Dove Hill Newsroom

Dear Evergreen Parents;

The Evergreen School District has been hard at work this past summer preparing for the upcoming school year. While we know that starting off the year in Distance Learning will be different, we are dedicated and committed to providing your children the best education possible. I wanted to share some important updates as we head into the next week and a half before school begins on August 19th.

Distance Learning Updates

First, I would like to welcome the new families to our district. We are excited to have you here! Should you have any questions, please contact your child's school or the district office. Next, In the coming days, families will receive communication from their schools regarding teacher assignments, school schedules, technology device needs, iPad/Chromebook and school materials distribution dates, Grab and Go meals, and other back to school activities. If you need to sign up for the free and reduced lunch program, complete an application at: http://evergreen.schoollunchapp.com/

Each of our schools' websites now have a Distance Learning tab that will have more information about Distance Learning and specific information from your school. Please use the schools' websites as your first resource for more information. Your schools will also provide frequent and consistent communication via email, social media, phone calls and texts. If you would like to know what to expect with Distance Learning, you can read more on our Safe Together website at eesd.org/safetogether. We have updated the Frequently Asked Questions on this page, which reflects the most current updates.

New Virtual Pathways, Pods4Learning Homeschool Programs

In the Evergreen School District, we believe in offering choices to the parents. This coming year, we are proud to offer a brand-new program for our TK-8^th grade families. Virtual Pathways, Evergreen School District's homeschool program, is intended for families who are interested in the homeschooling concept, where the parents are involved in most aspects of the student's learning and schooling process, and who also want the support of a credentialed teacher for goal-setting, one on one meeting and guidance. Those who are interested in registering a student in grades 1-8 in this program are advised to send an email to virtualpathways@eesd.org.

As part of Virtual Pathways, we are offering Pods4Learning, a new parent-led and district-supported homeschooling experience for TK and kindergarten students. Students learn standards-based curriculum with a group of up to five students in a virtual environment- ensuring social and emotional engagement with their peers. Two hours each week, parents and students receive personalized coaching from a credentialed teacher. Weekly learning success packets, supporting materials, along with an iPad, are also included in this program. More information will be posted on our website in the coming days. This program is limited to 25 TK students and 25 Kindergarten students. We are taking an interest list for this program, so if you are interested in registering your TK or kindergartener, please send an email to pods4learning@eesd.org.

We are also continuing to promote our traditional TK and kindergarten programs, and through our traditional TK and kindergarten experiences, students will grow as learners and classmates. Each day, our teachers will use online and individual learning approaches to help students gain reading, math, social and life skills, so they are prepared for the next grade level. Students enrolled in these programs will start the school year in distance learning, and will be provided a personalized device, if needed. If you or someone you know would like to register a TK or kindergartener in our traditional program, please visit our Enrollment and Registration page at https://www.eesd.org/page.cfm?p=2612.

Combination Classes

In planning for distance learning, input and feedback from parents and teachers shows increasing concerns about combination classes, due to the dual curriculum that needs to be taught by the teacher. In the best interest of our students, during distance learning, Evergreen is eliminating combo classes, and will be filling the need for the additional required teachers with additional teachers, including our own Evergreen art teachers, who are fully credentialed, experienced, and qualified teachers, and who are already familiar with our schools and students. This is a temporary solution as we address the distinct needs that our students and teachers have in distance learning. Rest assured that our traditional art program will resume once all students return to in-school learning. We recognize the value of arts education for our students, and plan on offering a multitude of art classes during after school enrichment hours.

Student Wellness

The social, mental and emotional health of our students is important to us, and in addition to daily wellness check-ins with our students during distance learning, we are also providing our social emotional learning curriculum, Second Step, in addition to many social emotional resources provided by our mental health team of social workers and counselors throughout the school year. We will soon be launching our Wellness website, which will provide social, mental and emotional wellness resources for our students, staff and families.

Equity and Justice

At our August 13th board meeting, our Board of Trustees will be taking an official position on the importance of equity and justice through the first reading of its Black Lives Matter resolution, which formally declares the district's commitments to join the movement to fight for freedom, liberation, and justice; creating an Equity Policy that will include restorative justice practices, implicit bias training, counseling, and other resources that foster dialogue and action that promotes racial and social justice for all; and to work tirelessly and collaboratively with staff, students, and families to dismantle institutionalized racism in our society.

I would like to thank each of you who have taken the time to email, call, attend Community Information Meetings, Board meetings, and Community Input Sessions over the past three months. Your input is so valuable to our district, and we have used this input to shape our plans during this dynamic time when we have had to pivot quickly. We appreciate your understanding and grace as we work through developing the final details for the launch of the school year, and we will continue to keep you informed. Please contact the district at safetogether@eesd.org if you have any additional questions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Emy Flores

Superintendent, Evergreen School District