Ludlow-Taylor Family,
We had a great first week of term 3 in-person learning, despite the winter weather and technology glitches! Thanks to all families, both virtual and in person, for the grace and flexibility you’ve shown. Here are updates:
Black History Events
February is a month to pay homage and shine light on the accomplishments of African Americans. Black History is American History and together we will honor those in all realms, learn some new facts, and have some fun! Thanks to our fantastic team- Ms. Francis and Mr. JP- for collaborating with others to intentionally plan an eventful month of learning and engaging.
Click Here for the BHM Flyer: Includes Spirit Week & Events
2.11 MOVIE NIGHT (Akeelah and the Bee)
2.16 KARNIVAL DANCE PARTY (DJ Dance Party)
2.18 BLACK BOOK CLUB (Read Alouds and Book Discussions)
2.25 SOULFOOD COOKING CLASS (Let’s all learn how to make a good dish!)
2.26 ART WINNERS ANNOUNCED (From contest in art class)
(Links and information are forthcoming for all events)
Family agreement travel requirement
Please be mindful of the last bullet point in the family agreement form. Travel requirements are strict and require students to either quarantine or get a test three days after returning from any high risk state or country (essentially everywhere) and then a negative COVID test to return to school. Keep this in mind as you plan weekend trips and find more info here.
Masks
Each child will receive and wear a medical mask if they only have a cloth mask. Recent studies show that many cloth masks are ineffective or can actually be worse than not wearing a mask at all and layered medical masks are comparatively effective. Since we cannot easily gauge if students’ masks have the appropriate three layers, we will provide a blue medical mask for all upon entry. If wearing two masks is difficult for our PK students, they may wear just the medical mask. Please explain this to your children to prepare them for this change. Data from the study is in our Term 3 Reopening Presentation, slide 14.
Asymptomatic testing
All students who have completed the consent form will receive a test. This is NOT the uncomfortable ‘deep nasal swab’ you may have heard about. This is a shallow and gentle swab of the nostrils that our students in the student support center and CARE classroom have been completing for the past month. We are so glad that you are willing to participate in this ‘surveillance’ testing to help keep our school safe. Students who did not return this form, got the form sent home with them today.
Breakfast and lunch menus
Sodexo has provided menus for breakfast and lunch. It is titled ‘CARE classroom menu’ but is the menu for all in person learning. The PDF is generally found on the DCPS meal menu page on their website. Huge caveat is that with COVID and inclement weather there have recently been delayed deliveries and frequent substitutions, making these menus inaccurate on some days. We will be working with Sodexo to get any adjustments to the menus with enough notice to share changes with parents.
**Ludlow-Taylor is a nut-free school. Students cannot bring peanuts of any kind into the building**
Vaccine second dose
Many in-person learning teachers and staff have gotten the first dose of their COVID vaccination. The majority of our staff gets the second dose on February 15 and we are planning ahead in the event many staff members are ill the next day (side effects are more likely for the second dose of the vaccine). We may move to an all virtual learning day on February 16 if teachers are sick. We are sharing this info early so that you can plan ahead.
NEW In-Person Learning Families
Next week we welcome our cohort B for ECE and cohort C for Grade 3, please review the presentation ahead click here for all consent forms. The School Agreement is mandatory to enter.
Key dates
· February 15: President’s Day (no school)
· February 16: Report cards mailed
· February 19: Middle of the year testing closes
· March 5: Parent Teacher Conferences (no school)
Thank you for the smiles and thoughtfulness this week,
Ms. Daniel