Longfellow Newsletter
March 2021
Mark Your Calendars!!
April 16 - April 23 - No School
Notes from Mr. Young
Dear Families,
I have outlined a few reminders/ updates below:
MEA Testing
This year the state will be using a different type of assessment as our statewide assessment. We will use the NWEA, an assessment that many of our students are familiar with because we have used it at Longfellow for many years. The testing window district-wide will be between April 5 through June 15th. At Longfellow, we are considering testing in May. Students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade will be tested in mathematics and ELA/Literacy. Students in 5th grade will also be tested in science. The tests are designed to last 60 minutes in each subject area.
Updated Travel Guidelines for Families Considering Traveling:
Gov Janet Mills and the CDC recommend that people do not travel at this time.
Currently, per the CDC, international travel still requires quarantine and testing, even for those fully vaccinated. This is a change from our previous guidance.
Anyone traveling outside of the United States must quarantine 7 days upon return to Maine AND have a negative COVID-19 test 3-5 days after returning to Maine, regardless of vaccination status. This does not include U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Anyone traveling to any state outside of New England, must quarantine for 3 days upon return to Maine and get a negative COVID 19 test. Exemptions from testing or quarantine are available for:
Travel to: New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island or Massachusetts
Individuals that have had COVID-19 in the previous 90 days
Individuals that are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 AND 14 days have passed since completing full vaccination series (2 doses of Moderna or Pfizer; or 1 dose of Johnson and Johnson.) Another reason to keep documentation of your vaccination!
Staff Professional Development
A year ago, the Portland Public Schools partnered with a research team to research the experience of our educators of color. This report details the results and conclusions of that research.
The district has made progress in adding more BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and other people of color) educators, but this report shows that they do not have the same opportunities as White colleagues to succeed and advance in their jobs and that they experience racial bias and inequity in their daily, lived experience in the Portland Public Schools. The full report can be read here. The summary is linked here.
On Wednesday, March 24th, Longfellow Staff will participate in a school wide equity based discussion about this report. The Longfellow Equity Team hopes this professional development opportunity will:
Develop the facilitation skills and content knowledge needed to intervene effectively when biases or inequities arise in a classroom or in our school.
Foster conversations with colleagues about equity concerns.
Be better able to take action and to recognize and respond to inequities.
Visual Arts Community Project
Our art teachers, Ms. Warshaw and Ms. Horie, launched a community art project this week. Our end goal is to create a poem with words contributed by every student as a response to a work of art (shown below) that will be shared out with the community - both in the building and digitally (recording of a student reading their class' poem). Here is a link to the video with specific instructions for the students.
Sincerely,
Terry Young
Nearby Nature - Four Winds Nature Program
The PTO has purchased winter-themed science curriculum from Nearby Nature, Four Winds Nature Program to be shared with parents. Lessons include learning about animal tracks in the snow, predators and prey, the science of snowflakes, and stream life. Find the lessons here, This could be something families do on their own or with other families in the class as a way to connect and learn outside.
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Corner
Care Committee
The Care Committee is available to assist any Longfellow family experiencing a crisis. We are available to provided home cooked meals, run errands, or assist in outside chores. If you need assistance of any kind, or know someone who is in need, please contact us at longfellowcares@gmail.com. You will be kept anonymous. Also, if you would like to join the Care Committee's list of volunteers, drop us a line at longfellowcares@gmail.com and we will add you to our list of volunteers.
Clynk Bags
Clynk bags with funds going to support Longfellow PTO can be picked up on the front porch of 53 Leland St.
Useful Links
Longfellow School Website Link
https://longfellow.portlandschools.org/Longfellow Remote Learning Page
Sign up for PTO newsletters via email
Longellow Elementary School
Email: lngoffice@portlandschools.org
Website: longfellow.portlandschools.org
Location: 432 Stevens Avenue, Portland, ME, USA
Phone: 207-874-8195