Friday Message 10/2/2020

Posted October 3, 2020

Good Day Families,

You continue to amaze us.  Even in the midst of a pandemic, during the heart of remote learning while we are transitioning into both the in-person and virtual platform this community has generously donated $33,000 on Thursday.  A giant thank you to this community for your generosity.  We are so appreciative of our wonderful PTA and a special hat off to Alix Sherer for organizing and publicizing the event.  Thank you is a small word for the immense events and efforts you all generously provide to Bill Roberts.   

Did you know that in a “normal year”, direct giving and Greet & Give parties raise close to $60,000?   So, for those who still want to donate, we are keeping the link live

THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!

It is hard to believe that we are already more than halfway through our first trimester! Teachers are starting to plan for the “fall virtual “parent/teacher conferences. You should be receiving communication from your child’s teacher that will provide information on specific times and dates for their conferences.  Some teachers would like to see kids in person before they host conferences, just to get to know them a little better.  Please be aware that conference dates among teachers may fluctuate.  This is a great way to check in on your student’s progress and discuss any questions that you may have for their teachers.

Our School Leadership Team (SLT) consisting of teachers voted by the staff and administration are working continuously to develop our Safe to Return to School Plan and the K-5 In-Person and Virtual Platform Plan.  The In-Person and Virtual Plan is being designed with these priorities:   

  • Matching B.R. teachers with BR students, regardless if students are in-person or virtual.
  • In person teacher provides instruction to both in-person students and also to virtual students.
  • Using live streaming to provide instruction to virtual and/or in-person students. A virtual teacher, with an official accommodation who is working remotely, providing instruction to virtual and in person students.
  • Pairing students and teachers with another neighborhood school. 

We will be sharing these plans shortly; as soon as they are completed and are reviewed by the staff. 

Thanks,   

Trich, Eric and Katheryn

Coming Up:

Used Spirit wear and Uniform Sale

The PTA will be selling gently USED SPIRITWEAR AND UNIFORMS* outside the school Saturday, October 3rd. EVERY item will be just $1! Clothing will be sorted and available per grades as follows: 

K & 1st Grade – 8-9am

2nd & 3rd Grades – 9:30-10:30am

4th & 5th Grades – 11am-12pm

Middle School – 12:30-1:30pm

Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. Only one adult per family is allowed and MASKS ARE REQUIRED AT THIS EVENT. 

*We are NOT accepting donations of used uniforms at this time. We ARE accepting gently used Spirit wear for this sale. Email robertspiritwear@gmail.com to arrange your donation.

Eat and Give

 Phoenician Kabob

Wednesday, October 7th

4pm-Close (20%)

 Be Active! Fundraiser

Registration is now open for the Bill Roberts month-long “Go Bobcats! Get Active!” event! Students will track their daily physical activity and have their adults sign off. Check out the webpage here.

Check out the designs submitted! If you do not see your child’s artwork, please re-submit in .jpeg or .pdf format. Need help? Email Cheryl Learned. billrobertsfunrun@gmail.com

 Or cheryl_learned@msn.com

The fundraiser event will run October 15th – November 15th.

Important Updates on Our Return to School

Elementary: Based on data from Denver Health that the rates of COVID continue to be low, so depending on how that continues, we will cautiously move forward with the following dates as planned, while continuing to monitor health conditions closely in consultation with Denver Health. Please check with your school for more details.

  • Kindergarten students will start back in person on October 5th
  • All first-grade students will start back in person of October 12th
  • All other elementary students (2nd-5th grade) will return to full in-person learning on Oct. 21, with the exception of students who have chosen a virtual program.

Secondary: We are closely monitoring the latest trends in the data for this age group, and again, we are cautiously continuing to plan for reopening secondary for in-person learning in the second quarter, although it will be in a hybrid approach as we have previously shared. .

  •  Students in grades 6-8 return to a mix of in-person and remote learning.  Look for specific dates in the Tuesday Middle School Message. 
  • All middle and high schools will provide a minimum of 10 hours of in-person learning for students who have opted in, but the use of that time can vary by school:  
  • At some secondary schools, students may participate in a traditional, in-person class (like English 1) during in-person learning time. At other schools, they may continue remote classes and have a minimum of 10 hours of in-person time for academic/social-emotional support, academic advising, credit recovery, college advising or other options that address students’ needs. 

Kindergarten – October 5th 

1st Grade – October 12th

During the week of 10/5, First grade teachers will have a 60-minute dress rehearsal of routines for the first day back for each class. Teachers will let you know their specific date. 

2nd – 5th Grades return – October 21st 

Look for upcoming Town Halls for parents of  2nd-5th graders.  We will be hosting specific grade level “dress rehearsals” as administration and grade level teachers determine where that may be necessary.  For our younger grades, where students line up, arrival, dismissal etc. and establishing routines may be necessary to do in person.   We will inform you about that.  The older students who have been at Roberts for a while may be comfortable simply by observing any new routines (arrival, dismissal etc.)   Through a classroom video created by their teachers.   Please look for communication from teachers regarding these specifics.   As the 21st gets closer, we may make modifications to our safe return to school plan but will communicate any of those changes to you.

Please remember that a dress code will still exist at Bill Roberts.  Please review our dress code here.  

Message from BR School Nurse

We are now accepting medications in preparation for our return to school.  All medication forms are located on our Health Information webpage

  • Download your child’s form…asthma, allergy/anaphylaxis, seizure, or general meds
  • Fill out your parent portion of the form and fax/deliver to your student’s medical provider
  • The medical provider can fax the completed form to us at 720-424-2665

Drop Off:

Please place your student’s prescription labeled medication in a zip lock bag. On the zip lock, include name, date of birth, grade, & teacher.

You may drop off medication during school hours. Ring the doorbell at the main office. A staff member will collect your medication and place it in the nurses’ office. 

*** If you are new to DPS, please provide a small wallet sized picture of your student. We have always done this as an added step to ensure administration to the correct student. It is even more important this year as we are wearing facemasks. If you are not a new student, I have access to last year’s school picture.

New Bill Roberts Spirit wear

New Spirit wear and accessories for students and adults can be ordered directly through this LINK.

Elementary students can wear spirit wear shirts on Fridays!

Middle School students can wear spirit wear shirts with dress code bottoms every day!

Resources for Family/Student Meals

Breakfast and Lunch

Denver Public Schools is providing free weekday breakfast and lunch for children at Bill Roberts when school begins.  As October 21st draws closer, we will be reaching out to determine who will need a grab n go breakfast.  Lunches can still be ordered daily but will be delivered to each classroom and eaten in rooms or outside when weather permits.   We will take lunch orders from each student in the each morning for that day.

Food Bank of the Rockie

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. 

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