Welcome Back
Dear Parents and Guardians: September 2021
This Thursday is the first official day of school. We have been working hard at developing techniques and routines for improving our learning environment given our current circumstances. We, as a staff, are committed to providing your children with a safe and nurturing environment.
Day 1 is a very busy morning so we are respectfully requesting that families not congregate on campus. We miss our traditions and welcoming our families but we must focus on safety first so please once you drop off your child to the appropriate teacher/ location please safely depart we will miss being in so many pictures and selfies and we hope to make it up to you in the spring.
The Emergency Information solicitation was sent electronically in August. If you did not receive the electronic form please contact the main office.
This year, our school hours at the J. Turner Hood School are from 8:05 – 2:20. We have arranged a few changes to arrival and dismissal. It is very important to note that students may not be dropped off before 7:55 AM, as there is no morning supervision. Please be mindful of mask requirements and social distancing when on campus.
AFTERNOON DISMISSAL AND PLACARD PICK-UP SYSTEM
I have previously collected every student’s dismissal procedure. We may reach out to a few to fill in some gaps but we are in really great shape at this time. Dismissal will look very similar on the outside but we have made several internal changes to ensure everyone’s safety inside. One external change for families to note is for Aspen Road Walkers. Those students will be lined up outside in the grade 1 & 2 Staging area as noted on the map below.
PLACARD PICK UP PARTICIPANTS
If you intend to participate in the Placard Pick-up System to pick up your children in front of J. Turner Hood by car you will be required to “queue up” in a single line down the driveway, through our parking lot and up to the Handicapped parking spot at the end of our “loop.” All cars should wait in a single line up to the school and not pass the car in front of them, even if you are not participating in the placard pick-up system. At all times, there must be space for two-way traffic on Haverhill Street and in the school driveway to allow for vehicles leaving and to provide emergency vehicle access.
You (the parent/guardian) or someone you give permission to pick up your child must have the placard in view on the right-hand side of the windshield as you pull up. A suggested practice is to have the placard affixed to your passenger side visor and flip it down while you are “que up.” Children who are being picked up via the placard pick-up system will remain in the Cafeteria while family names are called. As you pull up with the placard in view, your child(ren) will be called out using a walkie-talkie system from staff out on the sidewalk to staff in the cafeteria, and placed in your vehicle.
PARKING LOT INFORMATION
You should be aware that the North Reading police can and will ticket your car if you park in posted NO PARKING areas at the J. Turner Hood School. Parking in the fire lane in front of the school or the rotary circle is not allowed.
FAMILIES NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE PLACARD SYSTEM
Parents who plan to park on the neighborhood streets are encouraged to continue to do so. Please follow all parking signs and traffic signs on surrounding streets.
All true walkers including Aspen Road Walkers will be dismissed into the Grade 1 and 2 Staging Areas for parent pick up or to walk home if appropriate and parent permission is on file.
MORNING ARRIVAL
This year, our school hours at the J. Turner Hood School are from 8:05 – 2:20. We have arranged a few changes to arrival and dismissal. It is very important to note that students may not be dropped off before 7:55 AM, as there is no morning supervision. Please be mindful of mask requirements and social distancing when on campus.
All bus students will be received in the loop at the school entrance.
All car drop off students will be received at the large loop at the gym entrance.
All walkers should arrive to the appropriate grade level area line up area as practiced during our student meetings.
Students will be supervised and lined up by grade level on the paved/ concrete areas maintaining 3-6 ft social distancing wearing masks facing the same direction - markings will be available.
Please refer to map (below) for entry points. Paraprofessionals will be assigned to monitor students on school campus. Parents dropping off students will be asked to arrive at designated time but not sooner. We anticipate that the Before-School Program will begin at 7:00 a.m. The program must maintain 6’ social distance with masks. Assigned seats in the cafeteria will be necessary (once we have the enrollment). Students in this program will enter through the cafeteria door (door #26). This is for registrants only.
Grades PK & 3 Entrance- Students will line up outside of the front entrance and enter via the front door of the school.
Grade 1 & 2 Entrance Area- Students will line up outside of the grade 1 & 2 hallway and enter via their individual classroom doors.
Grades K, 4, 5 & SEEM- Students will line up outside on the playground and enter the building by exterior doors (SEEM) or Door 19 for other grades.
Vehicle Morning Drop Off Procedures:
1. Drop off children at the side rotary.
2. Pull all the way up to the end of the sidewalk before letting your child out.
3. Let your child out opposite the driver’s side, only.
4. Do not get out of the car yourself.
5. There is NO PARKING within the rotary.
6. Please remain in your car and move forward once your child exits the car, in order to keep the line moving. For safety reasons, it is important that you follow this procedure.
Parking:
1. If you have to park to support your child, please park within the side parking lot in a designated parking space. Non-staff vehicles are not permitted in the front rotary during morning drop off or dismissal. This is for buses as well as specialized transportation vehicles only.
Dismissal Requests
Dismissal of children prior to the end of the school day should be preceded by a note to the classroom teacher. Please be sure we have your most updated contact information and a list of adults who you give permission to take your children home should we not be able to reach you. Also, as per usual dismissal procedure(such as when a child misses a bus), please note that we will not dismiss children with other parents, neighborhood families, etc., unless you have noted that this is permissible on your emergency forms. These students will remain with school personnel. Please complete any dismissal changes as soon as possible.
Back to School Night
It will soon be the staffs’ pleasure to welcome you back to the J. Turner Hood School for the 2020-2021 school year at our Parent’s Night on Thursday, September 24, 2020. More details to follow from your child’s classroom teacher/s.
This initial Open House will serve as a “Back to School Night” and will provide an opportunity for the staff to introduce themselves, familiarize you with the goals and procedures of our school, and outline the grade level curriculum, materials and expectations. This is not intended for conferencing with teachers. Formal conferences will take place at the end of the trimester in early December.
Our Parents’ Association!
Did you know that the PA will be providing every student at the Hood School with a Chromebook Case to protect and store the Chromebook that the school will be providing to every student? We anticipate that they will go home within the first week of school or so, so keep your eyes peeled for updates!
This amazing group continues to support us in many ways. Please get involved. Here are some examples:
-Kindergarten welcome bags from the PA (including yard signs, lanyards and Ready Confetti) were handed out to Kindergarteners at orientation. Yard signs will be distributed next week to any Kindergarten students who have not yet received one.
-The PA will be handing out #HoodStrong vinyl car clings to show our students how our community extends beyond the walls of the school!
-There will also be a contest for those who display the cling on their cars! Stay tuned for more information in the “Welcome Back Package.”
-Today is the last day to have your student sign the PA’s graffiti banner (9/16)! Thank you to everyone who has signed so far!
-Please make sure to fill out the Hood School Directory form...if you filled out a form in person you do NOT need to fill it out again
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScr8lTC-rPGCYw0bn2TP5cELHtiqyKe...
-The 2020 PA virtual meeting dates/times are below. Make sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @jthoodpa for meeting login information, and to stay up to date on PA news and information!
September 23 @7PM
October 21 @7PM
If you have any questions, please email me at gmckay@nrpsk12.org.
Sincerely,
Dr. Glen McKay, Principal