Bogan Elementary Weekly E-News

November 13, 2020

School News and Information

Remote Learning Decisions for THS & TMS Due to Staff Shortages

Talawanda officials have made the very difficult decision to fully transition THS and TMS to a remote learning plan from now until January 18, 2021.  Students would return on January 19,  2021, pending updated data as we continue to monitor the spread of Covid-19. Talawanda is currently experiencing a severe spike in the number of Covid-19 quarantines and positive cases.  All districts in Butler County are experiencing a shortage of substitute teachers, educational assistants, and cafeteria workers due to Covid-19.  Talawanda has already exhausted the small number of workers (including administrators and members of our curriculum team) that we have available to reassign to assist where we need help the most.  Specifically, we have become unable to operate our kitchens at the secondary level this past week due to staff quarantines.  Talawanda plans to keep the elementary schools/face-to-face school going as long as we have the staff available to operate them.

By moving secondary schools to remote learning, we hope to utilize some employees from THS & TMS to assist with the staff shortages we are also experiencing in our elementary schools.  We understand that childcare for younger children is a big issue for our families, and we hope to alleviate this stress by doing everything we can to try and keep our elementary schools open.

We wish we could continue to operate in person in all of our schools, but Covid-19 is making an impact and we have made a decision that we believe is the best one, for now, considering the circumstances we find our district in.  The health and safety of both our students and staff are among our very highest priorities and are a primary factor in the decisions made this week.

Food Distribution Plan for those who are remote learning or in self-isolation

See information here: November Food Distribution Program.pdf

Elementary Lunch Menu

Don’t forget to send a water bottle with your child to school.  Also, if your child is packing their lunch, please place their first and last name on the lunchbox.  

PUSH (People United for Self Help)

PUSH has funding for furnace and water heater repairs or replacements. Grants are available to low-income, homeowners in the Talawanda School District for critical and emergency home repairs. Call Jeanne or Sabrina at 513-523-8100 for more information

Masks Are Mandatory at School

Here is a video in case you or your child has questions about masks.  https://youtu.be/erxczymki0g  Staff will help students with their masks.  Students who refuse to wear a mask properly may be moved to the online learning platform.  Thanks for your support.

Important Reminder for All TSD Parents:

Talawanda School District needs your partnership in keeping our students, staff, and families safe during the pandemic we are experiencing.  It's critical that parents do a wellness check on each child every day before school.  If your child exhibits any symptoms for COVID-19, please keep your child and their siblings home from school until you have an alternative diagnosis or negative test result.  See the checklist below.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of reported symptoms – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms can include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

TSD is working on additional ways to report your child's illness/absence  to school.  Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

COVID-19 TRAVEL ADVISORY & SELF QUARANTINING

We understand that families may be traveling during the holiday season.  The Ohio Health Department & the Butler County Health Department recommend that people self quarantine for 14 days upon returning from a state that is listed as a hotspot for Covid-19.  A hotspot is a state that is reporting positive Covid-19 rates of 15% or higher.  Please see the link to the map, as the states listed can change.

Travel Advisory States from ODH

Elementary Schedule

Students 9:30 - 4:15 (Dismissal begins at 3:55)

Early Dismissal Wednesday 9:30-3:30 (Dismissal begins at 3:15)

TSD Pandemic Plan

Talawanda School District School Reopening Guidelines 2020-21 School Year

Food Distribution

Students at Bogan will receive free breakfast and free lunch for the remainder of the school year.  Students who are remote learning can pick up meals at Bogan.  Info Here

Transportation

Please follow the link below for AM bus pick up times.  

https://www.talawanda.org/media/transportation/BOGAN%20AM%20RTS%2020-21.pdf

If you have any questions, please contact transportation at 513-273-3150.

Curbside Placards

If you selected that you will transport your child on the parent choice survey, placards will be sent home with your child on the first day of school.  If you did not select you will transport your child and need curbside placards, please email lyonsm@talawanda.org. 

Information about Ohio’s Connectivity Champions

Information here: Ohio’s Connectivity Champions

YMCA Before and After School Care

The YMCA is currently working on developing a plan to get the Y BASE (Before and After School Enrichment) Programs back up and running at the Talawanda elementary schools (Bogan, Marshall, Kramer.) We will be opening our programs based on registration and need. Please register using the link below! Thank you! 

https://www.gmvymca.org/child-care/before-after-school-care

Questions?  Please contact Jennifer Achterman at:

jachterman@gmvymca.org

Medication Forms

If students who will be returning to school need medication during the day, please be sure to have the medication form completed by your child’s doctor and bring the medication in its original container.

Talawanda Board of Education Public Participation Policy

https://www.talawanda.org/district-blog/entry/public-participation-policy-01691-549/

Free and Reduced Lunch Information

This is more important than ever!  Federal and State funds are given to schools based on applications for Free & Reduced lunch.  Your application could get your child direct benefits and support Bogan Elementary.  Ohio is likely to issue additional EBT cards to families who qualify.

Free and Reduced applications are linked in Final Forms.  You simply create an account and apply!  You can also find the link on the Talawanda website under Departments/Food Service.  Contact the Bogan Office at 513-273-3400  if you need assistance with your application.  We can provide a computer and walk you through step by step if needed.

Free and Reduced Lunch Applications and Instructions

Have a great weekend!

Jeff Winslow

Principal

Calendar

November 20 - Remote Learners - Pick up/Drop off 

November 25-27- Thanksgiving Break

December 4 - Remote Learners - Pick up/Drop off

December 18 - Remote Learners - Pick up/Drop off

December 21-January 1- Winter Break

March 16- Conferences

March 18- Conferences