MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Apollo Families,

As we are quickly coming up on the Mid-Winter Break School Closure February 21st- 25th, we’d like to wish you all a restful and enjoyable break. I have had the opportunity to hear about some of the places, people, and adventures the kids are looking forward to experiencing next week!

If you are staying close to home, please remember the Apollo Playground will be closed over Mid-Winter Break, as the construction to install a new Playground Big Toy begins. We are expecting the construction will be completed by April. Teachers shared a presentation about construction on the playground with the students this week. Students learned that they will have their recess times, but the Big Toy area will be fenced off and some of the play zones will be adjusted while work is being done. And as is an Apollo expectation, students are to follow adult direction while on the playground. Below is a rendition of the proposed design.

COVID Mitigation Update from Apollo Asst. Principal and COVID Supervisor, Alex Merritt:

I’d like to thank you all for being such amazing partners with Apollo Elementary School in mitigating the spread of COVID 19. This is a wonderful community of caring and conscientious families.

Many of you are aware of the national discussion about COVID mitigation, mask requirements, and COVID testing. Currently, at Apollo Elementary School, we are continuing to follow the COVID mitigation strategies outlined in our COVID Safety Handbook, which includes students wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining social distance in classrooms. Teachers have been able to creatively arrange desks in classrooms to allow for social learning, while still maintaining social distance in classrooms, and students continue to wear masks at recess and in the lunchroom when not eating, among many other daily strategies. We feel that these strategies have been highly effective in helping us to mitigate the spread of COVID 19 at Apollo, and we plan to continue to follow these guidelines until changes are made at the district level. Please take another look at our COVID Safety Handbook if you’d like to review our strategies. We’ll continue to update families when any of these strategies change.

Hearing Screening for Students

The Apollo Student Hearing Screen is scheduled for March 17th and 18th. All students will be screened and Apollo’s Nurse Lindsay Roberts will be overseeing the process. The screening will be held in the Library, where students from each class can be safely distanced during the process. If you have questions about the screening please contact Nurse Lindsay Roberts 425-837-7543 or Robertsl@issaquah.wednet.edu

Stay happy and healthy,

Jane