BCS NTouch Msg
May 8: Instruction, 20-21 School Calendar, Cameras and Meals
Dear Parents/Caregivers, Students, and Staff:
As we end the first full week of May, I am reflecting on all that we have accomplished together. Moving quickly to a remote learning environment, curbside meals, teleconference meetings, and endless planning for how to do the ordinary things in a new way with social distancing and health and safety practices in mind. Together, we have completed a marathon in the time frame of a sprint.
I want to remind you to continue to stay safe and to practice all the safety measures set aside by local officials to keep you and your family healthy. It will become increasingly difficult to do so as the days get warmer (and less windy) and we naturally want to visit our friends and neighbors. My message to you is and always has been, be well and stay safe. It is imperative at this point in time we “stay the course” and continue to wash hands, practice physical and social distancing and stay home.
This past week we have celebrated school lunch heroes, teachers, principals, and school nurses. It is also children's mental health awareness week. This Sunday, we will honor our mothers, or those who have played that role in our lives, recognizing that she was our very first teacher.
I want to thank our entire community for embracing one another and working together for the health, safety and well being of all of us. Berkeley County is absolutely a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
HERE IS WHAT'S INCLUDED BELOW:
2020-2021 School Calendar Snapshot is here!
Children's Mental Health Resource
Instruction Through the End of the School Year
Special Education camera Update
Curbside Meals
Be Well, Stay Safe
Patrick K. Murphy, Superintendent of Schools
MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
During the time children are out of school due to COVID-19, children and adults may find themselves in need of some emotional support. You will find we have listed some non- crisis supports for families to access below if they would like to talk to a professional counselor
- Project AWARE students that have been seen at school by therapists from EastRidge Health Systems, can talk to their therapist by calling 304.263.8954 and selecting menu option #1 and scheduling a time for your therapist to contact you.
- Berkeley County students grades 1 through 12 who are not a client of Project AWARE at EastRidge Health Systems can enroll and make an appointment to begin services by calling 304.263.8954 and selecting menu option #1 and ask to enroll your child as a Project AWARE client.
- If your child has a relationship with a therapist at another mental health agency it is recommended that you try to make a contact with that therapist. Most agencies have made accommodations to see their clients during the outbreak of COVID-19.
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline Number - 1.800.273.8225
- SAMHSA Natural Disaster Crisis Counseling Helpline - 1.800.985.5990
- Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741
Suicide Crisis Supports/Options
*If your child is saying that they are suicidal but have not done anything to cause themselves physical harm, you can make an appointment at EastRidge Health Systems by calling 304.263.8954 and selecting menu option #4 for a crisis assessment.
*If your child has attempted suicide, then please call 911 immediately.
*Taking your child to the emergency department
Instruction Through the End of the School Year
BCS Learning Activities will continue through the Week of May 26, 2020.
- Continued learning for all students should be emphasized.
- Learning Activities may look different during the final weeks of school due to school collection of year end materials.
- Students who are working to improve their final grades should continue to work on assignments and stay in contact with their teachers.
- BCS Curriculum & Instruction Department will continue to provide one-page student Learning Activities during the final 2 weeks of school.
- Teachers will be expected to continue contacting students and supporting student learning during the weeks of May 18 and May 26.
- Teachers will be available for online support, but online lessons will end on May 15.
- Special Education related services will continue through May 29.
- May 29, 2020 is the last day for students.
- June 1, 2020 is the last day for teachers.
- Final grades for students will be posted on Schoology on June 2.
- If parents would like a hard copy of their student’s grade, please contact your child’s school.
UPDATE ON CAMERAS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS
During Legislation, SB 614 modified the funding language from last year’s SB 632 to provide the requested flexibility in the use of Safe Schools appropriations to purchase cameras for self-contained, Special Education classrooms. Please be aware the procurement, installation, and operation of the cameras is no longer contingent on legislative appropriation and it is expected that cameras are to be in place prior to the start of the 2020-2021 school year.
Berkeley County Schools has started and is currently in the process of the installation of cameras in the classroom. The Office of Special Education (OSE) is leading this process in collaboration with the Office of Technology. In February, classrooms were identified by the OSE and wiring infrastructure began. As of this week, only nine schools remain to have the wiring infrastructure completed and it is estimated that by late May all schools will have this plan in place. It is estimated that the camera installation will be complete by mid-June.
The Office of Special Education has formed a Principal Committee in reference to the cameras in the classroom and they are currently coming up with FAQs surrounding the installations of cameras. Also, HR and OSE have a legal training on this subject for the Principals scheduled for this summer.
Curbside Meal Service Continues-Monday, May 11th
Curbside meal service will be available at one location, Monday, May 11th from 11 am to 1 pm from Martinsburg South Middle School using 2 lanes of Bulldog Boulevard.
MEDICAL DIETS: If your student has a special medical diet on file, please contact Office of Nutrition by noon on Friday and leave a voicemail at: 304-267-3510 ext 76004.
Please be patient and follow safety and health procedures in place for the welfare of both the recipients and the providers.
Important Details:
· Curbside Meal Pickup is for 1 day only and will include 5 days worth of breakfast and lunches per child.
· When ordering the number of meals needed, please lower the window of your vehicle to protect both you and our volunteers.
· At the curb, a volunteer will signal to you when a family member must step out of the vehicle to personally load food into car.
· Vehicle must be in line by 1 pm.
· Meal kits are available while supplies last and cannot be consumed on-site.
BERKELEY COUNTY SCHOOLS
This newsletter is a publication of the Berkeley County Schools' Communications Office.
Email: info@berkeleycountyschools.org
Website: berkeleycountyschools.org
Location: 1453 Winchester Avenue, Martinsburg, WV, USA
Phone: 304-267-3500