Upcoming Events
Tuesday, November 2nd
- Welcome Back to Campus-Otter Pups!
- School Picture-Retake and Make-up Day
Wednesday, November 3rd
- Early Release-1:30 End of Day
Friday, November 5th
- Family Art Show Submission Deadline
Monday, November 8th
- Welcome Back to Campus-Mrs. Vanaman's Kindergarten!
Planning Ahead
No School on the following days
November 11th-Veteran's Day
November 12th-Teacher Work Day
November 22nd-Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 23rd-Daytime Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 24th-26th-Thanksgiving Vacation
Covid Testing
The St. Helens School District joins many other districts across the state in providing free weekly COVID-19 testing for K-5 students during the 2021-2022 school year. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has contracted with OHSU to provide these tests to participating schools in Oregon.
While this program is not mandatory, we encourage parents to sign their student(s) up for testing as regular testing helps us stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep our schools open for in-person instruction. To have your child participate in the first round of enrollment, BOTH consent forms (OHSU & OHA) will need to be returned to your student’s school by Friday, November 12, 2021.
Please see the Q&A section below to help answer any questions you may have about the program.
WHY SHOULD I SIGN UP MY CHILD FOR WEEKLY COVID TESTS?
• Keeps our schools open for in-person learning
• Helps us detect COVID cases early, so we can stop an outbreak before it happens
• Gives you peace of mind knowing whether or not your child has COVID
• Prevents a sick child from unknowingly spreading COVID to loved ones.
WHAT ARE THE COVID-19 TESTS LIKE?
• The tests are quick and painless. All that is needed is a sample of your child’s spit (saliva).
• Schools will ask students to collect their spit at home and bring it to school.
• Schools will provide students with a collection kit with instructions on how to collect the spit sample and where to turn it in.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I SEND THE SPIT SAMPLE BACK TO THE SCHOOL?
• OHSU will collect the samples from your school.
• After the lab gets the sample, they will send you a secure email with the test results within 24 - 48 hours.
• If your child’s test results come back as unknown or as having COVID-19, you will receive a call from a nurse from OHSU’s COVID hotline.
HOW MANY TIMES CAN I GET MY CHILD TESTED?
• Your child can get tested every week on your school’s collection day.
• Your school will give you more testing kits as you need them.
WILL MY CHILD’S INFORMATION BE KEPT PRIVATE?
• We will never share your child’s information or COVID status with anyone other than public health officials.
• The OHA or the local health authority will call you if you have a positive result to start contact tracing. While your school will not get your child’s results from OHSU, it might get them from the OHA or local health authority.
• OHSU will not share test results with your school.
HOW WILL MY CHILD’S SCHOOL BE NOTIFIED OF POSITIVE RESULTS?
• Families are the first ones to receive their child’s results.
• OHSU will not share test results with your school. In order to keep accurate records, we are asking that families share this information with your student’s school upon receiving your child’s results.
WHAT IF I NO LONGER WANT MY CHILD TO BE TESTED?
If you change your mind, just let our nursing services know that you no longer want to be part of the program.
HOW DO I SIGN UP MY CHILD FOR WEEKLY COVID TESTING?
If you would like to sign your student up for free weekly COVID-19 testing, please complete the attached forms and have your child bring them back to school and give them to their teacher. Please complete one form per child.
If you have specific questions about this program, please contact OHSU at 833-376-1027, 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.
Attachments: OHSU & OHA Consent Forms
From the Desk of Mrs. Vanderschuere
Despite the challenges we continue to face to keep our students and staff healthy, we have continued to thrive. Some of the things I would like to celebrate:
- Parent drop-off and pick-up have become much smoother. We regularly have all students dropped off by 8:25 and picked up by 3:15.
- Students have been demonstrating our character traits in all settings. For example, I have noted kindness and teamwork at recess, and Ms. Bailey has been developing these skills in PE.
- The halls are full of student writing and artwork.
- Students are continuing to make gains in all academic areas.
- Our own Otter Pup Lead Teacher, Jeanine Bartley, was honored as a TIreless Teacher by a parent.
- Despite a substitute shortage, staff members have willingly taken on roles to support classrooms, lunches, and recess.
- Parents have offered grace and kindness when receiving calls about quarantined students and classrooms. But, I can confirm that is one of the most challenging calls I can make.
Please enjoy pictures from around our school.
We are crew!
Mrs. V.
School Hours
Elementary School Daily Schedule-In Person
(M, T, Th, F)
8:10 am Students may arrive at school.
(There is no supervision of students prior to 8:10. Please do not arrive before that time.)
Students will enter the school building at assigned doors, and go directly to class.
Family Drop-off (front of the building)
K-3rd Students-Instructional Wing doors
4th-5th Students-Front Doors
Bus Riders & Preschool
Lower doors-1st Street
Preschool Families-Please park beyond the bus loading and unloading areas
Breakfast and Lunch will be offered to all students free of charge in the classroom.
8:30 am School starts and students are tardy after this time.
3:00 pm Students are dismissed.
3:20 pm Students still waiting for pickup will be brought to the office.
After-school supervision is concluded.
Wednesday Early Release
1:30 Students are dismissed.
1:50 Students still waiting for pickup will be brought to the office.
After-school supervision is concluded.
Contact Mrs Vanderschuere
Email: Jenniferv@sthelens.k12.or.us
Phone: 503.366-7550