NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - April 27
Planning for the Remainder of the School Year
Dear NIS Family Partners,
This week we all received the news that school buildings across the state will be closed for teaching and learning, and remote learning will continue. We have to admit to the deep wave of sadness that came over us as we heard that announcement, primarily because it meant that we would not be together with our students again this school year. As I spoke to colleagues and some parents, I heard much of the same...a reaction of sadness. We share this with you because we all want to acknowledge the grief response that comes with this news for many, including our students. While this is not my area of expertise, please refer to our social worker's message about how to support your child with sadness associated with school closure.
The messaging from the state also came with additional guidance for what is expected of Massachusetts schools as we move forward with remote learning. Here are the two areas of focus for us as we move forward:
• Further defining the recommended elements of a quality remote learning program, including a focus on teaching the content standards most critical for student success in the next grade level.
• Encouraging districts to move all students towards successful engagement in remote learning, with a focus on addressing fundamental needs.
This week in our collaborative meetings our teachers will look over the prerequisite standards, identify the ones already addressed, and develop a plan for addressing the rest. We will also continue to work hard to engage you in telling us how we can best support remote learning for your child at home. What's working? What's not working? What do you need from us to make things go more smoothly for your child and their learning? Yes, we are charged with having ALL NIS students engage successfully in remote learning, but fully recognize just how much we depend on you to help us make that happen well. Your input has been instrumental to informing large scale refinements as well as developing individualized plans for specific students and their needs.
We are all in this together and we will be flexible with you, our families, to promote the very best experiences and outcomes for students. Thank you so much for partnering with us to let us know how it is going and what we can do to make it even better.
Grateful for your partnership,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal mcneile@npsk.org
Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal johnsond@npsk.org
A Message from our Social Worker - Ms. Rosenberg
When I shared the information about the school closure with my third grader, she instantly started to cry. Many of the families I have spoken to shared that their children had similar reactions, and I want to take a moment and acknowledge the disappointment and collective sadness many of our children are feeling. Most families are dealing with loss in one form or another, and it's important to understand people manage loss in different ways. In the upper elementary years, children become increasingly connected to their peers for support and many are dealing with the loss of those social interactions and missing special shared milestones.
It is important to acknowledge and validate your child’s feelings without immediately jumping to trying to cheer them up. Let them feel sad, even if what they are sad about seems small compared to some of the losses others are experiencing. While it is natural to want to make our children feel better, sometimes letting them feel their feelings is the most powerful thing we can do. After giving children time to grieve, then we can help them find the silver lining. The sacrifices they are making are to help take care of our community and are important in preventing the spread of infection. Children aren’t as developmentally ready to think of the big picture as adults are and we can help them understand that this will not last forever.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. We are all in this together!
Here is more information on the topic for those interested:
Article: Grief and COVID-19: Mourning our bygone lives
Webinar: Helping Children Manage Emotions During Uncertain Times
Behavioral Support Offered to Families
Dear Families,
These are challenging times for our students and we recognize that feelings of sadness or anxiety may present themselves as behavioral challenges at home. If you are looking for additional support and strategies to address your child’s behavior during remote learning time please reach out to me during office hours noted below. I am also available by phone appointment. Also included is the link to my BCBA newsletter that includes additional information, resources, strategies etc. to address behavior.
Best regards,
Laura Stanley, MS, BCBA, LABA
District Behavior Analyst
Nantucket Public Schools
Phone: 508-228-7290 ext 4226
E-mail: stanleyl@npsk.org
BCBA Behavior Newsletter https://www.smore.com/wuh54
Parent Office Hours:
Monday and Wednesday, 12:30-1:00
Zoom ID: 960 679 983
Password: bcba1234
Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00-10:45
Zoom ID: 880 409 252
Password: bcba1234
Assistance for Families
Nantucket Food-Fuel-Rental Assistance --- https://www.assistnantucket.org
Nantucket Culinary Center is offering buy one give one for their family meals. If you are interested in purchasing a meal click here: https://nantucketculinary.com
If you are in need of a free meal please click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9ozRLWoaXIJ3aiSxp7AayARfyhIm3pifmEJ2W5iHfcrkz0A/viewform
Health Resources:
Fairwinds - https://www.fairwindscenter.org/fairwinds-corona-response/
Free drop-in Zoom support meetings:
Groups 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
How: Click on this zoom link to join any meeting: https://zoom.us/j/994360705
Groups 4:00-5:00 p.m. (individual Zoom log-ins, see below)
Mondays: From 4-5 p.m. Un grupo de apoyo gratuito en español:
El Grupo Creando Calmate ayuda a lidiar con la ansiedad y el estrés
Creating Calm Support Group in Spanish. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/712149785Thursdays: From 4-5 p.m. Teen Recovery Group offering support and answers to teens ages 14-21 in a non-judgmental, open forum. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/790603392
Gosnold- Teletherapy support and Mobile Crisis (877) 784-6273.
A Safe Place - 508- 228-2111 https://www.asafeplacenantucket.org
Nantucket Cottage Hospital -- Still open for same day appointments. Call ahead as they are working to keep potential Covid-19 patients separated from the general patient population. 508-825-1000
Utility Services COVID-19 response:
Wannacomet Water Company
No late fees, penalties or interest will be charged at this time: https://www.wannacomet.org
National Grid
Payment options and support services : https://www.nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Default.aspx
Comcast: Will not disconnect internet for nonpayment (and other assistance plans) Contact directly for more information: https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
Verizon: Contact for specific offers of assistance: https://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-helps-eliminate-worry
Emergency Child Care:
Emergency drop-in child care programs are opening to provide emergency, back-up, drop-in child care for vulnerable families and members of essential workforces who have no other option. Parents and guardians working from home are not a priority for emergency child care. Likewise, if you have alternate child care, such as friends or family, you should not contact these programs. (from https://eeclead.force.com/apex/EEC_ChildCareEmergencyFAQParents)
Nantucket Locations: (See chart below)
School Counselor Information
School Counselor Office Hours
Monday: Miss. Adams from 10am to 12pm
Tuesday: Mr. Peckham from 10am to 12pm
Wednesday: Miss. Adams from 10am to 12pm
Thursday: Mr.Peckham from 10am to 12pm
Friday: Miss Adams and Mr. Peckham from 10am to 12pm.
Students, caregivers, parents, and families may call in to either School Counselor at those times. If these times do not work for you please contact the School Counselors to Schedule an appointment.
Ms. Adams: 774-333-2017 adamsv@npsk.org
Zoom Meeting: zoom.us/j/952032798 Password: NISRULES
Mr. Peckham: 508-348-9332 peckhama@npsk.org
Zoom Meeting: zoom.us/j/6919371321 Password: NISRULES
Want to reach our Social Worker? Here is her contact information:
Ms. Alexandra Rosenberg: 508-257-1783 rosenberga@npsk.org
NIS Trimester II Report Cards Ready to View in ASPEN
Trimester II report cards are now ready to view in ASPEN. They will not be printed and mailed home. If you don’t know your ASPEN password please reach out to Katie Bedell, BedellK@npsk.org or Emily Murphy, Murphye@npsk.org. You will need this password to access your child’s report card in ASPEN. They are also willing to walk you through how to access the report card online.
From the Desk of our School Nurse
Dear NIS Families,
On Tuesday, April 21st, Governor Baker canceled the rest of our school year. I was not surprised and I believe this was a safe and smart decision. I do have to say I was saddened by the news. I truly miss seeing the students and staff. I miss their beautiful faces, their scrapes and cuts, their headaches and tummy aches, but most of all I miss their laughter. Oh that laughter, it makes my day.
I am a big believer in laughter is the best medicine. So I did a little research, from the website Help Guide,
“A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.”
Well right about now we all know that we could use some stress release and a boost to our immunities. So this week I’m going to tell you some jokes. I hope they make you laugh or at least smile. They are kid friendly so please share them with my students.
Q: Why did the banana go to the hospital?
A: Because he wasn’t peeling well
Q: What starts with E, ends with E and only has one letter?
A: An envelope
Q: What two things can you not have for breakfast?
A: Lunch and dinner
Q: What do you do if your dog chews a dictionary?
A: Take the words out of his mouth
Until next time, stay strong, stay healthy and stay 6 feet apart,
Nancy Small RN
Ms. Nancy Small available daily to answer your medical questions Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Start with an email to smalln@npsk.org and Ms. Small will email or call you back.
Specialist Teachers' Learning Activities
Check back weekly for updated learning activities!
Please know each of our specialists have Parent and Student Connection hours too! Just email the specialist teacher you want to connect with to learn when the are available virtually.
Art - Heldj@npsk.org
Library - myerso@npsk.org
Music - sheppards@npsk.org
Physical education - gardnerg@npsk.org
Spanish - nashz@npsk.org
SEL - see counselor information above
Enrichment - baskettf@npsk.org
For NPS District Information
Be sure to check the www.npsk.org website for specific District communications and updates.
Nantucket Intermediate School
Email: mcneile@npsk.org
Website: https://www.npsk.org/NIS
Location: 30 Surfside Road, Nantucket, MA, USA
Phone: 508-228-7290
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nantucketintermediateschool/
Twitter: @NISlearners
Information About Special Needs Advisory Council Attached Below...
Reminder about Netiquette and How You Can Help
We have seen some new challenges that online learning can bring pertaining to "Netiquette". We understand that remote learning and stay at home orders have likely increased screen time for your children. At NIS, we are truly grateful that we are able to connect with students and families through the digital platforms Meet and Zoom. While we are confident that most students are using the technology appropriately, we are getting word from some teachers that students may need some additional support from home to ensure that technology is being used appropriately. The following “Netiquette” has been shared with students and we would greatly appreciate if you could support your child at home with practicing the following suggestions and expectations:
Determine a time to turn screens off. Ensure that children do not have access to technology during the night time hours when they should be getting sleep. If students need to contact their teachers, set aside time first thing in the morning or at the end of the “school day” to send questions or to share their great work.
We understand that some children are using Google Hangouts Meet to connect with their friends. While we understand the need for this contact, we ask that students do not use the teacher’s meeting address to socialize. Under adult supervision, kids can create their own Meet links to connect with friends. We expect that this is done only after their school work is done for the day.
Please remind your child, that while we are not in the building, teachers and administrators still can access a student’s Chromebook screen and history via GoGuardian. Students are expected to adhere to the NPS Technology Acceptable Use Policies at all times when using the NPS network and devices.
Please remind your child that they are expected to dress appropriately when meeting live with their class and/or teacher. While comfortable clothing is appropriate, students should ensure that they are adhering to the NIS dress code and sufficiently covered up when using Zoom and Google Meet.
We encourage you to reach out to your child’s teachers, the NPS Technology Department or the NIS administrators if you have any questions or need additional support.
Nantucket Antheneum Information to Support You!
Hello everyone!
- The Atheneum can now look up your library card number. If If you've lost your card (or need to sign up for one), please send us an email and we'll get you set up. info@nantucketatheneum.org
- We've created a YouTube channel with instructions on how to easily set up your desktop or mobile device to download ebooks, audiobooks, stream movies, read magazines, learn a new language or take a class. There is something up there for everyone in the family, all you need is your library card and pin number (usually the last 4 digits of your card #).
- Nantucket Atheneum Digital Library
- Visit our homepage for further staff-curated educational links, resources and booklists to inspire you or sign up for an online class using our calendar.
- Nantucket Atheneum
Both pages will continue to evolve as we add more. Please stay safe and well. Hopefully, we'll all be back together soon.
Kind regards,
Leslie Malcolm