Posted September 12, 2020
Good Day Families,
Our classrooms are in full force with active learning already occurring. The adult learning continues each Friday during our PLC time when the staff gathers after dismissal. We frequently receive questions about our early dismissal and what our Administration, Staff and Teachers do during Friday afternoons. With all of the reforms occurring in the educational system, the shared time allows the staff time for collaborative team learning, joint planning and an opportunity for collective inquiry so that we may provide the greatest educational journey for each and every student.
As we head into week three, please be aware that your children are still adjusting to the routines of being in school, and many may be tired this weekend. Help them to get enough sleep so that they are prepared for school on Monday. We are trying to minimize transitions and setting up our days as if we were in the classroom. Please make sure your children are dressed appropriately, not in pajamas and that, they have finished their breakfast and are ready to get started with learning! A quiet space set up with a desk or a chair and table will be helpful. We have welcomed many new students and their families to Bill Roberts. We need your help in encouraging your kiddos to reach out to the new students here so together we can build new friendships and ease their transition to our school.
Please check out the school’s website and your teachers’ sites to stay current on what is happening in the classrooms. Many teachers are planning virtual home visits. This will take the place of back to school nights. In October, your teacher will be scheduling a one on one conference with you around your child’s academic learning and their progress. Please look for schedules coming out. If at any time, you have questions or concerns around learning, please reach out directly to your specific teacher.
You may have just received notification from DPS on return to school options. We will be hosting some town halls around our return to school plan. Right now, Kindergarten students will return to in person learning on October 5th and 1st grade will return on October 12th. All families must decide between virtual or in person learning by September 18th. We will continue to update you as things are communicated to us. Second grade and above are still slated to return after October 16th. We will be looking for more information from the district on that early next week.
Please be patient as we put together an approved safe return to school plan, which will be communicated shortly.
Thanks,
Trich, Eric and Katheryn
Coming Up:
Virtual Learning Option/In Person Learning
Families have until September 18 to make a final enrollment decision for the first semester through December, whether they prefer a virtual program or as much in person learning as health condition permit.
Eat and Give
Mark your calendars and MENTION BILL ROBERTS AS INSTRUCTED BELOW when you order from these neighborhood restaurants on their given dates and they will give back between 20-25% of your total order to our school!
Panera Bread, Quebec Square
Tuesday, September 15th
4-8pm (20%)
Order online with code PRFUND for take-out
Oblio’s Pizzeria, Park Hill
Thursday, September 17th
4:30-8:30pm (20%)
Mention BR for take-out, delivery, or RESERVED PATIO DINING
Obliospizzeria@gmail.com
Book It Bobcats Reporting and Pledge Collection
This is the FINAL WEEKEND to read for Book It Bobcats! You can begin collecting donations at the new donation site and NEW THIS YEAR; you can create a personalized donation site by going to the Student Center and registering your student. Do not forget to report your reading by Sunday, September 13th. You do not have to collect donations to get great prizes from reading with Book It Bobcats!
If you have any questions, email bookitbobcats@gmail.com
Istation Testing
Istation Testing for 1st and 2nd grade is coming up next week. Your child’s teacher will inform you of the day and time.
As this is a new “remote” experience for us all, we have two requests in order to make sure your student is ready and that testing is as stress-free as possible:
1. We need you to check your child’s device for the Istation App and report any issues prior to the day of testing. If you have a DPS issued device, Istation should already be on it. If you have a personal device, please visit www.istation.com/support and scroll down for detailed instructions on installing onto your specific device. You should have already received an email from your child’s teacher with these step-by-step instructions, but please reach out to your child’s teacher if you need assistance.
2. Please ensure your student has a quiet location in which to take the assessment. You may assist your child in logging in, but please leave her/him to complete the assessment independently. We use this data to help us make the most informed instructional decisions for your child, so we need to know what they can do independently.
Town Halls
Dr. Cohen will host town halls on September 15th and 17th to check in with MS families and see how remote learning is going. These will serve as Back-to-School Nights.
6th grade: Tuesday, September 15th at 5:30pm
7th/8th grade: Thursday, September 17th at 5:30pm
Google Link for 7th/ 8th grade
For an efficient and meaningful Town Hall, please fill out THIS SURVEY after discussing it with your MS student.
Resources for Family/Student Meals
Breakfast and Lunch
Denver Public Schools is providing free weekday breakfast and lunch for children at Bill Roberts, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Apply for P-EBT
P-EBT provides families with children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals with funds to help buy food since schools were closed this Spring due to the pandemic. You can receive up to $279 per eligible child to stretch your food budget. Please click here for more information. Deadline to apply is September 23rd.
Food Bank of the Rockies
This website will provide you a list of food pantries closest to you
PTA Food Pantry
The Bill Roberts PTA Food Pantry is preparing to begin serving our school once again. The food pantry will provide assistance to families in need during the 2020-21 school year.
We understand that our school is a diverse community serving students with a variety of situations. The success of all children at Bill Roberts is important to the school.
If you would like to receive assistance please complete the google form and you will be contacted with additional information. Please note that the school staff will take great care in maintaining confidentiality.
Box Tops
Download the Box Tops app, connect to Bill Roberts, and scan your grocery receipts to earn money for our school just by purchasing any of 240+ products you already buy, including school and office supplies. Friends and family members anywhere can download the app and support our school!!
A few brands still have clippable Box Tops on their packaging so be sure to clip, collect and turn them into the school before they expire.
Click on boxtops4education.com for more info!
Technology
If you still need to exchange your iPad or Chromebook, need a new device or need device repair please email June_Jose@dpsk12.org
School Supplies
Some school supplies are on backorder. As soon as they arrive, look for communication from the front office that will provide specifics on how and when you will be able to pick these things up.
SeeSaw
Please review this email with this video showing you how to log into Seesaw using the Family App. Here is the guide that was also provided to support parents along with that video.
Caregiver Support Group
The FACE Center at John H. Amesse Elementary School is offering a FREE Caregiver Support Group. The purpose of the group is to create a space for caregivers to support one another, increase their own stress resilience, and cope with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic
If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please Contact:
Maren Benevento, maren.benevento@mhcd.org, 720-410-6155