DUNNING NOTES FROM the OFFICE
Sunday, March 29th, 2021
¿Necesita traducción? | Precisa de tradução?
ESPAÑOL:
¿Necesita traducción? Desde una computadora o portátil, haga clic AQUÍ y luego haga clic en "Translate" (Traducir) en el cuadro negro. Desde un teléfono celular o tableta, haga clic en el icono de Accesibilidad en la parte inferior de la pantalla y después haga clic en "Translate" (Traducir).
PORTUGUÊS
Precisa de tradução? No computador/laptop clique AQUI e, em seguida, clique em "Translate" (Traduzir) na caixa preta. No celular/tablete clique no ícone Accessibilidade na parte inferior da tela e clique em 'Translate' (Traduzir).
Need translation? On a computer/laptop click HERE then click "Translate" in the black box. On a mobile phone/tablet click the Accessibility Icon at the bottom of your phone screen and then click 'translate'.
All previous Notes From the Office are available by using this LINK.
Dear Dunning Community,
As we transition from a hybrid schedule to a full in-person return, we recognize some families have elected to remain remote for a number of reasons. While all students will still experience a full day of instruction, we want to also acknowledge that, as with the shift from fully remote to hybrid, the student learning experience may not look the same as it did earlier this year. There will likely be more use of “live streaming” to provide in-person and remote students the opportunity to engage with the teacher and their peers in real-time as we continue to strengthen our classroom communities. Additionally, with more students in the classroom, teachers may, at times, attend to the needs of in-person students and utilize asynchronous independent assignments. In particular, this may be necessary at times of transition when handwashing and other safety protocols must be followed in the classroom. Likewise, teachers may, at times, assign in-person students an independent assignment so they can attend to the needs of their remote learners. We appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility as we continue to navigate teaching and learning during this pandemic
What's New This Week:
- Pooled Testing for Students
- If You have Chosen In-Person Learning
- April 5th Return
- Transportation Updates
- Return to School Update, March 26th
- Weekly Food Resource Guide
Please let us know if you have any question or concerns! We are ALWAYS available! Please call us or email us.
Sincerely,
Michele & Kathie
mschecter@framingham.k12.ma.us
Pooled Testing for Students
Pooled testing at Dunning takes place on Monday mornings and is available for students in attendance. A completed, signed consent (English, Spanish, Portuguese) form is required for participation.
Although participation is voluntary, it is strongly encouraged.
Pooled testing involves mixing several respiratory test samples together in a “batch” or “pool” and then testing the pooled sample with a PCR test for detection of COVID-19. This approach increases the number of individuals that can be tested using the same amount of resources as a single PCR test. The test is performed at least once per week with anterior nasal swab. Test results are delivered within approximately 24-48 hours. If a pooled test result is negative, then all individuals within that pool are presumed negative and may continue to remain in school. If a pooled test result is positive, then all individuals in the pool must quarantine until they are retested individually with a PCR test.
For additional information, please review the Framingham Public Schools COVID-19 Testing for Students Overview English, Spanish, Portuguese.
If pools are negative, there will be no communication from the school.
If You have Chosen In-Person Learning
Thank you.
April 5th Return
District leaders, representative members of the Framingham School Committee, and representative members of the Framingham Teachers Association (FTA) have been meeting to work through the logistics of this new DESE regulation. The most critical of these logistics is the necessary shift from the standard 6-feet of physical distance to something lesser in order to accommodate the many students who will want to attend school in-person. More information will be provided as those details are worked out.
Transportation Updates
As more children are scheduled to come back to school on April 5th, current bus information (location, bus number, times, and/or Edulog Tracking Codes) may change. We are working as hard as we can to share this information as soon as it is available. We are prioritizing all eligible riders first. After eligible riders are assigned a seat, ineligible riders are assigned a seat if there is availability. Ineligible riders are assigned starting with those who live furthest from their schools. It will not be possible to accommodate all ineligible riders, including those who live within a safe walking distance from their schools where crossing guards are present. In the coming days, families will either receive new bus information or a letter which outlines our inability to accommodate transportation requests.
COVID-Related Bus Safety
Riding the bus during COVID requires that students have a consistent seat in the morning and the afternoon. In some cases the seat assignment comes from the Principal in other cases it is managed by the bus driver. If you have a bus rider, please encourage your child to sit in the same seat in the morning and afternoon, as well as to remain in their seat for the entire bus ride. Staying in their seat helps to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 among the students and assists with contact tracing in the case of a COVID positive student.
We know children are excited to be in school and we are excited to bring more students back in-person! To ensure that we can all stay in school and reduce the need to quarantine from possible exposure on buses, bus riders need to follow this guidance.
Please talk with your children regularly and encourage them to follow these risk mitigating efforts including:
Sitting in their assigned seat during each and every ride
Wearing their mask at all times during the bus ride
Weather permitting, keeping the windows down at least one click
Thank you for your partnership and for your patience.
Dates to Remember
APRIL
Friday, 2nd
- No School- Good Friday
- All In-Person Students Return
- Fifth Grade Zoom Puberty Parent Meeting, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
- Virtual Community Meeting, 2:30 – 3:00pm
- No School - Patriot's Day
- No School -Spring Recess
Monday, 26th
School Council Meeting, 4:00 - 5:00pm
- Early Release - 1:05 Dismissal- Parent Conferences, Lunch IS served
MAY
Thursday, 6th
- Early Release - 1:05 Dismissal - Parent Conferences, Lunch IS served
- Early Release - 1:05 Dismissal - Parent Conferences, Lunch IS served
- Virtual Community Meeting, 9:30 – 10:00am
- Early Release - 1:05 Dismissal - Staff PD, Lunch IS served
Monday, May 24th
- School Council Meeting, 4:00 – 5:00pm
Thursday, May 27th
- Early Release - 1:05 Dismissal - Parent Conferences, Lunch IS served
Monday, May 31st
- No School - Memorial Day
Bus Registration Codes
MyMedBot
MyMedBot is your ticket to school! MyMedBot is used to screen all FPS staff and students daily for potential COVID symptoms. Students, families, and staff must answer a series of COVID-19 related questions and based on the answers, the app will show a red screen, meaning you are not permitted to enter the school or a green screen, meaning you may enter the school. MyMedBot invitation codes are unique for each user and are being rolled out by cohort to families with students who are returning to in-person instruction.
If you are scheduled to come back to school and you do not receive the message, you can contact the FPS COVID Call Center (see below).
Please remember to complete MyMedBot everyday that your child is scheduled to attend school in-person. We ask that you complete MyMedBot by 8:30 at the latest each morning.
COVID Call Center
Framingham Public Schools has launched a trilingual COVID Call Center to help families with the MyMedBot App questions. Families can reach the Call Center by email COVID@framingham.k12.ma.us or by calling (508) 782-6633. Call Center staff are available between 5:00am to 6:00pm Monday through Friday. Staff who have MyMedBot App questions should continue to reach out to the Help Desk.
MetroWest Mediation Services
MetroWest Mediation Services is offering free virtual mediation between landlords and tenants for non-payment situations. This program is part of Governor Baker's comprehensive Eviction Diversion Initiative to mitigate the harmful economic impacts of COVID-19 and prevent homelessness by keeping tenants stably housed and landlords from mortgage foreclosures.
For more information or to schedule a free mediation, please contact Li, Coordinator of the Housing Mediation Program, by emailing li@metrowestmediation.org or calling 781-591-0866.
For assistance in Spanish or Portuguese: Please contact Peter at peter@metrowestmediation.org or call 617-213-0365.
Lunch/Recess Schedule
School Lunch Update
- School breakfasts and lunches will be free for the remainder of the school year
- Milk only purchases will cost $0.60
DESE 2019 Dunning School & FPS District Accountability Report
"Every year, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) releases a report card for each school and district in the state. Just as a student's report card shows how they are doing in different classes, school and district report cards are designed to show parents and community members how a school or district is doing in different areas. Report cards highlight a school or district's strengths as well as any challenges that need to be addressed in order to make sure the needs of all students are being met.” DESE
To view our school’s report card overview and the complete report card, visit our school’s profile on the ESE’s School and District Profiles website at this Dunning Report Card Link.
Rental Assistance Program
Here is an updated application link to apply for the rental assistance program
https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/FRAMINGHAMMA/Participant. Please note that due to the influx of applications, applying through this site would be the quickest way.
If you are submitting a paper application, use the same link to email it.
ESL Writing Assessment Information
ESL Teachers will be administering the biannual ESL Writing Assessment to students (remote and in-person) to students identified as English Learners in grades 3-12, during the following testing windows:
Final Interim Assessment Testing Window:
March 29-April 30
Housing Help
The state Department of Housing and Community Development has centralized information about resources for families struggling to make rent or mortgage payments due to COVID-19. For information, go this this WEBSITE.
Resources if You Are Struggling to Make Rent or Mortgage Payments
Community Resources
Food Services Information
District Calendars
Dunning Directory
Click on the link below to input information and sign up for the Dunning Directory,
School Hours
Early Release Days
- 1:05pm dismissal
- Lunch IS served
- Early Release Thursdays: 9/18/20, 12/3/20, 12/10/20, 12/17/20, 1/7/21, 1/14/21, 3/11/21, 4/29/21, 5/6/21, 5/13/21, 5/20/21, 5/27/21
Half Days
- Students are dismissed at 12:00pm.
- Lunch IS NOT served.
- Half Days: 11/25 and the last day of school.
Visit the Dunning Website
Join the Dunning PTO FB Page
If you are not already a member, please join the PTO FB page. It is a great way to stay connected with the Dunning Community! www.facebook.com/groups/228212977304928/?ref=bookmarks