NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - Aug. 24, 2020
Keeping NIS Families in the Loop!
Dear patient NIS families,
Cohort news will come out beginning tomorrow! We thank you for your patience as we meticulously went through all survey data, reached out by phone and coordinated with other schools regarding siblings. Please expect to receive an email officially sharing what cohort your child is a part of tomorrow or Wednesday. You should already have received a phone call/email if your child was invited to Cohort A - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in-person learning. Your email should match your decision regarding Cohort A. If you told us that you wanted your child in Cohort D, full remote learning Monday through Friday, your email will reflect that decision.
That leaves Cohorts B and C. Cohort B students will come to school on Monday and Tuesday. Cohort C students will come to school on Thursday and Friday. Approximately two thirds of our families wrote that they preferred Cohort B so many of you will find that though you asked for Cohort B, Cohort C was assigned. We took your comments very seriously and where flexibility was noted, you likely were given Cohort C.
If your children were accidently assigned different cohorts and you want them in the same cohort, please reach out right away. We made every attempt to group siblings on the same days. If you have a serious hardship with being assigned Cohort B or C please reach out right away. If we can be flexible, we will. However, that may mean switching out of a classroom recommended for your child.
Classroom teacher information will likely be shared at the very end of this week or next week. We want to be sure our cohort information is correct and thus, class lists are correct, before sharing this information.
As always, reach out with any questions!
In partnership with you,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal
Leaving Nantucket Public Schools?
First step is to complete the survey sent to you to indicate you will be leaving NPS.
Next, you will want to email Sarah Erichsen at erichsens@npsk.org and copy murphye@npsk.org. Sarah will provide you with a withdrawal form.
Library books should be returned to NIS as well.
We wish you all the best this school year and will miss you.
Supporting our NIS Community - Parent Initiative!
Thank you Kate!
NPS Parent/Community Advisory Committee
Dr. Hallett's parent/community advisory committee meets weekly and we are well represented as a school.
Your NIS representatives on Dr. Hallett's Parent/Community forum are Erin Carson and Audrey Anderson. You can reach out to Erin at nantucketerin@gmail.com and Audrey at aeanderson2010@gmail.com as your parent representatives.
There is an open invitation to all parents/guardians who want to attend the August 25, 2020 virtual meeting of this committee at 6:00 PM. Please reach out to mcneile@npsk.org if you would like the link to this meeting.
No Formal NIS Parent Office Hour this Week - Please email with your questions
Our NIS Parent Office Hour turnout has not been that great and this week I anticipate working with individual families about cohort information shared. Our next NIS Parent Office hour will be held next week and our focus will be on what to expect as school reopens.
Wishing you a wonderful week!
Mask Wearing on School Grounds
Per health and safety requirements, our students will be required to wear masks all through their school day. There have been recent reports about which masks are safest to wear: "Of the 14 masks and other coverings tested, the study found that some easily accessible cotton cloth masks are about as effective as standard surgical masks, while popular alternatives such as neck gaiters made of thin, stretchy material may be worse than not wearing a mask at all." Click HERE for a link to that Washington Post article.
It will be important that students have had some practice wearing a face mask for longer periods of time just to get used to it. Here is a video to help your child learn about how to appropriately put on and wear a mask: For Kids - Masks for Older Kids We thank you for all you have done to keep our island safe through social distancing and wearing your masks when expected!
Chromebooks and Returning to School Q & A
1) Do I need to return the Chromebook before school starts? No, but you need to fill out the Verification in the Family Portal for the Chromebook to be enabled before school starts.
2) My child is going from NES to NIS or from NIS to CPS. What do I do with my chromebook/charger? Please keep your Chromebook and charger unless/until you are provided with a new one and bring it to your new school.
3) I don't have a school issued Chromebook. When do I need to get one? You will be provided with a Chromebook right before school starts (we will have a family pickup), but you must have complete the verification in the family portal to do so.
In order to receive the new device or continue to use any device beyond August 1, families must log onto the Aspen Family Portal (https://www.npsk.org/domain/1321) and verify the student information. You may begin doing this at any time.
Please reach out to the Technology Help Desk if you need assistance. Here is the LINK
School Counselor Summer Information
School Counselor Summer Office Hours
Wednesdays: 8:00 - 2:30 PM
During the summer one of our school counselors or social worker will be working at NIS each Wednesday. Students, caregivers, parents, and families may call NIS requesting to speak to the counselor working. You can also email the counselor(s) to set up an appointment.
Mr. Aaron Peckham peckhama@npsk.org
Ms. Alexandra Rosenberg rosenberga@npsk.org
COVID-19 Travel Order
Effective August 1, 2020, all visitors and returning residents entering Massachusetts must follow new travel orders. The Commonwealth has made great progress to slow the spread of COVID-19 and gradually re-open the economy, and all visitors have a responsibility to help us keep transmission levels as low as possible.
All visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, who do not meet an exemption, are required to:
- Complete the Massachusetts Travel Form prior to arrival, unless you are visiting from a lower-risk state designated by the Department of Public Health.
- Quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts.
If your COVID-19 test result has not been received prior to arrival, visitors, and residents must quarantine until they receive a negative test result.
Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine per day.
Please find more information, including the list of lower-risk states, exemptions, business guidance and other details at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order
2020 Summer Reading Program at Nantucket Atheneum
Happy summer everyone!
This summer may be the most important summer for your children to develop a habit of reading at least 20 minutes per day. The Atheneum is excited to be able to offer a fun and interactive way that may help inspire them. Beanstack is an online program and app that enables readers of all ages to register in seconds as individuals or a family. Participants earn virtual badges as they reach certain milestones. I strongly encourage you to sign up! It is easy! Begin by clicking here nantucketatheneum.beanstack.org
We have also created a Weezie Library for Children FB page serving youth from birth through age 18. This will be the primary way we will communicate with our patrons during this time. We’ll offer Grab-and-Go programming, downloadable activities, Story Walks, LIVE performances, breaking library news, and much more. We hope you will join us. FB The Weezie Library for Children
All of us at the library miss our patrons. Please feel free to call us with questions or requests (or to say “hello”) 508-228-1110 x103, we’d love to hear from you. While the library is not open yet, we are offering curbside pick-up and will be at the desk M-F 10-2 for the time being.
Have a wonderful summer. I hope we’re all back together again soon.
Stay safe and well,
Leslie Malcolm
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