PG Parent Communications

Distance Learning

Meals:

As a reminder, ESM has been notified that the free meal program providing breakfast and lunch for ALL children age 18 and younger will continue this fall. The program starts tomorrow, Thursday, September 10 and is expected to continue through December 31.
Available pick-up days for grab & go meals are from 9-10 a.m. at your choice of three sites — ESM Central High School, Minoa Elementary or East Syracuse Elementary: 

• Monday (one day of meals)
• Tuesday (two days of meals, Tues./Wed.)
• Thursday (two days of meals, Thurs./Fri) 

In-person learners will receive FREE breakfast and/or lunch at school on the days they are in school. Therefore, you may not need to pick up meals three times a week after in-person learning is phased in Sept. 17-23.
If you plan to pick up “grab & go” meals, please use this Meal Pick-Up order form (link). While we ask that the form be completed one week before you begin meal pick-up, we will try to accommodate all families who stop by one of the three “grab-and-go” sites even if you did not complete the form a week in advance. If you have further questions, please call 315-434-3026 or email esmfoodservice@esmschools.org. 

In-Person Learners: Meals will be free for all of ESM’s in-person learners on the days they are at school. For the days students are not in school, families can pick up free “grab & go” meals Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at your choice of three sites — ESM Central High School, Minoa Elementary or East Syracuse Elementary from 9-10 a.m. As a reminder, ALL students start with distance learning Sept. 10-16, followed by a phase-in of in-person learning by grades from Sept. 17-24, so families may choose to pick up meals during the start of school. 

Peanut-Free Start for In-Person Learning: For students attending school in-person that choose to bring their own meals and snacks (such as bag/box lunches), ESM is asking that parents/guardians provide peanut-free items for the first few weeks of school. This includes items containing peanut butter as well as granola bars, cookies and other foods with peanuts. Once routines are established, we anticipate that we will be able to accommodate children bringing food from home that includes peanuts while keeping students with food allergies safe.   

Distance Learners and Other Youth 18 & Younger: Free “grab & go” meals will be available for pick up on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at your choice of three sites — ESM Central High School, Minoa Elementary or East Syracuse Elementary from 9-10 a.m. This includes non-school-age children.

PLEASE NOTE: Under this federal program, ESM is able to provide breakfast and lunch meals free of charge through December 31, or until funds are exhausted. However, it is still important for families to ALSO fill out the free and reduced price meal application (using the online form OR the paper form that mailed to homes) so those who qualify can continue received free/reduced price meals for the whole school year.

The program is primarily federally funded and includes some state assistance to ensure all children are fed and ready to learn—whether they are learning in the classroom or virtually. 

Required Information: 

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1)     mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

         Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

         1400 Independence Avenue, SW

         Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2)     fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3)     email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider

• Please participate respectfully- if you wouldn’t say something to someone in person you probably shouldn’t type it
• Remember your Google Classroom is being read daily by your teachers and your administrators
• Be helpful! If a student posts a question and you can answer it for them, please do! If you can’t answer the question, please don’t leave an unhelpful or random comment
• The Google Classroom is used for learning, please do not carry on conversations unrelated to an assignment, especially negative conversations. We’re all learning together. If you have a question or need help, ask your classmates or your teacher. The Google Classroom is not a place to vent your frustrations
• Remember to follow the Spartan Way! Be safe, respectful, and responsible

• Make sure you’re checking your Classrooms regularly
• If you need help with anything, ask your teacher
   

Chromebook Usage Reminders

Please make sure you signed your Chromebook and power cord out through your homebase teacher. Chromebooks should be used for school work only. 

Please remember:

• All Chromebooks have asset tags (labels, bar codes); Leave them as is

• Chromebooks belong to ESM; Please do NOT add personal stickers or decorations or screensavers or (covers)

• Please Do NOT put food or drink near the Chromebooks

• Be sure NOT remove any keys on the keyboard

• Chromebooks should NOT be left in unsupervised areas

• Make sure your Chromebook is shut down weekly, if not daily

• Keep your Chromebook and power cord in a safe place

Parent support--if parents have problems with connecting their student's Chromebook to their home wifi, they can call a new number 315-434-3024. This will be staffed by ESM tech support staff. 

Tips for Online Distance Learning Slideshow

Parent Resource Page with a focus on Technology : Stop on by Mrs. Kowalski's page for a quick parent resource on anything google, chromebook, or classroom, even a how to reserve your library book today!

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Supports for Distance Learning