PBL Junior High School Students and Parents/Guardians:
Welcome back Panthers for the 2020-2021 school year. We are excited to begin this school year and for the re-opening of our schools. Below is some information that needs to be shared and addressed so that everybody is aware of expectations and how the re-opening of schools will work at PBL Junior High School.
Registration
Registration is being completed online via the Skyward Parent Portal. If you have not registered yet, please contact the PBL Junior High School office at 217-379-9202.
Supplies
Please click here to find all supplies your student needs for the year.
In addition to all the usual supplies, students need to bring their own water bottle and face mask each day. Water fountains will not be used this school year, however water bottle filling stations are available in two locations at PBL Junior High School.
On the supply list there are items listed for PE. PE will not be dressing or changing with the re-opening of schools, so you can disregard any PE items on the supply list.
Mask Requirement
All staff and students will be required to wear a mask. Parents are encouraged to send multiple masks with their child.
A mask must be a true mask that completely covers the nose and mouth. Handkerchiefs worn “cowboy style” and face shields do not meet requirements.
Some students and parents are concerned about “what if a student does not follow this requirement.” Instances of students not following this requirement will be handled individually, but please know that not wearing a mask is not an option.
Bus Service
Anyone needing bus services should have completed the information during the registration process or should contact the PBL Junior High School office immediately.
Items of note about bus services:
As much as possible buses will be limited to 40 students.
Each bus will have a pre-determined seating chart with students from the same household seated together.
Students will have their temperature taken when boarding a bus.
The first few rows of seats at the front of the bus will be reserved in case any student has a temperature and/or is not feeling well.
To limit exposure students picked up first will sit at the back of the bus, students picked up last will sit at the front of the bus, etc.
Once to school, everyone will remain seated until dismissed from their seat by a staff member.
Afternoon pick up
Buses will pick up from in front of the Junior High and High School at approximately 12:45pm each afternoon. At the same time shuttle buses will be picking up Clara Peterson shuttle riders.
Once loaded the route buses will go to Clara Peterson to pick up elementary students and the shuttle buses will come to the high school to drop of Clara Peterson students and pick up Junior High and High School shuttle riders, who will then be transported across town to Clara Peterson.
Student Certification
Parents must log onto the Skyward Parent Portal each morning to complete the student wellness screening. This must be completed each day for each child prior to your child arriving at school.
Arrival at School
All doors designated as entry points will be unlocked at 7:35am each morning.
Buses will be dropping off students in the front of PBL Junior High School.
If you are dropping off your child there will be a designated area at the front of PBL Junior High School with cones for where to do that.
Upon entering the building, students will have their temperature checked and then immediately report to their 1st hour class for the day.
If a student has a temperature of 100.4 or above, they will report to a designated area. These students will have their temperature checked again approximately 10 minutes later. If the student still has a temperature of 100.4 or above, they will be sent home.
To help with social distancing, each grade level will enter through a different set of doors to report to their 1st hour class for the day.
Students wanting to eat breakfast will enter through the Commons Area Entrance doors to get a grab-n-go breakfast.
6th Grade Students will enter through the 6th Grade Wing Entrance doors.
7th Grade Students will enter through the 7th Grade Wing Entrance doors.
8th Grade Students will enter through the 8th Grade Wing Entrance doors.
Daily Schedule
Students will attend school at PBL Junior High School from 8:00am-12:45pm each day.
Students are being grouped into 5 cohorts at each grade level (A, B, C, D, E) and will remain together for the duration of the day as much as possible.
Teachers in grade level wings will be rotating to students. The students will not be moving from class-to-class for core content classes.
Students will take ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The other class will be a combination and rotation of PE/Study Hall/Band/Chorus.
Student Arrival | 7:35-8:00 |
1st Hour | 8:00-8:57 |
2nd Hour | 8:57-9:54 |
3rd Hour | 9:54-10:51 |
4th Hour | 10:51-11:48 |
5th Hour | 11:48-12:45 |
Breakfast
A grab-n-go breakfast will be available for purchase for those wanting it.
Students wanting to get the grab-n-go breakfast should enter in the Commons Area Entrance at the front of the junior high.
Students will take breakfast with them to their first period class.
Lunch
School lunch will be available for purchase for those wanting it.
Students will have two choices for lunch each day.
Teachers will take a lunch count each day during 1st hour.
School lunch will be delivered during 5th hour classes with the expectation that students will eat the lunch after leaving school.
Due to safety concerns, outside food deliveries will not be allowed to the school during the 2020-2021 school year. This includes deliveries from parents and restaurants.
Lockers
Students are discouraged from using lockers this year.
Students will only be assigned a locker if they request one.
To ensure social distancing, at least every other locker will be skipped for those that do request lockers.
Students can carry bookbags, school supplies, and coats to class.
Water Fountains
All water fountains will be bagged and unavailable for use.
Water bottle filling stations will be available for use. These are located at the 8th grade restroom and in the Commons Area.
Restrooms
We will be creating a schedule for two restroom breaks a day with grade level teachers. This will give students a chance to wash their hands and use the restroom if needed.
If a student needs to use the restroom they can still do that, but we will have two scheduled times per day for each group of students.
Visitors
In the past, parents could visit the building to drop off student supplies, have lunch with their child, and more. In order to reduce exposure to our students and staff, visitors will not be allowed in the building unless there is an immediate emergency or an in person meeting is required.
End of the Day Dismissal
Once we dismiss at 12:45pm students are expected to promptly exit school property for the day.
Students will be dismissing out their grade level doors and teachers will be dismissing students by class in each grade level to keep students separated.
Staff will be placed throughout the building in order to keep students moving and prevent groups of students from gathering.
If a student is riding the shuttle from PBL Junior High School to Clara Peterson, they will report to the Commons Area to be supervised until a staff member dismisses them to the shuttle buses.
These students must remain social distanced and must have masks on while waiting in the Commons Area.
If a junior high student is waiting for their younger sibling to arrive on the shuttle bus from Clara Peterson, they can wait outside and in the front of the Commons Area.
Building Cleaning
As always, each area of the building will be cleaned nightly.
An extra custodian is being hired in the district to assist with the extra cleaning responsibilities.
Day time custodians will sanitize touch points such as doorknobs, restrooms, and more throughout the day.
Teachers will clean tables and desks as needed throughout the day.
Remote Learning
Students who will be doing remote learning will be contacted by a staff member.
We will communicate when Chromebooks will be available for parents to pick up.
More information will be shared about students doing remote learning and wanting to participate in our breakfast or lunch programs.
Notification of a Positive Test
If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, we will follow the lead of Ford County Public Health, which will include assisting with contact tracing.
If we believe your child has been exposed, then you will be contacted by us or by the Ford County Public Health Department.
As you can see, there are many changes and adjustments, however, with these changes and adjustments we will be allowed to be together. With everybody’s willingness to work together, I truly believe we can make this happen and get back to educating students in a manner that is much more conducive to learning. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Yours in Education,
Joshua M. Didier, Principal
PBL Junior High School