Sangster News You Choose
Message from the Principal
Dear Sangster Families,
Sangster Elementary will have an outdoor distribution for student laptops next week. Please read through the schedule and all procedures listed below carefully.
Sangster’s laptop distribution will take place Monday, August 17, 2020 – Thursday, August 20, 2020. The pick-up of student laptops will be scheduled based on your “oldest OR only” child’s grade level(s) for the 2020-2021 school year.
If you have only one child at Sangster, please follow the pick-up date/time of your child’s grade level and the first initial of your child's last name below. Parents with multiple children should select the laptop pick-up date/time of their oldest child’s grade level listed below. The laptops for younger siblings will be ready for pick-up at this time as well. The goal is to only have families make one trip to Sangster for the pick-up of student laptops.
Link to email our School Based Technology Specialist (SBTS): dltannenbaum@fcps.edu
Please follow the protocols listed below to ensure a safe and efficient pick-up of student laptops:
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Prior to arrival, please fill out and print the Sangster ES Student Computer/Device Program form for each child you have at Sangster ES. If you have three (3) children at Sangster ES, you will need to bring three (3) forms with you when you come to pick-up laptops. The form can be located Here.
- This is a rain or shine event. Laptop covers/cases are not provided. Laptop chargers are provided. If it is raining, please plan to bring a bag or umbrella. You may only pick-up laptops belonging to your child/children. Only one (1) parent per family. Students and/or younger children are not permitted.
- All staff and parents must wear a mask. Parents must practice social distancing of at least 6 feet while waiting in line. Please bring your own pen.
- Please arrive at Sangster during your designated window based on the oldest or only schedule above. Please park on Reservation Dr. or in the Sangster staff parking lot, not the Sangster bus loop.
- Upon arrival, there will be 5 stations of Sangster staff members waiting to assist you near the front entrance of the school.
Laptop Insurance
FCPS does not currently offer an option for families to purchase laptop insurance. For any damaged or lost School Board property, families are responsible for reimbursement in accordance with the SR&R and School Board regulations. Families may wish to check their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies for coverage options or search online for insurance companies which offer insurance policies exclusively for student laptops.
Families with FCPS Laptops
Families who already have a FCPS laptop at home should do the following once per week beginning in August:
- Plug the device into an outlet.
- Turn the device on and let it boot up.
- Ensure it is connected to the internet at that location.
- Let the device sit for 30 minutes. No additional logins or activities are required.
Grade Level Schedules
We have posted updated grade level schedules on our website since last week. https://sangsteres.fcps.edu/announcements/sangster-virtual-grade-level-tentative-schedules . These are still in draft form and subject to be tweaked before the beginning of the year. Each grade level will have different staggered times for Language Arts, Math, Science/Social Studies, Specials and lunch. This is necessary since resource teachers such as Special Education teachers, English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers, Specialist teachers, and Instructional Assistants work in all grade levels. More detailed information will be coming to you from your child’s teacher in late August.
2019 – 2020 Yearbook Pick-Up
As a result of the COVID-19 national pandemic, the distribution of the 2019 – 2020 yearbooks is delayed. If yearbooks are not available for pick-up during laptop distribution we will let you know as soon as they are available, as well as how you can retrieve your child’s yearbook. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and flexibility.
Pick-Up of Lost and Found
Lost and Found items from the 2019-2020 school year will be on display Monday, August 17, 2020 – Friday, August 21, 2020 and Tuesday, August 25, 2020 – Wednesday, August 26, 2020, weather permitting. Items will be located along the playground fence line, near the Kiss-n-Ride lane. Parents should wear a mask and practice social distancing when looking at the Lost and Found items.
Class Placement Lists/ Teacher Assignments
We are working diligently on student class placements and teacher assignments. Since we are not beginning the year in-person with the alphabetical split, we are continuing to place students in classrooms just as we would during a traditional school opening based on instructional groups, teacher input and the family input you provided last spring. Families will receive teacher placement assignments by Monday August 31, 2020.
Attendance
Attendance is required for all students Monday – Friday. Classroom will have a live morning meeting each day where attendance will be taken for the day. Morning Meeting is an engaging way to start each day, build a strong sense of community, and set children up for success socially and academically.
Recorded Lessons
Teachers will be recording whole group lessons this fall. Recordings will be posted within Google Classroom to be accessed by students who would like additional review. Small group and individual instruction will not be recorded. More information coming from your child’s teacher at the beginning of the school year.
Virtual Orientation
Please mark your calendar for September 2. A virtual orientation is a time our teachers will introduce themselves to their students and ensure everyone in the class can connect to the platforms we will be using for distance learning in preparation for the first day September 8, 2020. For families returning to FCPS, we will continue primarily using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra (BBCU). Teachers will use Google Classroom to communication and organize daily announcements and assignments.
9:00 – Kindergarten
10:00 – 1st grade
11:00 – 2nd grade
12:00 – 3rd grade
1:00 – 4th grade
2:00 – 5th grade
3:00 – 6th grade
Staggered times are scheduled to accommodate for families with children in multiple grade levels.
Virtual Back to School Night (BTSN)
Please mark September 15 on your calendar for Back to School Night. More information coming in future weeks.
Virtual School Supply Lists
Each grade level has developed a virtual school supply list. They are posted on our website at https://sangsteres.fcps.edu/academics/school-supply-lists . This will help your child with virtual instructional through 1st quarter at home. There may be additional materials throughout the school year teachers will need for students to access. More information coming soon after school begins.
Technology Supports for Parents and Students
FCPS is working to support families and students with technology. Supports include:
- Providing technology access to students and families.
- Launching a help desk for parents.
- Developing a portal to allow students to request technology help directly.
- Developing methods for students to manage their Blackboard Collaborate/Google Meet class links in their Google Calendar.
New Student Registration for School Year 2020-2021
Parents who have not yet completed the In-Person Registration Appointment should please complete the following link:
https://sangsteres.fcps.edu/new-student-registration-2020-21. Our registrar Marian Hoelscher will be in contact with you.
If you know of a new student that needs to register for the 2020-21 school year, please refer them to the Sangster website or contact Marian Hoelscher at mthoelscher@fcps.edu for more information.
School offices remain closed except by appointment.
How to Stay In-Touch at Sangster
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
Sangster sends a weekly News You Choose with the latest school updates.
Need Internet Connectivity?
Cox Communication has announced new customers that qualify will receive Connect2Compete, the company's low-cost internet, for two months at no cost. New customers must sign up between July 21 and September 30 for free service, which also includes free technical support.
A summary of enhancements and benefits of Cox's Connect2Compete program include:
- 2 months of free Connect2Compete service and remote desktop and phone support through Cox Complete Care for eligible new customers who apply between July 21 and September 30, $9.95/month thereafter
- Easy referral for discounted, refurbished equipment through PCs for People
- Student and family access to the Cox Digital Academy, which provides computer literacy training and educational resources for students
- Free WiFi modem rental
- Access to over 3M+ Cox Hotspots nationwide
This summer, Cox announced a new digital learning platform available to Connect2Compete customers to keep kids engaged in academics this summer.
The Cox Connect2Compete program is available to families who:
- Have at least one child that is a K-12 student at home
- Participate in one of these government subsidies programs: The National School Lunch Program, SNAP, TANF, Head Start, WIC, LIHEAP, or Public Housing
Families can qualify for Connect2Compete easily from anywhere whether on their mobile device or desktop by visiting www.cox.com/c2c. More information is also available here:
https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/connect2compete/covid-19-response.html
FCPS Return to School Information
These webpages are continuing to be updated as the situation for the 2020-21 school year evolves. The FAQ page includes a date by each question to identify the latest updates.
FCPS Resources
FCPS website for Mental Health Resources and information for emergency mental health services:
Be sure to jump in on the PTA fundraising fun and send the Sangster Falcons flying to your neighbor’s yard! Complete the form below to sign up.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17UK3GVn9lmeIi_6SMjmZzxOABRkNpUZKzm_IXEqAtj8/viewform?edit_requested=true
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