Students and staff will wear masks at school any time they are unable to socially distance. In the hybrid model students are able to socially distance at their desks in the classroom, they will have opportunities to take a break from the mask. Students will need to wear masks in the hallways and restrooms. Levels of rigor in regards to physical activity while wearing a mask will be monitored closely and breaks provided, as needed. Masks will be worn on the school bus. We would like students and staff to start each day with a clean mask.

The school will provide one cloth mask to each student when/if they need it. A lanyard will also be provided that students will keep at school to hold their mask when they remove it temporarily. Shields are welcome at school but Cedar County Public Health advises that a face mask needs to accompany a shield when students are unable to socially distance. Gaiters are acceptable as a face covering but not bandanas.

Drinking fountains are closed. Students will need to bring water bottles to fill at the bottle filling stations. Please make sure it is a wide mouth bottle with a removable lid.

This year it is very important that students do not arrive prior to 8:00 a.m.

Playgrounds will not be open to MS students before school.

Students will have designated entrances to encourage social distancing and prevent large groups of students from gathering. Door monitors will be controlling the entrance of students a few at a time. Students will enter, stop at their locker and report to their first block class.

The West Branch Community School District Wellness Policy (504.13R) prompts us to promote student access to healthy snacks. In order to honor this policy and protect our students with allergies and food intolerances, foods brought for snack, birthday, and/or classroom celebrations must be commercially prepared/packaged healthy food items with an intact ingredient label. Beverages offered at classroom events must be water, milk or 100% fruit and vegetable juices.  Items not meeting these requirements will not be able to be served to students.  We apologize for the inconvenience but we will no longer be able to accept homemade treats. 

Classroom snacks, birthday treats, and classroom celebration food requirements:

• • All food must arrive to school in a sealed manufacturer package
  • Individually packaged snacks work well but are not required
  • No homemade foods will be served
  • Foods should aim to be (as much as possible):
    • Whole grains when possible
    • Less than 200 calories per serving
    • Zero trans fat
    • Calories from saturated fat should be less than 10%
  • If your child is in a designated nut-free classroom (teacher will notify you accordingly), snacks should be free of peanuts, tree nuts, or peanut butter. Snacks should also not be made in a factory where cross contamination may occur.  Please review food labels carefully.

 

Sample Nutrition Label (areas to check are circled):

  

A list of healthy snack options is attached to this document. While this list is not exhaustive, these examples comply with the West Branch Community School District wellness policy and are meant to help families plan accordingly.  Also, feel free to consider low cost non-food treats, if interested, to celebrate birthdays or holidays (pencils, stamps, stickers, temporary tattoos, etc.). As always, do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Jess Burger

Elementary Principal

 

 

 

 

In order to reduce the number of students exiting the building at one time, Hoover Elementary will have staggered dismissal times this year. Students being picked up by car will be dismissed at 3:10 pm. Students riding the school bus will be dismissed at 3:20 pm. Walkers and Kids Club students will be dismissed at 3:25 pm. Please prepare to share your child’s dismissal plan with his/her teacher at Back to School Night.