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Boreal Community Media

Great Expectations School News - March 4, 2022

Mar 04, 2022 05:40PM ● By Editor
March 4, 2022

Great Expectations School News

Red, and yellow, and pink, and green....Purple, and orange, and blue!  Walking through school today reminded me of the rainbow song from many years ago, with each classroom wearing their own color!  Many students and staff went all out, with additional accessories of capes and scarves and sequins!  I wish I had a picture to share with you!

This afternoon's Storytelling Campfire was a great success!  Thank you to guest, and author, Staci Drouillard for sharing her own writing with our students - six times!  Thank you, also, to our fabulous staff (Emma Adams, Sarah Slivinski, Erica Kirsch, Roxanne Lillis, Chandler Litterst, and Chuck Viren) who also shared their creative stories six times!   We are also grateful for our volunteers Ruth Pszwaro, Angel Kelly and Christina Ridlbauer for preparing perfect-temperature hot cocoa for this annual winter event!  

A note from Director Rachael


This notice was sent to families earlier today and is being included in the newsletter to ensure all families are informed:

Dear GES Families,
This letter is to inform you that beginning Monday, March 7 Great Expectations School will be following the recently updated CDC framework regarding masking.
We understand that this will bring out mixed emotions in our school community. I want to emphasize that we respect all children’s and adults’ decisions regarding masking. I anticipate that we will have some students and teachers unmasked, and other students and teachers masked.  We are in support of every individual’s decision in this regard. We would appreciate it if families would speak with their children regarding how they support each others’ choices. School staff will also be reinforcing this message.
What this means for you and your child:
If the COVID-19 Community Level is Low:
Individuals may wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk.
If the COVID-19 Community Level is Medium:
If you are at risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about wearing masks indoors in public.
If you live with or will gather with someone at risk for severe illness, wear a mask when indoors with them.
If the COVID-19 Community Level is High OR there is identified spread within the school:
Individuals will be required to wear a KN-95 masks indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk.
How to check the Covid Community Level:
Below is the link to check the community level.  It will be updated weekly. (It hasn’t been announced which day it will be updated, but it will most likely be Thursdays.)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
Other Layers of Prevention:
GES will continue to use our other layers of prevention including classroom cohorts inside the building, separate dining times, and morning health checks.  The most important part of prevention is staying home when you feel sick.
In Event of Exposure:
In the event of a known exposure, we will continue to follow our Safe Learning Plan with the Test to Stay Option.
Morning Arrival Time:
Beginning Monday, March 7, our morning arrival routine will also step closer to normalcy. 
Bear Cubs, Fawns, Beavers, and Wolves students will be playing on the Gunflint Trail side of the building and will be allowed to mix with each other in the front woods, playground, equipment, or field.
Lynx and Otters students will be on the Yurt side of the building and may be in the backwoods, GaGa pit, or deck areas playing together.  
Classrooms will still be entering in their assigned doors for health checks.
 
Thank you, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Rachael
 
Rachael Lehman, Director
Great Expectations School
"Growing Hearts and Minds One Child at a Time"
w: (218) 387-9322
c:  (218) 404-9525
 

Important Dates & Events

 
  • LYNX ON WTIP TONIGHT 6-7 PM! - WTIP's Scenic Route will feature an interview with host Will Moore and a few Lynx students about the making of their recent Recycling Rap!  If you miss the show, check them out on wtip.org!
  • BACKWARDS DAY - Dress backwards on Friday, 3/11!
  • SPRING CONFERENCES 3/16, 3/22 & 3/24 - SIGN UP, if you haven't already.
  • DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS - Sunday, 3/13
  • TRIMESTER 3 BEGINS - Monday, 3/14
  • COMMUNITY TOWN HALL MEETING:  Finding Childcare Solutions for Cook County.  Interested parties are welcome to join this virtual event Monday, March 14th, 6-9:00 pm.  Registration Link: https://minnstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwqcOmqqzoiGdKRM9_BjkktBoeUTH4fxUFa
  • SCHOOL BOARD MEETING - Thursday, 3/17, 4:00-6:00 pm
  • TWIN DAY! - Dress like a friend, or a stuffy on Friday 3/18!
  • VACATION WEAR DAY! - Dress like you are on vaca on Thursday, 3/24
  • NO SCHOOL - Friday, 3/25 Staff Workshop
  • SPRING BREAK - 3/28-4/1
  • YOUTH CLASSES AT GMAC! - Information HERE.
  • YMCA DAY CAMP - Registration opens Monday, March 7th. https://www.duluthymca.org/programs/camp/day-camps/cook-county 
  • SAWTOOTH MOUNTAIN CLINIC TOPIC OF THE MONTH - Buyer Beware!

In the Classrooms:

The Beavers, squeezing out as much winter fun as we can before Spring is upon us!


Fourth grade Wolves use math in a baking project (apple cake)!


The Lynx engineered simple machines in Science this week.  Rolland worked hard on his wheel and axel machine.

 

Public Health Update

Covid 19 Testing is available from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Community Center in Grand Marais.
 
Parents/guardians or staff sign-up using the sign-up links below:

Wednesday, March 2 PHHS Testing: Routine Testing for COVID-19 at Community Center (signupgenius.com)
Wednesday, March 9 PHHS Testing: Routine Testing for COVID-19 at Community Center (signupgenius.com)
Wednesday, March 16 PHHS Testing: Routine Testing for COVID-19 at Community Center (signupgenius.com)
Wednesday, March 23 PHHS Testing: Routine Testing for COVID-19 at Community Center (signupgenius.com)
 
Routine testing is a safe, effective way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Many children or adults who have COVID-19 are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms but can still spread the virus to others.  By offering regular testing opportunities and providing timely follow-up, someone who tests positive is more likely to stay home for an appropriate period of time and prevent COVID from spreading in childcare/school facilities.
 
Children must have a parent/guardian present at the point of testing to provide consent.
 
Feel free to reach out to us in public health with questions ([email protected]).
As always, please call the office if you have any questions on school-related items.  We are happy to assist you!
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