Return to Face to Face

Hi folks, Jon Wennstrom here! I'm excited to have our Face to Face students return on Monday, January 11. Please see the video that was shared earlier this week regarding our schedule and procedures and also the notes highlighting our return to in person instruction protocols.

Arrival & Dismissal: School begins at 9:10 AM and students may not enter the building before 8:55 AM. Beginning at 8:55, parents may drop students off using our curbside drop off in front of the gym or you may park and walk your child to the building, but not into the building. We will have a “soft start”, meaning students may enter the building when they arrive and go directly to the room (no line ups outside). Staff members will be at all entrances to assist students to get to their classrooms. 

School dismisses at 3:25 PM and students getting picked up will be dismissed from the classroom exterior door (please see note from your teacher regarding your classroom number). Those riding the bus will be called to their exits when their busses arrive.  Again, staff will help supervise student dismissal. 

Lunch, Snacks & Recess: All Kindergarten, 2nd grade and 4th grade students will eat lunch from 12:00-12:35 and 1st and 3rd will have lunch from 12:35-1:10.  Kindergarten will eat in the cafeteria and all other grades will eat in their classroom at their desks. Students will still have snacks each morning at their desks and all students are encouraged to bring water bottles as the drinking fountains are closed down. Students will have a short recess each day with their classroom each day along with opportunities for outdoor mask breaks. Masks are not required outside. 

Safety Protocols: Masks will be required for all students and staff while inside the building. No large gatherings will take place and students will be spaced out in class and in hallways at all times. Visitors and Volunteers will not be allowed in the school building and parents picking up early or dropping items off, must remain in the secure vestibule while students are called down and items will be taken down to the classroom by staff. 

All students and families should utilize the screener that the district recently sent out each morning to check for Covid Symptoms. Students exhibiting symptoms at school will be assessed in a wellness room and parents will be called if necessary to pick up their child.

I know that we can do this successfully, because we have already done it successfully and will do so again! Thanks for your continued support and great things are happening at Buchanan!

PTA POINTS

• Youth Making a Difference: Youth Making a Difference is a Livonia PTSA Council program that encourages and recognizes volunteer efforts by LPS students. In the past students have visited senior citizens, helped collect money for local organizations, shoveled snow for a neighbor, etc. Though this year's activities may look a little different, we are still encouraging Buchanan students to get involved safely. Please see the list of COVID-safe projects provided by Livonia PTSA Council for ideas (attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email). Students who participate will be recognized in a ceremony in April. If your student would like to participate, please complete the Commitment Form (attached to Mr. Wennstrom's email) and email it to pta.buchanan1@gmail.com by January 22.

• Where does your money go? At this point in the school year, the PTA would like to share with our Buchanan families how we have used some of our funds this year. With money from memberships, donations, community rewards programs, and fundraising from this and past years, here are some of the things we have been able to do this year:

- Purchase yard signs to welcome back our students and staff in the fall

- Reimburse staff members up to $100 each for classroom supplies

- Purchase Raz-Kids subscriptions for all students

- Purchase educational magazine subscriptions for classroom use (physically and virtually)

- Purchase a portable microphone and speaker for our Library Media Center

- Purchase 100 pairs of headphones (25 for each new classroom) 

- Purchase 15 new electric pencil sharpeners for classrooms in need

- Contribute to the purchase of Buchanan facemasks for staff members

- Cover the cost difference in upgraded planners for 4th grade

- Treat our custodial staff to Tim Horton's gift cards to celebrate National Custodial Worker's Day in October

- Provide donuts and cider to all F2F classrooms for Halloween

- Provide a craft and free Wendy's Frosty coupon to all LV students for Halloween

- Purchase a new book for each student (almost 500!) as a holiday gift

- Provide lunch for the staff before the return to F2F in October

- Stock the staff lounge with snacks and candy in November

- Provide boxed lunches from Lee's Chicken and holiday cookies from Cantoro Italian Market to staff to celebrate the holidays and treat them at report card/conference time

• PTA Membership: If you would like to support our efforts, please consider becoming a PTA member. Membership does not require anything from you other than the $7.00 membership fee, but it gives you a voice in decisions affecting our school and students and shows your support for our activities (like those listed above). Purchase your membership here: https://buchanan.new.memberhub.store/store

• Spirit Wear: To purchase Buchanan-branded items, please visit our spirit wear store here: https://buchananspiritwear.com 

• Follow the PTA on Facebook: @BuchananElementarySchoolPTA

• Contact the PTA via Email: pta.buchanan1@gmail.com

• Next PTA Meeting: Tuesday, January 26

Please remember that the Livonia Virtual learning schedule will remain the same with K,2,4 meeting at 10, 12, and 2 and 1st and 3rd meeting at 9, 11, and 1.