From the Principal
Greeting Dresden Families,
Starting January 19th, we will have all our non-Virtual Academy Kdg-Sixth grade students returning to Dresden. They will be returning to participate in the Utica Community Schools half day hybrid model. Students will come to school for either an a.m. or p.m. session and continue their lessons remotely for the other part of their day. Covid-19 mitigation strategies have been put in place for when students are coming to the building for live instruction and all are expected to follow them.
* First and most important, if your child is sick or showing symptoms do not bring them to school. Allowing your child to come to school sick not only puts others in danger, but it could also result in us having to shut back down. If your child is sick call our attendance line at 586-797-4599 and let us know. If your child is sick it is an excused absence.
* All students, staff, and parents that come onto our property must be wearing a face mask that covers their mouth and nose. As an adult if you do not wish to wear a face mask, please stay in your car or do not come onto our property.
* Please maintain proper social distancing of six feet. Markers, painted dragon footprints, have been painted six feet apart around the outside of our building. Use these markers as guides to help you with social distance. Inside the building we have stickers in the hallway for students to use as social distancing markers.
* We will utilize hand sanitizer and hand washing breaks.
In addition to our mitigation strategies listed above, our classroom teachers have been busy preparing their classrooms. Students desk are spread out to provide social distancing. Common places where students congregate are now off-limits. For example we will not be using our coatrooms, instead students will be keeping their backpacks and jackets at their seat. Our drinking fountains will not be used. Instead have your child bring a water bottle. There are sinks in all the classroom in which they can fill it up throughout the day as needed. If you cannot afford a water bottle please call me and I will get one for your child. We have staggered our arrival and dismissal doors and times to keep groups of students from gathering. We have stopped the practice of students sharing supplies with each other. We have also increased our daily cleaning and sanitizing procedures.
We must work together to follow these mitigation strategies so that we can all stay safe. In the short time I have been the principal of Dresden Elementary I have witnessed many great things from our community. I am confident that together we will get through these rocky times. I thank you in advance for helping us keep all our community safe. It is a pleasure to welcome your children back for live face to face instruction and it is my honor to serve as your Principal. Please call me if you have any questions or concerns. Have a great day!
As the weather begins to get colder and you are looking for something fun to do, use one of the ideas in this month's Literacy Newsletter to take a reading adventure!
With much respect,
Principal Bradley Suggs