Brave News 12.8.20
Hello Brave Community!
Happy
Tuesday! I hope that this newsletter finds you well.
We are briskly approaching the end of the second nine-weeks/first
semester of school. There are many things about this first semester that were
new and rather challenging. However, I want to highlight the thing that was
most rewarding for me: watching our BRAVE students engage in learning! Although
the classrooms look different, whether virtual or in-person, our resilient
students have done an exceptional job of showing up to learn. We thank you, parents and guardians, for
partnering with us every step of the way.
As we move into the second semester,
which begins on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 for students, expect some shifts in our
approach to teaching and learning at Double File. Currently most of our students are assigned
to a classroom that is either completely virtual or completely in-person. This model got us through the first semester,
but with many challenges. Along with our
leadership team, I have spent a considerable amount of time reflecting on safety
protocols, best practices, and equitable learning environments. The growing preference
for in-person, on-campus instruction has resulted in full classrooms. (And by
full, I mean larger than I am comfortable with amidst a pandemic.) Some
in-person, on-campus classrooms have as many as 18 students in them (plus a
teacher); in my estimation that is too many people in one classroom during
COVID-19 times. Also noteworthy is that some
virtual classrooms have increased to over 30 students at one time or another
during this first semester, depending on the expressed needs of our families.
My
goal for the second semester is to balance the class sizes and minimize the
number of students physically sitting in each classroom. We will do this by implementing a hybrid
model. This means that a virtual student may
be instructed by a teacher who is also teaching students who are on campus. Moving to a hybrid model will impact
about 20 percent of our students, but it is the only way to reduce class size
and ultimately better ensure that we are doing what’s safest for every teacher
and student. An added benefit of moving to a hybrid model is that students will
no longer need to change to a new teacher if or when families need to request a
change in instructional setting. However
temporary or long-term any situation, in a hybrid model students remain with
the same teacher and with the same classroom community of students. They either
attend in-person with their teacher/classmates or attend virtually.
On
Monday, November 30, I sent out a survey
that allowed for families to change their instructional setting for the third
nine-weeks. The deadline to submit a
response was yesterday. I am extending
the deadline to the end of the week to allow families more time to decide what
is best for their family. I ask that you only complete the survey
if you are requesting a change.
If your child will continue with the current instructional setting,
there is no need to complete the survey. Thanks in advance for your continued support!
Coffee with the Principal:
Join me and Mrs. Page for more information about the hybrid model (or any topic you would like to discuss). We will host two sessions on Friday, November 11th: 8:00-8:45 and 12:00-12:45. This Google Meet link is: meet.google.com/nxm-qbco-tmr or you may join by phone at (US)+1 573-605-0163 PIN: 814 936 082#
As a Leader in Me campus, we highlight one of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People each month. Our habit of the month this month is Habit 4: Think Win-Win! We teach our students how to think of others when problem solving. Our goal is to arrive at solutions that benefit everyone involved.
Word of the Week
(WOW):
This week’s word is “RESILIENT”. It is an adjective that means “the ability to
recover quickly from something that is hard”.
Partner with us in focusing on our campus WOW. Ask your student to use the word in a
sentence or perhaps you could be very intentional in your use of our word. Thanks for your participation!
December Fun!:
Let's celebrate the Holiday season with a little fun!
Participation is optional.
Wednesday, 12/9 - Elf Yourself! Come dressed as
Santa's little helper!
Thursday, 12/10 - Reindeer Crew! Wear your antlers and fur!
Friday, 12/11 - The Polar Express! Wear your favorite warm pajamas!
Monday, 12/14 - Grinch Day! Wear green like the Grinch and a Santa hat!
Tuesday, 12/15 - Gingerbread Man! Dress as a character from the Gingerbread Man!
Wednesday, 12/16 - Ugly Sweater Day! Wear your ugliest sweater!
Thursday, 12/17 - Jingle Bell Rock! Wear your favorite holiday shirt and jingle bells!!
Science Fair:
The DFT Science Fair will completely virtual.
All projects will be completed on a Google Slide template. Projects will
need to be completed and submitted to Amy Moore by January 14, 2021. If you are
interested in receiving more information through email please click here.
From our PTA:
Penguin Patch Holiday Shoppe is
joining us again this year! It will all take place virtually this year, so
everyone can join! Feel free to share with neighbors, friends and family! Go to Shop.penguinpatch.com and
select Double File Trail Elementary. There are many items to choose from
ranging from 25 cents to 20 dollars. All items purchased will be shipped
directly to your home and will include gift wrapping! Help spread some cheer
this holiday season and help support DFT! Thank you for your continued support!
If you have any questions please email Sarah Taylor at Sarah@dftpta.org. Also, here is a link to our PTA’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.
Does Your Child Need a New Coat?:
Families who qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch can receive a free coat for every eligible school aged child Pre K-12th Grade. Fill out our free and reduced lunch application here. Already qualified for free and reduced lunch? Submit your application for a new coat here!
Family Connection Series:
There is a virtual family session
through our Online Family Connection series: Preparing for Middle School. This is an opportunity for parents to prepare for their transition meetings at the middle school campus.
When: December 8th, from 7:00 - 7:30 pm
Families can pre-register by using this link: https://tinyurl.com/
Pre-K and Kindergarten families are
invited to the next virtual session on the topic of Early Literacy: Building
Vocabulary. The RRISD Parent Team will share with families simple
strategies to build their child’s vocabulary. Upon registration, families will
receive a Scholastic kit for hands-on practice Scholastic, Inc. that they get
to keep.
When: December 9, 2020 from 7:00 - 7:30 PM
Families may register using this link: https://tinyurl.com/rrisdparentprogram
There will be another parent session on
Digital Citizenship: Digital Footprint and Identity. This live session
is an opportunity to learn about digital footprint and identity, and what this
means for families and students. When: Two virtual sessions on
Tuesday, December 15 for Pre-K- 5th: 6:00-7:00 p.m. Families may pre-register using at tinyurl.com/
Looking Ahead:
Friday, 12/11: Austin Zoo Virtual Field Trip, 10:00-10:30
Friday, 12/11: Coffee
with the Principals! 8:00 am & 12:00 pm
Thursday, 12/17: Last day of the 2nd nine-weeks!
Friday, 12/18-Tuesday, 1/5: Winter Break!
Wednesday, 1/6: First day of the 3rd nine-weeks
Monday, 1/18: MLK Holiday!
Parent Resources:
-Ten Minute Tips for Parents, a parent podcast, is being released biweekly.
Episodes are in both English and Spanish. https://parentprograms.roundrockisd.org/family-connection/
-Bus route information is
available on this
website. Parents can also register for the SMART tag Parent Portal to
see their student's specific bus assignments and set up alerts.
-The Schoology link below houses a
Parent Guide to Schoology in English and Spanish. It also has helpful videos that
explain Schoology Parent Accounts. https://parentprograms.roundrockisd.org/learningopportunities/
-For attendance information, view Attendance Overview for Parents
-Here is a link to our counselors’
website: https://sites.google.com/roundrockisd.org/schoolcounselingatdft/home
Free and reduced meals: Free/Reduced Lunch Application link
Stay Connected:
Visit the Round Rock ISD website, download our
free smartphone App, and follow the District’s Facebook and Twitter pages. For up-to-date information about
virtual or on-campus learning for the 2020-2021 school year, visit our Reimagining
Education webpage.
We are here to help!
Virtual support is available 7:40-2:55!
Please fill out this Double File Trail Virtual Support form for help.
Lastly, please know that you are always welcome to contact me at alifia_britton@roundrockisd.org with any questions
or concerns that surface. Thank you for continuing to team with us as we
navigate this school year. Stay healthy!
Stay well! RRISD Strong! DFT Strong!
My
Belief:
I
consider it a privilege and a blessing to serve the Double File Trail
Elementary Community as the principal. I believe in our students and
their ability to achieve excellence in education. I want to partner with you to
make this happen. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any
member of my team in support of your child’s education. We are ALL
here to support and encourage our students to BE BRAVE, CHOOSE KIND and LEAD
ON!
Grateful,