NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - May 17, 2021
Moving Through Spring...
Dear NIS families,
It's difficult to believe it's mid-May already with a good chunk of the school year left for learning and fun. Our third and fourth graders largely sailed through ELA MCAS testing last week. They were amazing in all the ways they demonstrated focus and perseverance! While testing took up a little bit of time, the rest of the week was a balance of in-door and out-door learning experiences, individual and collaborative learning experiences, and learning through multiple modalities - auditorily, visually, and through hands-on activities. We also observed classes taking time for a focus on teambuilding and interpersonal skill development both in classrooms and outside through activities and games. Finally, on Friday, our students had the opportunity to visit the bookmobile and gather some summer reading material. They were overjoyed to walk away with, in some cases, an armful of great books! We are so grateful for the bookmobile and how allowing our students to choose their own reading material highly motivates them to read.
Thank you for all of your support of our shared students as we continue with MCAS testing and commit to robust learning right through June 25th! As always, please reach out with any questions or ideas you may have for us.
Your NIS partners,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal & Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal
Sewer Project - Traffic Delays Possible
SEWER PROJECT UPDATES
This week's and next week's updates includes:
5/16 - 5/21 • Sunday thru Thursday:
Continue installation of gravity sewers, progressing north on Surfside Road towards Bartlett Road
• Friday: Trench paving
Here is a link to visit for the project webpage that has very detailed information. They will regularly be updating this project webpage (weekly).
Important Student Drop Off Information
Students are to be dropped off for school using the entrance off of Backus lane only. Using the surfside road entrance poses a safety issue for students, therefore should not be used in the morning to drop students off.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Spring Newsletters from Our Social/Emotional Learning Team
School Counselor Spring 2021 SMORE Ms. Rachel Foulkes & Mr. Aaron Peckham
Social Worker Spring 2021 SMORE Ms. Emily Sybert
This Week Children's Clothing Drive
Contact Tracing
In the event there is community spread in a classroom, it is most likely that the entire classroom would have to go to remote learning for a period of time. This would be communicated to those impacted as soon as possible.
NIS Nurse Notes: Nancy Small, RN
Hello Families!
It's great to see many are vaccinated, case numbers are down, and some restrictions are being lifted. However, I still need to monitor why students are absent and triage if covid testing is necessary. Please, when calling in your student’s absence, state the reason for absence and the symptoms if they are ill. I will make a follow up phone call or email to discuss if covid testing is necessary. Thank you for your cooperation.
MCAS testing is starting this week. Although as stated above, it is a low stakes test this year, I’m sure your student wants to do well. Making sure your students get a good night's rest and eating a good healthy breakfast can help.
Please keep safe and healthy,
Nancy Small RN
NIS Safety Protocols - Revised
Healthy Bodies Support Healthy Minds
We know that children's birthdays are special and that they want to share their special day with the class. This year especially, and going forward students should not bring in food items to share with the class (cupcakes, cookies, chips etc.). Most of you have been so supportive with adhering to this change in support of healthy student bodies.
If your child desires to share something with classmates for their birthday consider any one of the following: special pencils, stickers, painted shell or drawing(s). Another idea is to purchase a book for the classroom or school library in honor of your child's birthday. This is a lasting way to celebrate!
MCAS Testing at NIS
Remaining Testing Dates:
May 18 - Gr. 5 ELA
May 20 - Gr. 3 Math
May 25 - Gr. 4 Math
May 27 - Gr. 5 Math
June 3 - Gr. 5 STE
Here is a link for more information about MCAS testing: MCAS Resources for Parents/Guardians
For 2021, students will only take one session for each subject area test.
MCAS Subject Area Test for Grades 3–8
Recommended Testing Times *All tests are untimed
ELA
2 to 2 ½ hours
Mathematics
1 ½ hours
STE for Students in Grade 5
1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours
COVID-19 Travel Advisory - Still in effect
As of Monday, March 22, all visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival. Travelers in the following categories are exempt from this quarantine advisory:
- Travelers who have received a negative COVID-19 result on a test administered not more than 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts. Travelers may also test out of the quarantine advisory after arrival in Massachusetts, as long as they quarantine until receiving a negative test result.
- Anyone who is entering Massachusetts for fewer than 24 hours
- Anyone who is returning to Massachusetts after being out of the State for fewer than 24 hours
- Workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions (as specified by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) during required commuting to or from work and while at work.
- Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago) and who do not have symptoms.
All travelers are encouraged to consult and follow the CDC’s guidelines and requirements for travel.
May NPS Calendar
Here are some specific family engagement opportunities:
Thursday, May 20th
*NIS School Council 3pm
Tuesday, May 25th
*Superintendent’s Coffee 5:30pm
Schoology Support for Parents/Caregivers
Our NIS in house Schoology trainers are Grade 5 teacher Taylor O'Brien and Library Teacher Olivia Myers who have both expressed their availability to parents for Schoology questions. Here is their contact information:
Taylor O'Brien: Obrient@npsk.org
Olivia Myers: myerso@npsk.org
Please see attachments below for more information in English and Spanish.
Free and Reduced Lunch News
Even though meals are free to all, families who are Directly Certified or Approved via a paper application for Free or Reduced lunch can use their letter for:
- Reduced electricity costs through National Grid
- Reduced internet through Comcast Xfinity
- May also qualify for Food Pantry or Nantucket Housing & Fuel Assistance
Please contact the Central Registrar Sarah Erichsen if you have questions by calling 508-228-7285 x1149 or emailing erichsens@npsk.org.
NIS School Improvement Plan 20-21
NIS Return to School Safety Protocols
NIS Family Handbook 2020-2021
- English: NIS Family Handbook 2020 - 2021
- Espanol: NIS Familia Manual 2020-2021
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