santeesd.net). The lists will be password protected. The password for Chet F. Harritt is “STEAM”. This password is case sensitive and only good for Chet F. Harritt STEAM School.

The staff and I have worked very hard on class lists for this school year. Many thoughtful conversations have taken place and careful decisions were made to ensure the best possible learning environment for all or our children. We work to have an excellent balance of learning styles and ability levels: a balance of boys and girls and good matches between learning and teaching styles. Your child’s previous teacher had an important voice in these placement decisions. Please realize that our staffing assignments can and often do change even after the school year begins.

We will not be able to take action on requests for changes to our class assignments until after September 1. To make a request for change, please complete a change request form in the office. After September 1, they will be addressed in the order they were received. Even with a request, some enrollment limitations may make it impossible to make a change. Rest assured, we have an amazing teaching staff and all are credentialed and able to meet your child's needs!

Morning Arrival

As a reminder, only students may enter the campus, so be prepared to drop off your child in the front parking lot or on "Lower" Mesa Road at our North entrance (near ball fields) and let them proceed through the gates. You are welcome to join them to the gate, but adults and non-student children may not enter campus. Several staff members will be located at entrances and throughout campus to direct students to class. Gates will open at 7:30am.

Dismissal

Please make sure your child knows the expectation for their dismissal. They should know which area to go after school and an idea of who will be meeting them. Students will be dismissed to the Lower Mesa entrance, through the front gate to the parking lot, and to the bus loading area on "Upper" Mesa Road, the southern entrance to the school near the new building. All areas are supervised from the dismissal time for up to 15 minutes. If any students remain at that time, they will return to the office and parent will be contacted. Please note that children in grades TK-3 may not wait on campus for older siblings to dismiss. Other arrangements should be made. One option would be the Project SAFE Extended Day program. This is a program designed for siblings to wait between dismissals and allows older brothers and sisters to check out their younger siblings. Contact Project SAFE for details. 619-258-4810 or 619-258-2369. Be advised, this program does have a cost involved.

**Special note about Big Rock Park. NO STUDENTS MAY REMAIN IN BIG ROCK PARK AFTER DISMISSAL. Due to safety and supervision regulations, all students must dismiss home or to a caregiver. If a child goes home and then returns to Big Rock Park, that is a family decision. However, all students are under the school's supervision/responsibility between school and home each day. Therefore, we ask them to return home and/or to their caregivers and release that responsibility to the family before returning to the park. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Parking Lot

The front parking lot is primarily for staff. It is also the location of our parking spaces for those with accessibility needs. If you are planning to park and walk a student to the gates or entrances, please take advantage of parking at Big Rock Park or on our neighboring streets. We appreciate the courtesy.

Also, the lane closest to the curb is for pick-up and drop off only. We ask you to remain in your vehicle and move forward with traffic. There is no curb parking during arrival and dismissal.

It's going to be a great year!

If we've learned anything from the past year and a half, we know that we will face changes and challenges this year. Nevertheless, I am resolute that this will be a great year of learning and fun at Chet F. Harritt STEAM School. I thank you in advance for your patience and grace as get rolling into 2021-2022! I'll see you in the halls!

Hello Chet F. Harritt Community,

I am reaching out to welcome you to a new school year. I am Ted Hooks, the principal at Chet. F. Harritt STEAM School, and I can't wait to begin a powerful year of learning and growth together. Below you will find a great deal of information we wish to share as we get close to our first day of school. We have been working hard to get ready to welcome our students to campus safely. We can't wait to see you bright and early on Wednesday, August 18, 2021.

Class Lists (Teacher Assignments)

The district will be posting the 2021‐2022 school year class lists online. The lists will be available on Tuesday, August 17^th after 6:00 PM. To find your child’s class list, please visit the district website (www.santeesd.net). The lists will be password protected. The password for Chet F. Harritt is “STEAM”. This password is case sensitive and only good for Chet F. Harritt STEAM School.

The staff and I have worked very hard on class lists for this school year. Many thoughtful conversations have taken place and careful decisions were made to ensure the best possible learning environment for all or our children. We work to have an excellent balance of learning styles and ability levels: a balance of boys and girls and good matches between learning and teaching styles. Your child’s previous teacher had an important voice in these placement decisions. Please realize that our staffing assignments can and often do change even after the school year begins.

We will not be able to take action on requests for changes to our class assignments until after September 1. There will be a procedure for that type of request. Due to limitations, it is possible that a request may not be able to be fulfilled. Rest assured, we have an amazing teaching staff and all are credentialed and able to meet your child's needs!

Safe at School Reopening Plan

While we are all hoping for a more “normal” year, we continue to keep health and safety a priority. You will find answers to COVID related procedures by reading the Santee Safe at School Reopening Plan,.

Face Coverings

Face Coverings will be required when indoors, regardless of vaccination status. That includes the school office, classrooms, restrooms, and the cafeteria. Per the Santee Safe at School Reopening Plan, a proper facemask is defined as a cloth or disposable facemask with flexible material allowing the mask to form around, and be worn over, the nose and mouth. Exemption/exception is allowed only for medical/physical conditions or disabilities certified by a medical professional and evidenced by a “Personal Medical Action Plan”. Please contact the school office if your child qualifies for a medical exemption/exception prior to the start of school. Masks are not required outdoors, but students and staff will need to have them with them at all times in case they need to enter a building, for example, to use the restroom during recess time.

Wellness Checks:

Before entering classrooms, teachers will be required to ask each student the following wellness screening questions:

Please TELL your teacher or other school employee if yesterday or today you, or someone living with you, had:

1. Fever (above100.0 degrees)

2. Feeling sick or chills

3. Cough or trouble breathing

4. Head hurts or a runny or stuffy nose

5. Sore throat

6. Feeling “achy”

7. Are sick to your stomach, have “thrown up,” or have runny poop

8. Not able to taste or smell

9. Been around someone with COVID

If the student answers yes to any of the above, they will be sent to the health office.

Your child’s teacher will ensure your child puts on his/her face covering prior to entering the classroom. Each student will then wash their hands or use hand sanitizer.

Please help us by keeping your child at home if he/she is sick.

Arriving at School:

Our gates will open daily at 7:30 AM. Our school does not have supervision on campus prior to 7:30 AM. School starts promptly at 7:45 AM daily. Parents may walk with their children to the gate but are not allowed to enter campus due to current COVID restrictions.

On August 18th, Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students will enter through the gates adjacent to the Kindergarten playground near the front gates. Middle School students may enter through the gates near the new Middle School Building and Learning Resource Center. All other students will enter though the front gates adjacent to the Administration building. This year we are allowing students to enter from Mesa Road. Bus riders will enter from "upper" Mesa Road near the Big Rock Park entrance. Parents may also use "lower" Mesa Road to drop off at the gates to the ball park. All students will proceed to their classrooms the first three days of school.

Starting August 23^rd, students will enter campus between 7:30 and 7:45 and proceed directly to their designated waiting areas. For details on that, please see our welcome video. we've posted it on our webpage and below.

Breakfast and Lunch:

Breakfast and lunch will be available to all students for free during the 2021-2022 school year. Breakfast will be served during K-5 grade recesses and during Middle School morning break. Lunches will be served at grade level lunch times. Breakfast and lunch menus can be viewed here.

We Need Your Help!

The District and our school receive funding each year that is partially based on counts of students who qualify for free/reduced priced meals. You can help our school and District to obtain additional funding by filling out the Annual Family Information Form. One form is needed for each child enrolled in the district. Completion of this form can also help you to obtain lower cost services from certain other service providers, such as, for example, Cox Cable. Please take a few minutes to click on the link and complete the Annual Family Information Form for each of your children attending District schools.

School Dismissal Times:

11:15 AM for Transitional Kindergarten

1:35 PM for Kindergarten-3^rd Grade

2:01 PM for 4^th-8^th Grade

Staff will be on duty to ensure student safety. If you choose to pick up your child from school, you can meet them at the front of the school. Please note that there is a dedicated drive-through lane for pick up and drop off. Please be patient and courteous to other drivers and pedestrians.

Project SAFE

Project SAFE is excited to bounce back to the start of a new school year with our newly constructed portables. We are super excited to create new memories with our students. Student drop off and pick up will look a little different this year. Please utilize the gate off Mesa Road. There is a pedestrian gate where you will enter and walk down the ramp to portable 1. If the gate is locked, please contact our Project SAFE office at 619-258-4810.

Check out our welcome back video for some details!

District Welcome Back Video!

Did you know that Santee has a cable TV channel where you can find many local updates? We have our very own welcome back message airing on the channel but here is the link for your viewing pleasure: https://vimeo.com/583116467. We hope you and your children enjoy our message!

Do you have other questions about the start of school?

If so, please ask your question on this form, and we will compile into an FAQ document and post on our school website shortly.