Category: COVID-19

Updates related to Coronavirus.

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COVID-19 Skylert

Virtual Learning Instructions, Musical Announcement

Elk Ridge Parents & Students,

Thank you for your patience as we work through yet another COVID-driven change. We are making every effort to keep things as simple and unchanged as we can for students.

While we are learning virtually until Thanksgiving Break, three things are most important:

  1. The Bell Schedule Stays the Same
    1. Students will follow the same bell schedule as they normally would – including lunches.
  2. All Coursework and Videos Can Be Accessed Via Canvas
    1. Even if the course uses another platform, access to video links and any secondary platform will be linked in Canvas.
  3. Exposure Notifications & Quarantines Will Be Sent Via Email
    1. We will continue to have positive cases reported by the health department, and will trace those cases if the student was in school while positive. Notifications will be sent via email, so please check your spam folder. All notifications will come from curtis.jenson@jordandistrict.org

More detailed information on each of those things, including free rapid COVID testing, can be found below. Please also do what you can to slow the spread of COVID in our school community so that we can return to in-person learning as soon as possible.

Musical Announcement

The announcement of this year’s musical is coming tonight! Check this page later this evening to find out what it will be, and thank you to Mrs. Schmidt and her dedication to finding creative ways to ensure our students are able to participate in one of Elk Ridge’s greatest traditions!

Bell Schedule and Attendance

Students will access class at the normal time via Canvas. Attendance will be taken.

Accessing Courses Virtually

All courses will have a link to the video in the actual Canvas classroom at the top of the main page of each class. If you can’t access a class, contact the school. Students should plan to go to their class in Canvas each day for instructions and the link to class video calls. Students know how to do this.

Teachers will be live with class each day at the scheduled time via the video at the regular class time. While the whole time will usually not be in the video call, they will start each class checking in live. 

Please be patient the first day of class on Monday as we set up calls and links and work out technical issues. If you have issues, reach out to your teacher or call the school and we’ll help you get connected. Again, students have been trained for weeks in how to access their courses and materials in Canvas and they know where to go and how to get there. If we hit bumps, we’ll work with you to iron them out.

Exposure, Quarantine and Testing

Exposure notifications will be sent via email, but you are welcome to call if you have questions. Information regarding free rapid testing, quarantine protocol, etc. will be included in the notification. If you have any questions about an exposure that happened at school, please let us know. We can’t name the exposure or say which class, but can relay the date and whether or not it was a masked exposure.

Lunch Offerings

Elk Ridge offers curbside lunch for virtual students throughout the districtall year, and that is offered between 11 am and 12 pm on the west side of the school. If students are attending virtual classes, parents are able to pick up meals without the student present. 

If your student plans to eat school lunch between now and Thanksgiving, and won’t be able to pick it up between 11 am and 12 pm because they are in class virtually, email holly.taylor@jordandistrict.org to ensure we know to plan another time for pickup. This will mainly apply to students on A or D lunch eating school lunch that plan to walk to school to pick it up. We’ll do whatever we need to do to make sure they can eat.

Staying Sane at Home

The Jordan Health and Wellness team has put together a great bunch of resources to help keep you well while we’re learning from home. Visit the COVID Health and Wellness page for tips, resources, and more!

Categories
COVID-19 Skylert

Shift to Virtual Learning – No School Thurs, Nov 12

Dear Parents and Guardians,

A dramatic increase in active cases of COVID-19 has been identified within Elk Ridge Middle School.

After discussing the circumstances in an emergency Board meeting, the Jordan School District Board of Education has determined that it is necessary for Elk Ridge Middle School to move to online, virtual learning for two weeks beginning Monday, November 16. 

To allow students and staff time to prepare for online learning, there will be no in-person or virtual classes tomorrow, Thursday, November 12. This includes staff, although staff may choose to come into the building as long as social distancing can be observed.

Friday the 13th will be a normal Friday with buses for students who have appointments with teachers. Friday the 20th will be completely virtual.

School will continue for students on a virtual learning schedule Monday, November 16 through November 30, with Fridays continuing to be primarily for instructional activities that build on concepts covered during the week, and focusing on intervention and enrichment.

From now until November 30, Mondays through Thursdays will follow a synchronous schedule. This means students should plan on logging in to class at the normal class time based on our current bell schedule. Students have been taught how to access each class virtually over the past few weeks.

Breakfast and lunch will still be available on a grab-and-go basis on the west side of the school during normal breakfast and lunch times based on the current bell schedule. This may be adjusted in the future depending on demand.

In general, students will not be allowed in the building beginning Thursday, November 12. Exceptions such as Friday, Nov. 13th by appointment may be made as situations arise, but efforts will be made to hold meetings virtually whenever possible.

COVID-19 case counts at all schools and buildings in the District can be found on the Jordan COVID-19 Dashboard. The dashboard can be accessed at movingforward.jordandistrict.org

Categories
COVID-19 Skylert

Emergency Board Meeting

An increase in active cases of COVID-19 has been identified within the following schools:

  • Copper Mountain Middle 
  • Elk Ridge Middle 
  • Fort Herriman Middle 
  • Hidden Valley Middle 
  • Mountain Creek Middle 
  • Oquirrh Hills Middle 
  • South Jordan Middle 
  • Sunset Ridge Middle 
  • West Hills Middle
  • West Jordan Middle 
  • Bingham High
  • Herriman High
  • Mountain Ridge High
  • Riverton High
  • West Jordan High

According to a plan approved by the Jordan Board of Education when there is a COVID-19 outbreak, board members will hold an emergency business meeting to discuss possible action. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, starting at 5 p.m. Patrons may view the general session online at youtube.com/user/jordanschooldistrict/live.

The Board does not anticipate taking public comments during this meeting. However, they welcome written comments submitted prior to the meeting. If you wish to provide input, please submit written comments to the Board member that represents the area in which you live. Board member email addresses can be found on the Board of Education Members page.

If you do not know the Board member that represents your area, that information is available on the Board of Education Voting Districts page.

Below is the meeting agenda.

Categories
COVID-19 Skylert Wally the Wapiti

Skylert: Halloween Costumes and Contest

Halloween Festivities

With Halloween on a Saturday, we’ll be celebrating it on the last in-person day of school tomorrow. We are excited to celebrate and want to review the activities and guidelines that will apply. Students should be aware of the guidelines, and we can’t wait to see their costumes!


Activities

  • A school-wide, live trivia game during 2nd period. Your teachers have the link.
  • An in-person and virtual costume contest. We’ll have a photo booth at lunch, and a vote via Google Form on Friday. The vote will come through your school email, and you can submit your costume pics here

 Guidelines for Costumes

  • Must follow current dress code (district policy AA419)
  • Specifically:
    • No weapons or imitation weapons permitted.
    • Face coverings per current governor order required. Full face masks will not be allowed.
    • Makeup must be done in moderation and not interfere with the wearing of a regularly-required face covering. Avoid fake gore.
    • If you wear a hat with your costume, it must not get in the way of the learning of others or otherwise create a distraction.
  • Be tasteful and not extreme or disruptive to the daily school routines
  • If you’re not sure it’s allowed, it’s probably easiest to just not wear it. If you’re not sure, find an administration

Negative Test Results

If your student is quarantined going forward and wants to return after 7 days from the date of exposure, the following must apply:

  • The exposure must have been when both students were wearing masks (noted in quarantine email)
  • The student must have a negative COVID test administered on the 7th day or later from the last date of exposure
  • The student must bring a printed copy of the results that includes ALL of the following:
    • Student Name
    • Date of Test Administration (on 7th day after last exposure or later)
    • Notice of Negative Result

All negative results will be verified with the health department, but students will be allowed to return with the printout of results while we wait for verification. We are told that screenshots of results are no longer acceptable. More info on the new quarantine procedures can be found here.

Teen Health Summit

Register now for the (virtual) Teen Health Summit! For teens led by teens, sponsored by the Salt Lake County Health Dept. Empowering teens to build resilience and foster healthy community connections through: health and wellness, digital citizenship, and advocacy and activism. Everyone receives a $25 Gift Card for attending! November 7, 14, and 21 from 10:00-1:15. Register at https://slco.org/health/teens/

Categories
COVID-19 Skylert Wally the Wapiti

Skylert: Negative COVID Tests, Community Council

Fall Break and End of 1st Quarter

First quarter ends tomorrow and Fall Break is next week, October 19th – 23rd. The 26th is also a no-school day for students for grade transmittal. Have a safe, well-deserved break!

Negative Test Results

If your student has been on quarantine and wants to return after 7 days, the following must apply:

  • The exposure must have been when both students were wearing masks (noted in quarantine email)
  • The student must have a negative COVID test administered on the 7th day or later from the last date of exposure
  • The student must bring a printed copy of the results that includes ALL of the following:
    • Student Name
    • Date of Test Administration (on 7th day after last exposure or later)
    • Notice of Negative Result

All negative results will be verified with the health department, but students will be allowed to return with the printout of results while we wait for verification. We are told that screenshots of results are no longer acceptable. More info on the new quarantine procedures can be found here.

Chromebook Sleeves

In order to minimize damage to Chromebooks, all students are being provided a Chromebook sleeve this week during their 1st period class. Virtual students can pick them up tomorrow, October 16th, from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.

Extra Memory Books for Sale

We have a few extra memory books. If you would like to purchase one, come to the school tomorrow, October 16th for $25.00 between 9:30 am- 12:30 pm There is a limited supply.

Community Council Meeting

Our first community council meeting will be held on October 28th at 4 pm via Zoom. A link will be posted on our website and sent out via Skylert. If you have any questions or topics, please let us know and we’ll make sure it’s on the agenda.

Managing Quarantine Expectations & Opting to Self-Quarantine

We make every effort to keep students caught up when they are out on quarantine, and good communication is at the heart of quarantine success. But it’s definitely not as good as being here or being in a class actually designed for virtual instruction. It is intended to be a short-term solution and not a replacement for in-person or online instruction. Our goal is to lessen how behind a student is when they return, and to include them in the in-person class as much as possible. That said, it’s the splint and not the cast, and your student is still enrolled in an in-person class. 

If you are opting to keep your student out for self-isolation longer than a normal quarantine, please keep in mind that quarantine is meant to be a short-term solution, and while we will do what we can to involve them, it’s designed to hold students over and not to replace the in-person class.

Quarantine Schoolwork Point of Contact

If you have been out on quarantine, you probably already know this, but Lisa Hogan is our point of contact for schoolwork help and questions when on quarantine. She can connect you with teachers, counselors and more, and will be keeping tabs on you until you can come back.

Quarantine Process at ERMS

We get a lot of questions about symptoms and quarantine. If you have any questions, feel free to use this tool to see current guidelines we have from the health department and quarantine types specific to your situation. We use a modified version of this tool when determining exposure and length of quarantine. This tool is for your information only and does not collect any data. Please contact the school if you have symptoms or confirmed exposure to a positive COVID case.

Stress and Anxiety Group

Feeling stressed out or anxious? We want to help! Let one of our counselors know and we’ll make sure we connect you with resources and others that can support you.

Categories
COVID-19 Wally the Wapiti

Updated Quarantine Protocol

This message was sent to parents on 10/8/2020 regarding changes made at the state level to quarantines due to exposure in schools.

At Elk Ridge specifically, all those currently on quarantine were notified via email today if the change affected them or not based on whether a mask was worn at the time of exposure. All future quarantines will include that information at the time of notification.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The Utah Department of Health, under the direction of Governor Herbert, has approved adjustments to the 14-day quarantine. Students who have been quarantined due to an in-school exposure, while wearing a mask, may return to school if they are symptom-free, and have a negative test result after day 7 of quarantine. The test may be taken on day 7. State officials and medical experts indicate that this new guidance aligns with the best medical practice. 

The following are key points provided by the State:

  • Masks are effective at preventing transmission in classroom settings
  • This only applies to mask on mask exposure
  • Only applies to exposures that occurred in school
  • % of individuals who will develop symptoms do so on: 
    • Day 7 -75%, 
    • Day 9 – 90% 
    • Day 11- 95%
    • Testing picks up positive cases two days before symptoms onset; therefore, testing on day 7 means there is less than a 10% chance that an individual will contract after day 7
  • This is for individual exposures, and does not pertain to the threshold recommendations for classroom or school virtual learning 

The COVID-19 School Manual will be updated to reflect this change but the change takes effect immediately and applies to students who are currently on quarantine.  A student who was exposed at school to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 may return to school or related activities if he or she meets ALL of the following:  

  1. The school verifies the student and the person who tested positive were both wearing a face mask.
  2. The quarantined student has a negative COVID-19 test (rapid tests are acceptable, antibody tests are not) at least 7 days after the last exposure to the person who tested positive.
  3. The student does not have symptoms of COVID-19.

Additional Information

  • These guidelines only apply to exposures that occur at school. 
  • If the student does not meet ALL three criteria or chooses not to get tested, he or she should continue to quarantine at home for 14 days from the last day of exposure. 
  • Anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19 and comes back to school must continue to watch for symptoms. If students get symptoms, they should isolate at home and call their healthcare provider.

Testing Information

  • We are working with the Salt Lake County Health Department and other test providers to make additional testing sites available in our communities. 
  • Rapid tests are acceptable
  • Antibody tests are not acceptable
  • State Covid Hotline number can provide additional information on testing 1-800-456-7707
  • Contact your primary care provider
  • Utah Testing Sites Locator

More information will be forthcoming as it becomes available. 

Categories
COVID-19 PTSA Skylert Wally the Wapiti

Skylert: Swag, Retakes, Red Ribbon Week

School Masks & Shirts

With the Wapiti Store not an option for the foreseeable future, we’ve decided to use those resources to provide students with either an Elk Ridge mask or water bottle, and a shirt. For those students who are learning from home, either full-time or just while on quarantine, we’ll have an official pickup time this Friday, Oct 9th from 10 – 11 am just inside the front door. If you miss that window for some reason, just let us know in the main office.

It’s Red Ribbon Week!

Red Ribbon Week starts today, and our PTSA has a lot of excitement in store. To get in on the fun, follow this Instagram account. Red Ribbon week runs from 10/5 to 10/9. The theme is “We’ll get through this together.” Each day has a different activity:

  • Monday: Don’t go crazy on social media (Crazy Sock Day)
  • Tuesday: Together we can do hard things (Dress Like Twins Day)
  • Wednesday: Team kindness (Team Jersey Day)
  • Thursday: It’s a great day to be a Wapiti! (Wapiti Gear Day)

Take a picture dressed in each day’s theme and tag @elkridge_redribbon on Instagram to be entered to win cool prizes!

Picture Retakes (Including Virtual Students)

Retakes for student pictures will take place on October 7th from 8 – 9 am. For those coming from home, just stop by the main office upon arriving. The order form can be found here and in the main office. You can order them online using this Picture Day ID: EVTG2DGJR

District Virtual Change Requests due Oct. 6th

If you are hoping to move from virtual to in-person or from in-person to virtual, you must submit that request in Skyward by Oct. 6th. Instructions were emailed out, and can be found here. 

Space for such moves will be extremely limited, and will be based within the existing virtual learning staffing and framework established by the district.

Community Council Nominations and Vote

We will hold a vote next week via Skylert if needed. You can nominate people here, and get more information on the school community council here.

Managing Quarantine Expectations & Opting to Self-Quarantine

We make every effort to keep students caught up when they are out on quarantine, and good communication is at the heart of quarantine success. But it’s definitely not as good as being here or being in a class actually designed for virtual instruction. It is intended to be a short-term solution and not a replacement for in-person or online instruction. Our goal is to lessen how behind a student is when they return, and to include them in the in-person class as much as possible. That said, it’s the splint and not the cast, and your student is still enrolled in an in-person class. 

If you are opting to keep your student out for self-isolation longer than a normal quarantine, please keep in mind that quarantine is meant to be a short-term solution, and while we will do what we can to involve them, it’s designed to hold students over and not to replace the in-person class.

Chalk Art Festival

Our Chalk Art Festival will be happening on Friday, October 9th, and students can participate in person or from home. Applications for in-person and online participants can be found here. In-person participant applications were due to Mrs. Gonzales by October 1st. Contact her if you are still interested in participating in any form.

Quarantine Schoolwork Point of Contact

If you have been out on quarantine, you probably already know this, but Lisa Hogan is our point of contact for schoolwork help and questions when on quarantine. She can connect you with teachers, counselors and more, and will be keeping tabs on you until you can come back.

Quarantine Process at ERMS

We get a lot of questions about symptoms and quarantine. If you have any questions, feel free to use this tool to see current guidelines we have from the health department and quarantine types specific to your situation. We use a modified version of this tool when determining exposure and length of quarantine. This tool is for your information only and does not collect any data. Please contact the school if you have symptoms or confirmed exposure to a positive COVID case.

Stress and Anxiety Group

Feeling stressed out or anxious? We want to help! Let one of our counselors know and we’ll make sure we connect you with resources and others that can support you.

Categories
COVID-19 Registration Wally the Wapiti

2nd Quarter Virtual/In-Person Changes

What follows was sent to parents by the Jordan School District regarding format change requests for 2nd quarter from in-person to virtual and vice versa. Please note that a request does not guarantee the change will occur, as open seats across the district are very limited.

Due to minimal availability in both virtual and in-person courses, virtual and in-person placement changes will be limited.

If you would still like to request a potential change for 2nd quarter, please complete the Quarter 2 Virtual/In-Person Change form. Even if you have already been added to a wait-list at your local school, you will still need to complete the form.

The Quarter 2 Virtual/In-Person Change form must be completed by Tuesday, October 6th at midnight to be considered for a possible change to your student’s 2nd Quarter virtual or in-person placement.  This deadline can not be extended.  Only complete this form if you are requesting to change your student’s current online schedule to an in-person schedule and vice-versa.  A separate form is required for each student.  

Skyward instructions:

You will need to log in to Skyward Family Access in a web browser.  This form does not work in the mobile version of Skyward.  If you need assistance with your Skyward login and password, please contact your school.  Once logged in, select the link for “Online Forms” in the tabs on the left.  Select the student for whom you want to submit a request. There are two steps that need to be completed.  On step 2, you must select “Submit Term 2 Learning Option” to complete the form.   You will receive a confirmation email after you have completed the form.  If you do not receive this email, please contact your school.  

 *** (The drop down options here are:  1)  Online to In-Person, 2) In-Person to Online, 3) Partial In-Person & Online)

As the parent/guardian of the student for which this form has been completed, I acknowledge that my student will participate in the option selected for the duration of 2nd Quarter, upon approval of this request.  I understand that completion of this form does not guarantee approval of this request.  Approval is based on space availability for both in-person and virtual classes. 

*** Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement:   (Yes)

Your request for term 2 has been completed for this student.  Completion of this request does not guarantee approval of the request.  Approval is based on space availability for both in-person and virtual classes.  If you request option 3, you must email your school counselor which courses your student wants to take, either in-person or virtually.  If your request has been approved, you will be contacted by your student’s school counselor.  Once committed to in-person or virtual learning, your student must continue with that selection for the duration of 2nd quarter.

*** These sections will be the drop down menu options in the skyward form. 

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COVID-19 PTC's PTSA Skylert Wally the Wapiti

Skylert: Community Council, Red Ribbon Week

PTC Survey

Now that parent-teacher conferences are over, we want to know how it went and what we can do to improve communication. If you could take this brief survey, we’d love your feedback!

Community Council Nominations

Would you like to be involved in the big picture planning at Elk Ridge? If you or someone you know would like to join, let us know using this form. Depending on interest, we’ll send out a voting form once nominees are confirmed. Thanks for you nominations in advance!

Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week starts next Monday, and our PTSA has a lot of excitement in store. To get in on the fun, follow this Instagram account. Red Ribbon week runs from 10/5 to 10/9.

Picture Retakes 

Retakes for student pictures will take place on October 7th. More information to come.

Chalk Art Festival

Our Chalk Art Festival will be happening on October 9th, and students can participate in person or from home. Applications for in-person and online participants can be found here. In-person participant applications are due to Mrs. Gonzales by October 1st at 3 pm.

Quarantine Process at ERMS

We get a lot of questions about symptoms and quarantine. If you have any questions, feel free to use this tool to see current guidelines we have from the health department and quarantine types specific to your situation. We use a modified version of this tool when determining exposure and length of quarantine. This tool is for your information only and does not collect any data. Please contact the school if you have symptoms or confirmed exposure to a positive COVID case.

Stress and Anxiety Group

Feeling stressed out or anxious? We want to help! Let one of our counselors know and we’ll make sure we connect you with resources and others that can support you.

Categories
COVID-19 PTC's Skylert Wally the Wapiti

Schedule a Parent-Teacher Conference

UPDATE: If you are having issues entering the meeting, please go back to the Zoom link list and try again. A few links required passcodes and have been fixed.

Parent-teacher conferences are this week, and will be held virtually. We appreciate your patience with another new process. By the end of this school year, we’ll be capable of so much more than we ever thought possible.

Important Note: Meetings with teachers don’t have to just happen now during the conference, and are not required. If you ever want to meet with a teacher, just email or call to set up a time. We want meaningful, two-way communication and we’ll take it whenever it works for you.

Another Important Note: We ask that appointments be kept to around 5 minutes. If you need a meeting with a teacher that will take longer than that, please reach out to the teacher directly.

One Last Important Note: If the technology doesn’t work on your end or ours, don’t panic. We’ll figure it out and schedule it once it does. Just let the teacher know.

For students in virtual classes, visit this sheet for Zoom meeting links and information. All in-person students should follow these steps:

Step 1: Video Recaps

With conferences, there is often a lot of information that applies to the whole class. Each teacher has made a video of what’s happening in their classes for you to view prior to scheduling an appointment.

Video Recaps

If you still have a question after viewing the video recap for a particular teacher, move on to Step 2.

Step 2: Schedule an Appointment

If you still have questions or something to discuss with a teacher, use the button below to book an appointment. Teachers will be primarily available:

  • Wednesday from 4 – 8 pm
  • Thursday from 4 – 7:30 pm
  • Additional times vary by teacher
Schedule an Appointment

Keep in mind that appointment slots may fill up quickly. It’s okay. If you are unable to find an appointment slot that works for you, please contact the teacher to set up an appointment. Communication can happen all year, and at almost any time.

Step 3: Join the Meeting

When your appointment time arrives, go back to the sheet where you signed up for the appointment to click the Zoom link for that teacher.

Join a Zoom Meeting

You will enter a waiting room where the teacher will be able to see who is waiting and bring you into a private meeting at your scheduled time. Drop-ins are accepted, but only if an appointment hasn’t shown or no one signed up for the slot.

Step 4: That’s It

Really, that’s all. And not to sound like a broken record, but if you don’t get the time you need or the technology breaks, just let us know and we’ll get you in touch with the teacher. Our goal is to communicate with you about your student to whatever degree is needed, so just reach out and we’ll get it figured out.