April 13, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians of Ithaca students, (please have pen and paper handy)
We hope all have been able to remain safe during this difficult time. Staff are at school every day and phone messages are checked daily so if you need something, please call. Also, ALL families of the Ithaca School District are highly encouraged to participate in the FREE daily breakfast/lunch. Visit the school website weekly to submit your request. If you have questions, contact either Annette Louis or Kathleen Schoen.
Some things regarding this next “round” of learning:
We will have the school open for you to return student work packets and to pick up the next round. Elementary will continue with packets. Middle and High School are moving their classes to Google Classroom for the most part. If your middle or high school child has not accessed their school email account, they need to do that as the teacher has been in contact with them through Google Classroom.
Material pickup and drop off will be Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16, from 10 AM-6 PM.
Chromebooks are being prepared for only the students (Gr 3-12) who indicated on the Student Tech Avail (for parents) Survey that a device was needed. An agreement for use must be signed by a parent at the time of pickup. Please bring your own pen.
Please come through the main entrance, maintain social distancing practices, use sanitizer, follow directions for picking up all class materials, drop off completed work packets in teacher-labeled totes, and pick up and sign for chromebooks. Please then follow the signs to exit the building out a different door from the main entrance.
We are allowing only one (1) adult /student in the building per family. This is to help reduce the amount of people in and out of the building. Do maintain social distancing and use hand sanitizers. Please do your best to protect yourself and others. Come with a list of your student’s teachers/classes so you know what to collect.
We will have internet access in the parking lots for students to use as needed beginning April 20. Everyone is to remain in their cars, download/upload as needed, and leave as soon as possible. This service is being provided because we understand the problem of connectivity we have in our district. All school rules apply because of being on school property.
Although the teachers are doing things similarly, all student and/or parent should be in contact with the teacher weekly. Our teachers want to support the learning as well as family needs during this time. If you have not been contacted yet, please call the school office to ensure we have an accurate phone number in our system. Assigned student learning should be completed. Each teacher will be in contact with the student and/or parent regarding how work will be “turned in.”
MS/HS school work is to be satisfactorily completed and returned to the teacher. Teachers will then issue a CP (Covid Pass) / CF (Covid Fail) grade based on the school work completed and turned in. The Pass/Fail grade will be for all MS/HS 2nd semester grades (including 3rd quarter). ThePass/Fail grading system does not factor into overall cumulative GPA . Elementary grading remains the same and each teacher will indicate which work is to be turned in or discussed during their weekly check-in calls.
Upcoming packet drop offs will be outside the main entrance on Fridays in May. May 1, 15, and 29 from 10 AM until 6 PM. Be sure the student’s name is on all papers turned into the labeled tote.
Ithaca Seniors and parents of Seniors, the graduation ceremony is pending the directive of the Governor regarding closure and social distancing.
Prom is postponed until further notice as are all other school activities.
Again, take care of yourself and your family. Be safe.
Sincerely,
Mr. Lechnir Ms. Schoen
More reading, and we love it! Aaron relaxes while he reads. Kristin reads to her boys Devin, Dalton, Deegan, and Dyson. They make reading a family event!
Birthday wishes today go out to Aaron Bloczynski and Anna Dahlke! Going back to Mar. 31st we wish a Belated Birthday to Naila Lorenzo-Castillo and Logan Olson who had a very special day to celebrate!
Happy Easter from Ithaca Public Schools! Take this day to reflect on all the wonderful things you have in your life. If you can't see people important to you today face-to-face, we hope you are able to talk to them on the phone, send a message, or visit virtually.
Happy Birthday today, Apr. 11th to Jason Logue, Darin Nelson, and Kegan Ringelstetter! Belated Happy Birthday to Audrey Newkirk and Middle School teacher Mrs. Kris Willis on Mar. 29th and on Mar. 30th to Channing Brown, Katy King, and 1st grade teacher Mrs. Heather Owen!
Is your food survey completed for next week? There's still time today to get it done. The link can be quickly found under the "News" tab on our website and app or scroll down through the "Live Feed" or on our Facebook page. A new survey is sent each week.
Today we wish Megann Fenton Happy Birthday! We go back to Mar. 25th to wish Owen Feryance a Happy Birthday. Mar. 26th Happy Birthday wishes to Tristen Peterson. Birthday wishes from Mar. 27th to office staff Barb Michel. Happy Birthday to Tyler Steinmetz on Mar. 28th.
A reminder that there is no school on Friday, April 10th and Monday, April 13th. Enjoy the long weekend!
Pauquette Centers are offering free webinars from their professionals! Topics include mindfulness, managing anxiety in youth, and depression. You can even watch recordings of previous webinars. Check out this link for details.
https://pauquette.com/mental-health-services/free_webinars/
Sauk County has a webpage devoted to resources for families.
https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/publichealth/covid-19-resources-individuals-and-families
They are also promoting a Wellness Webinar on Thursdays at 6pm. Register for the webinar at the link below. It does not seem that you need to be a Sauk County resident to participate.
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2135353142295848973
Reading and pets go hand in hand! Pets like reading, too. Reid is enjoying a Bear Grylls book and his cat, Roscoe, thinks he needs to read the book also! Michael and his pup also read together.
Happy Birthday today, Apr. 9th, to Landen Richards! We missed wishing Matthew Kepler Happy Birthday on Mar. 23rd, and on Mar. 24th Izabela Ortiz, our custodian Ben Murphy, and Mrs. Schoen celebrated their special days.
Order your Elementary Yearbooks now! Orders will be accepted until April 20th. Each book is $15. Click the link to order.
https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/IthacaElementary2020?fbclid=IwAR3kMTMgmPLtotqY-YhjGuZgEUpwlksNc8n-PVolRtCX3A0eiRAbH9WO5ZE
Look at these awesome readers! Parker's mom caught him reading to his sister. Syvannah reads in her favorite spot - her bed! Reading doesn't have to be a chore. Find a comfortable spot to relax or find someone to read to. Keep it up and keep the pictures coming!
The transformation is complete! Some of our students and staff were asking about the progress of a cocoon an Ithaca family had. We're happy to show you the results. Was it a cocoon or a chrysalis? The major difference between a chrysalis and a cocoon is that a chrysalis is the hardened body of a butterfly pupa, whereas a cocoon is an external structure constructed by larvae of moths to protect themselves during the pupal stage. This beauty is a Tiger Moth!
A reminder that due to the Good Friday holiday, there is no food service pick up this Friday.
Sign up for next week's FREE Breakfast/Lunch regardless of your family's financial situation. Complete the following form (also found on our website and app under Live Feed and News tabs, or our Facebook page). Each week has a new form. The survey will be used to request FREE Breakfast/Lunch meals the week of April 13-17, 2020, for ANY child UNDER the age of 18 in your home, whether or not your family receives free or reduced lunches, during Ithaca School's closure. Requests MUST be submitted by Friday, April 10th. Any questions can be directed to Kathleen Schoen at 583-2622. Pick up is daily from 4-6pm. If you are unable to pick up during that time, arrangements may be made prior to pick up to allow someone else to pick up for you. If you like, you may indicate this on the survey form. https://forms.gle/dBYwHqhYSJ1b2ZgY8
Birthday wishes today go back to Mar. 18th for Addison Smyth, Mar. 19th for Samuel Hollands and Melissa Hutchison, Mar. 20th for Aliyah Swenson, Mar. 21st for Braxton Fowell, and Ellie Crook had a very special day on Mar. 22nd. Happy Belated Birthday to you all!
Loss again comes to the Ithaca Community. Orlen Richards (Class of '52) passed away yesterday. For 30 years, Orlen drove bus for Ithaca students and "retired to a celebration typically reserved for returning championship sports teams." We extend sympathies to the many staff and students who are part of Orlen's family. Orlen touched many Ithaca student lives over all those years - our sympathies to you all as well.
https://www.clarymemorialfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Orlen-Richards/#!/Obituary
If it seems like we're putting a lot of focus on reading.... We ARE! Reading will help keep you entertained and there are so many ways to learn while doing do. Aspen finds all kinds of ways to read. I'll bet you didn't recognize Kaylee - she lets her hair down to read at home.
Today, we wish Zander Jones Happy Birthday! Going back to March 17th, we wish Happy Belated Birthday to Kaylynn Burns, David Fargen, and Trista Pluemer.
