Dear Waters Families;
Please join Ms. Alvarez and I, for a town hall meeting this Thursday evening at 6:00 pm.
We will be sharing important updates our reopening on March 1, 2021. 
If you are unable to attend the meeting, please know it will be recorded and posted on our website for viewing.
Thank you!
Ms. Kipp and Ms. Alvarez


As a reminder:
Students in grades K-5 who opted for in person learning will return on March 1, 2021. 
Students in grades 6-8 who opted for in person learning will return on March 8, 2021.
Thursday, February 18⋅6:00 – 7:00pm


Join with Google Meet
meet.google.com/rcm-ntig-dbx
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‪(US) +1 317-624-2101‬ PIN: ‪504 009 628‬#

Dear Waters Families:
I hope this finds you well. I wish I had more information about the status of negotiations between CPS and the teachers’ union. Unfortunately, I get most of my updates at the same time information is released to the media. I can only suggest that you keep an eye on the local news over the weekend to see if in-person classes will begin for K-8 on Monday, February 1.
The remaining information in this update is specifically for parents who opted to have their children return to hybrid, in-person learning.  

• Daily Health Screener  All parents must complete the daily health screener for their children each day prior to the child’s arrival at school.  We ask that you complete the screener by 7:45 am daily.  This will help with the flow of student entry each morning.  Screeners that are not completed prior to arrival at school will delay your child's entry into the building.   An employee will be assigned to each entrance to check that the screener was successfully completed and to take student temperatures.  Students who do not pass the screener or who have an elevated temperature (over 100.4) will be sent to the Care Room and their parents will be asked to come to school to take them home.

• Assigned Entrances  Students can arrive at 8:15 am for entry. Supervision is not available so please do not drop your children off early and do not leave your children unattended.  Please note: the playground equipment is off limits for before, during and after school play. We are trying to provide the safest environment for everyone.  Upon arrival, students are to follow the instructions of the employees at their assigned door. We will share a staggered start time that will be shared with all families.  Students must wear their masks at all times and remain socially distanced. Parents will not be permitted to accompany children into the school.  

• Door 1 - 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th grade entry  Main entrance off of Campbell

• Door 3 - Kinder, 1st, 2nd grade entry   Entry just north of gym doors

• Door 4 - 3rd and 8th grade entry          Located on the south side of the new annex

       All entry/exit doors are labled with numbers above each door.  

• Winter Clothing    Please make sure students bring hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, boots and warm winter clothing. Whenever possible, students will play outside for recess. The new playlot equipment will not be available and each pod will be separated from others. Students within each pod will be asked to remain socially distanced at all times – even at recess.  All students will be required to wear their masks at all times during recess. 

• Teacher Assignments    At this time, Ms. Alvarez and I continue to work through the teacher assignments.  We have a large number of telework accommodations so please know it is possible that your child will be supervised by another employee.  As an example: a school employee may supervise children in a classroom while their homeroom teacher continues to teach them from home.  We will do our best to share teaching assignments with you this weekend as we work through the particulars.  We are currently working with Human Resources to staff addtional support at Waters.

• Classroom Schedules Schedules will be shared by teachers in the upcoming week.

• Meal Service, Food Distribution  Students attending in-person will have the option of eating a free breakfast and lunch at school each day. Students may also bring lunch from home.  Meals are available for families who are in Remote Learning, please stop by Door 6.

• Bathroom Use, Water  Because of the need to clean bathrooms regularly and between pods, grades K-8 will have scheduled times each day to use the restroom. Students will not have the ability to get up, leave the room, and use the restroom on their own or drink water except in emergencies. I suggest sending your child to school with a filled water bottle. 

• Travel  The daily student health screener includes questions about whether a student has traveled outside the country or state.  CPS is following guidance from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and requiring all students who have traveled to quarantine for ten days upon return.  The district has taken a conservative position and does not allow students with a negative test result to shorten this quarantine requirement. Students who are required to quarantine because of travel may participate in remote learning until their ten-day quarantine is complete.

• Sickness Protocols    Please continue to email your child's teacher and let them know when your child will be absent.

All students with COVID-like symptoms should be tested for COVID-19 and remain at home until they receive the test results. Students with confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 must complete ten days of isolation from the date of first symptom onset and be fever-free for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications and other symptoms have improved before returning to school.


Students diagnosed with a non-COVID illness must meet the criteria for returning to school for the illness with which they have been diagnosed. At a minimum, the individual must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and have had no diarrhea or vomiting in the previous 24 hours.


A doctor’s note documenting the alternative diagnosis or a negative COVID-19 test result should accompany a student or staff member returning to school with an alternative diagnosis after experiencing COVID-like symptoms.


Students with COVID-like symptoms who do not get tested for COVID-19 and who do not provide a healthcare provider’s note documenting an alternative diagnosis, must complete a ten-day isolation from the date of first symptom onset. They may learn remotely during this time if they are well enough to do so but may not return to in-person classes until after the ten-day isolation period.


More information about the CPS plan for in-person hybrid learning is available at cps.edu.  
I will be sending out additional communication this weekend regarding the staggered entry schedule and staff assignments.  
I look forward to welcoming everyone back to school soon!
Ms. Kipp

Dear Waters Families,

First and foremost, I hope that this letter finds you and your loved ones safe and well in the midst of these unprecedented times. It feels like yesterday that our first experience with remote learning was coming to a close and summer was just beginning. But somehow, September 8 is right around the corner. I can hardly believe we’re about to kick off the 2020-2021 school year! 

I know many of you are feeling anxious and uncertain about what the next few weeks and months are going to look like. I completely understand how you are feeling and am working on bringing you updates as quickly as I can.
In the meantime, I’ve received many emails with questions spanning a wide range of topics. Thank you, as always, for reaching out. I’d like to take the opportunity to address as many of them as I can:

• CHROMEBOOK REQUESTS: If your child/children needs a Chromebook for remote learning, please complete this survey: Waters Family Tech Survey If you have already contacted our office team, please disregard.  Mrs. Amerson and Mrs. Mendez, our office team, will set a schedule for your family next week to pick up your device.  We will do our best to make sure each and every student’s needs are met.

 

• GARDEN USE: Many people have asked if we might be able to use the garden as a space for teacher-led small group learning. Although we are so fortunate to have the beautiful garden on our grounds, at this time, we are obligated to abide by safety guidelines set forth by CPS. 

 

• KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT: If you have not yet enrolled your child in Kindergarten, please contact Cecibel Amerson (ckbarzola@cps.edu) and Melissa Mendez (mmendez54@cps.edu) in the main office this week.

 

• OUR NEW WING: We are grateful for the beautiful addition on the north side of our campus and cannot wait to fill it with children and teachers once we return to in person teaching and learning.  The main building has been painted throughout and all of the classrooms are being cleaned.  Like many construction projects we have all been involved with, there is some delay and because of that, our teachers are not legally allowed to go into their classrooms until we have clearance from the inspector (much like a home inspection but on a much grander scale) and deems the building up-to-code.  Because of this, there have been days where administration has not been in the front office and teachers cannot access learning materials (many which are currently still boxed up) and might for at least another week. This unfortunately is putting another layer of complexity with specific remote learning plans, but please be patient with us and this process, as we are trying our best to plan remotely. 

 

• HOMEROOM/PODDING REQUESTS: Though we are unable to make any guarantees, we are doing our best to accommodate homeroom/podding requests. We ask for your patience as this has caused a delay in finalizing homeroom rosters. 

 

• REMOTE LEARNING TECH SUPPORT: Your child’s teacher will be available to assist with remote learning technology, including setting up your child’s email account, Google Classroom, and Aspen.

 

• STUDENT REGISTRATION FEES: Waters administration has decided to waive the Student Registration Fees for this semester.  This will be revisited mid year should we return to in person learning.

 

• TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS: Teacher and Student assignments will be released next week. It is our goal that families should be alerted regarding classroom assignments by next week via the ASPEN portal. 

 

• SUPPLY LIST: It is highly recommended that you create a designated study area for your child. Updated supply lists will be posted on our school website but in the meantime a modified list of items such as pencils/pens, paper/notebooks, folders, a small personal sized whiteboard, dry erase markers, index cards, crayons/markers, scissors and highlighters will be helpful for your child.  

 

• REMOTE LEARNING PLAN: We know that what the children, parents, teachers, and school based administrators went through in the spring from an educational and an emotional standpoint was not ideal. It is our goal and expectation that children will engage in virtual instruction from their teachers every day. Remote learning hours will be from 8:15 am to 3:15 pm Monday through Friday. Your child's daily schedule will be balanced between synchronos(online) and asynchronos(off line) learning activities. Teachers will share their daily schedules with you next week. This pandemic has created an environment and world none of us were prepared for, so as we come together as a community of educators and parents, we will get through this! 

      

• I missed the LSC meeting where the upcoming year was discussed. Will there be another opportunity to learn up-to-date information about the upcoming virtual school year and how it will look at Waters? Yes! We are inviting the Waters community to a virtual Waters Elementary Back to School Town Hall on Monday, August 31, 2020 from 6:00pm - 7:00 pm.  The meeting will be attended by the Waters administration, teachers, and will be facilitated by long-time Waters parents, John and Serena Hess. 

                                                                       Please click on the link below to attend:
                                                                     Waters Back to School Town Hall Meeting
                                                                         Monday, August 31⋅6:00 – 7:00pm
                                                                           meet.google.com/php-hkqu-vwc
                                                         Join by phone (US) +1 510-766-1817 PIN: 743 524 924# 

• What will be covered at the Town Hall? As guidance by CPS is evolving daily, our goal will be to provide the Waters community with as up-to-date  information as possible. The first 10-15 minutes of the meeting will provide this information, and the last 45 minutes will be dedicated to answering questions. Although we wish we could answer every question at this meeting, our facilitators will group the questions so that hopefully the big picture questions can be answered and communicated effectively. 

• Please email your questions ASAP and no later than Saturday, August 29th, 8pm to: 

             Serena Hess, serenahess773@gmail.com
              Subject line: Town Hall Question


Finally, please note that while I do not have specific information to share about the following topics, they are very much on my radar. I look forward to sharing more details with you soon.  

• Classroom materials pick-up- delayed due to construction
• Breakfast and lunch distribution- delayed due to construction
• Kindergarten meet and greet
• Virtual Meet and Greet for new families
• Remote guidelines for ESL learners
• Remote guidelines for diverse learners
• Fall MAP testing dates
• Natural playspace update
• Virtual curriculum night
• Academic Centers and Selective Enrollment guidelines
• Fall sports 

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding as we prepare to kick off the 2020-2021 school year. Please know we are here for you!  We do know that we are going to get through it together and come out on the other side stronger than ever. Let’s make this year at Waters one for the memory books.  

Warmly,
Titia Kipp and Nilsa Alvarez
Waters Administrative Team 

Dear Waters Parent/Guardian:  
As you know, CPS has proposed that parents of students in kindergarten through eighth grade choose between two different learning plans for the fall.  The learning plans available for most K-8 students will be:
Hybrid Learning Plan.  With the hybrid learning plan, K-8 students will have two days of in-person learning at school, one day of remote instruction, and two days of at home independent learning. When they are at school, all students will be assigned to pods of 15 students or fewer to maintain proper social distancing. More information on the hybrid learning plan can be found here.
Remote At-Home Learning Plan.  For those families that would prefer their children not attend school in-person in the fall, the district is offering a remote, at-home learning plan. I am unsure what this will look like at this time - it could be remote at-home learning with a Waters teacher but other CPS teachers might also be assigned to lead remote learning. Much depends upon the number of parents who elect the full-time at-home/remote learning option. 
In order to prepare and plan for the start of school, we need to hear from all families by August 7 about whether or not parents plan to have their child/children participate in the Hybrid Learning Plan or the Remote At-Home Model.
The parent/guardian of record should have received a text and an email from the district asking about learning preferences for your child. Please complete the short form that came with that text or email to let us know how your child will be learning in the fall. Please be aware of the following information when making this choice:

• To ensure schools can plan effectively, please complete this form by Friday, August 7. 
• If you choose for your child to learn remotely at home, you will receive more information in the coming weeks about what to expect. If you change your mind and want to participate in hybrid learning, you will be given the opportunity to change your preference at the beginning of the second quarter.
• If you choose to start the year with the hybrid learning model, you have the option to switch to the learn-at-home model at any time. More information on Pod A/Pod B choices will be forthcoming.

This form also asks if you would like to receive ongoing texts from the district. If texting is a preferred method of communication for you, please say yes to this question. If you opt to receive texts from the district, we will be able to text you about scheduling updates, daily symptom screener reminders, and other important updates.
If you do not receive the form by Monday, August 3 or are having difficulty completing it, please contact Ms. Amerson at Ckbarzola@cps.edu.  Once we have additional information about the start of the year logistics, we will communicate it with you.


Thank you. 
Ms. Kipp and Ms. Alvarez

Dear Waters families,
There is no doubt, that all of us – possibly even our youngest students - are aware of and concerned about the events that have transpired in the last week. Racism, bigotry, violence, trauma, these are all very complex, emotionally-laden topics. Discussions about them can be difficult and impacted by the adult’s background and emotional reactions to events – which could include shock, anger, confusion, fear, frustration, sadness and even hopelessness.  But we must discuss these topics with children in age-appropriate ways, without bias and with a moral sense of right and wrong so they can come to an understanding of what is happening. 
Like all adults, Waters teachers are determining the best way to do this. CPS has provided guidance and we expect that more will be provided over the coming weeks. Even with that guidance, sensitive, complex topics are hard enough to address face-to-face when we can provide additional support to students who may need it. They are even more difficult to tackle in a virtual context. Thank you for your patience and grace as we do our best. We are committed to making anti-racism an even more important part of our work with children next year when we hope to be back together in person again.
There are things we can do now, though. As a school community, I am asking Waters parents and teachers to commit to:

• Taking care of their own mental/emotional health, as well as that of children.
• Listening to children and talking about race, racial violence, and racism.
• Paying close attention to news, media, and other information sources.
• Working to be actively anti-racist.

I am attaching a list of resources for parents, vetted by our central office, to help you. There are many others available on the internet. As the 2019-20 school year winds down, I ask that we collectively focus upon our shared humanity and that we take time to talk about the root causes of the current protests and the interracial activism. This is a time to come together, to listen, to learn, to share in grief and in hope, and to act for a more just, equitable, and racially conscious world. 
Sincerely;
Titia M. Kipp

Dear Waters Families;

We have completed our first week of remote learning! Who would have thought that I
would be saying such a thing?

What I can say is thank you for your patience as teachers, students and parents navigate
this new learning norm. It certainly has tested our resolve but together supporting one
another I know we can do this! I would also ask that we all seek to give each other grace,
flexibility, patience, and empathy during the challenges of remote learning due to this
pandemic.

I, along with my staff, miss you! Our abrupt departure in March did not prepare us for
what was to come. I can’t tell you enough how much we miss the students, the chatter in
the hallways, the office buzzer ringing from a classroom, the students playing during
recess, after school programs, the shrill of voices as the students bolt out the doors at the
end of a school day, these are the sounds we take for granted but when the building is
empty, you long to hear them. Please know that although remote learning has begun, it
will never replace the human connection!

I would like to thank the “Circle of Help” who has provided technology to some of our
most vulnerable families. We are grateful to this community organization who continues
to provide important resources to families! In addition, Ms. Alvarez and I continue to
loan school technology to families as the reality of remote learning begins to set in.
If you are in need of a Chromebook, please be sure to reach out to your child’s teacher.

While the building has been closed for teaching and learning, it has provided an
opportunity for the construction team to connect our existing building to the new
addition. The overall construction of the Annex is 50% complete. As of today the steel
structure and temporary roof has been completed at the Annex. The exterior framing at
the north side of the building is complete and work will continue to the east and south
with the exterior sheathing (yellow) following. Interior (wall) framing and MEP rough is
in progress. Brick masonry will begin late April.

Next Wednesday, April 22, 2020 is Student, Parent and Teacher conferences and a non-
instruction day for students. Your child’s teacher will be reaching out to you to schedule
a conference with you.

Today’s announcement that CPS will continue remote learning until June 18, 2020, has
generated a lot of questions. Questions about grades, promotion, summer school, planned
trips, graduation, LSC elections, etc. CPS is aware of these questions and many more.
They are working at providing answers as quickly as possible.
When I have answers to any or all of these questions, I will be sure to inform you.

In closing, please know that Waters staff is here to support your children and their
learning. If you are in need of anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to us!

​Sincerely,
Titia Kipp

Dear Waters School Community;
Please join Administration and LSC Facilities and Grounds Committee for a special presentation of the new Annex design by representatives from CPS Planning and Design. They will present renderings of both the exterior and interior design, including color scheme and floor plans.

This is a great chance to see what lies on the other side of our big construction project.

Meeting will be on January 7, 2020 at 6 pm at Waters School.  

See you there! 

Ms. Kipp

Dear Waters School Community,

Waters is in the middle of its annual pledge drive! Check out the Help Waters Grow banner on the field to watch our progress toward the $100,000 goal. The WatersToday pledge drive committee has created a variety of events to encourage our community to give back in any way possible. You can learn more and make a donation at waterstoday.org/pledgedrive. Our school depends on the support of families and community members to fund many of our programs that would not be possible within our current budget. I thank you for your support during the pledge drive and all year long! 

If you are looking for a way to get involved at Waters, I encourage you to visit waterstoday.org. WatersToday is the primary fundraising and volunteer recruitment organization for our school.  They host several events each year and assist with school wide volunteer needs. Additionally, they send our Green Notes newsletter. WatersToday hosts quarterly public meetings and I hope you can attend to hear more about this great parent-led organization. The next meeting is Monday, October 21 in the annex. 

Ms. Kipp
Principal