MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Apollo Families,

Reasons to Celebrate November 2021: Diwali, Veterans Day, World Kindness Day, National Adoption Day, Universal Children’s Day, Hanukkah, and Thanksgiving; just to name a few!

Turning the calendar to November is cause for reflection on where we have come from since August 31st. The students adapted quickly to mitigation practices like champions and are very happy to be back with friends and neighbors! They are fully practiced in their class and school routines; and make us all laugh and smile at minimum at least once each day!

There are a few processes that have had to be addressed as the weather is colder and wetter in what is our first attempt at conducting full in-person school while managing COVID mitigation. One of those is making an adjustment to allow for students to use umbrellas at recesses. Because a few of our COVID mitigation pieces include eating a snack at recess and some students eating lunch outside in the undercover area, we experienced limited undercover access for students who may have not had weather ready clothing and ended up pretty wet after recess.

This adjustment will allow for students to remain drier if they have an umbrella and allow us to have recess outdoors, unless weather is extreme, reducing the need to have student recess inside. It is also important to note that not every student will use an umbrella; but because we will be in the wet and cold part of the calendar year it is recommended for students to be dressed in a fashion that will keep them warm and dry throughout the day!

Umbrella Use Policy for Apollo during the pandemic is below:

Students will be allowed the use of umbrellas before school, during recess / snack times, and after school.

Students using umbrellas should follow these guidelines:

• Umbrellas should be closed at all times when indoors
• Umbrellas should be used safely at all times
• Students using their umbrella in ways that are unsafe, such as hitting or poking others, will not be allowed to use an umbrella at school

This next week, we will continue our Apollo tradition of honoring our families’ Veterans and service women and men through a slideshow that will be shown in the students’ classes. Also, there will be a Red, White, and Blue Spirit Day on Wednesday November 10 as we honor Veterans Day 2021. And as a reminder, school is closed on Veterans Observance Day November 11.

The ISD Food Services Dept. has communicated potential food supplies shortages and a need to change some of the items from the daily lunch schedules. For example, instead of waffles, pancakes are served. Shortages are a reality but it does not mean school lunches have not been served to our students. I hope this is helpful in your planning for your student’s lunch.

Please remember to reserve your parent –teacher conference time on either December 1st or 2nd through Family Access. The reservation scheduler is open through 4:00pm November 23rd. Contact your teacher if you have questions!

Stay healthy and happy,

Jane