Yealey Families,

I hope you had a great week and have plans to enjoy Halloween in a new and Covid safe way!  One good thing that is coming out of this pandemic is how it is forcing us to come up with new ways to enjoy each other's company and I know some of the things my family has done will be traditions we probably hold on to.  

As I'm sure you saw last night, we are staying hybrid A/B next week.  So, no changes to schedules, etc have to occur.  We will continue to make plans here for getting all hybrid students back.  And also for what school will look like if all students return under these safety guidelines.  I will keep you posted!

If any families need help with internet service, please let click on the FRC page of this blog and then let Mrs. Burns-Kraft know.  She will help you with the process but it is a quick turn around!

Everyone enjoy your weekend. Don't forget we are off school on Tuesday for election day.

Mrs. Turner

 Hi Yealey Families,

I hope you've all had a great week!  It has been another fantastic week at school.  Picture day is next week.  We will do "A" students on Tuesday during the school day, virtual students on Tuesday 2:00 - 6:00, and "B" students on Thursday during the school day.  Homeroom teachers will be sure to communicate any additional details.  

I am sure you saw the superintendent's message last night stating that we would stay on the A-B hybrid schedule for next week.  He plans to look at the numbers each Thursday and make a plan for the upcoming week. Since we have to make quite a bit of changes to prepare for that change, we are going to be proactive and prepare for things.  That way we will be ready to change quickly if we are asked to.  One of the things I will need from you is to consider volunteering to go into one of the new homerooms we will create if we all come back.  If you feel like your child is flexible, handles change, and is always looking to make new friends then they would be a great candidate.  We need 7 2nd graders, 15 3rd graders, and 12 4th graders to volunteer to move.  If we don't get enough volunteers, we will be choosing students who we feel like show these characteristics and asking them to move.  We will not actually be moving students unless the superintendent determines we can bring all hybrid students back 4 days per week. I just want to go ahead and get our lists ready in case we are told on a Thursday that we will move to this model on Monday. If you would like to volunteer, please email me, renee.turner@boone.kyschools.us by Wednesday 10/28/20.  Thank you!

Sometime in the next couple of weeks, you will also be receiving a form to sign up for either virtual or hybrid school for next semester.  I want to be sure that everyone makes an informed decision (as much as possible anyway).  So, next week, we will be creating a short video for you to view that shows you what it looks like at school now and describe some of the changes that would have to occur if everyone decides to come back in January.  I want everyone to make a choice that is the best for your child and your family.  I can't wait until all my Bobcats are back in the building everyday but I completely understand that each child and family are unique and I respect each decision made.  If you would like input from your teacher, please be sure to ask about that during conferences.  Our conferences are coming up on 11/5 and 11/10.  I will also host a principal Q & A during conferences.  I will send the zoom link for those that you can join if you would like. 

I believe plans for a virtual costume parade are in the works since we won't be holding any of our usual Fall celebrations this year.  Watch for info coming out next week on how to participate in our online costume showcase!

I hope you all have a great weekend with family and friends!  Remember to Sharpen the Saw (habit 7) when you can. 

Mrs. Turner

 Hi Yealey Families,

What a beautiful Fall break we had!  I hope you were all able to enjoy the four days off school.  I enjoyed every second!  

Last year's yearbooks are in!  If you'd like to purchase one, please contact the office.  They are $17.  If you pre-ordered one, they are available for pick-up in the office.  We will get them out to the homerooms as soon as possible but if you want them now, please just let us know and you can stop by and pick it up.

I'm sure that what is on everyone's mind is the decision made by the board last Thursday to bring all hybrid students back for 4 days starting on 10/29.  It is my understanding that this is the plan and that all the Covid numbers will continue to be monitored to be sure what status we should be in (red, yellow, or green).  I believe the superintendent is planning to send weekly updates on Thursdays to the community including to us here at school.  So, I plan to just watch for updates on Thursdays.  The superintendent has told us that we can't switch students from virtual to hybrid until January.  I know several of you were hoping to do this but I was told this week we can't.  If you have a hybrid student and this decision to bring more students back causes you to want to switch to virtual, we will be able to accommodate those requests. Please let me know by emailing renee.turner@boone.kyschools.us  by 10/21/20.

I know that these decisions and waiting to hear each Thursday what the numbers look like are causing stress but I wanted to let you know the plans that are being made here.  We are going to be able to observe all the healthy guidelines when all hybrid students return but it is going to take some creative problem solving and teamwork.  There will be changes to the specials schedule and classes that will impact everyone, changes to the RTI program that will impact some of us, and changes to homerooms that will impact some of us.  More communication will be coming in the next week as final decisions are made so please keep watching for that.  What we really need from everyone is a positive approach to the changes we will make because the big picture is students will be back in the building more than they have been since March 12th!  The teachers and staff here have been 100% positive and willing to do whatever it takes to get students back and make sure the healthy guidelines are a priority.  We are committed to keeping your kids safe, healthy, and give them the best education!

Our plan is to make these changes and keep things here the same as long as possible no matter what status we are in.  So we won't be switching teachers, schedules, etc. again until we are all green and back together! The only caveat to that is all parents will be given a chance to re-choose their option of hybrid or virtual starting in January.  An email will come from the district sometime in November giving parents the option of enrolling in hybrid or virtual starting in January. Once those choices are made, we may need to make changes again based on numbers.  

So, the bottom line is - flexibility and positivity are going to be keys to our success this year.  Remember we are all in this together and are all doing our best for these kids we love!  

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Turner

 Yealey Families -

What an amazing week it has been here!  It has been so great to see so many of our Bobcats back in the building.  I know that the pictures you're seeing on Facebook and Instagram show some of what it's like to be back but since it's hard to see the smiles you really need to be here to hear them.  The kids and staff are so excited and happy to be together again.  Lots of laughing and positive comments can be heard throughout the building.  While our social media tells some of our story, in this case, there's a big part of it not being told without the sounds - and, these sounds are music to my ears!

I just wanted to be sure to clear up any confusion on the at-home learning days during this hybrid model.  When the kids are at home, there are work requirements and participation requirements for each day.  Please check with your teacher or in their google classrooms for specifics. Mr. Rice and Mrs. Roedersheimer have been following up with families on attendance and participation.  We want to make sure everyone is getting the most out of their educational opportunities.

If you had any confusion on how things worked this week, please go back and read 9/18's blog for details and please reach out if you have any questions.  Everything has really worked very well so far.  Thank you for helping with all the new procedures.

Please be sure to support the PTA this year by purchasing pumpkins and sharing our pumpkin fundraiser with your family and friends.  Sale ends Monday, 10/5/20. 

Our SBDM council is in need of a minority parent representative.  If you qualify as a minority by the definition from KDE: "Minority is defined as “American Indian; Alaskan native; African-American; Hispanic, including persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Central- or South-American origins; Pacific Islander; or other ethnic group underrepresented in the school” [KRS 160345(1)(a)]." and you are interested in running for a seat on our SBDM council, please let me know.   

There will be no blog update next Friday since it is Fall Break.  Remember we are off school Friday the 9th and Monday the 12th.  I will email or send a phone call if any urgent information needs to be relayed.  Enjoy this weekend and your nice long weekend next week.  

Mrs. Turner

principal