Dear Parents, Guardians and Students:

 

I am hopeful all of you had a relaxing and enjoyable summer.  As we approach the beginning of a new school year, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you.

Our school’s reputation and success rest, in large part, on parental concern and involvement.  As was the case the last three school years, the school theme for 2020-21 at Lounsberry Hollow will be “Every Student Matters; Every Moment Counts!”  Students are the heart of our school where every student is celebrated and valued as part of our learning community.  Every moment counts reflects the urgency of our task of ensuring that ALL students are successfully prepared for their future.  The above applies to our in person learners, virtual learners and blended learners.

Lounsberry Hollow can take humble pride in its highly qualified and dedicated faculty and staff!  These professional educators welcome your concern, and they view education as a partnership between home and school.

Tuesday, September 8th is the first day of school for students.  Students assigned to the Blue Team group will report to school on this day, while Gold Team group students will receive virtual instruction via Schoology from their respective teachers.  On Wednesday, September 9th, Gold Team group students will attend school in person and Blue Team group students will receive virtual instruction.  Full time Virtual Students will be receiving information from their respective assigned teachers soon.

As parents, it is important that we become increasingly familiar with the “Blended Learning” model as “BL” is the present and way of the future manner of instruction happening in so many schools.  The blended learning model is a teaching methodology that is done in the classroom and/or online.  Blended learning combines classroom learning with online learning, in which students can control the time, pace, and place of their learning.

 

 

  • Blended Learning is a fusion of using online learning tools and traditional teaching methodology. With blended learning, teachers are not replaced by digital courseware such as SumDog, Raz Kids, Newsela, or IXL, because teachers are still the primary drivers of the learning experience for students.
  • With Blended Learning, there must be a direct connection between the content being taught and students’ digital work. In fact, this model creates an opportunity for teachers to explore new and engaging teaching methods that can provide students with access to a great deal of content at their own pace of study.

 

 

 

  • Blending Learning is more than just substituting digital tools for pencil and paper. Students have the chance to dig deeper into the content to learn through discovery and problem solve.  This also often involves student collaboration and discussion.
  • Blended Learning has a direct connection between the content being taught.

 

 

Lounsberry Hollow will be holding our Virtual, Back to School Night, beginning at 5:00pm on Friday, September 4, 2020.  You may access your student’s teachers Back to School Night presentations in Schoology beginning on the above date at 5:00pm.

 

Please note that consistent with the New Jersey Department of Education guidance on face coverings, that while all students are required to wear face coverings, exceptions include students with a documented medical condition or disability, as reflected in an IEP that precludes the use of a face covering.  Consistent with this guidance, please be aware there may be students present in school buildings and on district transportation who are unable to wear face coverings.

 

For more information on face coverings and complete list of exceptions please refer to:

Update to Conditions of Learning, Health and Safety, “Critical Area of Operations #5:  Screening, PPE and Response to Students and Staff Presenting Symptoms” and “Critical Area of Operation #3:  Transportation.”

https://www.nj.gov/education/reopening/updates/docs/RestartUpdateFacecoverings080320.pdf

 

In adhering to COVID-19 guidelines/recommendations, the VTSD has decided that there will be no items brought to school to celebrate a students’ birthday this year.  This includes, but is not limited to, food items of any/all kinds, crafts, books, etc.

 

Regarding LH “Picture Day”, photos will be taken during your child’s PE/Health period on Thursday, September 10 and Friday, September 11, 2020.  Virtual students will have the opportunity to come to Lounsberry Hollow School between the hours of 1:00pm- 2:00pm, either on 9/10 or 9/11.  Digital order forms will be sent electronically through school messenger.

 

We look forward to maintaining a tradition at Lounsberry Hollow of students being committed to the proposition that the privilege of coming to school carries with it the obligations to do the best they can.  These are important years, and it is rewarding to work with young people who see a challenge in their potential- to become the best they can.

We trust your experience at LH where “Every Student Matters; Every Moment Counts!” will be a positive and exciting one.  Best wishes to you for a rewarding and successful 2020-21 school year!

 

Sincerely,

Dennis J. Mudrick

Principal