Greetings Bishop Woods Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. We are already entering the month of February, which is Black History Month. Teachers will be embedding Black History in to teaching and learning, and we are planning a school wide celebration. Stay tuned for more info...

Thank you again for your patience through our transition to the hybrid model. This week, our remote students will have an increase of live time with their teachers. Please pay attention to messages from your children's teachers that may communicate any grade level specific changes.

The students in the building are truly doing a remarkable job with mask wearing and social distancing. I am so proud of them! Please continue to reinforce the importance of all safety procedures at home.

Important Reminders for Hybrid Students:

- Unless there are frigid temperatures (like Friday), students are going outside every day. Please be sure to dress your child appropriately with warm clothing, coat, gloves and hat.

- Please remember to send your child in with a water bottle every day, as we do not have access to water fountains.

Important Reminder for Remote Students:

- Students should log in to their homeroom every day at 8:45 (even on Wednesdays).

- Your child should be adhering to the daily schedule, which will inform students when they are to be live with their teacher.

- Breakfast and lunch distribution is still happening DAILY at all NHPS from 11am-1pm.

This Wednesday, February 3rd, we will hold marking period 2 report card conferences. These will once again be VIRTUAL. You should have received communication from your child's teacher to sign up for a time slot. Conferences will run from 12:15 - 3pm and 5-7pm. If you have not heard from your child's teacher, please reach out.

Our specials teachers will also be available for conferences with parents that would like to meet with them. The links to sign up for each teacher are below:

Art (Ms. O'Brien): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4FADAA22A1FFC07-parent

Art (Ms. Bekech): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AAAA92EA2FFC52-artconference

Music (Ms. Giammattei): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-uD7wU-iDs0vxzCt3IdX-K0mJgK_rgoDNZqCxgQjOiY/edit?usp=sharing

PE (Mr. DeFelice): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4FADA923A3F4C52-report

At this point all families are committed to a return plan. If your would like to change your plan, you must contact the school to submit a formal request.

Lastly, it is very important that you complete our Student Absence Form if your child is an in-person learner who is absent from school or selecting to join remotely for a day. Here is the direct link, but this form is also available on our webpage:

https://forms.gle/rLaAqSXHGHuTjtXq6

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

Stay warm,

Mrs. Natalino

Sun. 1/31 - Paris W. (Grade 6)

Mon. 2/1 - Jacob L. (Grade 8), Aanjae-Maharani W. (Grade 2)

Tues., 2/2 - Prafulla P. (Grade 1), Jaylen S. (Grade 4)

Wed. 2/3 - Natalie B. (Grade 8), Aleina R. (Grade 1), Luis T. (Grade 7)

Thurs. 2/4 - Chasity F. (Grade 6), Elena M. (Grade 3)

Fri. 2/5 - Paola A. (Grade 7), Janeliz D. (Grade 5), Mr. Gee (TAG Teacher)

Sat. 2/6 - Isabella R. (Grade 2), Officer Bean (School Security)

Sun. 2/7 - Tijun M. (Grade 2), Alayah R. (Grade 3), Ja'Mar S. (Grade 4)

Mon. 2/8 - Jocelynn S. (Grade 7)

Wed. 2/10 - Mrs. O'Mara (K Paraprofessional)

Fri. 2/12 - Muhammad F. (Grade 8), Elrond H. (Grade 2)

Sat. 2/13 - Victor C. (Grade 6), Thiago Z. (Grade 1)

Join millions around the world as we celebrate the power of reading aloud with the twelfth annual World Read Aloud Day on February 3, 2021. Join us by reading aloud to your child. Teachers will also post links of read-alouds that you may wish to listen to as a family.

Teachers in grades K-3 will be reading with all of their students over the next few weeks. Your child will read a book aloud and answer questions. This one-on-one time is necessary for teachers to gather valuable information on your child’s reading. After all assessments are completed, teachers will form new small groups that will better fit your child’s reading needs. Please be patient as your child’s teacher needs to devote individual time to each of their students before we can start small reading groups again.

It’s so important for us all to continue taking good care of ourselves, especially during challenging times. Here are some suggestions for improved well-being for both adults and children of all ages:

• Get enough sleep at night – Getting enough sleep is very important for our physical and mental health, as well as our ability to focus and learn. Children and adolescents need about 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night. Before bedtime, start dimming lights, engage in a healthy/relaxing activity (such as reading or bathing), and put phones/other screens away (at least one hour before bedtime). Keeping to these routines helps us to fall asleep at night.
• Social connections – Social connections are extremely important to our well-being. Engage in family activities together, such as sitting and talking during meal time, cooking together, reading to/with a child, and playing card or board games. Although we can’t connect with many friends and relatives in person right now, talking by phone or meeting virtually (through Facetime, Zoom, etc) is a great way to connect.
• Daily physical activity – Getting daily movement is extremely important for our overall well-being (physical and mental health). Do something safe that you enjoy, such as walking, stretching, playing outside, hiking, or dancing/exercising in your home (there are lots of videos online). For adults, you may want to consult with your physician. Here’s a link to an app about hiking, biking and running trails: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alltrails-hike-bike-run/id405075943
• Hobbies – Engage in other healthy hobbies that you enjoy, such as drawing, painting, cooking, listening to music, playing an instrument, etc. Encourage young children to play with their toys.
• Nutrition – Include healthy foods during meals, drink lots of water, and minimize sugar, sugary drinks and other junk foods.
• Spend time away from smartphones/other devices – Spend some time each day away from phones and other devices. Instead, focus on the other healthy practices already mentioned above.

For more information, feel free to call Bishop Woods and ask to speak with a support staff member.

Please share any videos, images, quotes, or successes with remote learning each week to our Padlet!

1. Click the link to the Padlet: https://padlet.com/cara_campo/58q8knqx4rgib18q
2. Click the plus sign in the bottom right hand corner of your screen.
3. Please be sure to add your child's first name, last initial, and grade level to the title of the Padlet. (i.e. Londyn A., Grade 1)
   
4. You will have the option to upload or add anything you would like to share with the Bishop Woods school community!
5. Please submit all entries by Thursday of each school week so we can share in our Sunday Newsletter!

You MUST pre-screen your child prior to sending him/her to school (Please see forms below). If you are keeping your child home, you MUST fill out the sick day for at the link below prior to 10am. If we do not hear from you, someone from our main office will be contacting you to check in.

Student Absence Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfF189bI0rAf_29TM8UV7eobPbM3WgPR7HiKVnGvomvQPH36g/viewform

New Haven Public Schools Families:

The CSDE (Connecticut State Department of Education) has notified us of their participation in their Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer Program (P-EBT). Families who are eligible will receive funds to the address NHPS has on file in PowerSchool.

It is important that we have accurate addresses in PowerSchool for all enrolled students. Parents are encouraged to change their address with their child’s school via the school’s Administrative Assistant and must provide proof of residency at the new address. The following documents are acceptable.

• A copy of the current mortgage statement or original lease agreement for
your residence. OR
• One current utility bill (within the last 30-60 days) for your residence (UI, gas, cable, water)

If a parent is not able to provide proof of residency (e.g. they are not listed on a lease and have not utilities in their name) they must complete a NHPS Residency Affidavit. This document must be notarized and submitted to the Office Of School Choice & Enrollment. All documents can be easily accessed on the district website or by clicking the links below.

Residency Affidavit – English :
https://www.nhps.net/cms/lib/CT50000447/Centricity/Domain/76/Residency.Aff.ENG.2020%20updated%20-%20FILLABLE.pdf

Residency Affidavit – Spanish: https://www.nhps.net/cms/lib/CT50000447/Centricity/Domain/76/Residency.Aff.Span.2020%20updated%20-%20FILLABLE.pdf

If a parent may be experiencing homelessness please consult with your school’s McKinney Vento liaison.

We are here to help. Feel free contact the Office of School Choice & Enrollment at 475-220-1430 if you need any assistance.

Community Learning Hubs are safe spaces for children to go during the school day for supervised distance learning with high-speed internet access, social support, and enrichment, in a small cohort of no more than ten children. Children eligible to attend a Hub must be New Haven residents in 1st through 9th grades, registered for the New Haven Public Schools, and demonstrate high need. Space is extremely limited and families with the greatest need will receive priority, so if you are interested, apply ASAP. There is no cost to families.

Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2W7k5DCjjLr2OQiIlaxf9gVLl849pMLYVGk6X5xVGsPpJxQ/viewform

Starting soon, Mr. Ray Wallace will be offering online Zoom groups to boys in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. His group, The Young Kings, has been offered in the past at Bishop Woods as a place for students to gain confidence, connection, and leadership and life skills through group discussion, volunteering, visits from guest speakers, and ongoing mentorship. These groups will be offered during lunch, so as not to impede on academic activities.

SCHEDULE: Tuesdays - 11:40 am -12:10 pm

I hope our young men can take advantage of the is mentorship opportunity, and time to socialize with their peers. If you give permission for your child to participate in this offering, please fill out the form below at the link below. Thank you!

Young King's Permission Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2qB5OrrszcU75_W3JdjYRUL5NMxeC4Bwbw1fP9G5d0FahLQ/viewform

Any family interested in the Boys & Girls Club After School Program should fill out the application at the following link: https://forms.gle/3fXDtPHsQzwy5mMG6

NHPS has started a Homework Help Line to support students. The Homework Help Line is a collaboration effort with Yale University. If your child is having a problem understanding their homework assignment , they can connect to https://meet.google.com/iur-dbux-zsm

The line is open from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday to Thursday.

CLOSED DURING HOLIDAYS

We are very much hoping that you and your family are healthy and doing well!

We also want to provide you with just a bit of information. Bishop Woods has a Student and Staff Support Team (SSST). This team is made up of professionals who can provide support or strategies for students who are experiencing significant challenges (such as learning, social, behavioral, or emotional challenges). Typically, students who do not receive special education services can be referred to the SSST. If you would like more information or to make a referral, please contact the following:

Stephanie Willis, School Social Worker

Sarah Northrop, School Psychologist

Maria Nuterangelo, School Counselor

Rather thank keeping all of this information on the newsletter each week, I have created a Bishop Woods Family Resource Padlet to house all of the important information and resources I have been sharing. The link is below:

https://padlet.com/dinanatalino4/eyn4eoma0k8zzyal