Nathan Hale Family Newsletter
September 13, 2021
Principal Corner
Today we welcomed our K1 and K2 students into the Nathan Hale Building. We are so excited to finally have all of our students return to school. Thank you to all the parents/guardians that joined in to "Clap" our students into the building and getting students excited about learning daily. This newsletter is packed with important updates and information for the start of the year. Please take time to read over them.
Additionally, we will begin student COVID pool testing this Thursday. It is very important to complete the online form to opt your child in or out of testing. I have linked the paper copy of the form below, that you can complete as well.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Principal Whitmore
School Safety Updates
Mask Required/Lunch Update
BPS expects that all students and staff will be required to wear masks while inside
school buildings and during yellow bus transportation when they return to school in
September. We know that our students age 11 and under cannot yet be vaccinated and for
ages 12 to 15 only 18% in the city of Boston are vaccinated right now. For ages 16 to 24 only
52% are vaccinated. Vaccines are the best way to protect ourselves from COVID-19, and
masking is also an important prevention tool we must use.
BPS does not plan to mandate physical distancing when we return to school this fall. The
CDC guidance states that physical distancing is one health and safety strategy, but if it is not
possible to fully reopen schools while maintaining physical distancing, students should still learn in person and school districts should use other prevention strategies, like indoor masking,
frequent hand-washing, and good indoor ventilation.
Lunch Update:
While there is no physical distance for indoor dining, we have opted to allowing students to eat outside on days that the weather permits. We have put a request in for a tent, and awaiting on the date of delivery. We plan to keep you updated as the weather gets cooler.
Parking Reminders
Parents and Guardians,
Please do not park on Cedar Street, this is reserved for Buses only. You may park on Lambert Ave. Students walking or carpooling are picked up/ dropped off at the gate on Lambert Street.
Lambert Street
Cedar Street
Late Arrival/ Early Dismissal
Meet the School Social Worker
Hello Hale Family,
My name is Ms. A and it is with great honor that I introduce myself as the full time School Social Worker here at Nathan Hale Elementary School. It is undeniable that Hale is a compassionate community that cares for the wellbeing and educational achievement of each student.
Throughout the 2021-2022 school year, I intend to aid the community in addressing any social emotional learning needs that arise; whether that is addressing the ongoing impact COVID has/had on students, families, and facility or assisting students in developing healthy social skills, alongside responses to their emotions. I intend to work closely with the community to assure we are meeting the social emotional needs of all in our community.
Again, it is with great pleasure, I join such a diverse team, who understands the importance of academic achievement and the importance of addressing the social emotional needs of the students.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me via email at kabrha@bostonpublicschools.org.
Thank you,
Ms. A
Updates from Nurse Bailey
Please remember to fill out and return the forms sent home from the nurse's office along with any necessary medications.
Please note from the BPS website the following on when to stay home
YOUR CHILD MUST STAY HOME if your child or anyone in the home has any of the bolded symptoms listed below (or a combination of any non-bolded symptoms):
- Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- New loss of taste or smell
- Muscle aches or body aches
- Cough (not due to other known cause)
- Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms
- Headache, when in combination with other symptoms
- Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
- Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms
Just a friendly reminder that it is highly recommended that your child get the flu shot, as flu season is upon us!
Technology Updates
Technology Use agreement forms have gone home with students. Parents/Guardians please sign and return.
*Please return student chromebooks and chargers used last school year! They will need to be updated.
Parent Resources
Boks is BACK!
What is BOKS?
BOKS is a free physical activity program for kids of all ages and abilities.
The BOKS program was designed to provide more opportunities for kids from early childhood through high school to get moving throughout the day with movement breaks, games, activities and more!
Why BOKS?
Kids are not getting enough physical activity. Less than one-quarter (24%)
of children 6 to 17 years of age participate in 60 minutes of physical activity every day –the daily recommended amount according to the CDC.
When is BOKS?
BOKS will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:15 am to 8:10 am on the play structure area at the Nathan Hale School. (Starting September 21st)
Is it free?
YES – it’s 100% FREE! BOKS is free to enroll in and to use. Many games, activities, and movement breaks are equipment free as well.
If interested in signing up please complete form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOAlwLZUaaQqXGfbpk6kj8UHKXXM1TGWVrRqGay9FXcKE9SA/viewform?usp=sf_link
If you have additional questions please contact Mark Holmes
Boston's Bridge to Excellence( Before and After School) ( UPDATED Information)
Before and After School programming has not started yet. We will be in touch with families when we receive notice that we can start.
Families can apply online at www.bbtema.org and contact our enrollment department via email at enrollment@bostonsbridgetoexcellence.com
School Uniforms
The Nathan Hale School is a mandatory uniform school. This policy was voted into effect by the School Site and Parent Council and will be strictly enforced by all school staff and administration when students are learning in-person in the school building. This policy is designed to support our students in the efforts of learning to dress for success and to unify us as a school community. Students may wear any combination of the standard navy blue or khaki bottoms and dark blue, light blue or white collared shirt. The Hale School Logo is not mandatory this year! Skirts or jumpers may be worn with a white, light blue or dark blue collared blouse as well. Jackets and Sweatshirts worn should be navy blue!
Tee shirts and jeans are not considered a part of the school uniform. Tee shirts with any form of writing or advertisement will not be accepted.
When in school, hats, coats, jackets, hoodies, backpacks and pocketbooks may not be worn during school hours and must be placed in student coat areas or lockers at the beginning of the school day. Please DO NOT send students to school in leggings/ jeggings and light-up sneakers. These items are not a part of our school uniform and can cause unnecessary distractions for our students.
First Week: Important Information
Upcoming Events
Thursday, September 16th- Yom Kippur
Tuesday, September 20- First Day of BOKS
Monday, October 11th- State Holiday No School
Thursday, October 19th- Open House 5pm-7pm (Virtual)
Community Events
Nathan Hale Elementary School
Email: cwhitmore@bostonpublicschools.org
Website: https://www.nathanhaleroxbury.org/
Location: 51 Cedar Street, Boston, MA, USA
Phone: 617-635-8205
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NathanHaleElementarySchool/