Summer Street School Family Updates
November 16, 2020
Letter from the Principal
Dear Families,
I hope you enjoyed the warm weather this weekend. I may have been too enthusiastic in enjoying the weather. I walked multiple times each day with family and friends and today my muscles are a little sore!
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the children in their costumes. If you did not get the link to the video from the children's teachers, please look for the link at the bottom of this publication. Between the costumes, decorating pumpkins and the family Scarecrows in the circle, there were plenty of reasons to smile in the last two weeks.
Dismissal:
The staff and I talk daily about how we can be more effective. This week, I have several suggestions for dismissal:
For parents who do not yet have signs in their dashboards with the family name, please put large signs (8x11 or 8x17) in clear bold lettering to help us match students with your cars. That way, students can be ready for you.
Also, please refrain from using cell phones when you are in line. I am always worried about student safety and distracted drivers. Thank you.
Remote Learning
In speaking with many parents this week, it seems obvious that the challenge of remote learning and trying to answer students' questions about learning is creating a great deal of stress. The article at the bottom of this newsletter describes one mom's quest to develop boundaries.
Here are some other tips from me:
Establish an area where the student can be relatively free of distractions.
Let the children's errors show on their submitted work--how else will teachers know what children understand and then review or extend those concepts?
In letting your child's errors show in their work, you can focus on being your child's cheerleader. Praise students for what they do well.
Reward hard work and effort with experiences--cooking with you, walking with you, reading with you.
This is such a difficult time for families. If you can fill the time with hugs and love, set the foundation for consistent boundaries and lifelong skills of persistence in working through hard concepts, and find time to read and snuggle, then the children will have good memories of this time. I am always surprised by the children's capacity to find joy in an ordinary day.
Sincerely,
Karen
It's getting cold outside!
Notes from the Nurse
Flu shot update
The Lynnfield Board of Health in conjunction with the Lynnfield Public School Nurses, have been fortunate enough to be able to offer two Children's Flu Clinic over the last four weeks This has been done as State public health officials require that influenza immunization will be required for all children 6 months of age or older who are attending Massachusetts child care, pre-school, kindergarten, K-12, and colleges and universities. The new vaccine requirement is an important step to reduce flu-related illness and the overall impact of respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students will be expected to have received a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020 for the 2020-2021 influenza season, unless either a medical or religious exemption is provided. Also exempted are K-12 students who are home-schooled and higher education students who are completely off-campus and engaged in remote learning only. This new flu immunization requirement to enter school in January is in addition to existing vaccine requirements for all those attending child care, preschool, K-12, and colleges and universities in Massachusetts. Elementary and secondary students in districts and schools that are using a remote education model are not exempt.
If your child has received their influenza shot, please forward a copy of the note from your doctor to your student's school.
Missing Attestation Forms
Social Emotional Learning
This is a great resource for families. I encourage you to read it!
If the students talk about the "Summer Street Shoutouts", this is the work of Ms. Hunt as well who is working hard to develop joy and gratitude at Summer Street. Here is her note:
I put up a "Summer Street Shoutouts" bulletin board outside of the APR as a way to recognize all the hard work/positives of staff and students that may otherwise go unnoticed! There are thought bubbles in pouches on the bulletin board to write down the shoutout- these are meant for staff AND students! I'm also going to be bringing around some thought bubbles to each class so students have the opportunity to fill them out during mindful time/a free moment if they would like.
Upcoming Dates
November 12 & 17: Parent-Teacher Conferences (through Zoom)--Early Release - 12:00
Technology
The response time is within 24-48 hours. Thank you!