Oldham Observations
November/December 2021
Message from the Principal
Although it is a New Year, the situation and tone of the moment is very familiar to us all. We are once again looking at an upsurge in a cultural context that seems polarized at times. However, what I know unites us all is our care for the children of Oldham. Let's all move into the New Year together remembering that commonality and drawing on that knowledge to provide each other patience and empathy. We can TROT to Success together Thinking About Others and knowing that everyone is dysregulated to various extents on any given day and knowing because of that we will lead with kindness.
Our goal at the school continues to include keeping all members of our community safe, attending to students' social emotional needs, and providing as much academic support as we can, to begin the slow process of filling the gaps that have been created. We will continue to follow all state and DESE guidelines and be transparent with all information. We will continue to focus on the ways we TROT to Success with the upcoming focus being "Own Your Actions". We plan to focus on taking responsibility and fixing any mistakes you may make. Finally, in addition to the quality teaching and support in the classroom, we will continue to provide the Accelerated Reading block designed to meet students where they are and provide them with targeted skills to continue on their growth trajectory (see recent email).
So, let us ring in the New Year together finding commonality in our commitment to the students and the knowledge that we are a community of learners, one and all. Enjoy the time with your families, and as always thank you for your continued support.
Madrigal and Celtic Strings Concert
TROTeria
Senior Center gifts
Reminder: students return to school on Tuesday January 4th from the Winter Break
Message from Nurse Carol
Dear Oldham Families,
Flu season is upon us, so please take time to learn about some of the similarities and differences between flu and COVID-19.
COVID-19 Mitigation
· Wear a mask that covers and seals around your mouth and nose
· Maintain social distancing
· Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
· Avoid touching your eye, nose, and mouth
· Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects
If your child develops any COVID-19 symptoms, then have them stay home, rest, drink lots of fluids, contact their pediatrician, and get them COVID tested.
DESE COVID-19 Symptoms List
· 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, such as chronic cough)
· 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
Flu Mitigation
· CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick
· Cover coughs and sneezes
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way
· Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects
If your child develops Flu symptoms, then have them stay home, rest, drink lots of fluids, and contact their pediatrician to determine if and which test(s) are necessary.
Flu Symptoms
· fever* or feeling feverish/chills
· cough
· sore throat
· runny or stuffy nose
· muscle or body aches
· headaches
· fatigue (tiredness)
· some people may have vomiting and diarrhea
Reminder about 2022/2023 School Start Times
Last year the School Committee voted to implement new school start times for the 2022-2023 school year. As the NPS administrative team finalizes plans for extended day, transportation, athletics, bell schedules, and other integral systems impacted by the change in times we wanted you to have this information now for your planning purposes.
Please plan on the range of start and end times below; finalized times will be announced in early 2022.
- Elementary schools start time: 7:40-7:50 am/1:55 pm* dismissal
- Willett School start time 8:00-8:10 am/1:30 pm* dismissal
- Norwood High School start time 8:10-8:20 am/2:50 pm* dismissal
- Coakley Middle School start time 8:40-8:50 am/3:20 pm* dismissal
*Any shift in the start time by a few minutes within the stated range could impact the end time by the same amount of minutes.
New Coakley Middle School Information
The Town of Norwood's Middle School Building Committee is working with lead architect Ai3 and project manager Compass on the design of a proposed new Coakley Middle School. To learn more about the work of the Middle School Building Committee please take a look at these videos."
https://clientportal.vertexeng.com/dl/v35Ecqpiax
https://clientportal.vertexeng.com/dl/5kG21nhRWK
"For additional information visit the project's website at https://newcmsproject.org/"
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES REVIEW
- There is no supervision before 8:25. Please do not leave children unsupervised before 8:25
- Arrival is between 8:25 and 8:40
- Always go very slowly in the parking lot and be very careful
- Watch for the bus stop sign and follow all traffic laws
- At 8:25 students are supervised in the playground area until the 8:40 bell
- If the weather is bad, students will be instructed to directly enter their classrooms through the outside classroom door (there will be adults to help)
- If you are in the car line adults should not exit the vehicle. If you need to help your child you are welcome to find a spot in the parking lot and walk your child to the arrival area
- If you are in the car line, please be patient and wait in line. I will keep it moving but it is unsafe to try and cut the line
- After 8:40 children are dropped off at door #1- the main door
- After 8:50 an adult must enter door #1 with the student to sign the late arrival log
- Students may ride bikes to school if they wear a helmet and utilize the crossing guards to cross the street. The school can not ensure the safety of bikes on the rack, so a lock is suggested.