McCombs Memo

We are excited to begin welcoming students to campus on October 26! We know that there are lots of questions from both students and staff about what the hybrid model looks like, and we'll answer those in this memo.

Students staying 100% Virtual: Not much is going to change for you. Your class times will change slightly, but your teachers will help you through that and adjust your meeting times on Teams.

Students coming in the Hybrid: There's information below that you will need to know. Just keep in mind that school is going to look and feel different than it has in the past as we work to keep everyone healthy and safe. We'll help you work through these expectations on the first few days of school.

Stay Healthy. Be Smart. For Everyone. We know that we're all in this together! The health and safety of each student and staff member at McCombs is our #1 priority.

- Bring a mask. Masks are required any time you are on campus. If you forget your mask, we will have one for you to use that day. You must wear a face mask; gaiters, bandanas, and face shields cannot replace a mask.

- Make sure you have your computer and charger cord. You will need to bring them to school each day.

- Bring your student ID. You will need this to check into the building each day and for lunch. If you need a new ID, please let us know.

- You can have a transparent water bottle with you if you'd like. Make sure it's filled with water only! Our drinking fountains are closed, so if you are going to need a drink throughout the day a water bottle is a must.

- All other food & drink is not allowed, unless it is part of your lunch. There can be no sharing of food and drink.

- If you don't feel well, stay at home. If you stay home you can still participate in class virtually that day. If you can't participate virtually, be sure to call your absence in to 242-8447.

Our doors will open up at 8:05 am each morning. Please do not come to school before that time as we will not have staff here to supervise students. During drop-off, parents must stay in their vehicles. Parents can drop off students in the first lane of our front drive. The bus lane (closest to the building) is reserved for school buses.

If your student rides a bus, you will receive that information next week. Our transportation department is finalizing those requests still.

There will be defined entrances for students to enter by grade level. Students will grab breakfast on their way into the building and head directly to their Period 1 class. They will wait in that room until school starts at 8:30 am.

With our move to the hybrid, we will need to adjust class times slightly. Updated times for each grade are below. The bell schedule is attached to this newsletter. These are the times that each class will begin and end. Teachers will work with students to know these new times and will be updating all Teams meetings.

Overall, student schedules won't change very much. Most students will have the same teachers they have had so far. There will be a few students whose schedule may change slightly, but we will communicate those to individual students and families.

If your student is in the Hybrid model, they will come to school every other Wednesday. A schedule is attached for you to know which Wednesday's your student will be coming.

Students will exit the building through separate doorways, determined by grade level. Parents who are here to pick up students should remain in their cars and use the parent pick-up lane.

Students who ride the bus will need to get on the bus as soon as they exit the building. Students who walk will need to start walking and leave campus. Students need to maintain social distancing; there should be no gatherings of large groups of students.

All students need to be off of campus by 3:45 pm, unless they are staying with Boys & Girls Club.

In order to maintain health and safety, we will not be able to have many visitors entering the building. If you need to pick up your student early, you will wait for them out in the front foyer. We will check out your student and send them out to meet you.

If you need to enter the building to meet with a staff member, you will be asked to check into the main office using your driver's license. You will then be issued a visitor's pass.

With so much of our work being done online, the need for school supplies is minimal. We will be providing binders, notebooks, pencils, pencil pouches, and folders for each student. Hybrid students will receive these during their first day on campus. Students were issued a planner at the beginning of the school year and will need to bring that with them.

If you have a virtual student who is need of these supplies, please let us know and we can arrange for you to get them.

Email: mccombs@dmschools.org
Website: mccombs.dmschools.org
Location: 201 East County Line Road, Des Moines, IA, USA
Phone: 515-242-8447
Twitter: @McCombsEagles