August 10, 2021
Dear Hayden Peak Families,
Welcome to school! Our teachers and much of our staff are back at work this week, preparing for students to return on the 17th for grades 1-6 and the 25th for Kindergarten. Kindergarten teachers are excited to visit with each student the first week of school for individual student testing. We continue to get questions about our Covid-19 precautions. Last week, district leaders sent an email to all families with the current protocols, also letting us know that we will continue to get updates. Among other things, the email states that masks and vaccinations are individual choices. Additionally, we will continue with careful hygiene practices throughout our day. We will post all district and school plans on our website as we receive them.
We appreciate your part in keeping school a healthy place by keeping your children home when they are sick. We want children here every single day that they are well; consistent learning is difficult with frequent absences. Students who miss more than ten days in a year are at risk for failing to master the content of that grade, and subsequent grades become more difficult both academically and socially. So, let us know when sickness occurs, and we will do our best to keep students caught up. Always send them when they are well.
You might be aware that Fridays are now regular in-person days, with a shortened schedule. Our students are expected to be in school from 8:25-12:25 every Friday, (Kindergarten hours being 8:25-10:20 for AM and 10:30-12:25 for PM), with the exception of four Fridays during the year, once each quarter, that have been designated as “Flexible Fridays.” Our first Flexible Friday is September 10th. These days will be scheduled by teachers to include both distance and in-person learning, and you will know your children’s teachers’ expectations before this first Flexible Friday.
We have four new teachers on our staff this year. Brandi Sherman will be teaching 6th grade. She was most recently in Arizona, and we are really excited to add her to our 6th grade team. Our special education department is adding a new speech and language teacher, Irene Karren, as well as two new resource teachers, Chris MacNeil and Sharra Palmer. You may recognize Sharra as a former 5th grade teacher at Hayden Peak. We love that she has returned in a new assignment.
You may meet each of your children’s teachers, as well as other staff members at our Back to School Night on August 16th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. This year, we are offering a slice of pizza and a frozen treat to each attendee who completes a punch card, showing that you have visited the most important areas of the school. PTA will have a table set up, and you will have an opportunity to view our new Wellness Center and learn about the restorative practices that support students as they learn healthy ways to manage stress and conflict.
It’s been far too long since our community has visited freely inside our school. We have missed you. We welcome you, and hope we have a wonderful year growing together. Join PTA if you can, volunteer to help in some capacity at school, and we will see you soon!
Kindest Regards,
Jennifer Fisher, Principal
Cathy Ford, Assis