Good morning. I hope you all had a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving break. We are very excited to welcome back to school our K and 1st grade students who will be attending school in-person for the first time this school year. Although there are many of you who will continue to learn remotely, we look forward to welcoming you back when you return. Please note that the hybrid model for preschool will begin the week of December 7th. Please see the attached preschool letter from the early childhood department.

It's exciting to know that our students will be coming back over the coming weeks. It is also very important that we don't let our guard down and that we pay attention and follow all of the safety guidelines and protocols in place to keep our students, staff, and caregivers safe and healthy.

I, with the help of the amazing Ms. Nora and Ms. Brittany, created a video to help students see what might be different when they come back to school. The video is below, and I hope that you all take time to watch it before your students return to the building.

Also, I've attached a Hybrid Logistics document for your to review with your children. This document has important information about arrival and dismissal as well as other things to make the transition back to school a bit easier.

Remember, only K and 1 students return this week. 2nd and 3rd grade students return the week of December 14th, and 4th and 5th grade students return the week of January 4th. All students who currently come to school for a 1/2 day on Wednesdays received a call from me last Wednesday stating that the new 1/2 day dismissal time for Wednesdays is 11:30 a.m. This is only for students who are currently in school for a 1/2 day on Wednesdays. Students who have been receiving in-person services/school since the start of the school year in grades 2-5 should still follow their current schedule with the exception of the new 1/2 day 11:30 a.m. dismissal time on Wednesdays.

For those of you interested in the walking school bus:

The Bridge Street Walking School Bus will be available to assist families with transportation needs during the hybrid model of education, and will begin its run on Monday, November 30th. Please visit the WSB website to learn more about the Sheldon Field and Lumber Yard WSB routes, including earlier start times to ensure student arrival at BSS before school begins at 8:30 a.m.

Families must preregister their students for the WSB. Please fill out the WSB Student Registration Form if you would like your student(s) to ride the WSB.

**Please note that for the health and safety of all students and drivers, WSB participants will be required to wear a mask while on the WSB unless a medical exception has been approved by the BSS school administration.**

Please contact WSB Coordinator Stephanie Pouliot if you have any questions about the WSB. The WSB is also in need of drivers, so please contact Stephanie if you or someone you know would like to volunteer your time to the WSB.

Finally, all students should come to school with their daily checklist completed, with a mask that fits (no bandanas or neck gaiter), water bottle, and their Chromebook and charger each day. Students will be spending more time outside, so please dress appropriately for the weather. If you are in need of winter clothing for the outdoors, please let me know. We are happy to help in any way that we can.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.

I hope you all have a wonderful day.

Step One: Click on the video link below.

Step Two: Turn Closed Caption icon on at the bottom right side of video (it looks like a small box with the letters CC in it.)

Step Three: Click on Settings icon at the bottom right side of video (it looks like a little wheel).

Step Four: Select Subtitle language and play video.