Greetings William Ford Families!
I hope you and your family are doing well and you are safe! Although the beginning of this school year will be different than any in the past, all of us at William Ford are anxious to welcome you back to school! As you know, William Ford and Dearborn students will return to school online on Monday, August 31st. I understand you may have many questions. If after reading this you still have questions, feel free to contact the office at 313-827-6400.
Classroom Rosters and Assignments:
In the past William Ford has hosted an Ice Cream Social to welcome everyone back and post class lists. After the event class lists were then posted on the office windows. Due to our “online” start to the school year, this will not take place this year. Instead, classroom teachers will be contacting each family by phone or email to inform them of their child’s placement as well as provide some important information for the first week. Expect this contact by Friday, August 28th.
Classroom Orientation will look different than in previous years. Rather than having a parent meeting at school for the whole class, teachers will be scheduling individual or small group orientations within the first week of school. These orientations will be very important! Classroom materials will be distributed, daily schedules, log-ins for technology, introductions, and much more will be shared during the orientation.
Chromebooks:
Last spring William Ford delivered nearly 300 Chromebooks to be used by our students! The need for reliable technology at home is critical for students to complete work and interact with the classroom teacher.
For the 2020-2021 School Year, we are recommending that every enrolled student in the house have a Chromebook, laptop or an electronic device to use. We will have TWO days where we will be distributing Chromebooks. Those dates are Friday, August 28th from 1:30-3:30, and Monday, August 31st from September 9:30-11:30. If your child already has a Chromebook then there is no need to do anything. If you need one for your child, please let your child’s teacher know when they make contact with you this week.
Are you new to William Ford?
If you are new to William Ford and have not registered your child, please do so as soon as possible. Registrations are accepted at the Dearborn Schools Administrative Center at 18700 Audette, Dearborn 48124. You may phone student services at 313-827-3005 or you may visit the district website at: https://dearbornschools.org/services/enroll/
Additional updates for the beginning of the 2020-2021 School Year:
At this time, the office is not open for “in-office” appointments. However, we can meet parents outside at a table by the front door or by phone from 9:00-3:00 at 313-827-6400.
Please check the new school calendar as there are some changes, specifically for the first week. https://dearbornschools.org/services/district-calendars/ Monday, August 31st through Thursday, Sept. 3rd will be ½ days.
School start and end times have been changed a little to accommodate for the remote learning. New elementary school time will be from 8:55am-3:50pm. Half days will end at 12pm. Attendance will be taken, as well as tardies for not being available to the teacher by 8:55.
All Dearborn public schools will be using Schoology and Zoom for our online learning. We will be planning to hold training and informational sessions for parents in the coming weeks.
This year will look much different than the Spring. Students will be expected to be available and ready to learn from the start of the day at 8:55 until the end of the day at 3:50. Please continue working with your child(ren) to set up routines and areas for them at home. We will continue to work together and do our best to provide the best educational opportunity and experience for your children.
There will be live lessons every day and set schedules to help with consistency. There will also be small group opportunities online and “face to face” at school. See below.
Learning Labs: Learning Labs will be an opportunity for staff to offer additional support (academically, socially and emotionally) to a small group of students face-to-face. Decisions regarding who, when and how often will be made as a team to ensure we are meeting the needs of our students. Learning labs will not begin until mid-September. Your child’s teacher will share more information on the labs soon.
If you have further questions, please feel free to contact the school office. Although the beginning of the year will bring questions and uncertainties, we WILL get through the opening of the year. Your patience and support is always appreciated.
Five House, One School!
David Higgins Principal, William Ford Elementary
Nicole Rabac Asst. Principal, William Ford Elementary
