The "New" Snow Day

 

December  16, 2020

 

Dear Families,

 

Winter is upon us and I wanted to take a moment to share some information that you may find helpful in the coming days and weeks. 

 

Winter Recess

The goal is to get outdoors as much as possible! If the “feels like” temperature is 10 degrees or higher, we will be having outdoor recess. We are requesting that students wear warm jackets, hats, and gloves for outdoor play. All students should bring boots to school to play in the snowy fields. There is nothing worse than wet feet. Our hope is to add an option for students to sled at recess. It is recommended that K-2 students bring and wear snow pants as well to keep warm and dry.  If financial resources are strained and limit your ability to purchase warm winter gear for your child, (coat, snow pants, boots, hats, & mittens), please contact our school social worker, Jaime Tardif, directly at 222-1168 or via email at jaime.tardif@gorhamschools.org for assistance and available resources. 

 

The new “Snow Day”

For this year only, a “snow day” will be a remote learning school day for all staff and students. This day may be determined by Heather Perry the night before or in the morning of inclement weather when it is not safe to travel to campus. Families can expect to receive communication from their child’s classroom teacher on the evening before or the morning of a “snow day.”  This communication will include what your child will work on while at home during a “snow day.”

 

Students that experience a “snow day” on their normal at-home learning day will follow their regular schedule and complete the typical assignments shared by their teachers and, if applicable, service providers. Students that experience a “snow day” on a day when they should be learning on-campus will follow the learning plan and schedule shared by their teachers. Please note that this day will be as close as possible to the expectations for at-home learning during the instructional week. 

 

Teachers have sent home an emergency “snow day” packet that should be utilized if your family is experiencing a power outage and is not able to access information or activities that may have been shared through your child’s Google Classroom or SeeSaw platform. This is also the time when the bucket of shared materials may be accessed to support learning at home. 

Although this new “snow day” includes a continuation of learning, our hope is that you will still find time to enjoy the day. Be sure to build a snowman, go for a wintery walk, drink hot cocoa, and snuggle with a good book. Academic activities should take no longer than 45 minutes for Kindergarten; 60 minutes for Grades 1-2; 90 minutes for Grade 3-5.

 

As always, please feel free to reach out to me at any time with questions and feedback. I am available through email at becky.fortier@gorhamschools.org and by phone at 222-1050.

Take care and be well,

Becky Fortier

Great Falls Principal

Translation is available. Please contact Cecely Conrad at cecely.conrad@gorhamschools.org or 207-222-1370.

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ការបកប្រែមាន។ សូមទាក់ទង Cecely Conrad តាម cecely.conrad@gorhamschools.org ឬ 207-222-1370.

Traduction disponible. Veuillez contacter Cecely Conrad au cecely.conrad@gorhamschools.org ou 207-222-1370.

提供翻译。 请通过cecely.conrad@gorhamschools.org或207-222-1370与“ Cecely Conrad”联系。