BISMARCK

PARENT QUICK NOTES @ BISMARCK ELEMENTARY

Parents & Guardians, Monday is approaching and we are excited! It is our goal to not only take very good care of your children, but keep you informed as well. We want our parents to trust us and be comfortable as we approach our first day of school. I know there are many changes this year so I wanted to make this list of quick notes that I hope will help you as we begin our school year. I truly want you to feel comfortable sending your children to school, we are following all guidelines and the bottom line is we LOVE your children and will treat and protect them just as we would our own. You now have your teacher’s email and please don’t hesitate to contact her but I am still here and totally available for your emails or phone calls. Please remember that the following notes are for your children's safety and well being. Your children are in the hands of professionals but more importantly they are in the hands of parents as well, you children are in the hands of someone that loves them.  Please call 501-865-3616 if you need any assistance from any of us. We are here for you.

We love and protect your children first: then we teach them!

SO IMPORTANT: PLEASE BE SURE YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER KNOWS EXACTLY HOW TO SEND YOUR CHILD HOME IN THE AFTERNOONS. 

• Parents may not exit cars during the Morning Car Line.

• Parents may not exit cars during the Afternoon Car Line.

• Car Tags are REQUIRED for Car Line Pick Up.

• Students must have masks on before exiting the car.

• Before students exit cars in the morning line you will be asked the 4 COVID questions.

• If you have medicine to give to Nurse D, call her first to let her know you are coming.

• If you have Guidance Counseling needs, call Ms. Roberts.

• Parents will not eat lunch in the cafeteria with their children during this time. 

• In order to limit exposure to our students and staff, all essential business will be conducted initially from the elementary foyer area. Please call 501-865-3616 and we are happy to assist you.

• It is VERY IMPORTANT that we have at least two phone numbers so we can reach you.

• Grab & Go Breakfasts are available. Your child will have the opportunity to eat one. If you DO NOT want your child to have a Grab & Go it is very important that you let his or her teacher know. 

Bismarck Elementary School

2020 Virtual Open House

Mrs. Kissire – Superintendent – https://youtu.be/ei4QTfsl1A0

Mrs. Hughes - Principal - https://youtu.be/CkU-hiibl5U 

1^st Grade Teachers – https://youtu.be/qyqCiGpAUbo

     Mrs. Falco, Mrs. Ledbetter, Mrs. Nelson, and Mrs. Corley

2nd Grade Teachers - https://youtu.be/h3GcWB47uPI 

    Mrs. Clement, Mrs. Amanda and Mrs. Norris

3rd Grade Teachers -  https://youtu.be/uiSoW3QR85E 

    Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Allsup and Mrs. Cooper

4th Grade Teachers - https://youtu.be/8QA0I4j1wbQ 

    Mrs. White, Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Mann and Mrs. Neel

Special Education Teachers - https://youtu.be/5EeTI7U-DcU 

    Mrs. Cusher, Mrs. Brown and Ms. Hall

Coach Smith - PE  https://youtu.be/7ZCfLvGWZvc  

Mrs. Thornton - Art  https://youtu.be/15H5PvK8xZ0

BISMARCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL  

August 9, 2020

Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year!

Revised from July 27, 2020                

Dear Parents and Families,

https://www.facebook.com/BismarckElementarySchool/

https://www.bismarcklions.net/index.php?pageID=79255_2

If you are not receiving text messages from Bismarck Elementary please visit the above link and sign up for our messages. These messages contain information of interest and importance. 

I have updated the letter/message sent on July 27 with current information. 

Since then, we have been working very hard creating a foundation for a great year. We have had updated guidance and recommendations from the CDC (Center for Disease Control), the ADH (Arkansas Department of Health), and DESE (Division of Elementary and Secondary Education). I want to pass this along to you.

Keeping parents informed is very important. Even though this is a year that will look different, be assured we are providing all precautions for safety as well as providing a focused education for your children. I feel confident we can do both successfully.

I am graciously requesting that our parents, families, and community be patient with us as we navigate through this year. We understand that change can sometimes be difficult. Our promise to you is that we will hold your child’s needs at the forefront of all our decisions. 

Homerooms and Pods:

Update: In order to reduce the spread of illnesses, our Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recommends each homeroom class to have a seating chart. This seating chart will be followed throughout the day as they attend their general ed classes and encore classes as well as in the cafeteria and at recess. Within the homeroom, students will have their own ‘POD’ of approximately 10 children. These students will stay together during the day. 

Pod defined: a group of students with the classroom that stay together throughout the school day to minimize exposure for students across the school environment.

Water and Hydration:

Please put your child’s name on water bottles. 

BES requests that you send a water bottle with your child each day. 

WATER IS THE ONLY DRINK ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM,

PLEASE DO NOT FILL WITH ANY OTHER LIQUIDS OTHER THAN WATER.

DO NOT BRING ANY POWDER OR LIQUID TO ADD TO YOUR WATER BOTTLE.

We will have two brand new Water Bottle Filling Stations, one in “A” building and one in “C” building. We will not use the regular drinking fountains. We ask that you send a clean water bottle with your child each morning. This may be a commercial water bottle (please try to find one that is non-spillable) or a disposable bottle that can be thrown away at the end of the day.

School Supplies:

For both Onsite and Virtual students. Onsite students will bring their supplies when they return to campus August 24. 

Virtual students will use theirs while completing virtual assignments.

Please put your child’s name on school supplies before bringing them to school.

School Supplies for Kindergarten may be brought during Open House. 

School Supplies for grades 1st through 4th may be brought to school by students on the first day of school. 

Extra Clothing for Students:

To lessen the spread of germs BES will not have extra clothes for students that may have accidents and need a change of clothing. Please put an extra set of clothing in your child’s backpack. This will save parents a trip to bring clothes to school.

Face Coverings/Cloth Masks:

Masks will be required for Elementary students. Please put your child’s name on the mask when sending a personal mask from home.

(Bismarck School District directs that all students under the age of 10 wear a mask during transition times and any other time deemed necessary for the safety of the student by a Bismarck School District staff member or their representative. All students K- 12 are required to wear a mask on the school bus at all times, as is the bus driver. Board approved August 3).

Bismarck School District will provide each student a washable mask every 3 weeks. The following link is The American Academy of Pediatrics frequently asked questions regarding face coverings. 

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Cloth-Face-Coverings-for-Children-During-COVID-19.aspx

Prior to school each morning:

Check your child each morning for signs of illness.

If your child has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher, they should not come to school.

Make sure your child does not have a sore throat or other signs of illness, like cough, diarrhea, severe headache, vomiting, or body aches.

If your child has had close contact with a confirmed positive COVID-19 case, they should not come to school. 

Cleaning and Sanitizing:

The district has ordered electromagnetic machines that will be used to disinfect classrooms periodically. They can be used every 60-90 days. 

Daily sanitizing procedures will also be utilized.

We are prepared with sanitizer stations that are distributed throughout the school. 

We will have clear dividers in classrooms to decrease germ spread.

CDC (Center of Disease Control) recommendations for cleaning and sanitizing are being followed.

Drop Off and Pick Up for Car Riders: MORNING

Morning Drop-Off begins at 7:35:

With the importance of social distancing in mind, student drop off will begin at 7:35 each morning. 

Students may not exit their cars until COVID-19 questions are answered. 

Kindergarten and 1st grade will be dropped off in front of “A” building from 7:35-7:45. 

NO STUDENT MAY EXIT VEHICLE UNTIL A SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE ASSISTS.

Kindergarten will have a staggered schedule the first 3 days of school. Kindergarten parents please find this information on another document provided to you. 

7:35: NEW: Grades 2, 3, and 4 will be dropped off in front of the Gym. 

NO STUDENT MAY EXIT VEHICLE UNTIL A SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE ASSISTS.

If you have children in both drop off lines, you may let them both off in front of “A” building. Absolutely no Kinder or 1st graders may be dropped off at the Gym.

7:55: Pre-K Students - Parents do not get out of the car. Teachers will assist your child. No Pre-K child may get out of the car until assisted by a teacher.

AFTERNOON Pick-up:    NEW!  

2:45: Pre-K:

Pre-K car rider line will enter on the drive just past Finch Road on Highway 84 in front of “A” building. Teachers will deliver your Pre-K student to you. 

2:55 to 3:08: Kindergarten

Kindergarten car rider line will enter from FINCH road. Do not move past the playground line until all Pre-K students have been safely delivered to their car.

3:05 to 3:13: First Grade

First grade car rider line will enter campus ONLY AFTER KINDERGARTEN is finished. 

Enter from FINCH Road. DO NOT proceed in front of the Kinder line. First grade may enter from 3:05 to 3:13.

3:10: Second, Third, and Fourth Grade

To be picked up at the gym parking lot. Cars will line up and circle back out the same GYM entrance. Please be patient with this process the first few days. We will be there to assist. 

Open House:

KINDERGARTEN: August 18  

• Kindergarten Open House will be face to face. 

• Please bring school supplies at this time. 

• Only two adults per Kinder student.

• No other children allowed.

• Face coverings are required.

We will strictly adhere to the following schedule:

• Last names A - H begins promptly at 4:30 in the classrooms. 

• Exit at 5:15 to allow for cleaning and sanitizing.

• Last names I - Z begins promptly at 5:30 in the classrooms. 

• Exit at 6:15.

OPEN HOUSE: GRADES ONE THROUGH FOUR will be VIRTUAL: 

We will have recorded virtual Open Houses for grades 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades. These will be posted on our website for your viewing. Please take the time to watch with your child and help your child become familiar with his school home. Teacher emails will be posted for any questions you may have. Post date to be announced.

Updates come often. Please check our website and our Elementary Facebook page for these updates. Please use the link at the beginning of this document to sign up for important text messages. Our goal is to keep you informed. If you have any comments or questions please do not hesitate to email me.  lana.hughes@bsd-lions.net

VIRTUAL STUDENTS AND PARENTS:  

THIS IS AN OVERVIEW - MORE TO COME LATER THIS WEEK

Bismarck Elementary is very pleased to be serving your virtual needs. The following will give you a preview of our planning. 

• Virtual instruction will be 4-6 hours per day and you must have access to reliable internet. 

• Make certain the school has updated and accurate contact information. Call 501-865-3616.

• Log in no later than 7:55 each morning. Tardies will be noted.

• Follow the daily schedule provided to you.

• Be ON TIME to all Live sessions and/or all Google Meet sessions.

• All recorded sessions must be viewed before the end of each school day at 3:15.

• All assignments are due by 8:00 a.m. the morning following the assignment date unless otherwise noted by the teacher.

• Technology questions contact leah.wright@bsd-lions.net  

• Students will be allowed to check out a Chrome Book. 

• Attend all assigned classes every day.

• Participate in discussions.

• Students are expected to adhere to all handbook rules including dress code for live meetings. Ex. No pajamas

• Complete all assignments and submit on time 

• 7:35 AM to 3:30 PM is considered a teacher’s official workday and during these hours all instruction, questions, and assistance will take place. 

• It is very important that teachers have their personal family and home time, please contact them only during the work day hours.

• Students will log in each morning by 7:50. 7:55 is considered Tardy.

• Virtual students will have ‘Live’ sessions with a staff member to check on their progress and needs. 

• Teachers will provide lessons, live and recorded, of new academic material daily.

• Virtual students will have structured time schedules to maintain.

• Important! Deadlines and due dates will be very important to follow so that our virtual students can be in unison with our onsite students in academic assignments and learning.

• Send an email to your teacher every day letting them know your successes and your needs.

• We will use Google Classroom in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade.

• We will use SeeSaw as our platform in Kindergarten and 1st grade.                             

We Recommend:

• That you create a schedule with your child and make a commitment to stick with it. 

• Structure and routine for the virtual student can greatly help your child from falling behind with assignments. 

• A family calendar or other visuals can be useful for keeping track of deadlines and assignments.

• Find a space for school work that is free of distractions and noise for assignments and learning.

• The elementary student is young and will need a lot of encouragement and assistance. We are committed to this as educators and we know you as parents are as well.

• You can be a role model for your child by practicing self-care such as taking breaks, getting plenty of sleep, exercising, eating well, and staying socially connected. 

We are certainly in this together!

Of course we will have more information to come as plans are solidified. 

To all of our parents and caregivers, whether you are onsite or virtual, Bismarck Elementary is committed to serving all of your academic needs to their fullest. We also are committed to serving other needs as they arise.  Please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Respectfully,

Lana Hughes

Bismarck Elementary Principal

Click here to download a printable copy of the BES Supply List for 2020-21 school year.

We’re honored to be named an #ESEADistinguishedSchool for 2019! Congratulations to our students, teachers, staff, & parents for earning this recognition.