Elementary Schools to Parents/Guardians

March 16, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As announced by Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo-Saunders, the Conval Elementary Schools are now closed until at least April 6, 2020 in order to prevent onset and spread of the COVID-19 virus.  ConVal teachers worked diligently today to prepare engaging activities that will assist in maintaining your child’s learning. They will finalize materials and resources tomorrow.

Your child’s classroom teacher and case manager will be in touch with you via phone to discuss how he/she/they can best support your child.  Based on this conversation, teachers will regularly contact families using video chat software such as Google Hangouts or Zoom as well as phone conversations and email to support student learning as well as provide support for families.  For students who receive services through Special Education, specific information will be sent to their families. Students who have 504 plans, your School Counselor and/or School Nurse will be reaching out to provide support. All staff members will be available via email during regular school hours and families should feel free to reach out with questions or concerns. 

While your children are at home, we encourage you to help maintain their current educational levels by setting aside  2 – 3 hours throughout each day for academic activities. We recommend that students spend the following amounts of time practicing skills in these subjects:

  • Reading (Gr. K-1 20-30 minutes a day; Gr. 2-4 30-40 minutes a day)
  • Writing (Gr. K-1 20-30 minutes a day; Gr. 2-4 30-40 minutes a day)
  • Math (Gr. K-1 20-30 minutes a day; Gr. 2-4 30-40 minutes a day)
  • Specials: PE/Health, Music and Art, and Library (as desired)

All student login information for digital resources was sent home on March 13. If you need another copy, please contact your student’s classroom teacher. Additionally, some students brought home resources last Friday.  We will be sending more resources in the coming days.

Please complete this survey from the ConVal Food Service so we can determine which students need access to breakfast or lunch during the closure: https://forms.gle/QS3gDrU9bkgJpTJv7

In closing, school as normal isn’t going to be happening for a while, so learning as normal may not either. Give yourself grace, give your children grace, give the teachers grace. We will all be doing the best we can.