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Updates March 23-27

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March 22, 2020
 
Dear parents and families,
 
By far this has been no Spring Break like we have ever experienced before.  I never thought as a principal or educator that my weekly newsletter tips to families would include “social (physical) distancing” and “self-quarantine”. But during this time, we need to continually ask ourselves, “what can we do to stop the spread of COVID-19?” As a global society, we are constantly asking ourselves that question. We need to ensure our answer aligns so that we keep ourselves and our kids safe and healthy.  
 
If there is one thing that I know for certain, it is our POWER OF POSITIVITY that will keep us all connected. Our need to connect has grown increasingly stronger as our health has required physical distancing. As a result, the Montrose staff are planning some wonderful ways to link electronically with our students! We will be sharing those within the next week so we can begin distance learning on March 30, 2020. 
 
Please give your kids a big hug from all of us at Montrose.  Let them know that we care for them tremendously and are right there with them in spirit.  We are in our homes, reading, drawing, playing games, taking walks, cooking, and following the guidelines put forth by the Governor’s Office and the Ohio Department of Health. 
 
Please take care of yourselves, Montrose families. Add smiles to your loved one’s faces and most of all, BE KIND to each other.
 
 
Sending many virtual hugs to each of you!
 
Yours in hope and positivity,
Melissa K-L
 
Melissa Klosterman-Lando
Principal at Montrose Elementary, Bexley City School District
Follow Montrose Elementary on Twitter at @BexleyMontrose
 
 
BEXLEY GROUNDS
Bexley City School District’s grounds have been closed. Our athletic stadium has been locked to prevent access to support the limit of large crowd gatherings during this time and ensure public health. Our building playgrounds have now been closed to ensure the safety of our students with the new Shelter In Place order for Ohio.
 
DISTANCE LEARNING
Distance learning will begin for our students on Monday, March 30. Per Governor DeWine’s current order, this will last through Friday, April 3, but he has also stated that closures are likely to continue beyond April 3. Teachers are expected to be online Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to support students. However, students and parents may email teachers anytime as they would during normal school operations. Staff continues to work full-time, but we have designated specific online hours in order to provide some real-time access. Teachers may extend these hours if necessary. 
 
Student/parent questions are the priority from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. If a parent needs a conference, it should be scheduled outside of these hours.  Our technology department is in the process of creating a means of communication to support students and parents to troubleshoot technical problems that will occur. That information will be sent out prior to the start of distance learning.
 
Additional information regarding distance learning will be communicated by district-level administrators, principals, and teachers.
 
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS FOR DAILY SCHOOL WORK
High school students  3 - 4 hours per day
Middle school students 2.5 - 3.5 hours per day
Elementary students 1.5 - 2.5 hours per day
 
High and middle school students will use Canvas, while elementary students will use Google Sites. More specific details will be shared through email from students’ teachers.
 
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Thanks to Food Services Director, Juli Carvi, and her staff for creating a plan that will allow for students to have food during the closure. Families that receive free or reduced-priced meals have been directly contacted. We understand families may need additional help during this time. You can find the free and reduced-price meal application on this page: https://www.bexleyschools.org/FoodServicesEZpay.aspx. This will help coordinate our efforts for food distribution. In addition, several restaurants around the Bexley area are providing free lunches to kids including: