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IMPORTANT NEWS FROM OUR PRINCIPAL Monday, March 23, 2020

Good Morning Chief Charlo Wolves,

Happy Monday and I hope everyone has a great start to the week. Thank you families for being flexible, patient and understanding during this unprecedented time. I wanted to again push out Dr. Watson’s information from Friday to make sure families feel comfortable accessing online learning activities for this week as well as have current information regarding breakfast and lunch meals.

Our wonderful teachers at Chief Charlo have also created a video and a document for families which provides specific directions for students to access materials(information below). I am sure your kiddos are ready to get back to learning and we want to make sure you and your child know how to navigate our remote learning page for this week.

Looking ahead, teachers will be using this week to prepare for online learning next week, should Governor Bullock extend school closures past March 27^th. Superintendent Watson will update families the moment he is given information regarding school plans for next week.

Online Learning for the week of 3/27/20

During the week of March 23-27, the Teaching and Learning Department will have some basic and general learning activities posted on our website for all parents to access for all grades PreK-12.  Visit www.mcpsmt.org/covid-19 and click the REMOTE LEARNING button.

These activities will be designed to keep students engaged in learning by reviewing concepts and content that students have already been exposed to; they are not intended to replace what they may be missing in your classroom.  During this week, we will not introduce new content and will not expect any assignments to be graded.

Remote Learning Directions PDF

Directions to access engaging materials and resources for the week of March 23-27^th:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyL3oZ4M_bc&feature=youtu.be

Also, feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher if you can’t access materials or are having issues with log in information

Support for students on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan

Special education teachers, related service providers, and para educators will work to gather materials and develop support activities to allow students to maintain skills with regard to IEP goals. These materials will be in addition to any educational materials that are already provided by general education teachers and will be sent to parents by 3/27/20.

We will not be holding any IEP or 504 meetings during the week of March 23-27.  If you have meetings scheduled, you will be contacted by our staff to reschedule those meetings.  We are also working on virtual meeting options for any rescheduled or future meetings. 

Our Special Education Coordinators will work with school staff and the Teaching and Learning Department to put together additional student learning resources that will start the week of 3/30/20 if our schools are still closed.  The focus areas will include Reading, Writing, Math, Self-Help/Independence, Social/Emotional/ Behavioral. 

MEALS

Meals for youth - open to ANY youth under 18 (even private school or homeschool students, or students from other school districts)

This information will also be on posters on the front entrance of every school.

• During this school closure period, our school lunch and breakfast program is open to ALL youth for FREE.  There is no limitation related to income status nor previous qualification for free/reduced lunch. Any youth can receive free meals, regardless of status.
• The following school sites will be open from 10:00am -1:00pm, Monday - Friday to pick up meals
• Chief Charlo
• Franklin
• Lowell
• Russell

Meals can be picked up at any time during this three hour window. Each bag will include both breakfast and lunch.

• Meals will also be delivered on all elementary school bus routes between 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  We are using the K5 bus routes because there are more stops, in more neighborhoods.  However ANY youth under 18 will be able to grab a lunch at the stop, regardless of grade level.

Please send only one person from each family (this can be an adult) to pick up the meals at a pick up site or a bus stop for youth under 18 in your household.  When picking up meals at a school site or a bus stop, please maintain a 6 foot distance from others waiting in line for meals.

Infofinder routes have been revised so that parents will see the exact time between 11 - 1 when the bus will arrive at their neighborhood stop. We will also be posting the bus stop information on the front entrance of every elementary school. When searching for a bus stop, parents need to put in their address and then use the drop down menu to select the appropriate elementary school closest to their home.

The timing may flex by 10-15 minutes from the posted schedule as we get the system up and running. This means that the bus may be at the stop early or late.  Please be watching the stop before and after the scheduled time. If you miss the delivery at your bus stop, remember that you can pick up food at the school sites listed above until 1pm.

Food Allergies: Parents or guardians, please examine the food  for those students who have food allergies. We will identify lunches that have peanuts, but we recognize that there are other food allergies.  If your student has known food allergies, please check over the food that has been delivered for any potential problems. If you have questions about how the food was prepared or specific ingredients, please contact our food service department at 728-2400 ext. 3023 or 5012 or slrossmiller@mcps.k12.mt.us

 Thank you families and stay healthy and safe!

 Vinny Giammona

Principal, Chief Chalro

vmgiammona@mcps.k12.mt.us

 

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IMPORTANT NEWS FROM OUR PRINCIPAL Friday, March 20, 2020 

Good Afternoon Wolfpack Families!

You should have all received an email today, March 20^th, 2020 from Dr. Rob Watson, MPCS Superintendent, lining out the information as it relates to school closures.  Please make sure you read this email thoroughly as it contains important information about next week.

We are providing families the option to come in and get their students’ personal belongings. This time can be used for families and students to pick up personal items from their lockers, pick up instruments, and pick up medications. Access to classrooms will be granted only if a student has an essential element in the classroom. There will be no library book checkouts. Families will also be able to pick up a loaner laptop for families who have no access to a computer in their home.  We have a limited number of loaner laptops, so we ask that they be saved for families that need one.

Monday 3/23/20 OPTIONAL pick up day at all schools PK-12

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.  Families with last names starting with A-H

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Families with last names starting with I-P

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Families with last names starting with Q-Z

Vinny and Ann  are available in the building on March 23.  Remember that you do not have to come to the school on Monday. It is an option if you need to pick up something.  If you don’t need to come to school, please stay at home. If you do plan to stop by, please remember social distancing guidelines and limit your time in the school to less than 10 minutes if possible.

MEALS

Meals for youth - open to ANY youth under 18 (even private school or homeschool students, or students from other school districts)

This information will also be on posters on the front entrance of every school.

• During this school closure period, our school lunch and breakfast program is open to ALL youth for FREE.  There is no limitation related to income status nor previous qualification for free/reduced lunch. Any youth can receive free meals, regardless of status.
• Chief Charlo will be open from 10:00am -1:00pm, Monday - Friday to pick up meals

Meals can be picked up at any time during this three hour window. Each bag will include both breakfast and lunch.

• Meals will also be delivered on all elementary school bus routes between 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  We are using the K5 bus routes because there are more stops, in more neighborhoods.  However ANY youth under 18 will be able to grab a lunch at the stop, regardless of grade level.

Please send only one person from each family (this can be an adult) to pick up the meals at a pick up site or a bus stop for youth under 18 in your household.  When picking up meals at a school site or a bus stop, please maintain a 6 foot distance from others waiting in line for meals.

I appreciate the flexibility and support from our community and families.  This is new to all of us!  Please be patient but do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  I can be reached at vmgiammona@mcps.k12.mt.us  or (406)728-2400 ext. 4950.

Thank you and take care!

Vinny Giammona

Principal, Chief Charlo 

 

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IMPORTANT NEWS FROM OUR PRINCIPAL Tuesday, March 17th, 2020

Good Afternoon Wolfpack Families, 

I know you received information from the district level and Superintendent Watson, today. I wanted to send out a personal email from me as well.  As you know, this is an unprecedented time and I wanted you all to know we are doing all we can to keep you informed and updated.  I recognize this is spring break and we are trying to find a balance between allowing families time away from school and school related information, while keeping you informed of a very fluid and ever changing situation. Below is a condensed version of  Superintendent Watson’s email as well as specific information pertaining to our school community. 

·       Monday March 23^rd. Ann and I will be at school all day (8am-4pm) on Monday, March 23^rd to allow families (student clothing, medication, instrument, etc…) and teachers the opportunity to get items, materials or belongings needed during the school closure. We have devices for families to check out if you do not have a computer available to you and your family. If you need a mobile device please come to the office on Monday and we will check one out.

·       Starting March 24^th. The school will be closed up until further notice.  As of now, Governor Bullock has only closed schools through March 27^th.  There is a possibility that it may be longer.  We will keep you in the loop as we hear more.

·       Please note, there has been NO DETERMINATION if our school year will be lengthened further in June or if we will not have to make up these missed school days. I will inform families when I know.

·       As Superintendent Watson stated today, events including large groups of people will be postponed or canceled until May 8^th

o   We have decided to cancel our Annual STEAM night and PTO meetings in April and May

·       For the week of March 23^rd – March 27^th. The district is providing some general activities to keep your students engaged.  During this time, our teachers are also planning for the following week in the event the closure extends into April.

o   I will send the district link to these activities when they are completed and live on our district website

·       If you are looking to provide some activities or have your children engage in some resources, this will be a great hub to access during the week of March 23^rd

·       Free Lunch and Breakfast. I will also keep you informed of the locations where your students can access breakfast and lunch.  This is free to ALL students during the school closure. Please continue to follow social distancing guidelines for pick up.

·       Communication. The district has provided a specific link, including up to date information on COVID-19 and district response. We are also updating our school webpage as we gather new information. You can access either page here: https://www.mcpsmt.org/

Please expect at least one more email from me before Monday including information we haven’t finalized yet. 

Again, I recognize the stress and angst these events and the potential impact it has on our families. We are an amazing school community and I know we will get through this situation together. If you or your family need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly.

Thank you and stay safe, 

Vinny Giammona

Chief Charlo Principal

vmgiammona@mcps.k12.mt.us

406-542-4005

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Hello Wolfpack Families!

 Although there are no reported cases of COVID-19 in Montana at this time, I wanted to share how Chief Charlo Elementary is preparing for the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in Missoula.

 First, teachers have added frequent hand washing into their daily routines in addition to lunch and restroom schedules. We will also continue to use hand sanitizer in the lunch room.

 Next, we have increased cleaning of frequently touched surfaces throughout the school such as desks, tables, door knobs and bathrooms. Classrooms have additional cleaning supplies and wipes so staff can wipe down surfaces during the school day. Our custodians have added a spray product known to kill coronavirus to their daily runs as well. Finally, we will be doing a deep clean of the building over spring break.

Third, all teachers are preparing lessons for distance learning in the event of a school closure.  Google Classroom may be an option for 2-5 students, while K-1 students may be sent skill-based activities via mail or email. In the event of a school closure we would provide specific information for families to access distance learning curriculum. Please stay tuned, MCPS is working to understand how many families do not have computers at home.

 If you have any additional questions or concerns about this or any other school issue, please don't hesitate to contact me.

 I hope you all have a wonderful Spring Break and I will stay in touch!

 Enjoy the break,

 Principal Giammona

VMGIAMMONA@MCPS.K12.MT.US

 

March 2020 HOWL Newsletter