What Do We Know for Sure?

Sharing Principal Roy's most recent update: 
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I hope you and your family are safe, well and continuing to enjoy some family time during this extraordinary summer.

We are each trying to meet the needs of our children as we navigate health issues, economic and racial inequity challenges, and childcare. Whenever I am faced with many unknowns, my husband Robert always begins with, “What do we know for sure?” Here is what I know for sure right this minute:

• More than ever before, QAE will continue to align our work with our pillars: o We are self-directed learners.
  
  • We encourage each other to think critically and learn more.
    
  • We are concerned, confident and compassionate citizens of the world.
    
  • We learn everywhere; we learn together.
    
  • We are creative.

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We are in the midst of two pandemics:

• Pandemic #1: COVID-19
  
• Pandemic #2: Racism and racial inequities

To ensure student, staff and family safety, SPS will begin 2020-21 in remote learning. SPS is intensely working on plans, schedules and details for the fall. We are all literally ‘building the plane in the air’ in the midst of both COVID and racism turbulence. Continue to monitor SPS Planning for Fall 2020 for the latest information.

SPS will provide devices to each K – 12 student in September:

• K – 2 will receive iPads
  
• 3 – 5th graders will receive laptops with touch screens
  
• These will likely be distributed at our 26 SPS lunch sites. More info to follow.
  
• SPS is working hard to ensure all families have equitable access to reliable wifi.
  
• SPS is paying for all elementary schools to use Seesaw as a standard communication platform.

Lunches will continue to be served at 26 SPS lunch sites. SPS Board of Directors will vote on August 12th on Superintendent Juneau's recommendation to prioritize the
health and wellbeing of students and staff by starting the 2020-21 school year remotely. Latest info here.
 
JumpStart will be remote this year. SPS has provided some resources and staff and I are working on a plan for how this will look so that we can begin to build relationships with students and families. Teachers and I will provide updates to Kindergarten families over the next few days.

QAE staff are incredible! They have continued to work hard during the summer, connecting with me and each other to ensure we stay focused on our school goals:

• Welcoming environment
• Culturally responsive teaching and learning o Improving student reading and math

QAE BLT (BLT is a school-based team made up of teachers and parents) are creating a survey of QAE families to identify needs. This will go out shortly. As plans, schedules and details emerge, I will update QAE families ASAP.

Next Steps:

• Continue to check SPS Planning for Fall 2020 for the latest SPS information.
• Stay tuned for weekly QAE updates on Seesaw and email starting this week. (New families, we will get you on Seesaw ASAP. Meanwhile, expect your info to come via email.)
  
• Stay tuned for the QAE Parent survey.
  
• JumpStart families will be updated over the next few days.
  
• If you EVER have any questions, email me at [email protected]. I’m happy to set up a call or remote meeting throughout the summer. We will get through this together!

Take care, mask up and stay well,
Janine Roy, Principal
[email protected]
Follow on Twitter: @janineroy3 #QAE