NIS Weekly News
Nantucket Intermediate School - April 12, 2021
Wonderful "Week 1" Experiences!
Dear NIS families,
Last week was truly a different week of learning and growing together. Monday morning we went outside to greet students in the morning as we usually do and two fifth grade girls, in the same class, were ecstatic to see one another. You see, one has been in Cohort B and the other in Cohort C up until Monday when they could finally be in class, together! They went on and on about how excited they were and how much they had missed being together. Our hearts melted! This was just the first of many moments of joy, laughter and togetherness experienced last week.
Teaching and learning look different too! Several classes engaged in outdoor learning as now they could be assured no one would be left behind on the computer screen. In classrooms, hands on learning activities were possible for all students simultaneously and peer to peer conversations were spontaneously occuring. Teacher observation of student engagement and understanding increased.
We are also excited for our Cohort D, all remote learners. Their classes are small ranging in size from seven to ten students, thus, there is a lot of teacher attention.
Thank you for all of your support all year long and through these transitions. It has been a year unlike any other and we are so glad to partner with you!
Warmest regards,
Evemarie McNeil, Principal & Donna Johnson, Assistant Principal
Contact Tracing
In the event there is community spread in a classroom, it is most likely that the entire classroom would have to go to remote learning for a period of time. This would be communicated to those impacted as soon as possible.
No School Next Week
No school April 19 - April 23rd
NIS Safety Protocols - Revised
NIS Nurse Notes: Nancy Small, RN
Hello Families!
It sure is great to have a full house again. Our students have been doing so well following the rules of wearing a mask, social distancing, and hand washing. I feel our protocols will keep us all safe and healthy. As I stated last week, it is allergy season and allergies and covid have very similar symptoms. With that being said, if your student has a documented history of allergies and takes medicine for them, please let me know. Your physician can fax or email me stating the history of allergies. Having this information will allow your student to stay in school and not have to get tested for covid if they present to me with any symptoms.
Please keep safe and healthy,
Nancy Small RN
Sewer Project - Traffic Delays Possible
SEWER PROJECT
There was an advertisement in the I and M on 4/1 and will run again on 4/8 sharing the information about the sewer project. It will begin at 4:00 pm on Sunday, April 11 on Surfside Road. They will work from 4:00 pm until 2:00 am on Sunday - Thursday evenings. They will do trench paving on Fridays from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.
This week's update includes:
4/11 - 4/16
4:00 pm - 2:00 am - Starting near 48 Surfside Road progressing south towards Miacomet Ave. This means a full road closure between Bartlett Road and Miacomet Ave. on these days.
4/16
9:00 am - 2:00 pm - One Lane Closure for Trench paving
Here is a link to visit for the project webpage that has very detailed information. They will regularly be updating this project webpage (weekly). The start date is now 4/12/21.
MCAS Testing at NIS
Tentative Testing Dates:
May 11 - Gr. 3 ELA
May 13 - Gr. 4 ELA
May 18 - Gr. 5 ELA
May 20 - Gr. 3 Math
May 25 - Gr. 4 Math
May 27 - Gr. 5 Math
June 3 - Gr. 5 STE
Here is a link for more information about MCAS testing: MCAS Resources for Parents/Guardians
For 2021, students will only take one session for each subject area test.
MCAS Subject Area Test for Grades 3–8
Recommended Testing Times *All tests are untimed
ELA
2 to 2 ½ hours
Mathematics
1 ½ hours
STE for Students in Grade 5
1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours
COVID-19 Travel Advisory
As of Monday, March 22, all visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival. Travelers in the following categories are exempt from this quarantine advisory:
- Travelers who have received a negative COVID-19 result on a test administered not more than 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts. Travelers may also test out of the quarantine advisory after arrival in Massachusetts, as long as they quarantine until receiving a negative test result.
- Anyone who is entering Massachusetts for fewer than 24 hours
- Anyone who is returning to Massachusetts after being out of the State for fewer than 24 hours
- Workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions (as specified by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) during required commuting to or from work and while at work.
- Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago) and who do not have symptoms.
All travelers are encouraged to consult and follow the CDC’s guidelines and requirements for travel.
School Counselor Newsletter
SMORE Newsletter from School Social Worker Emily Sybert
Please click this Smore link for Ms. Sybert's latest family communication. She focuses on breaking down behaviors and identifying alternative ways to respond to your childen rather than being reactive. There is also news about COVID resources being offered at the Family Resource Center. Emily Sybert - School Social Worker - syberte@npsk.org
Thank you Ms. Sybert!
April NPS Calendar
Schoology Support for Parents/Caregivers
Our NIS in house Schoology trainers are Grade 5 teacher Taylor O'Brien and Library Teacher Olivia Myers who have both expressed their availability to parents for Schoology questions. Here is their contact information:
Taylor O'Brien: Obrient@npsk.org
Olivia Myers: myerso@npsk.org
Please see attachments below for more information in English and Spanish.
Free and Reduced Lunch News
Even though meals are free to all, families who are Directly Certified or Approved via a paper application for Free or Reduced lunch can use their letter for:
- Reduced electricity costs through National Grid
- Reduced internet through Comcast Xfinity
- May also qualify for Food Pantry or Nantucket Housing & Fuel Assistance
Please contact the Central Registrar Sarah Erichsen if you have questions by calling 508-228-7285 x1149 or emailing erichsens@npsk.org.
Behavioral Support
Laura Stanley, NPS district behavior analyst, wants to share her newsletter with you full of strategies for supporting your any behavioral challenges you may be experiencing with your children at home. Here it is: Behavior Support Strategies at Home
Laura Stanley, MS, BCBA, LABA
District Behavior Analyst
Nantucket Public Schools
Phone: 508-228-7290 ext 4226
E-mail: stanleyl@npsk.org
BCBA Behavior Newsletter https://www.smore.com/wuh54
NIS School Improvement Plan 20-21
NIS Return to School Safety Protocols
NIS Family Handbook 2020-2021
- English: NIS Family Handbook 2020 - 2021
- Espanol: NIS Familia Manual 2020-2021
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